Trainer Melissa Heeter began her career at the early age of 7 by helping her father train horses on their family farm. So, it was only natural that Melissa also worked with some of the other animals on the farm, especially the dogs! Eventually, she realized that she could combine her passion for animals with her knack for teaching dogs to become amazing flying disc competitors into a career that spans over 20 years. Melissa now holds the accomplishment of being the first woman to win the ALPO Canine Frisbee® disc World Championship title and since then, she has also received several regional and state championship titles. As an avid dog lover and advocate for training with patience, Melissa travels across the country inspiring, entertaining and sharing her dog training expertise as part of the Purina Incredible Dog Team.

Melissa travels across the country with her entourage of nine incredible dogs that perform amazing acrobatic feats and “super-secret” flying disc tricks. Ariel Asah, a 13-year-old Border Collie and the 1997 ALPO Canine Frisbee® disc World Champion, is not only an amazing dancer, but she can also speak in her own little way! Her acrobatic daughter, Ariel Ally, is a freckled Border Collie who boasts the incredible title of 2001 Florida State Canine Frisbee® disc Champion. Relying on his good looks and talent, Radical Rebel, an 8-year-old Border Collie woos the crowd with his amazing flying disc tricks and is also a photogenic wiz on camera. Serving as the team motivator, Ariel Glory, the always-smiling 4-year-old Border Collie, loves to perform her claim to fame of a difficult rolling dog catch for adoring crowds. Viola, a 20-month old Australian Cattle Dog mix, has gone from a scared rescue dog to an energetic, people-loving flying disc catcher! A 6-year-old Border Collie, Riff, plays many sports, and his power and talent greatly adds to the team. Rounding out the team, Ariel Liberty, a 4-year-old Border Collie, specializes in a difficult foot stall move, while 20 month old Ariel Faith shows great promise as a beginner to flying disc because of her strong prey drive when playing sports. And the smallest team member, Maya, a 2-year-old Miniature Australian Shepherd, weighs in at only eight pounds, but she can catch a flying disc just as good as the big dogs!

When Melissa isn't performing on numerous television shows, NFL and MSL half-time shows and managing competitions, she enjoys serving as a guest speaker to schools, dog clubs and rescue groups around the world. She also acts as US Disc Dog Nationals Judging Director and donates her time and expertise to the promotion of the Frisbee® Dog Sport worldwide. By the way, Melissa will show you her and Glory's super-secret Japanese trick if you “beg” her.

Training Tips From Melissa