Background

Owner and founder, Renee Lancaster has been training dogs and raising German Shepherds and Rottweilers since the age of 18. Renee purchased her first German Shepherd from Germany in 1980 and embarked on her journey into the Schutzhund sport. Since that time, Renee has trained thousands of dogs, over 60 of them for Schutzhund competition.  She has titled eight of her personal dogs to the top level of Schutzhund III and has competed in both National and World competitions. These accomplishments include being a two time member of the USA World Team in Germany and France. She is the current 2018 United States Rottweiler Club, Working Dog Champion with her Rottweiler Chiron. This win earned her and Chiron a spot on the International Federation of Rottweilers (IFR) World Team to be held in Denmark in 2019. 

Her success has captured the attention of the media where Yolo Canine Academy has been highlighted for its community service as home of Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue, public education, training, as well as becoming an advisor to local celebrities like Chris Webber, Brad Miller, Kerri Kittles, Bonzi Wells, and John Brockman who have all trusted Renee with boarding, training and private in-home lessons with their personal dogs.

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Education - Experience

Renee attended college at Fresno State University earning a BS degree in pre-veterinary medicine, and became a licensed Registered Veterinary Technician in 1977. She has experience working for numerous veterinary clinics, including the prestigious University of California at Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from 1986 until 1994. Her responsibilities included working in the small animal anesthesia department, caring for surgical patients and instructing veterinary students. Renee has maintained her veterinary technician license for 42 years which gives her expertise to instruct handlers and care for her own animals as well the ability to handle emergency situations in her boarding and breeding facility. In 1994 Renee's close work and training of police K9's motivated her to become a police officer which she accomplished, graduating in the top three of her class. Her 22 year career as a police officer included 11 years as a police canine handler. She has been instrumental in starting, maintaining and managing various police units including the Roseville Police Department Canine Unit and the Yolo County Sheriff's Department. Both of her police canines were cross trained for patrol and narcotic detection achieving many awards at Police Olympics and accomplishments in real street scenarios.

Renee is a POST certified canine instructor and has been deemed an expert witness in several counties for court testimony, especially in dog bite and/or training cases.

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