Lindy Sander
Owner, Director of Training

Sue Wicke

Associate Trainer

Dog’s have always been a part of Sue’s life ever since she was a small child.  When she was old enough to have her own dog, Sue, even without formal training, could teach her dogs to be well-mannered, obedient and do tricks.  Over the years many different breeds have been a part of her life and she developed a kinship with the German Shepherd breed.

After many years of working in the ‘people world’ Sue became drawn to the canine training world.  She worked for a vet that recognized and was pleased with her natural ability to communicate and handle even the most difficult of his patients.  He encouraged her to stay close to the dog world and explore the avenues available to develop her natural ability.

After receiving formal training at different facilities and under different trainers Sue chose A+ Dog Training to pursue her dog training career.  Sue found Lindy Sander’s immense knowledge of different breeds and her diversified training methods exceptional.  Lindy’s life experiences and her ability to communicate her dog knowledge to her clients influenced Sue to become part of the A+ Dog Training team.  With Lindy’s techniques and knowledge Sue has expanded her knowledge and expertise from basic dog training to earning competition titles with her German Shepherd including Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent, Rally Novice and Rally Advanced.  Sue has also included Schutzhund in her dog’s training where she is both a student and a part-time trainer.  Sue has recently added showing her Bullmastiff in conformation to her training venue.  Sue also attends seminars and trains with the most diversified methods and varied surroundings.  Sue is currently working on future titles with her dogs.

Sue eagerly looks forward to each week working with students and their dogs to help owners have a polite, well mannered best canine citizen possible and encourages them to enjoy the fun of earning competition titles with their dogs.

Mary Ann Christie
Lead Agility Instructor

Jackie Folak
Instructor

Alison Prokopczyk

Assistant Trainer

Alison has been living and working with various breeds of dogs her entire life as far back as she can remember.  As a child and as a hobby she trained not only her own, but her neighbors dogs as well.  They learned to sit, heel nicely, down and generally behave.  As she reached adulthood she came to take dog training more seriously and began to study dog behavior and different training techniques.  She knew safety came first when raising children with dogs and a well trained, well behaved dog was imperative.  She has always loved the giant breeds and after living with a St. Bernard for many years decided to explore the Mastiff breed.  She acquired a Mastiff from someone who had a litter.  He had many health issues and she turned to Mastiff Rescue for advice on his problems.  This began her journey with Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue where she continues to be a very active volunteer, evaluating temperaments, fostering, transporting, home visits, etc. 

Alison first adopted Jake (he is the dog on the far left), a two year old Mastiff with some behavioral issues.  Jake was rushing at other dogs for no apparent reason even though he had been well-socialized at his foster home.  After contacting several trainers in the area included Lindy Sander at A+ Dog Training, it became apparent during their conversation that Lindy had the most experience and expertise in solving behavioral issues.  Lindy invited Alison and Jake to attend a beginner’s obedience class for evaluation and possible private training to improve Jake’s behavior.  Happily Jake responded positively to the class setting and came to realize that Jake was not rushing in an aggressive manner but rather lacked some basic social skills in meeting new dogs, especially on-leash.  Thanks to Lindy’s expert advice and assistance Jake now has the following accomplishments:  Canine Good Citizen Award (CGC), Companion Dog (CD), Rally Novice (RN), Rally Advanced (RA) and is a Delta Society Therapy dog.  Jake has a big following with the children at the Crystal Lake and Cary Library and has been featured many times in the Northwest Herald.  Jake has also been in numerous area parades, pet expos and is a featured dog at Barnes and Noble and Borders reading programs.  Jake is a regular therapy dog visitor at NIMC Physical Therapy Department and Family Alliance in Woodstock. 

As with many active rescue volunteers, Alison eventually acquired several more “keepers” from the fostering rescue program.  These dogs came to Alison with either health or behavioral issues.  Gracie, next to Jake, has earned her CGC, CD, RN and RA titles.  Carson, on her left has earned his CGC, CD, RN, is a Delta Society Therapy Dog and is currently working on his RA title.  Wyatt, her youngest on the far right, has managed to earn his CGC, RN and is a Delta Society Therapy Dog in spite of numerous setbacks due to health issues.  In front are her two brindles, Amos, on the right, has earned his CGC, CD, RN, RA and is a Delta Society Therapy Dog amazingly because he was dog aggressive when first coming to her as a foster dog.  Diva, the brindle on the left who came to Alison with health issues, has earned her CGC, CD, RN and is a Delta Society Therapy Dog.  In spite of having the reputation of being a notoriously difficult breed to obtain obedience titles on, her Mastiffs have actually taken first place twice, second place, twice, and third and fourth places in competition.

With Lindy’s guidance and expertise Alison’s knowledge and expertise grew and it was a natural progression that Alison began working as a staff member at A+ Dog Training.  Alison looks forward to continuing to learn and grow through study and hands-on experience with the many different breeds and temperaments of dogs who become clients of A+.