About Us
Manners 'N More was established in 1992 from Carol and Betsy's desire to offer year-round puppy classes in Centre County. As Training Director for the Mt. Nittany Dog Training Club, Carol introduced the first Kindergarten puppy classes in Centre County. Unfortunately, the club was only able to offer classes during the spring and fall seasons.
It was not long before Manners 'N More grew. More classes were added for older puppies, along with beginning agility and obedience competition classes. Amanda Jones joined the staff. They teach puppy, novice, and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) classes. Manners 'N More is continuing to grow with their newest staff members: Karen Keller and Addie Hellmers.
Staff members Carol Crouch and Betsy Geertson are American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Pet First Aid certified.
Philosophy
When Carol started training in 1969, she learned the "Jerk and Praise" method. In 1994, she and Betsy attended seminars in Seattle, Washington, to work with a trainer learning new approaches to training pet and show classes. They decided to apply their new methods to their own classes.
Because this is a fairly new technique, Carol and Betsy's classes continue to evolve. Instead of using physical and verbal corrections, Manners 'N More teaches handlers to praise the dog when it performs a desired behavior. Undesired behaviors are ignored or redirected. This leads to a better relationship with the dog. Some of the skills introduced using this approach may take longer to teach, but they are retained longer by the dog.
Carol Crouch
In 1969, I began training dogs. I am one of the founding members of the Mt. Nittany Dog Training Club, where I served as a board member and Training Director. Since 1971, I have shown dogs in obedience in various organizations (AKC, UKC, and Canadian Kennel Club) and have amassed numerous titles: 19 Companion Dog, 14 Companion Dog Excellent, 7 Utility Dog, and 2 Utility Dog Excellent. In 1998, I began competing in agility, achiving 13 Novice, 9 Open, and 3 Excellent titles.
Over the last 35 years, I have attended obedience seminars hosted by many of the experts: Milo Pearsall, Jack Godsil, Winnie Strickland Carson, Janice DeMello, Janet Lewis, Patti Russo, Shirlee Booth, and Dawn Jecs. I have attended agility camps given by Wiz Kids, Camp Gone to the Dogs, Susan Garret, and Bud Houston; and I have participated in training seminars hosted by Leslie Nelson.
I have also had the opportunity to compete in flyball, where I earned a Flyball Champion title with my dog Twist.
I am also the companion of nine dogs:
- Orion's Irish Limerick CDX, NA "Ricky" - Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier (Retired)
- MacCloud's Dirty Dancing UCDX, Can. CDX, UDX, NA, NAJ, OA, OAJ, EA, EAJ "Tango" - Border Collie (Retired)
- Tacamo "Tac" - Border Collie (Couch Potato - Our Rescue Dog)
- Hi-Eye Q Twist and Shout UCD, CDX, NA, NAJ, OA, OAJ, EA, NAP, NAJP, OAP, OAJP, U-AGI, FBCH "Twist" - Border Collie
- Sheimar's Simply the Best NA, NAJ, OA, NAP, NAJP, U-AGI "Tina" - Standard Poodle
- CH Trebol Top Billing "Banner" - Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Bayshore Tinker Toy NA, NAJ "Tinker" - Parsons Russell Terrier
- MacCloud's Class Act "Duncan" - Border Collie
- Royal's Carbon Copy of Alex "Ditto" - Border Collie
Betsy Geertson
I have had dogs most of my adult life, but never did any formal training with any of them until 1987.
Like many trainers, I started out by taking my own dog to a pet training class, just to have a well behaved dog. I think I was hooked from my very first Kindergarten Puppy Class. I took many classes with that dog, including competition obedience classes and eventually showed and titled that dog. Along the way, I began assisting with pet training classes held locally.
Then in 1993, Carol Crouch, who I had been helping with many classes, and myself decided to start our own school. I have attended many workshops, classes and seminars over the years. A few years ago we flew to Seattle, Washington with our dogs to train with a well known trainer in that area. From her expertise, we have developed many of our training methods.
Amanda Jones
Much of my life has been dominated by my love for animals. I am incredibly thankful for the family friend who, 25 years ago, took me under her wing and exposed me to the world of dog training, obedience and conformation shows and equestrian activities. In those early years, I never missed an opportunity to expand my knowledge through reading, training seminars and job opportunities at kennels and veterinary hospitals.
In 1997, I moved to the State College area and within a year began training with Manners 'N More Dog Training School. It wasn't long before I was assisting with classes and in 1 999 began to teach classes two nights a week. The experience of teaching people to train their dogs is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. Knowing how busy our everyday lives can be with work, school, children, pets and other obligations, it is great to know that I can help to make at least one aspect of someone's life a little easier. But it is working with the dogs that brings me the most joy.
Over the years, I have owned and trained a number of dogs including: mixed breeds, Rottweilers and Argentine Dogos. With the bulk of my titles having been earned in obedience, I have also earned titles and/or trained dogs for flyball, tracking, agility, conformation and freestyle.
Currently, I teach puppy classes, novice classes and Canine Good Citizenship Classes (CGC) for Manners 'N More. At the conclusion of our CGC classes we hold an official CGC test for which I am an AKC approved Canine Good Citizenship Evaluator.
