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My desire and passion to work with dogs dates back as far as I can recall in my childhood.
At the age of 15 my parents purchased a champion rough collie, called Toby, on the condition that the breeder could have him back for stud; and this is where my dream started to become reality. Shaddowing the breeder around in obedience and breeding, looking after the pups, learning what I could, when I could. After the loss of my beloved Toby, I swore I would never have another dog. But within a year my beloved Khan came into our lives, and we worked in obedience and agility. Then came my 2 golden retrievers, but they only worked in obedience. In around the early 90's I started looking after neighbours cats whilst they were away on holiday. Before I knew what was happening, I was looking after around 20 cats in one holiday period. Until one day, chatting to a good friend Tina, she asked why I had never looked after dogs as well. I gave this alot of thought and started pet sitting in clients homes, on the condition that I could carry on with my job during the day. I did that until I replaced my income and then I went full time. At that point I had lost both my beloved Khan and my goldies. The rest is history, I don't think that there is a breed that I haven't looked after. From Goldies, Akitas, Salukies, Yorkies, New Foundlands, Huskies, Rodesion Ridgebacks, Bedlington Terries, miniture Pinchers, Cockers, Champion Crufts dogs, and my favorites rescue dogs. I get deep satisfaction looking after rescues that have no trust in people, due to the cruelty previous owners have inflicted on them, to gain thier trust and to see them warm to you and relax is without doubt the best feeling in the world, like winning a gold medal. Over the years, my clients have taught me so much about different breeds, how they have helped their dogs through situations of stress and illness that I will be forever gratefull to them. Whilst customers were away on holiday, I would continue with their dog training for them, so that they didn't miss out on any classes. Whilst doing this I felt that there was still something missing in my life. As I became closer to my customers they would tell me about behaviour problems, that they were having, so whilst they were away I would re-search and try to recify the situation before they came home. I started recommending books and giving advice, but it always niggled me that I was not qualified to do so. So I enrolled in a canine behaviour course and passed. I still felt that I had not enough information so I enrolled in level 2 canine psychology, and passed with credit. And then again another behaviour course until one day Denise, a customer told me about Jan Fennell - the Dog Listener. Denise lent me the book, like so many other people I couldn't put it down. A few months after that, another client gave me a tape of Jan's programmes, I knew from that moment that I needed to be around this woman. She had the answer to canine behaviour problems. For about a year I recommended Jan's book to anyone that had a problem with their dogs, until eventually I contacted Jan and asked if she was running any classes or courses. Glenn (Jan's partner) advised me that it was all in the pipeline. I then attended a talk that Jan was giving and found out about her foundation course in canine communication. I enrolled in the foundation course and five months after that attended the advanced course, and am pleased to say passed. |