About Fly Dog Sports
Christiana Gunderson, Owner & Trainer
I began training animals, and they began training me, at a very young age. I was teaching sheep to walk in halters and lead for my favorite 4H class, showmanship, where the judge would test your knowledge and skills of a variety of animals from chickens to cattle.
Throughout high school I rode in a PRCA Drill Team bareback and bridleless
I began training animals, and they began training me, at a very young age. I was teaching sheep to walk in halters and lead for my favorite 4H class, showmanship, where the judge would test your knowledge and skills of a variety of animals from chickens to cattle.
Throughout high school I rode in a PRCA Drill Team bareback and bridleless on a horse I trained. I was teaching beginning western riding lessons to adults and children at 17. By 20 I was the assistant drill captain of the group training young riders from ages 8-18.
In college I started taking dog obedience and dog tricks classes so our first dog Kaycee could carry a flower basket in our wedding. Then I discovered Dog Agility, and Skyhoundz Frisbee Competitions. We competed all over the NW and our dog Oscar qualified for Skyhoundz Worlds in 2008 in Chattanooga, TN.
In 2006 I accepted a job at SafeHaven Humane Society as the Operations Director and that is where I gained my deep understanding of dog behavior. My fist day I adopted a very fearful Miniature American Shepherd that taught me so much. I worked with thousands of dogs accessing behavior, creating play groups, modifying behavior, and counseling adopters. During this time I also worked with dogs from hoarding, abuse, and neglect cases, including most notably a group of wolf-hybrids. When we relocated to Bend, OR I started a pet photography business and continued volunteering in local animal shelters.
The agility bug hit again in 2020 when I wanted to create a stronger bond between myself and Pomeranian Mix, Bridger. I started apprenticing under local trainer Tammy Moody and I still assist in her classes, as well as teaching my own.
I especially enjoy helping build a partnership between dogs and their handlers using modern positive reinforcement methods.
Continuing education includes:
2023
Handling Problem Behavior & Mistakes, Karen Pryor National Training Center ~ Graham, WA
FDSA 3 day Camp ~ Albany, OR
Worked Up 2.0 with Sarah Stremming ~ Newberg, OR
2024
Control Unleashed 2 day workshop
Clicker Expo, Portland, OR
APDT Conference, Riverside, CA
