Susan Gill and Creed’s Agility Journey
by Jennifer Cocoma Hustis
As an artist, I rarely witness the moment someone sees their dog captured in a fine art portrait for the first time. That was the case when Susan Gill first viewed my pastel portrait of her dog, Creed. Her reaction was immediate and full of warmth.
“I was so surprised and really loved the portrait,” she said. “It looks so much like him and showcases his wonderful personality. Creed is a beautiful dog, so he garners attention wherever he goes. But his best trait is that he is so eager to please. He is such a nice dog, and his temperament is exceptional.”
That blend of beauty, eagerness and steadiness is exactly what makes Creed such a remarkable agility partner and ultimately led the pair to national-level competition. But their story didn’t begin on a national stage. It began nearly 20 years ago with a birthday gift.
“I started agility almost 20 years ago when my husband found a Belgian Tervuren for me for my birthday,” she recalled. “Nancy Dudeck from Twister Dog Sports had a littermate of my girl Arya, and the breeder introduced us, saying, ‘You could do agility with your puppy!’ I started lessons and really fell in love with the sport.”
At the time, Susan had young children, and agility was simply a joyful outlet, a hobby that fit the rhythms of family life. Only in recent years did she begin trialing regularly and sharpening their skills with more intention. That shift in focus opened the door to a new level of partnership with Creed.
Susan doesn’t have to think twice when describing Creed’s personality.
“Creed is a very biddable dog,” she explained. “He’s easy to live with, and he loves his people. He’s a great agility partner because he likes to work as a team. If I maintain connection with him on course, he is rarely wrong. I love that I can trust him to work with me and listen to commands.”
That level of trust didn’t appear overnight. It was built in quiet, consistent moments — the kind that never show up on a score sheet.
“It has taken time and practice to build connection and trust,” she said. “But most of our time together is spent walking and playing. He loves his squishy ball, and he loves to work for snacks. That time together away from agility helps build the connection and partnership.”
Every dog has a spark, a moment on the course where their joy becomes unmistakable; for Creed, it’s the tunnels.
“I love when he is excited to start and his electric ‘smile.’ He especially loves his tunnels and is happy to race through them as soon as he gets the command. When we finish a run, he is always by my side and happy to receive his praise and treats.”
Training at this level requires balance: conditioning, skill work, rest and mental focus. Their weekly routine reflects that harmony.
“We walk a couple of miles a day and try to practice agility once or twice a week. He’s in the ‘sweet spot’ of his training, where we mostly maintain fitness and skills. We also play a lot of fetch and tug to give him straightline running and body work. I try to make sure he stretches a couple of times a week and usually only trial a couple of times a month.”
Susan admits that the mental side of competition was once her biggest hurdle.
“When I started competing, I had a hard time with the mental management of the game. Competing more frequently helped me learn to trust my dog. I also have an amazing group of dog friends that support and encourage one another. This sport and these dogs have given me a wide group of friends and a great community.”
That community followed her all the way to the AKC National Agility Championship in Temecula, California — a stage that can rattle even seasoned competitors.
“It was so much fun to be at the beautiful Galway Downs facility. The rings were on beautiful white sand, and the energy was electric. It’s always a little intimidating to run at such a big event, but Creed handled it all like a pro. That made it easier to settle in and just run. I always treat every opportunity as just another chance to have fun with my dog. That takes the pressure off.”
However, one moment stands above the rest.
“I knew if we were clean in our third qualifying run, we would make finals. No pressure,” she laughed. “When we held it together and had a clean run, I couldn’t believe it. It was surreal. I’m not a professional trainer, and Creed is my first masters-level dog. So it was amazing to run with the best.”
The extreme heat and challenging courses tested many teams, but Creed rose to the occasion.
“I was exceptionally proud of him for qualifying in all four of his nationals runs. We don’t always have that level of consistency, so it was a special weekend,” Susan said.
Agility, she added, is about far more than ribbons or rankings.
“For me, the sport has always been about having fun with my dog. It allows me to take our connection to a higher level and work together as a team. I want people to know that anyone can find a sport to do with their dog. It may not be agility — rally, obedience, fast cat, barn hunt, herding — there’s something for everyone.”
As for what’s next, Creed’s journey is far from over.
“We’re headed to Rockford, Illinois, for our American Belgian Tervuren Club National Specialty. Creed will compete in agility and conformation. We’re also working toward qualifying for next year’s AKC Nationals in Tulsa. And we may try a little conformation this year to finish his Grand Champion title.”
And then there’s Rogue, the new puppy waiting in the wings.
“Every new dog is a new journey,” she said. “It will be exciting to see where that takes us.”
