Adrian Rowan

Adrian Rowan has been training every animal she could since she was a child. Through her animals, students' dogs, and human preschoolers, Adrian has gained extensive experience with many types of learners. Above all, she believes that learning should be a joyful and creative process for everyone involved.

Adrian has been active in the sport of dog agility since 2009. She currently competes with her Windsprite, Kestrel, and has an up-and-coming Whippet puppy, Pippin. She has taught group classes in Louisville, Kentucky since 2010. She teaches a variety of topics, including classes for shy and fearful dogs, cooperative veterinary care, and basic manners.

Adrian believes in developing clarity and joy in the training process. She always focuses on the dog's emotional state while providing them opportunities for choice and control.

Adrian's teaching style and philosophy use the same principles for training both dogs and humans. She says, "I try to break things down so progress can be made quickly and with as little failure as possible for dogs and humans. The thing I care about the most is how you and your dog feel. I want both members of the team to be excited about the process of running agility together. While it is also important to be the best trainer and handler you can be, and I have high expectations for training and handling skills, if you start from a place of mutual fun and connection, I believe the process will be joyful instead of tedious. I firmly believe that dog training is both an art and a science. I care deeply about being a good dog trainer and handler, but I also recognize that dogs are unique individuals with feelings and preferences who don't always follow the 'rules' of training. I am always up for finding creative solutions and ideas, and I'm never afraid to admit when a suggestion I give turns out not to work for a particular team and that we should try to find a new one."

Regarding her handling style and philosophy, she says, "I think I get as much joy out of running as my dogs do, so I love being able to really run aggressively on a course! Much of my current handling style comes from running sighthounds. They love to chase, so I try as hard as I can to let them chase me around the course. To be able to do so, I try to give as much information to my dogs as possible, as early as possible, so I can take off and try to be ahead of them."

Adrian also says, "When you become proficient at something such as dog training or handling, it can be easy to forget what it feels like to be a beginner again. The confusion, frustration, and sheer sense of 'I just can't do this!' I frequently pick up hobbies that are brand new to me, especially physical ones, so I never lose touch with that experience for my learners. I make note of what great teachers across any subject do to make the experience as smooth as possible for the new learner and make equal note when a learning experience is frustrating to me or feels impossible. My current project is learning to play the banjo!"