Jolie

“Who’s Your Mama?”

At the age of seven Lisa got her first dog: a black miniature poodle named Jolie. No one had to tell Lisa to take care of him because she was already on top of everything; she was totally responsible for walking him, feeding him, taking him to the vet and training him. Even as a kid Lisa was naturally inclined to be a good mother dog! Part of being a mother dog, though, is protecting your puppies – and she had to do just that when a local German Shepherd faced her down one day while she and Jolie were on a walk to the vet’s office. Lisa tells this story as one of the pivotal teaching moments in her life and you’re likely to hear it in one of your beginning classes – but suffice to say that Lisa and Jolie arrived safe and sound at the vet. Her time with Jolie was a beautiful friendship full of learning together, growing up, and having fun. Lisa already knew exactly what she wanted to do with the rest of her life!

Joshua — Ridgewood’s Frankly Onyx Josh UD WRD

“College Buddies Growing Up Together”

Lisa adores horses and is an accomplished equestrian. In college, a horse was too big to fit in her dorm room…so she found the next best thing: Joshua, a handsome 140 lb. black Newfoundland dog. Joshua was the perfect college buddy. As his “Mama Dog,” Joshua was with her 24 hours a day. She trained Joshua to stay with her or stay put without a collar or a leash and he would even wait quietly and patiently on campus behind the bushes while she went to class wearing nothing but his red bandana. In 1978, Joshua and Lisa earned one of the highest achievable obedience competition titles: “Utility Dog.” In the 1980’s Newfoundlands were not a “traditional” obedience competition dog, but then again, neither Lisa nor Joshua were traditional from the start. Since they both loved the water, Lisa and Joshua went on to achieve “Water Dog” and “Water Rescue Dog” titles as well. 

Rowdy — OTCH Whipaly’s Ready Or Not

“A Name By Any Other Name”

As her passion for obedience competition continued to grow, and as she had more and more success in the ring, Lisa decided to seek out another prospective canine partner and thus met Rowdy — a large, sweet, submissive Golden Retriever. Rowdy started out with a total lack of the confidence and coordination needed for obedience trials and advanced competition. Lisa had her work cut out for her to transform him into a national champion. Through her patience and dedication, together they scored in the top 3 in premier national competition 9 out of 9 times with multiple perfect scores! He also earned the absolute highest honor possible for a dog to win: the title of Obedience Trial Champion (“OTCH”), known as the “PhD for Dogs.”

Cowboy — Propwash Ride ‘Em Cowboy UD

“Love At First Sight”

Seeking a bigger challenge and loving every minute of it, Lisa decided that she wanted “one of those new, smart dogs” known as Australian Shepherds just as they were being recognized as an official breed here in America by the AKC. These dogs are bright, fast and need a job – they’re not for the faint of heart! Lisa brought her four-year-old son, Joe, with her to the breeder . . . and that’s how Cowboy picked Lisa’s son to be his new brother. It was truly love at first sight. Like Rowdy before him, Cowboy, with Lisa’s help, won #1 in US Competition Obedience. He was also the first of Lisa’s dogs to co-train with her in the classroom – another pivotal moment in her teaching career. Talk about proof of concept! Now, trainers using their own dogs as role models and examples in the classroom is a signature part of the The Lisa Rockland Method.

Rodeo — Propwash Little Miss Rodeo CD CGC TDI

“She Taught Me Everything”

This time the breeder came to Lisa’s house and Rodeo “marched right up to Lisa’s kids and picked them for herself!” But Rodeo was feisty, and at just 4 1/2 months old, she had already begun showing signs that she had the potential to grow up to be a bossy, aggressive dog. Rodeo was the strongest, most confident, and most natural lead dog that Lisa had ever met in her already long career. Rodeo was not afraid to confront people, dogs, or whatever she thought needed confronting! With insight, patience and using her ‘Mama Dog’ skills and method, Rodeo grew up to be a fantastic classroom teaching dog and even earned her official Therapy Dog Certification from Therapy Dogs International®, widely recognized as the top-tier program for therapy dogs in America. Rodeo then spent years bringing comfort and companionship to people in nursing homes and bringing joy to Lisa’s daughter, Jordan, as her first competition dog; Rodeo went from confronting people to comforting them. The most common comment from Lisa’s students was, “Can we please bring Rodeo home with us?”

Rodeo passed away peacefully at the age of 15 in the summer of 2015 after a long, wonderful life.

Bronco — Propwash Bronco

“The Best Co-Training Dog I’ve Ever Had – A Winner!”

Bronco was Lisa’s teacher dog and probably one of the first assistant teachers you met when you came to All About My Dog. Bronco started as one of the most fearful, cowering dogs that Lisa had ever met – “like he was almost completely feral,” as she puts it. He was terrified of people. He was terrified of the car. He was terrified of the beeper on the door of the pet store! But he grew to be a bouncy, bubbling ball of joy – and he absolutely loved his job at All About My Dog! If you had known him as a puppy you wouldn’t even recognize him! Bronco exemplified everything Lisa has worked to achieve with every dog; he overcame tremendous odds and challenges to become a role model for a balanced, approachable, cooperative and loving companion dog.

Bronco passed away in January, 2022. His life was filled with meaning and purpose that he adored. He helped an immeasurable number of dogs in his almost 15 years.

Wyatt

“Living Our Best Life!”

Lisa couldn’t have picked a better companion for her life-changing move to Colorado. Wyatt comes from a long line of top show dogs, Aussie Shepherds bred and raised to show off their amazing coats, colors, confirmation, and natural talents. But unlike many dogs whose job is to look good, Wyatt is an all-around superstar. Lisa knew it the minute she met him. Not too bossy, not too submissive. The perfect role model and assistant teacher to help her continue her work at All About My Dog. Wyatt’s favorite trick is Stick-em Up, Bang, You’re Dead! Besides being a ham bone, Wyatt wakes up with a smile and goes to sleep with the same happy grin. In work mode or playtime, Wyatt knows to watch Lisa and pick up on her cues. He’s a great example of the all-around, well-behaved dog who loves to have fun but knows how to switch it off.

“I ride six days a week,” Says Lisa. “Wyatt knows the exact right thing to do, whether it’s to follow along while I guide ‘Chance,’ my rescued paint horse, over rough terrain, or rest up in the shade while I finish the barn chores. On the trail, in the grocery store, on escalators, elevators, moving sidewalks, whether we’re greeting strangers, or he’s at my side quietly in a restaurant, Wyatt is the complete package. Everyday life is a pleasure with this dog.”

Wyatt proves what Lisa always says—It’s Possible to Live Your Dreams With Your Dogs!

Every one of these dogs has left an indelible mark on Lisa’s heart and shaped who she has become as a teacher of both people and dogs. Every single one of these amazing souls was loved completely and fully, and Jolie, Joshua, Rowdy, Cowboy, Rodeo, and Bronco will forever live on in Lisa’s heart and memory.