Trainer Nadja Palenzuela began training dogs when she adopted a very high energy black lab mix named Indalo, who was in need of some direction. During her search to find ways to channel Indalo's energy, Nadja took up agility, and later began training for flying disc. Nine years and six shelter dogs later, Nadja is considered an expert in canine sports that range from dock diving to agility to flying disc. She and her dogs have competed all over the world, at events like the Skyhoundz World Championship, the ESPN Great Outdoor Games and the Purina® Incredible Dog Challenge®. As a devoted animal lover and advocate for positive training methods and animal rescue, Nadja travels across the country sharing her passion for dogs and entertaining audiences everywhere as part of the Purina Incredible Dog Team.

Nadja's entourage includes five incredible Australian Cattle Dog mixes that perform acrobatic freestyle flying disc routines all around the country. 7-year-old Clementine is truly a jack of all trades, holding titles in agility, dock diving and freestyle flying disc. Bandit, a 5-year-old, leaps with ease and makes catching a flying disc look effortless. Although Squirt, a 2-year-old, is deaf, she compensates with incredible drive, focus and attention. Wee-la, at a year and half, has already accomplished a great deal, finishing in 3rd place in the 2007 Skyhoundz World Championships. The youngest of the group, Lolita, is another cattle dog mix who is already showing great promise with her incredible speed and enthusiasm. Through performances with her canine team, Nadja hopes to encourage potential pet owners to see the great potential in high-energy shelter dogs that can end up being great pets if given the proper activity outlet.

When Nadja is not traveling across the country performing at pet shows and competitions, she enjoys hiking with her dogs. Nadja is also an architect and has been a professor of Architecture for six years, but is thankful for every free moment she has to continue pursuing her dream of working with amazingly talented canines.

Training Tips From Nadja