Marsha Dashiell
Meet Marsha Dashiell, Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Benchmark Dog Training
Marsha is the owner and head trainer at Benchmark Dog Training. Marsha decided that she wanted to offer more to people than just boarding. “so many people struggle with their pet dogs and its doesn’t have to be that way” She decided to do a intensive training and mentorship program which follows the Michael Ellis Training Methods in 2022 to add to her skills and increase knowledge so that she could also offer training for dogs and their humans along with her boarding services. She has been fortunate to have mentors from some of the top working dog competitors from around the nation and Germany. In addition she regularly attends seminars and workshops focusing on Obedience, Tracking and protection work.
Marsha believes in balanced training; being positive and making sure the dogs are clear of what is expected of them while making it fun for them to learn. “It’s so satisfying to see how much happier the dogs are when they know the rules and boundaries.” Of course this makes their owners thrilled!
Marsha has never been without dogs and currently has 2 Shepherds. She also loves hiking, kayaking and paddle boarding with her grandson and dogs.
Marsha’s a member of, Association of Professional Dog Trainers- APDT, United Schutzhund Club of America USCA and Placer County Schutzhund Club
Meet Kathi Glenwinkel, Trainer at Benchmark Dog Training
Kathi has been working with dogs professionally for over 17 years. Her parents allowed her to get her first dog at 14 years old only because she promised to train him. She signed up for obedience classes and overtook it by week 5, helping the other students and becoming the instructor’s assistant.
She started going to client’s homes to teach private lessons when she got her driver’s license at 16 years old, and started teaching group classes for the Auburn parks and recreation department.
After some time, Kathi wanted to do more than obedience and behavior modification, so at 18, she got her first German Shepherd and started dog sports and Search and Rescue. She has titled several dogs in AKC obedience and rally, National Association of Canine Scent Work, Schutzhund/IPO/IGP, and Working Dogs of America venues, as well as certified in Search and Rescue for live find and human remains detection, and goes on searches for California Office of Emergency Services.
Kathi uses balanced training methods to achieve better obedience, reliability, manners, and self-confidence.
Kathi is a member of, Placer County Schutzhund Club, United Schutzhund Club of America, California Rescue Dog Association, Yuba and Sacramento County Sheriff SAR, PCSC, PCWDC (pacific coast working dog club), International Association of Canine Professionals, CGC and Temperament Test evaluator
Sara Walter
Meet Sara Walter, Marketing and Social Media Director for Benchmark Dog Training
Sara is the creative force behind Benchmark Dog Training. Sara is a professional dog photographer, specializing in pet dogs, working dogs, and Police K9s. She handles all social media, marketing and creative content for Benchmark Dog Training.
Originally from South San Francisco, Sara's lifelong love for animals began in childhood and blossomed into a career that included raising, training, and free-flying macaws and other species of parrots. Her deep bond with animals, has always been a driving force in her life. Today, she shares her home with her heart dog Kal, a German Shepherd, and his trusty sidekick Abel, a Border Terrier.
When she's not behind the lens, Sara can be found by the river with her dogs, cruising in her golf cart with Kal, or photographing dog sport trials across Northern California.
Sara is a proud member of United Schutzhund Club of America, North American Ring Association, Professional Photographers of America, an affiliate photographer with the Tilly Project (End-of-Life Pet Photography Network)
Meet Gawin Intawong – Trainer at Benchmark Dog Training
Gawin Intawong, is a dedicated dog trainer with over a decade of hands-on experience in high level competition with his dogs. Originally from Thailand and now based in California’s Central Valley, Gawin brings a unique blend of discipline, resilience, and heart to everything he does, whether he's on the field training dogs or cooking up Thai meals for his clubmates.
His journey into dog training began in 2013 after surviving a violent home invasion. Determined to feel safe again, Gawin set out to train a German Shepherd for protection. That search led him to the sport of Schutzhund where he immersed himself in the sport, eventually becoming a helper and handler under some of the top trainers in the United States.
Since then, Gawin has titled five dogs, including: Arya, Yeager, Lev, Boris and Ragnar.
He is especially passionate about the discipline and deep bonds that dog training fosters between handlers and their dogs. His current goals include helping all dog owners to have a better understanding of the dogs they share their lives with.
When he’s not training or tracking, you might find Gawin dreaming of having dinner with his all-time favorite fictional hero—Ace Ventura, Pet Detective.
Kathi Glenwinkel
Gawin Intawong
Kathi Glenwinkel
Rich Cassens
Meet Rich Cassens – Trainer at Benchmark Dog Training
For over 13 years, I have dedicated my life to understanding and working with dogs.
Living with and training my own dogs and my client’s dogs, has given me a firsthand
look at just how incredibly intelligent these animals are. More than anything, it has
shown me the deep, unbreakable bond that grows between a dog and their family.
My true passion is helping everyday pet owners unlock their dog’s natural potential and
transforming training into a fun, engaging; that both the dog and owner love to
play. Whether you are looking to build reliable focus, work through common behavioral
challenges, or simply build a better relationship with your four-legged best friend,
watching a family dog learn to happily listen and thrive is infinitely rewarding.
To ensure I am always bringing the absolute best techniques to the families I coach, I
continuously expand my skills. I focus my continuing education on learning from world-
class dog training educators, regularly completing advanced studies under renowned
industry leaders, including Michael Ellis and Forrest Micke.
My life revolves around dogs both on and off the clock. At home, my wife, Jenn, and I
share our lives with a wonderful, lively personal pack. Managing a busy household with
our happy, well-mannered dogs of our own means there is rarely a behavioral puzzle we
haven’t encountered, and our pack loves helping out every day by keeping our training
dogs happy, socialized, and on their toes.