The Beginning: Billy's Personal Story
After losing both my hands in an electrical accident in 1973 part of my rehabilitation process was going back to school. While studying Business Administration I really didn't know what the future held for me. After all, my life had drastically changed in a moment, never to be the same again. I had never thought once about training dogs, but something was about to happen that would influence me into that direction. We have all been to a Veterinarian Clinic before, but have you ever sat in the parking lot and observed dogs and their owners moving from the car toward the entrance and into the clinic? I did just that while waiting for my wife at Dr. Eugene Yarborough's Cleveland County Veterinarian Hospital in 1975. It seemed as if everyone needed help in controlling their dogs. Somehow, I knew help must be made available. While in the 82nd. Airborne Division I had jumped out of planes with dog handlers and the dogs and observed them in training also. And again later, in Viet Nam, I went on patrols with dogs and their handlers. All of the dogs were well disciplined, obedient, and extremely reliable. Much the opposite of what I had observed in the Veterinarian Hospital parking lot. After mentioning the difficulties that everyone seem to be experiencing with their dogs, Dr. Yarborough introduced me to his assistant who had trained and shown her personal dogs in AKC obedience trials. She showed me several books by William Koehler and added that he was considered the greatest dog trainer of all times. That seemed impressive, but more than that he had trained some of my favorites, Bullet, Old Yellow, Big Red, and RinTin Tin. However, Koehler's credentials didn't stop there. He had first been a military dog trainer, accreditdated with two major innovations to Dog Training. I read his books and trained my first 10 dogs over the next few months. William Koehler was also one of Walt Disney's chief animal trainers. The local newspaper heard about me and did a human interest story on a "Man with Hooks Training Dogs!" Continuing my studies at Cleveland Technical Institute one afternoon after class, a fellow student introduces himself to me and comments on the newspaper article and my interest in Dog Training. This man then explained that he had been a dog trainer at Lackland Air Force Base and had something to give me. What he gave me was his Technical Manuels on Dog Training. It was like being given the gold mine on dog training. Seven years later, when I became a Christian, I would come to understand more clearly what had happened. Often times, God works out all the intricate details and places us exactly where he wants us to be, in order to influence us, to show us, to give us direction, and even supply us with the means by which to do a particular thing. The odds of me sitting in that parking lot at that time, observing what I did, being introduced to a person who in turn pointed me to the great dog trainer, William Koehler. And then, at a Junior College in Shelby, NC meeting a former Air Force Dog Trainer who gives me his Technical Manuels on Dog Training! To me, these odds still, after 35 years seem quiet remote! The more I studied the more I wanted to train dogs and the more exciting it became. The loss of my hands and learning to use my prosthetics, pursuing employment, suddenly seemed less challenging. I just wanted to train dogs! I had learned from William Koehler's Method of Dog Training, that dog training method worked. Just the way it was presented and it worked on all dogs! Now, with the Air Force Manuels I understood why it worked!
(There will soon be additional posting on this web site continuing the true story of the early years in the life of Billy Wagner.)
After more than 35 years of obedience training dogs for the general public and local authorities Billy Wagner remains consistant, loyal, dedicated, and stedfast to time and to the Dog Training Business as seen pictured below with "COWBOY" in 2007.
Billy Wagner, pictured here, training and working with a fine German Shepherd named "Cowboy" owned by Larry Wolfe. 2007
Wagner K9 School is a family business. Both sons of Billy and Susie Wagner grew up in the family business and became professional handlers by the age of 6. Billy Jr. and Charles have over 20 years of dog training experience and are both master trainers. Billy Wagner Jr. is the manager of Food Lion in Wingate, NC. and works at the business as often as he can manage. Charles Malone Wagner has assumed ownership of Wagner K9 School and presently holds the positions of Chief Financial Officier, Marketing Manager, and Master Trainer. Charles also spends much time in the delivery of client's dogs to and from the school.
Billy and Susie presently have three grandchildren who participate actively in the business. Morressa 12, Luke 8, and Mattie 6 are great encourager's and a big help in motivating the Wagner K9 School client's young children to work with their own dogs in obedience training. Morressa teaches, encourages, and motivates children of all ages to work with their dogs by demonstating the basic skills of obedience along with training the three tools used in obedience training dogs. These tools are: leash control, body language, and verbal communication. Morressa Leigh Wagner has actively worked with dogs since she was old enough to hold a leash. She currently gives demonstrations for all potential clients who visit the school and also gives dog training demonstrations to students in public and private schools. When children see how well Morressa can handle even the largest of dogs they are thrilled to handle their very own dogs in the same manner!
Morressa Leigh Wagner with "Minnie" an obedience trained Newfoundland owned by Chris and Kristy Broadway as they do a pose for the magazine Cats and Dogs of Charlotte, October 2006 issue.
Mollie & Maggie, King Charles Spaniels, owned by Roy and Sue Davis
Little white "Bogie" owned by Dr. Anthony Colvin and wife, Robin |
Mrs. Nina Roberts with her beautiful poodle "Flash". |
Billy Wagner working and playing with Whalee, a beautiful golden retriever owned by Jinny Collett. Below are pictures of the school grounds, dogs owned by the Wagners and various other dogs in for training.
This picture is of two beautiful King Charles Spaniels, Molly and Maggie sitting with their owners Mr. Roy and Mrs. Sue Davis of Concord.
|
