About

Hello, my name is Tracy Buck, and I am the owner of Paisley Field Cavaliers. I have been involved with dogs for over 40 years. As a continuous learner and behavior nerd, I read the latest books, attend seminars and keep up with the latest research on dog behavior, training and breeding. I have maintained a certification for professional dog training for the past 20 years (CPDT-KA) and also graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training, which advocates reward-based training based on operant and classical conditioning. I have been a huge proponent of dog rescue for the past 40 years, including fostering and placing many different breeds of dogs for Purebred Dog Rescue of St. Louis, and eventually incorporating my own 401c3 non-profit rescue for Shetland Sheepdogs called Second Chance Sheltie Rescue which operated for over 20 years. My primary focus with that organization eventually became the rehabilitation and training for under socialized adult Shelties obtained from commercial breeding facilities. Fear, anxiety, stress and other trauma sometimes took months to heal. Some of the dog organizations I belonged to in the past include:

Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club (AKC Breed Club)
Herding Club of St. Louis
Purebred Dog Rescue (Sheltie representative)
Second Chance Sheltie Rescue (Founder, President, Board of Directors, Behavior Consultant)

I currently belong to:

The first dog I purchased as an adult in college was a pet quality sable and white Sheltie from a conformation breeder, who introduced me to the world of dog shows. It wasn’t too much longer that a blue merle Sheltie from the same breeder came home to live. I was drawn to obedience, and both Shelties were eager to please and fast learners. We easily achieved Novice obedience titles. I decided obedience wasn’t for me when the next level of training required ear pinching to teach dumbbell retrieves. Hurting my dogs definitely was NOT something I was willing to do in the name of earning some ribbons. This led me to Karen Pryor and clicker training, and it wasn’t very long at all until my dog were happily retrieving dumbbells with wagging tails. During this same time, I started pulling Shelties from local shelters, fostering and training them in my home until their permanent home was found. Marie Bonsack was my mentor, and dog rescue soon became a passion that consumed me for several years. I did dabble in herding with my first two Shelties, but it wasn’t until I obtained my third Sheltie that I seriously pursued herding and agility. Over the years, I rescued, trained and showed a Doberman in Obedience, as well as several other Shelties in obedience, rally and agility. But I always knew I would have a Cavalier someday. After college, I started teaching basic manners and puppy classes at a local facility and also offered in home behavior modification for problem behaviors. I had a darling Cavalier in one of my classes handled by a little boy and his dad. The family dynamic was incredible, and the Cavalier was smart, focused and full of joy. What an incredible dog! Fast forward to 2020, with the U.S.A. basically shut down due to the COVID pandemic, and I decided it was time to pursue my Cavalier dream.