Owner/Instructor: Janice Elvidge
I started training dogs in 1976 with my first Sheltie, Prince. We went to county fair for 6 years and our best event was “Tricks!” Our favorite trick? Playing tetherball. In 1979 we completed the AKC Companion Dog title. That was my first dog training title and the start of a wonderful journey!
In 1992 I got my second Sheltie, Martein. She was a smart dog that I wish was born several years later. She was born at a time before training utilized positive methods.
In 1996 we began training and competing in agility, a new dog sport in the United States at that time. Agility has always been a positive sport, and so we began our transition to positive reinforcement training. In 2001 I attended my first Association for Pet Dog Trainers conference. In September 2001 I participated in Terry Ryan’s Chicken Camp. And so began my R+ journey. Since 2001 I have participated in numerous conferences, camps, seminars, webinars, training and professional development.
In 2017 decided I wanted to train a second breed. I added a Papillon (Kira) to my group later that year. As of 2025 I have 6 Papillons and 2 Shelties. Kira has many titles, with Tricks being her favorite. In 2025 her son, Buddy, finished his conformation championship, and her daughter, Honey, finished 2 Fast C.A.T. titles.
Training others to train their dogs began in 1996 as a 4-H Dog club leader and then as a Judge. After retiring from the National Park Service as an Education Specialist in 2021 I began volunteering as an instructor with the Wenatchee Kennel Club. This experience taught me that I really enjoy teaching and helping people train their dogs. It is the easiest subject I have ever taught.
Training Philosophy
My training philosophy is the result of working with my second Sheltie, Martein. She taught me that force and correction-based training was not needed to get a well trained dog. That was in 1993.
How did she do that? I was trying to teach her to to pick up a dumbell for the obedience retrieve exercise. I tried the traditional force methods, which included an ear pinch, to no avail. One day I gave up. I sat on the floor with her next to me, the dumbell and treats in front of me.
Martein began bugging me for a treat, which I ignored. The next thing I knew she had gotten up, put her mouth over the dumbell and looked at me as if to say “now can I have a treat?” From that day on she never failed to get the dumbell and bring it back!
That started me on a journey of learning better ways to train, play and work with our animal companions
Animal Related Training and Experience
Training
Participant
Association of Pet Dog Trainers: Conference 2001 (In-Person), 2025 (virtual); member
Terry Ryan Chicken Camp 2001 In-Person
Fenzi Dog Sports Academy: agility, obedience, conformation, tricks, behavior, fitness, etc.
FDSA Camp 2017 and 2023 In-Person
FDSA Virtual Lemonade Conference I, II, III. 2020, 2021, 2022
Clicker Expo Live! (Virtual) 2022, 2024, 2025
Behavior Explorer
*Shaping Workshop (virtual) Class 1-4, 2023
*Cue Repair summer 2025
Aggression in Dogs Conference (virtual) 2021 and 2022
Seminars in multiple years with: Grisha Stewart, Michael Mikashio, Dr. Chris Pachel
Brain Camp 2023
Zanee Agility Camp 2021 In-Person
One Mind Dogs Seminar 2018 In-Person
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Pet Dog Training (completed and finishing in 2026)
And many, many, more…..?l
Instructor/Judge
4-H Dog Club 1996 – 2003 – Lead Trainer
4-H Judge 2002-2005
Wenatchee Kennel Club, November 2022 – present -“Beginner Puppy” and “Tricks With a Purpose” instructor
Titles and Accomplishments
• M.S. University of Washington Graduate School, College of Forest Resources, Seattle, Washington. MS in Forest Resource Management, specializing in Interpretive Planning.
• B.A. Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington. BA Professional Studies. Leisure Services (recreation administration) with a minor in Music Performance. Also certified as a Suzuki Method Violin Instructor.
AKC Companion Dog (CD) title 1979, 1994, 2002
AKC Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) 1995
CKC Companion Dog (CD) 1995
AKC Conformation Champions 2000 and 2025
CKC Conformation Champion 1999
IABCA International Champion (4 adults and 2 puppies) 1999 and 2023
AKC Agility Titles (5 dogs). 1 PACH/PAX and Agility Nationals, 3 Open level dogs, several novice level dogs 1995 – 2023; plus, NADAC titles spanning 1997 to 2022.
AKC Novice Rally 2005
AHBA Herding Tested
AKC Trick Performer (TKP) and 5 TKI and TKN
AKC CGC – too many to count.
AKC Fast C.A.T. (B-CAT and D-CAT 2025)
Work Experience
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
March 2005 to December 31, 2021 (Retired) Education Program Specialist
Managed and developed the park’s Education Program
Responsible for all aspects of the Education Program. Lead student programs and provided teacher training.
US National Park Service, Mather Training Center
National Education Training Committee June 2017-2019
• Lead Instructor March 2019, 4-day virtual training
• Member instructor of the training team which provides, in-person, virtual and digital training in education for National Park Service Rangers.
• Assisted with creation of micro-lessons for the Common Learning Portal (learning resources for National Park Service staff, volunteers and guests)
Fort Clatsop National Memorial (Oregon)
August 8, 1992 to March 5, 2005 Interpretive/Education Specialist
Developed the park’s education program. Responsible for management, budget, presentation, supervision of staff, budget, grant seeking and program evaluation. Established 2 first-person living history events.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas)
July 8, 1991 to August 7, 1992
Park Ranger
Honors and Awards
Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators, 2022 Outstanding Aquatic Educator of the Year – Non-Classroom
National Park Service and National Parks and Conservation Association, Pacific West Field Area Freeman Tilden Award. For the development of the education program at Fort Clatsop National Memorial. Summer 1996
Award of Appreciation, NPS Pacific West Region, for membership and contributions to the Pacific West Region’s Parks as Classrooms Educators education committee. Founding member since 2003.
Star Award ($500) September 2008 (for development and management of the Lake Roosevelt NRA education program.
JE Dog Training 