Overview
Ozzie and Richard Foreman have been dog trainers in the Greater Cincinnati area since 1974. Our 12 dogs (seven Newfoundlands, two American Staffordshire Terriers (Pit Bulls), and three Shelties) have collectively received 85 titles, including obedience, performance, conformation and agility titles.

Dog training experience
I began teaching dog obedience classes with Kuliga Dog Training Club in 1975 and taught dog obedience classes for Queen City Dog Training Club for more than 10 years. I also taught dog obedience in the adult education programs in the Milford and Indian Hill school districts, Miami Township Park district. In 1990, I began Refraf Obedience to teach group and private classes. From our success training Newfoundlands and American Staffordshire Terriers (Pit Bulls), we have gained a reputation for solving many difficult training problems.

I have written the "Ohio Valley Outlook" column for Front and Finish since 1995 and served as the Dog Owner's Guide "Ask the dog trainer" and "Around the show ring" columnist for several years. I have also had articles published in Off Lead Magazine, Dog and Kennel, and several TFH books.

Our training philosophy
Our classes meet at your convenience in private or semi-private sessions. After an evaluation of you and your dog, we will take you from where you are to where you'd like to be with some problem-solving if necessary. Sessions are approximately two hours and are set two weeks apart for four sessions. We think this interval gives you enough time to perfect the exercises learned in each session.

We use the inducive (reward) method of training with kindness, praise, and food that is suitable for puppies and adult dogs. In basic and puppy classes, your pet will learn to come when called, sit, stand, down, and stay. Lessons beyond basic include Etiquette at the front door, in which the dog learns not to jump up and to properly greet you and your guests. We also teach hand signals and off-lead work.

Our own dogs
Each of our Newfoundlands and American Staffordshire Terriers earned CDX titles. Mt. Pleasant's Refraf Zealot, UD Can. CD WD, was my first Newfoundland and the first dog I trained. Zealot achieved his UD by three years of age and would have earned a UDX if the title existed in his lifetime. Ch. Spillway's Refraf Argonaut, UD DD TT, another of our Newfoundlands, earned more than 30 Best of Breed awards and was a multiple group placer. Ebunyzar's Spirit of Refraf, CDX WRD, also a Newfoundland, had 10 points on his championship and was my first Newfoundland to attain the difficult Water Rescue Dog working title. Because of his beauty, temperament, and obedience, he was chosen to be part of an honor guard for Queen Elizabeth II in 1997.

In the following titles: Obedience-CD=Companion Dog, CDX=Companion Dog Excellent, UD=Utility Dog, UDX=Utility Dog Excellent. Rally titles: RN=Rally Novice, RA=Rally Advanced, RE=Rally Excellent, RAE=Rally Advanced Excellent. Agility Titles: NA=Novice Agility, NAJ=Novice Agility Jumpers, OA=Open Agility, and AX=Excellent Agility.
Rick and Ozzie have earned eleven CDs, two Canadian CDs, three UKC-CDs, three U-CDXs, 10 CDXs, four UDs, three championships, four Water Dogs, one Water Rescue Dog, one Draft Dog and 19 agility titles. All of our dogs had Canine Good Citizen certifications and have been registered Therapy Dogs. They have made numerous appearances in stage plays, books, newspapers, and on radio and TV. Mindi, my Sheltie, has 25 titles including her U-CD, UD, agility AX and AXJ, 4 Rally titles including the coveted RAE, and UDX. Mindi is also my service dog. Tammy, our Sable Shetland Sheepdog we rescued, who was said to be untrainable, has her U-CDX, UD, AX, AXJ, OAP, OJP, RN, RA, and RE, 18 titles in all. In 2004 we rescued a 7th Newfoundland Mac, who was kept being returned to his breeder because of too many behavior problems. I not only finished a breed Championship on him, but his Rally Novice, and CD titles. In 2007 I took in a Shetland Sheepdog, Flurry, who was advertised "Free to a good home" at 6 years old. In 2008 she earned 8 titles including her CD in Obedience, RE in Rally, and 4 Agility titles: NA, NAJ, OA, and OAJ. Flurry is also a certified Service dog. All together we've had 12 dogs of our own, on which we have put 85 working and conformation titles.

Memberships and Associations

We currently belong to Queen City Dog Training Club and Clermont County Kennel Club.


Below: Our dog, Redi, in Newfoundland

Below: Our dog, RG, pulling a child in a cart

Below: Our dog, Kitty, "acting" in Cincinnati community theater.

Below: The early days. Our dog, Zealot, on the cover of a dog training magazine.