Lisa – Hi, I’m Lisa Kane and I wrote the book, Training Your Puppy To Be A Super Retriever. Having been training retrievers since the late 80’s, I am both experienced and successful. My experience includes starting the training, boarding, grooming kennel, under the Trifecta prefix. Breeding very successful field trial competitors with golden retrievers. I believe we had the most consistent winners, or dogs that placed more, than other golden participants. Being involved with the PA State Police when they began their first drug dog program in the 90’s was very educational as their methodology. I also participated in one of the most successful group of Amateurs in the training community which was very influential experience.
ProLitter - What is your earliest memory of having a dog in your life?
Lisa – I grew up with dogs and my parents sent me at age 11 to a training class for our golden mix, named Bourbon. I was hooked.

ProLitter - What is it about retrievers that drive you to want to train and work with them?
Lisa – There is an addiction to training retrievers, it can be seen in JH handlers, and right up to National competitors. For me, I personally enjoy the learning experience. I think the more retrievers you train, the better you get. I also think training different breeds, successfully will make you a better trainer. I have enjoyed my personal growth as a trainer immensely. And I am passionate about fairness and kindness and love, when interacting with any dog.
ProLitter - Do you have a favorite breed of dog?
Lisa – I have trained goldens and labs to the highest levels in field work, and one very special golden to the CDX level as well every field title out there. While I have noticed breed differences, I do not have a favorite breed. For me, it is the individual dog, that speaks to me, touches me, influences me. I hope to someday train a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. As said earlier I believe in breed diversity.
ProLitter - Has there ever been a dog in your life that will stand out among the rest?
Lisa – I have had many dogs that stand out in my lifetime with Retrievers. GMHR Topbrass Rudy Of Trifecta, MH QAA, CDX (with Gaines scores) WCX was my first golden. He was the dog of a lifetime, until: Trifecta’s Bet On Me, one of only 4 dogs to win the double header at our Golden Retriever Specialty. She took me to the Amateur National in Utah. I could list my other dogs, but short version is I have titled every dog I trained, except one, to the highest levels in field work. Over the course of 35 years, that number is at least 18 dogs.
ProLitter - Can you talk about a time when you had a dog that was more challenging to train and how you handled that situation, what made it different?
The more retrievers you train, the better you get
Lisa – A very special Golden, got QAA at 3. She has placed in the All Age stakes. She has been the best canine companion of my life and the most difficult to train to the higher levels. Genetics do influence performance, and in hindsight, I should have picked from a stronger genetic line, since I knew I was going to do field trials. Then factor in my successes from prior dogs, I expected her to just come along in training. She did not. At around aged 7 I decided to stop asking her to do things / skills necessary to achieve the AFC or FC letters. I decided to respect her and love her for all she was. The Qualified All Age success with her, might be my proudest accomplishment.
ProLitter - When it comes to training dogs, do you have a specific style, type or attribute that you train for?
Lisa – My type of dog will have a stacked pedigree. As stated earlier, genetics are very important. I prefer and excel with the biddable, good natured training partner. If I selected from a good breeding, the genetics I seek should come with the puppy. My current lab, FC/AFC Spot, has qualified for both Nationals in 2024, a very rare achievement indeed, and he was the last of litter. When I evaluated him at 12 weeks, I immediately was drawn to the “sweetness” factor. I want to train a puppy, by genetics, bred for field trials. I want that puppy to come with a high degree of willingness to please. These are the qualities I seek. An intense desire and cooperative.
ProLitter - We believe people in the dog world are in to for the love of dogs. For you, why do you train dogs, what do you get out of it personally that makes you keep going?
Lisa – I train dogs because I’m a dog person. I can’t pass a dog, that I “read” as companionable on the streets without telling the owner hello, and asking about the dog. Today it was a large red Doberman out for a walk, wearing an insulated yellow quilted jacket. She was very friendly. I train retrievers because that is my passion. I think about training when I get up in the morning, plan my lessons. At night, over a cocktail I keep a training journal. I’m very fortunate to have found this very rewarding lifelong hobby.
ProLitter - What is your greatest accomplishment?
