Tanbark’s Three Wire, a.k.a. Trap, shows off his athletic jumping abilities and excitement at getting to play fetch. [take paws to enjoy full photos, score prints]

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

Trap weaves through some poles for exercise and fun – not part of his competition training. [take paws to enjoy full photos, score prints]

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

Like any dog, Trap enjoys a good tennis ball. And like anyone with a hobby, Dave enjoys a good trophy. [take paws to enjoy full photos, score prints]

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

Dave and Trap demonstrate a figure eight pattern, one of the required skills for their obedience competitions. [take paws to enjoy full photos, score prints]

(Monitor photo by Sam Major)

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Trap loves to play.

Even when at attention, his playful eyes can belie his calm obedience.

But when it’s time to go to work, Trap obeys his handler’s commands, whether by voice or hand motions.

In fact, he obeys so well that he was named the top obedience dog in the U.S. for 2020.

His handler and owner, Dave Gannon, achieved that remarkable milestone for the second time during a 51-year career of training dogs.

Tucked away behind a pine forest that he and his son planted 20 years ago off Hwy. 69 North just outside Mineola, Dave and Trap rise early to train most mornings when they’re at home, which means not on the road earning points toward the 2021 championship.

Trap is a 6-year-old Golden Retriever, with a red tint in his coat. His official AKC name is Tanbark’s Three Wire, along with a series of numbers and letters indicating his championship status.

If he stays healthy, Dave thinks Trap can compete until he is 10.

A retired airline pilot, Dave got into dog training almost accidentally.

He bought a mini-poodle for a girlfriend in Pensacola, Fla., and the kennel offered free lessons. Dave couldn’t turn down “free,” so he learned to train and show dogs and has been doing it ever since.

“It’s a good little hobby,” he said. “It’s not too expensive.”

Dave and his wife each keep two dogs on their place. His are the retrievers while she trains weimaraners for agility competition.

They also board and train dogs. Dave offers lessons Wednesday evenings and has customers from the Metroplex, Louisiana and Oklahoma. And he doesn’t charge a penny.

It’s his way of giving back to a sport that has been good to him.

As much as training the dogs, it’s about training the people, he said.

Training a dog requires consistency, he noted, and dog owners don’t always follow through.

But some of Dave’s more dedicated students are racking up championships of their own.

The pay off for such a lofty prize will be a set of trophies that have not yet arrived. Gannon assumes they will be similar to the ones he was awarded for the 2005 championship.

The winning dog generates three trophies – one each for the owner, the handler and the breeder, which is why Gannon has two as both owner and handler.

It’s really about ego, Gannon readily admits, since there is no monetary reward. That doesn’t much interest Gannon anyway.

Trap is neutered, which means he will father no puppies that would normally sell for $2,000 to $3,000 at eight-weeks old.

Although the American Kennel Club does keep and tabulate the points that determine the top dog, they otherwise pretty much ignore the obedience side of the business in favor of the more popular and lucrative championships, Gannon explained.

The winners do get treated to a black-tie dinner in New York, but this year’s had to be canceled.

COVID restrictions also led Gannon to do more traveling in 2020 to accumulate the needed points.

Whereas he normally sticks to the Texas and surrounding states, he had to range farther afield to make around 40 competitions. Eleven contests were canceled after he had registered and another 30 were stopped before entries were accepted.

Dave and Trap demonstrated what it takes to earn the top points. The judges are looking for accuracy – that the dog is lined up straight with his handler, not touching and no barking.

He follows verbal and hand commands, which include making several jumps and retrieving items.

It takes a high degree of teamwork.

Trap’s reward is playtime or doggie treats.

Dave likes the retrievers because they perform well, they mind and they can live 13 years or longer. He purchases from a breeder in Wisconsin with a good track record.

Dave noted that Trap’s success will benefit the breeder, who can promote that championship pedigree.

And the next potential champion is already onsite, ready to learn the ropes.