Blanche Saunders
Blanche Saunders (October 1, 1906 – December 8, 1964) was one of the first Americans to popularize dog obedience training. She studied animal husbandry and poultry raising at Massachusetts Agricultural College.
In 1934, Helen Whitehouse Walker hired her as a kennel maid. Walker later convinced the American Kennel Club in 1936 that dog obedience could be a competitive field. The following year, Walker and Saunders traveled across the United States in a 21-foot trailer with several dogs, teaching obedience and giving demonstrations at dog shows for about 10,000 miles.
Saunders gave demonstrations in Rockefeller Plaza and at Yankee Stadium for seven years. She became the first dog obedience instructor for the ASPCA in New York (1944–1961) and served as training director for the Poodle Obedience Club of Greater New York, the Boxer Obedience Club of Westchester County, and the Port Chester Obedience Club.
In 1946 she published her first book, Training You to Train Your Dog. She wrote several other books, many of which were republished after her death. She died December 8, 1964, at age 58.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 18:16 (CET).