For those of you that I have not yet met, my name is Nikki Banfield.
My career as a dog trainer, competitor, and Schutzhund USA judge began 31 years ago. I became a member of the St. Cloud Dog Training Academy in Minnesota in 1980. My obedience instructor, Sylvia Hirt was active in A.K.C. obedience trials, training the K-9 dogs in St. Cloud and in Schutzhund sport. She successfully coached me through my first CD and CDX on a German Shorthaired Pointer and a CD on a Doberman. I was invited to become an apprentice trainer under Sylvia’s sharp eye. I owe a lot of gratitude for the faith she had in me.
She inspired me and encouraged me in the dog training world. She invited me to attend a training session with the St. Cloud police department canine unit. Her Sch 1 German Shepherd, “Grizzly” came along for a bite. Bite work, Schutzhund, sounded like fun. She explained that the sport originated in Germany as a temperament test for the German Shepherd dog. I was impressed with the intensity and drive that the dog possessed. I was equally impressed with the control demonstrated by the handler. The dogs and handlers had something more, a bond and relationship.
So began my journey into the sport. My initial involvement, was with the now extinct Twin Cities Working Dog Association headed by Dave and Donna Rednour. They were instrumental in guiding me down the path, I’ve chosen, of no return. I spent 7 years training in Germany with Roland Seibel and Fritz Biehler. Roland was instrumental in my achieving a Sch 3 title on a Rottweiler.
One of the clubs I belonged to, PSGV, in Weiderstadt, hosted the FCI qualification for the world championship in tracking 2 years in a row. I am proud to have been chosen as a tracklayer for those events. I have dedicated my life to the care, training, and evaluation of the German Shepherd and all working breeds.
2010 Mideastern Regional Championships