Blanche Saunders

Blanche Saunders (October 1, 1906 - December 8, 1964) was one of the first Americans to popularize dog training, publishing several books and conducting demonstrations in dog obedience.[2][3][4]

Saunders graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College with majors in animal husbandry and poultry raising.[5] Helen Whitehouse Walker, who had at first hired Saunders as a kennel maid in 1934, convinced the American Kennel Club in 1936 that dog obedience was a competitive field, and the following year Walker and Saunders criss-crossed the United States in a 21' trailer with several dogs, making a 10,000-mile obedience‐teaching tour, giving lectures and dog obedience demonstrations at dog shows. Saunders later conducted demonstrations in Rockefeller Plaza, and also at Yankee Stadium for seven years.[5]

Saunders was the first dog obedience instructor of the ASPCA in New York (1944-1961), and was training director for the Poodle Obedience Club of Greater New York, the Boxer Obedience Club of Westchester County and the Port Chester Obedience Club.[1]

In 1946, Saunders published her first book, Training You to Train Your Dog.[5] During her lifetime Saunders authored several books, many of which continued to be republished after her death.