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Bonnie
McDonald, Chief Training Officer
Student comment: “There
are great Handlers who teach and there are great Teachers who are also great
handlers. Bonnie is a naturally gifted teacher with the ability to pass on the
knowledge she possesses in a way that benefits all individuals and their dogs.”
Raised an avid horsewoman (including hunter-jumper, equitation, dressage &
3-day event competitions), Bonnie’s early activity with dogs was limited to some
obedience and conformation showing with the family’s collies. In 1976 Bonnie
began teaching Obedience Classes for the Parks Department and the Tampa Bay
German Shepherd Dog Club. Her involvement with Agility started shortly after its
introduction in the Tampa Bay Area in the early 1990’s. While Agility is
certainly a passion, Bonnie also believes in the “Total Dog” concept.
She trains her own dogs in
multiple venues and dog sports as reflected by the many titles her dogs have
earned. Bonnie has titled several dogs through the top levels of Agility in
AKC, USDAA & UKC & had Elite Titles in NADAC prior to the change in equipment
and frequent and illogical change in the NADAC rules. In addition, she has
titled dogs in Obedience through Utility (in AKC & UKC), in Herding through HX,
has earned Schutzhund Titles with her GSDs, trained and certified her GSD &
Malinois in Cadaver & Narcotics detection, has trained SAR (and plans to return
to SAR once they move to their new location), has earned Dock Dog Titles and
much more. In addition, Bonnie assists people with disabilities train and
subsequently certify their canine partners as Assistance Dogs. These partners
in independence have enabled many to live independently and have accompanied
their owners all over the world.
A gifted Instructor, Bonnie
has an intuitive ability to apply appropriate learning styles to each individual
and their canine partner. This allows many to succeed simply by presenting the
material in a better light geared specifically for that individual, their
primary learning style and that of their dog. The success of Bonnie’s methods is
best shown by the many accomplishments of her students. This includes MAChs by
dogs from every group, numerous USDAA ADCHs, several Top 5 Agility Dogs (AKC &
other venues), and other titles too numerous to mention, (again, earned by dogs
of all groups and by handlers of all ages and abilities, not just shelties and
border collies!) Visit the “Our Students” page to see just a few of the many
who have accomplished so much!
Bonnie is an AKC, USDAA and
UKC Agility Judge and a WWKC Obedience & Rally Judge. She has served as past
President of the Tampa Bay German Shepherd Dog Club, was Training Director for
several years for The Dog Training Club Of Tampa and haswell served on both
club’s board of directors. She is an active writer and has published articles in
several National publications, is a regular contributor to Clean Run Magazine
and currently writes a column for the American Belgian Malinois Clubs Bi-Monthly
publication, The Performer. She has been a member of NADOI and ADPT for
many years and holds many other memberships in National Organizations. Currently
training dogs full time since 1992, Bonnie is also a Registered RN/Paramedic and
is retired from the US ARMY as a former Warrant Officer and Helicopter Pilot.
Prior to serving in the Army Bonnie was the first woman to graduate from Ocala
Fire College and worked for a year as a Firefighter/EMT in the mid 1970’s, truly
ahead of her time for a woman in that field.
Quite artistic, Bonnie
loves to draw, paint, write music and create elegant jewelry, ceramics and more
in her very limited spare time. She once operated her own photo business and is
still an avid photographer. Bonnie plays Piano along with many other musical
instruments including brass, woodwind, guitar and percussion. Many years ago she
played keyboard and sang vocals with a Christian music group & has been a member
of several Praise & Worship groups over the years. This artistic passion is
probably what gives Bonnie her ability to read people and dogs so well along
with her education in teaching and behavior studies.
She successfully
home-schooled two sons through High School. Her son Daniel is a co-owner and
Instructor for Bonjon. He is the youngest male to become an Agility judge for
USDAA & AKC. Bonnie is also a certified advanced/nitrox scuba diver and enjoys
sailing, roller blading, hiking, mountain bike riding and kayaking. She is also
a born again believer in Jesus Christ. Bonnie lives with her husband, Bill
(married since 1976), son Daniel and older son, John (who is currently in school
full-time studying electrical engineering).
