Our Instructors

We are proud to have instructors that use the exact same “positive” training curriculum! We use “Operant Conditioning” in all our classes and believe it is the easiest method for your dog to learn and for you to communicate with your dog! Many training philosophies work, but the most important aspect to getting your dog trained is finding a training method and sticking with it. We believe strongly that our method helps foster a strong relationship between you and your dog, which is the first step in training any dog! At Greta’s Gym, all of our instructors use the same training method to help you and your dog achieve your goals!

Maureen O’Reilly Weidner

Maureen is our lead instructor and responsible for developing all class curriculums. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Maureen has been trained by some of the leading dog trainers in the United States, such as: Ann Braue (Ann Braue’s Canine Training Center); Elicia Calhoun (Waltzing Paws); Nancy Gyes (Power Paws Agility); Rachel Sanders (Fast Forward Dog Sports) and Terry Smorch, to name just a few. She continually attends seminars all over the country to keep her training skills sharp and up-to-date! She has been training dogs all of her life, but professionally since 1999.

Maureen has trained all breeds of dogs from little Shih Tzus to large breeds like German Shepherds! The proof of her dog training abilities can be seen by looking at the success she has had in the agility ring with her Miniature Schnauzers: Greta, Liza and Ava! She has attained the highest agility titles available on multiple dogs! Maureen and her dogs have continued to qualify to attend the AKC National Championship held each year, since 2005! Check out “About Us” to learn more about Maureen’s dogs and their accomplishments!

Maureen teaches all obedience and agility classes at Greta’s Gym. She also teaches our Crate Games seminars, as well as other special programs and classes! Maureen is available for private lessons to fit your schedule, when you are unable to attend our classes!

  Jennifer Lynn Benedict

Jennifer has been professionally training dogs at Greta’s Gym since we opened in May, 2007. Jennifer’s love affair with dogs started when she was just a child and she has had and trained her own dogs all of her life! She currently has a Miniature Schnauzer named Gracie, who Jennifer has run in dog agility.

Jennifer has a Double Major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood and works full-time for the Hibbing School District. Her educational background, coupled with her love of training dogs, has made her a natural for heading up our Puppy Preschool program! Jennifer loves teaching canines and their companions! Jennifer is now offering our same training program in private lessons in Hibbing! Jennifer is a huge supporter of our “positive dog training” program! She has seen time and time again how well this method work in our classes!

Greta’s Gym is fortunate to have Jennifer a part of our training team!

  Marge Pylkka

Greta’s Gym feels very fortunate to list Marge as one our Instructors! Marge has been training dogs since the early 60’s, before dog sports such as Rally, Flyball or Agility began. In the beginning, her canine companion was a little apricot Poodle name Suzie. With Marge’s training, Suzie and Marge competed in obedience trials and earned a Companion Dog (CD) title on Suzie!

In February 2006, Marge added an adorable black female Cocker Spaniel to her life! She named her “Muggsie”. A year later, in March 2007, a beautiful little buff female Cocker Spaniel puppy joined their family. Marge named her “Katie”. Over the past several years she has been training her “girls” in Obedience, Rally and Agility at Greta’s Gym.

Most recently, Marge has been working toward making her “girls” therapy dogs. She began this quest by acquiring Canine Good Citizen Titles at Greta’s Gym in August, 2010. On July 10, 2011, Marge and her “girls” were tested through the Delta Society and they are now officially Registered Pet Partners (therapy dogs). Marge, Muggsie and Katie look forward to making visits to hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities! Marge has also completed a R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) workshop, so now she and her “girls” are official R.E.A.D. members and look forward to going to local libraries and schools to assist young children with their reading skills.

Marge has been a part of Greta’s Gym since we opened in May of 2007. Marge has worked with all of dog training curriculums and embraces all our positive dog training method!

  Judy Anderson and Char Childs

Greta’s Gym was fortunate to have Judy Anderson and Char Childs join our ranks in October of 2008, when Greta’s Daytime Playtime was opened!

Judy Anderson currently shares her life with three Papillons. Mia, age 9; Kirby, age 7 and 2 year old Merfee! Judy considers these little dogs her “Best Friends”!

Char Childs has always had dogs and her current canine companions are Fritz, a Springer Spaniel, age 12 and 5 year old Ruger, a German Shorthair Pointer. These dogs are the “loves of her life”!

These two ladies worked with our Greta’s Daytime Playtime dogs, utilizing Greta’s Gym Positive Dog Training concepts! When they started with Greta’s Gym, these methods were new to them. They now are firm believers and have seen first hand how these methods benefit all dogs!

Greta’s Gym is pleased that Judy and Char will be heading up our Training Center’s Yappy Hour program! You may also see Judy and Char assisting in some of our other dog training classes!