As a professional dog trainer for twenty years I have been fortunate to blend my passion for working dogs together with my livelihood. I offer pet dog training and competition sport dog coaching and workshops through Tami McLeod Canine Coaching.

Training started at an early age beginning with AKC conformation handling (Rottweilers and Scottish Terriers) and obedience trials (with my father's German Shepherds). At thirteen years old my first German Shepherd introduced me to the glories of success in obedience trials. I was just sixteen years of age when the training director of my first local schutzhund club took me to spectate at the DVG Championship. From that point on I was enamored with the power and relationship of high drive dogs.

I titled my first dog in IPO (schutzhund) at 16 years of age. I went on to garner titles at the IPO/SchH III level on four different dogs, an additional two dogs to IPO II, a few to IPO I's, a dozen plus BHs, a French Ring Brevet, and accumulating over 100 working dog titles in dog sports (mostly in IPO) with a variety of breeds.

Fortunately, my wonderful clients have allowed me to work toward training/titling numerous breeds which has assisted in developing my flexibility and range as a trainer in addition to my personal dogs. Breeds include GSDs (show and working dogs), Malinois, Giant Schnauzer, Borzoi, Rottweiler, American Pit Bull Terrier, Border Collie, Border Terrier, various sporting breeds, and a multitude of breeds in the companion dog world.

 - Competed in the N. American Championships X 2, USA National Championships X 2, Regional Championships X 3, AWMA Nationals

- FCI All Breed World Championship team member (Germany) where I was the youngest ever American to compete and trialed the youngest dog

- Multiple High in Trials, High Tracking, High Obedience, High Protection

- "V" (excellent ratings) achieved in all three phases

 Having the good fortune to work with some challenging dogs which tipped the scales toward either too much drive, or too little drive, required me to become an innovative problem solver and develop my flexibility as a trainer. The ability to effectively train a wide range of dogs is attributed to those dogs who posed difficulties which other trainers had given up on.

I contributed to dog clubs over the years as founding member of the American Working Malinois Association, board member/delegate to the American Working Dog Federation, serving on past committees including the National Events Committee, former Pacific Northwest Training Director, and Training Director for local clubs. Currently, I am accepting students for companion dog coaching and a limited number of dogs/students for competition coaching in middle Tennessee. I provide workshops a few times per year in the US and Canada, and am also offer an online course and DVD on "Drive Development" through Leerburg.com.

My latest endeavor involves the formation of a new obedience club in the United States geared toward FCI style of obedience. While still in its infancy, my hope is to bridge the gap between the precision of the obedience world and the core drive work found in the competitive bite sports. These fast, flashy obedience performances in a larger physical space that are a pleasure to watch and train, and is a sport that American dog handlers may also enjoy soon as well....with our all-inclusive, American twist.