Bonnie’s
Canine Partners & Their Accomplishments (present to past):
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MACh 2 Bonjon’s Cadance
Ad Traumblick, “Cadie”: RN, MXF, USDAA AAD (over ½ to ADCH), TDI, Service
Dog, started SAR/Cadaver Dog Training and Splash Dog Title. Also currently
training in Freestyle & is started in Schutzhund. #3 GSD for 2008, Finalist
in AKC Invitational, currently #5 for 2009 with limited AKC showing (due to
USDAA this year). First MACh earned at 3 years and 1 week.
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Speedoggie Power 2
Thrill Bonjon, “Thriller”: AX, OAJ, NF, USDAA AD. This dynamic little BC
(18”) is a niece to Hailey. At less than 2 yrs she has accomplished much
and is well on her way to being a super star! Check out links to her runs
on the website.
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Tottakai Nikolai,
“Micah”; AKC “STAR” Imported from Finland, Bonnie is currently training this
19+” one year old smooth-faced Pyrenean Shepherd in Agility. She co-owns
him with her son Daniel and the importer, Terri Walker. When completely
trained, Daniel will be the primary handler.
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MACh 4 Himark Wiki
Hoaloha Bonjon, “Speed”; CD, RN, PT, XF, TDI. Speed currently lives with
her new owner Cindy Jeffers who completed the 2nd half of her
MACh 4 and earned her CD. She is continuing to train for her CDX & UD.
Prior to moving in with Cindy, Speed was trained and ready for her Herding
Started. Speed holds the record for the youngest Sheltie to earn a MACh at
just under two years of age.
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Bonjon’s Jazzed Up OT
Vitosha, “Rave”; RA, MX, MXJ, MXF, USDAA AD, TDI, Schutzhund started.
Belgian Malinois (out of Ch Jazz) Rave has many double Q’s and ½ the points
for her MACh but prefers Obedience to Agility. She is currently retired.
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MACh, UADCHX, UCDX
Majestic’s Sierra Von Bonjon , “Sierra”; UD, HX, RAE, TDI, USDAA MAD, NADAC
Elite Titles, WWKC CDX, Schutzhund 1 trained, BH, AD, WD, Water Rescue
trained, Service Dog, Cadaver & Narcotic Certified, is Bonnie’s first
“heart dog”. Sierra earned her MACh at 8 ½ starting Agility well-before the
title (or even JWW) was introduced. Sierra has been a previous #1 GSD (QQs)
and would’ve been invited to the AKC’s first Invitational had they not run
three years behind schedule! Sierra qualified for the PAM the first year it
was introduced, already meeting ALL the requirements. I doubt that any GSD
has as many titles in so many different areas as Sierra. Sierra won 1st’s
in Conformation proving she has looks AND brains. She placed 5th
in the last Pupperoni Classic (previously Gaine’s, 1998) against many top
handlers.
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Bonjon’s Jazz Dancer OT
Vitosha, “Dancer”; PT, OA, NAJ, NAP, USDAA AD, TDI, Malinois & littermate
to Rave, Dancer currently lives a life of luxury and retirement with an
older couple that travels all over the USA & Canada with her along. She is
Service Dog trained and prior to moving in with her new family, she was
trained and prepared for the Herding Started Title.
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Champion, UADCHX
Bonjon’s Allegro Von Metloff, “Jazz”: MX, MXJ, USDAA AD & P2, TDI. Owner
handled to her AKC breed Championship, Jazz was also trained for a
Schutzhund 1. My first Malinois, she taught me much. She was Daniel’s
first partner at an AKC National (Springfield, MA) & came in 6th
with Daniel as her handler at the last Pupperoni Classic (previously Gaine’s,
1998) She was lost in a tragic drowning accident before she could earn her
MACh or advanced obedience titles. She is greatly missed.
