With the arrival of my latest puppy, a Working Cocker Spaniel, in December 2010 I have now had 17 dogs in my 38 years of dog ownership, not to mention the German shepherd and Cocker Spaniel that I grew up with.  I currently have four living with me now.  With three of them, a Bearded Collie and two Working Sheepdogs, I train for and regularly compete in Obedience Tests.

 My interest in the training of obedience started back in 1981 when I watched a lady and her dog doing heelwork in our local field. Little did I realise that 27 years later it would have become a huge part of my life leading me to compete at the highest level including winning my class at Crufts in 2006

In 1999 I became an assistant instructor with Cheltenham and District Dog Training Club.  I found I very much enjoyed working with people and their dogs and got almost as much pleasure from it as working with my own pack. As an instructor I started taking classes of puppies and progressed to adult starters and “problem dogs” taking them up to pre-competition and competition classes.  I really love the challenge of “problem dogs” and even took on my own Staffordshire bull terrier rescue which had quite a few problems.  She is my dear little girl “Babe” a more loving dog  you could not wish to meet.

 I felt that the practical experience I had acquired needed some theory behind it so I attended formal education in the following areas:

With my experience in Competitive Obedience I have also become an Obedience Judge currently able to work at the penultimate level.  I also judge the Kennel Clubs Good Citizen Scheme, which all my dogs have participated in.

I have long wanted to put all of this experience into a package that will enable me to do what I love the most, spending time with dogs, talking with and helping like minded people to achieve the bond with our dogs that is possible and so rewarding.  To this end I have started running puppy courses and lessons for older dogs as well as being available, on a consultancy basis, for the dog with behaviour problems.