Blanche Saunders

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Blanche Saunders
Born(1906-10-01)October 1, 1906
Easton, Maine, United States [1]
DiedDecember 8, 1964(1964-12-08) (aged 58)
Alma mater Massachusetts Agricultural College
OccupationDog trainer
Years active1934–1964

Blanche Saunders (October 1, 1906 - December 8, 1964) was one of the first Americans to popularize dog training, publishing several books and conducting demonstrations in dog obedience. [2] [3] [4]

Saunders graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College with majors in animal husbandry and poultry raising. [5] Helen Whitehouse Walker, who had at first hired Saunders as a kennel maid in 1934, convinced the American Kennel Club in 1936 that dog obedience was a competitive field, and the following year Walker and Saunders criss-crossed the United States in a 21' trailer with several dogs, making a 10,000-mile obedience-teaching tour, giving lectures and dog obedience demonstrations at dog shows. Saunders later conducted demonstrations in Rockefeller Plaza, and also at Yankee Stadium for seven years. [5]

Saunders was the first dog obedience instructor of the ASPCA in New York (1944-1961), and was training director for the Poodle Obedience Club of Greater New York, the Boxer Obedience Club of Westchester County and the Port Chester Obedience Club. [1]

In 1946, Saunders published her first book, Training You to Train Your Dog. [5] During her lifetime Saunders authored several books, many of which continued to be republished after her death.

Bibliography

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References

  1. 1 2 "Blanche Saunders Dies at 58; An Authority on Dog Training; Kennel Owner, Lecturer and Writer Helped Introduce Now Popular Method". The New York Times. December 10, 1964. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  2. Coren, Stanley (June 13, 2017). "Dog Obedience Trials Began Because of Poodles and a Farmer". Psychology Today. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  3. Burch, Mary R (July 15, 2002). "The Evolution of Modern-Day Dog Training & Obedience". www.naiaonline.org. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  4. Gibbs, Angelica (November 17, 1951). "Down the Leash". The New Yorker.
  5. 1 2 3 White, Brynn (November 12, 2018). "From Defiant Woman to Mother of Dog Obedience Training". American Kennel Club. Retrieved December 3, 2018.