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UACHX, U-CD Jendhi
Shepherd’s Prominence, “Liza”; CD, CDX, NA, NAJ, HT, PT, Sch BH, TDI, also
picked up some conformation wins along the way. Lisa was a solid black GSD
who taught me patience! She was a problem solver and taught me to be a
problem anticipator (and preventor!).
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Majestic’s Geronimo Von
Bonjon, “Moe”; NA, NAJ, HT, TDI, CGC and was capable of much more only Moe
didn’t really see the point! He is currently an ambassador for GSDs and a
regular at the VA Hospital in Tampa. Also solid black, Moe is a Liza son
and currently is living and loved by Sally McGraw of Tampa. Moe also gave
me a daughter that also lives with Sally. “Jesse”, a beautiful gray sable,
inherited her dad’s mellow temperament and would rather be loved and give
love than work. She has shown in Rally and has earned herding titles with
Sally and I had one litter which has produced some really nice obedience &
agility dogs.
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UADCHX, UCDX Heaven’s
Baroness Von Bonjon, “Bear”; MX, NAJ, CDX, HT, PT, NADAC Elite Titles, NCDA
Titles (the precursor to UKC) & ASCA Agility & Obedience Titles, Schutzhund
1 Trained, BH, WD, AD, USDAA AAD, my first Service Dog. SAR trained. Bear
was a little GSD (21 1/8th) with a great big heart! She could
climb trees and would do anything you asked of her. Born in 1992, she was
sidelined from Agility early on due to a cruciate ligament injury that would
never heal properly. She was the first GSD in the Southeast USA to earn ANY
Agility Title. She also earned a few blue ribbons in the conformation ring
and was from my first “home bred” litter.
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Ivan Von Bonjon,
“Ivan”. My first solid black GSD. Ivan taught me much about training
Service Dogs. He eventually went to live with a blind lady as her full time
guide dog. He was Bear’s dad.
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There were many others
that deserve mentioning because they all taught me much and are responsible
for the trainer I am today. Lassie was my first dog. A Tri-colored rough
collie (I know, very original!). I was six when she was born out of a
conformation litter my mother bred. I taught her a million tricks and we
were constant companions when I was growing up. I did compete in some Jr.
Handling events but never really found that very satisfying (I was “horse
crazy” like so many young girls are!). Lassie lived 13 years. Next, and my
first GSD, was Micah. He was headed for the pound with a cast on his front
leg (car chasing!). I was a Jr. in High School and had lost my brother that
summer in a car accident. Although I never formally trained Micah, this 6
month old blonde GSD boy probably saved my life by being there for me when
everybody else was completely wrapped up in their own sorrow. It was Micah
that taught me how valuable dogs can be to be in need. Micah lived to be 16
and remained with my parents after I married and moved out. He couldn’t
imagine life off the farm. Jacob was the first dog I purchased. He was a
gorgeous black and tan GSD. I was newly married and I showed him in
conformation and trained in obedience and Schutzhund back when it first came
to the Tampa area (mid-late 70’s). Being newly married, working full time
and going to school interfered with actually earning the titles but he had
lots of potential. Next came my first Bear. He came at another tough time
during my life. I lost him to intestinal torsion before he turned two and
it almost broke my heart. I still get a lump in my throat whenever I see a
B&T long coat. He will always be in my heart. Not long after I lost Bear
we welcomed Heidi into our home. She was a gorgeous B&T German/American GSD
and although she never earned any titles, she became the mother of my 2nd
Bear (above). That’s when it all really got started!
My next dog? I don’t know
yet. I would love to have another malinois. They are fun happy dogs with
incredible potential for athleticism and speed. It could be another BC (out of
a future Thriller breeding) or a smooth faced Pyr shep bitch (out of a future
Micah breeding). I will never be without a GSD though. My next one will
probably be a DDR or DDR/Czech bloodline and yes, another female, my preference
by a mile. Maybe another sheltie? (Notice I have a “thing” for herding breeds
<G>!)
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