Tracy Sklenar

Tracy Sklenar has been training dogs and competing in dog agility for almost 20 years and is perhaps the only handler in the world who has won medals in international finals as a coach for two different countries AND as a handler with her own dog in both team and individual events. She is on the faculty of Agility University and Agility MasterClass, teaches in the Clean Run Learning Center, and also travels extensively to teach seminars and compete. Her "Feet Forward" approach to handling and emphasis on connection and reinforcement have helped handlers excel at every level and with every type of dog. 

Tracy's dogs have had very successful careers regionally, nationally, and internationally. She and her dogs have achieved many titles/championships, made many finalist appearances as well as multiple podium appearances in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Tracy has competed successfully in agility with a variety of dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. Most recently, Tracy won the National Games Championship at the 2018 UKI US Open.
Currently, Tracy shares her life with eight dogs: 3 BC/terrier mixes (16-year-old Export, 13-year-old Matrix, and 3-year-old Hot Sauce), a BC/Croatian mix (9-year-old Voodoo), two Papillons (10-year-old Crusher and 7-year-old Macho Nacho) and two pointy puppies (Whippet mixes): Border Whippet, Contraband and "Bwhap" (Border/Whippet/Papillon) Elektra! She began agility with two mixed breeds and two Dalmatians, and also enjoyed a fabulous high level career with Rebound, a Rat Terrier. This range of experience with a variety of breeds and individuals has helped her become an instructor who can help all types of dogs and handlers!

Tracy also has extensive coaching experience, ranging from local competitors to international teams. She came out of team coaching retirement to coach Team USA at the IFCS World Agility Championships in Valencia, Spain, in 2017 and stayed on to coach the 2018 USA team in Italy. In 2012 and 2011, she was the Coach/Manager of Team USA at the World Agility Open in Belgium and the United Kingdom, respectively, and she was proud to see the US team bring home more medals than any other country—both times! She served as the Manager/Coach for Team Canada at the IFCS World Agility Championships in 2008, 2010, and 2012. These teams were also very successful, ranking high in the Individual medal count and bringing home medals in the Team event.

Outside of international competitions, Tracy's local, national, and international students from live classes, seminars, and online classes have achieved great success with a variety of breeds, including championship titles, national finals appearances, top five finishes in their breed, Invitational appearances, and more! Tracy uses positive reinforcement, motivational games, and shaping to build brilliant behaviors in the dogs while teaching the handlers to be consistent and positive in their handling and dog training. She tailors the training to the needs of the individual dog and handler while continuously evolving her approach to training and teaching. Underneath all of the handling is a solid layer of dog training that makes even the most complex skills fast and easy for the dogs and handlers.

Tracy loves the training and coaching elements of the sport that happen at every level! She believes that training is both a science and an art and enjoys bringing both to the ring when working with dogs and their handlers.