Gerry Brown

Gerry Brown is a nationally and internationally recognized agility competitor and trainer that competes actively in both United States Dog Agility Association and American Kennel Club agility venues. Gerry began competing in October 1995 with his female Border Collie Larrie. Gerry and Larrie qualified for every AKC National Championship from 1997 to 2003. In 1997, they finished third in the Championship, and the following year they won the International Sweepstakes Class (ISC) at the AKC Nationals. For three consecutive years, 1999, 2000 and 2001, they won the ISC at the Astrohall World Series of Dog Shows. Gerry and Larrie have also been successful competitors in USDAA, finishing fifth in the Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Championships in 2002 and third in the Performance Grand Prix in 2004.

In 1998, Gerry and Larrie were selected by the AKC to represent the United States at the FCI World Agility Championships in Maribour, Slovenia. They earned the right to compete again as a 2000 U.S World Team member in Helsinki, Finland when they won the first AKC Invitational Tournament.

A defining moment for Gerry came when it was apparent that Sterling, his second Border Collie, was going to enjoy at least the same level of success as Larrie. This makes Gerry one of only a very few trainer/handlers to train multiple dogs to compete at the level necessary to represent our country at the FCI World Championships.

Sterling outpaced Larrie's illustrious accomplishments early in her agility career by winning the 24" Class at the 2003 AKC National Championships. She also won the 26" division of the International Sweepstakes Class that was held in conjunction with the 2003 AKC Nationals. In 2004 she was a finalist in the USDAA Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Championships and USDAA Steeplechase. As a result of her AKC accomplishments Sterling was selected to represent the United States at the 2004 FCI World Championships in Montichiari, Italy. Making an even stronger showing in 2005, Sterling won the individual competition at the World Team Tryouts to again earn the privilege of representing the U.S. in Vallidolid, Spain in September 2005. She once again proved her mettle by winning the extremely competitive United States Dog Agility Association's Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Championships in November of 2005. Then she was selected to represent the USA at the World Championships this time in Basel, Switzerland, in September of 2006 making it her third consecutive year on the team. Sterling has now added a USDAA DAM Team National Championship in 2006, and back to back AKC National Championships in 2006 and 2007 making her the 24" AKC National Champion for three of the last four years. To complete her career, Sterling added a Performance Versatility Pairs Championship as well as two appearances in the United States Dog Agility Association's Performance Grand Prix finals. Sterling finished her career as a MACH5 and earned her Platinum Lifetime Achievement Award all at Championship heights. She now spends her retirement playing Frisbee and swimming with her pack.

Raptor, Gerry's third Border Collie to train in Agility is trying to keep up the good work by earning a spot in the USDAA Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Championships Finals in 2009.

Gerry has been teaching Agility since 1997. For the first five years, he taught all levels of agility at the prestigious FlashPaws Agility Training Center in Houston, Texas. In 2002 he moved to the outskirts of Austin, Texas and opened DePaw Agility Training Center in Manor. Gerry teaches a variety of skills so that all handlers (regardless of athletic ability) and all dogs can have fun and be successful. With a full range of available skills, handlers can analyze and make effective handling decisions.

Above all Gerry believes that Agility should be fun for both the handler and dog. He looks for positive and creative ways to motivate dogs through timely and well-placed rewards and through playing games with the dogs that result in the desired behaviors. Gerry believes that agility can enhance and strengthen the lifelong bond that is built between dogs and handlers.

The true test of the instructor and training center is found in the performance of the students, and it is increasingly apparent that Gerry is extremely generous when it comes to sharing his vast expertise in agility. At local and regional agility trials, DePaw features prominently in the placements. At a national level, you will find no fewer than ten DePaw teams that attract attention in their venue of choice. Routinely, at least six DePaw teams find themselves in the USDAA Top Ten rankings.

While Gerry and his dogs generally lead the pack, his students have placed prominently at many national events. Multiple teams have placed well at AKC Nationals and have earned the right to compete in the Challenger's round, one team winning this round in 2003 and placing sixth in the finals. Four DePaw teams placed in the top twelve in the 2004 Grand Prix World Championships. Two DePaw teams placed in the top ten in the 2004 Steeplechase. In 2005, two DePaw teams placed in the top ten in the Grand Prix World Championships with Gerry and Sterling as the winners! In 2006, three DePaw teams placed in the top 10 of the 22" class Steeplechase finals. In 2007, one team placed 2nd in the 22" class Steeplechase finals. DePaw teams continue to compete at the top levels in both AKC and USDAA National level events.

Gerry's students have not limited their site to the national arena. Two of his students have earned the right to compete at the elite FCI World Team Tryouts. In 2005, while Gerry won a spot on the team, his student, returning for the second consecutive year, placed 12th in this elite field of competitors. And this just begins to describe the success of DePaw students.

Gerry's success in competition and training has gained him considerable national recognition as a trainer and he is a highly sought after instructor. He presents seminars across the country to individual groups and clubs and has become a regular at many popular Camps. He hopes to see you at one of them soon.

To contact Gerry Brown:
Gerry Brown
1-512-285-4008
depaw@pvco.net
http://www.depawagility.com/