About Me
Mindy L. Coccari, CTDI, CCFC, AACE
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I have been training and showing dogs for over 16 years, with extensive experience teaching group classes using positive, reward-based training methods. My teaching philosophy centers on building strong foundations—whether for family pets or competitive sport dogs—so each team can succeed, gain confidence, and thrive in their everyday lives for years to come.
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I am passionate about teaching and truly enjoy watching both handlers and dogs grow together into confident, capable working teams. My goal is to provide clear instruction, thoughtful progression, and supportive coaching that meets each team where they are while helping them reach their full potential.
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In addition to teaching, I am an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen® Evaluator, authorized to test teams for S.T.A.R. Puppy, all levels of the Canine Good Citizen® program (CGC, CGCA, CGCU), and the AKC Trick Dog program. I am also a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) through Do More With Your Dog!® (DMWYD), allowing me to evaluate dogs for all levels of DMWYD Trick Dog titles.
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I am an AKC Fit Dog Level 3 Instructor and a Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach (CCFC) certified through Do More With Your Dog!®, enabling me to offer classes and evaluate dogs for canine conditioning and fitness titles through both organizations. Additionally, I am a DMWYD Animal Actor Certified Evaluator (AACE), which allows me to prepare dogs for work in photo shoots, commercials, film, and other performance environments.
With my own dogs, I have earned a wide range of titles including AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC, CGCA), Therapy Dogs International (TDI), Rally Obedience (RN, RA, RE, RAE, RAE2, RM), Beginner Novice (BN), Preferred Novice (PCD), Novice (CD), and Preferred Open (PCDX) obedience titles. I have also earned AKC and DMWYD Trick Dog titles (TKN, TKNM, TKI, TKIM, TKA, TKE, TKP, TDCH), DMWYD Stunt Dog titles (Novice, Open), DMWYD Canine Conditioning Fitness titles (CCF1, CCF2, CCF3), DMWYD Animal Actor (Photo Shoot) and AKC Fit Dog Bronze titles with my Bichon Frises Benny, Dino, and Clay.
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In addition, my dog Dino earned an AKC Championship in Conformation and a Fenzi Team Obedience Level I title. My dogs have achieved High Combined in Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent, as well as High Combined Triple Qualifying in Rally Masters, Rally Excellent, and Rally Advanced.
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Dino was the #1 Bichon Frise in the country in AKC Rally Obedience in 2017 and was invited to compete at the AKC Rally National Championship in 2018 and 2021. Clay was the #3 Bichon Frise in the country in 2019 and received invitations to compete at the AKC Rally National Championship in 2020 and 2021.
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