Karen Keller
Manners 'N More helped us with our first aussie. He was a handful, but with positive training and patience he grew into a wonderful friend. Now 12 years and 6 aussies later, th e training I received from Carol, Betsy, and Amanda has moved my life into a new direction. I am pleased to become part of the Manners 'N More staff in order to offer to others what I have learned.
Patty Horne
I grew up with dogs but never went to a formal training class until January 2009 at Manners 'N More with my new corgi puppy Bunny. I love the positive training methods that Betsy and Carol teach. Bunny and I had such a good time learning and working together that we took class after class.
I had no idea how my life would change when I started that first class!!! Bunny and I have become agility addicts. The support and positive feedback from our Manners 'N More fa mily has really helped us to explore and enjoy this new activity.
I was thrilled when Carol and Betsy asked me to help with puppy classes. I enjoy watching as the class participants, canine and human, learn and grow as a team. It is very rewarding to see how far they come during a short 7 week session. I love learning new techniques to help my dog be at her best whether in public, at home, or on an agility course. It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to help pass along those same gentle, positive training ideas to others so they can relax and enjoy their canine companions!
Addie Hellmers
I grew up with multiple dogs over the course of my childhood. I dabbled in some basic obedience classes and an agility class with my childhood dog, Bailey. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to raise two dogs for explosive detection for the TSA Puppy Program at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After my second dog retired from professional detection work, I realized he needed a job to keep him busy during his retirement. I signed up for a K9 Nosework class on a whim and never looked back! I have been training and competing in K9 Nosework since 2014.
I moved to State College in 2016 to start graduate school and since that time I have started training my third Nosework dog, Porter. Porter attended puppy and novice classes at Manners ‘N More, which introduced me to the wonderful people at Manners ‘N More. I began assisting Amanda with Primary Puppy classes in 2019, and teaching scent work classes in 2020. I am thoroughly enjoying this opportunity to work with many different people in class and helping them see the full potential in their dog.
Marty Jo Boldin
I have been involved with dogs my entire life. In 2002, I rescued my first purebred border collie and realized that I needed to find an outlet for his high level of energy. That's when I began taking classes with Manners 'N More. From the start, my instructors made me feel like they truly cared for my dog and me. I loved taking their classes so much that I would take anything they offered just so I could spend time with the staff every week. Over the years, Manners 'N More has provided me and my dogs with so much. I'm glad they have decided to make me apart of their family.
From the moment I took my first agility class with Carol and Betsy, I fell in love with the sport. Because of my dogs' enthusiasm, I'm driven to help them have fun and to never lose their love for the game. I enjoy teaching others about agility and how good teamwork can build stronger human/canine relationships.
I enjoy learning how positive training techniques are being used to train other animals. My love of training dogs has inspired me to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a dolphin trainer. I am currently enrolled in a dolphin training program, where I'm learning many new things that I'm applying to training dogs. I also have had the chance to learn about training birds of prey and work with various types of birds at Ireland's School of Falconry.
Heather Tomeo
I began taking classes at Manners N More in 2007 shortly after I got my second Golden Retriever. That particular dog has pretty much grown up at Manners 'N More, as I love taking classes and continued to train with him as well as my older Golden Retriever. After making our way through KPT, novice (numerous times) and passing the CGC test, we eventually moved on to rally and agility. In 2008, I adopted my third dog, so once again we became a permanent fixture in all the classes. Also, that year I was talked into my first rally trial by Amanda, Betsy and Carol. I know that without their support, I never would have taken that first step into the "scary" world of showing. However, thanks to their help and encouragement I continued to attend trials and now find myself looking forward to them. I can always count on the Manners 'N More crew to be right outside the ring cheering me and my dogs on! In addition to rally and agility, my husband and I compete in dock diving competitions and are active volunteers with the Golden Retriever Rescue of Central PA.
My Manners 'N More family has taught me so much over the years and I am truly happy to be considered part of the team. I currently assist Amanda with puppy classes and look forward to continuing to help her out in the future!
Amber Irwin
I've been a dog person pretty much since I was born. I could usually be found taking the family dog on adventures in the yard, or dressing her up instead of my dolls. I never really had to do much training with the family dogs, they seemed to just listen. Since then I rescued my own dog, Ember, who brought me to Manners 'N More in 2012. My goal was to ma ke my dog easier to live with, but I gained a whole lot more taking classes. I became hooked on the positive training, and being able to communicate with dogs better.
I'm currently prepping to compete with my dog in Rally with the encouragement of the Manners 'N More family. I never thought I'd be able to take my dog out in public and have her behave, let alone get her into dog sports! I'm so happy I took the plunge and after passing my first class, continuing on to take almost every class offered. After the turn-around I've experienced with my dog, I'm excited to have the opportunity to help others by assisting with the classes.
Take State College 220 bypass. Follow signs to Bellefonte. Exit at #78B. Turn right on Route 150 North. Travel about 1.5 miles to the Benner Pike Village.
Take Route 150 North towards Bellefonte. Travel about five miles from the Nittany Mall. On the right is the Benner Pike Village.
Take Route 150 South towards State College. After the red light at the 150/550 intersection (Hot Dog House), travel about 1 mile. On the left is the Benner Pike Village.