Lisa – One of my best moves was recognizing that at age 25, I was not satisfied with my life experiences or journey. I had a prestigious and powerful job as a supervisor in a child protective services agency. At 25 I was too young to be in that position. My peers, the other supervisors were much older, in their 50′ and 60’s. In spite of my youth, or maybe because of it, I did bring ideas to that soon became a state wide way of investigating abuse of children. Some of what I advocated for was the use of dogs as companions, during interviews or while in court. Today, decades later, these dogs are called ” Therapy Dogs”.
I had been exhibiting in obedience with my golden, named Rudy, and I loved every minute of doing that. One day, I submitted my resignation, from my child welfare position. Just like that, at age 25, I began my best life, my life with dogs.
I have never regretted my life choices. Every day, for 35 years, I got to work with every breed and every breed type you can think of. As Trifecta kennels became successful, we brought in workshop leaders in all kinds of venues. Obedience was a big draw for the kennel, so we did lots of obedience workshops. I learned valuable lessons sitting in on the workshops that featured cadaver training, drug dog training, scent work, tracking, agility. Those opportunities became my new ” higher education “. We even brought in people familiar with relaxation techniques for dogs, when they are stressed or overly aroused. This is of much more interest today, than it was in the 90’s.
ProLitter - For newcomers who want to learn about retrievers and want to get their feet wet training their own dogs, what is some advice you can give them?
Lisa – My advice to newcomers is, to always value the dog beside you. They have zero interest in trophies, ribbons, or titles. You are, you should be their everything. Trust is given freely, by them. Once that trust is broken, you will never have the dog you might have. The only other advice I can offer is to become self taught. Yes, you can teach yourself, how to play this game. I certainly did, and I’m not a remarkable person. I’ve been described as ” undisciplined ” by well known peers. I ignore them and carry on. I’ve never had a mouth problem, sticking freezing, I’ve never had popping, not even once have I had it, I’ve never had switching. I’ve avoided so many of the problems that are made, because I try to be a good teacher/ mentor to my dogs. I’ve been to 2 Nationals and qualified for 4 in total. I’ve made the National derby list many times, with very limited trialing. My dogs trust me and they want to play the game.
ProLitter - Is there anything that you see new dog handlers or trainers do before learning to train that they should correct right away?
Lisa – Pretty often I still see newcomers who are quick to correct. They likely do not understand why the dog did whatever it did, to make them decide to correct. While I think the e collar is a necessary tool, for today’s field trials, it is not the only tool. My personal belief is, if you can’t train a dog without the e collar, you shouldn’t be using one.
ProLitter - You wrote a book, tell us about this book and why you decided to write it?
Lisa – One of my training friends, an extremely successful horse and dog person told me recently ” Lise, you’re a teacher, and you have a message.” The book is the combination of both of her insights. After decades of being in the sport, and likely many mistakes, I feel strongly that a mutually rewarding future starts in puppyhood.
ProLitter - Who do you feel will mostly benefit from your book?
Lisa – Everyone who wants to succeed will benefit from my book, or from some of my book, even if their take away is only on a chapter or 2 or 3. My writing style is very reader friendly. Beginners will clearly understand every thing discussed. Experienced trainers have told me they like the explanations for early concept marks, or they like the early start for destination blinds, without force. So, there is something for everybody. We also have an active Facebook page, “GloryLane Bookclub” which is a support page, for all book buyers.
ProLitter - What can the reader hope to learn from the book?
The non force retrieve, something I'm passionate about, is explained thoroughly.
Lisa – The reader should learn to create and protect the want in their puppies or older dogs. These methods work perfectly well for late starters. Basic obedience skills are well described and examples of where and how to use them are also well described. Marking principles are very well discussed. The sit to whistle, easily taught, using my methods, the recall training is especially good. The non force retrieve, something I’m passionate about, is explained thoroughly. Blinds, blinds, blinds, should begin with young puppies and I explain and demonstrate how to do this. The introduction of cues, so important in the finished dog, begins in early training and I show the reader how to teach them. One of the book reviews goes like this ” when someone with 40 years of success hands you their program, you follow it.
A very successful dog man and a leader in our sport, after reading my finished manuscript, said “this book, really is your program. Don’t underprice it because the info you give is invaluable.”

ProLitter - If someone wanted to purchase a copy of your book, how can they find it?
Lisa – You can find by book, Training Your Puppy To Be A Super Retriever at Amazon.com
ProLitter - Do you have any closing statements?
Lisa – My belief system based on all these years, is that education is the real superpower. There are no shortcuts.