One of my earliest training memories is bundling my beautiful big Rough Collie on a bus after school twice a week and taking him to training classes when I was about 10 or 11. I can’t remember if he was particularly obedient but I do remember that I could take him anywhere – on buses, into busy areas or to pet shows. That’s another memory – my friend and I walking about 2 miles to Kingsdown School where they were holding a pet show on a beautiful Friday evening. Even at that age I cared very much how my dog behaved and liked being able to take him places and join in with whatever was going on – I don’t remember how he did at the show, it wasn’t important, the memory is just me and my dog taking part, being together and having fun.

I have always been fascinated and can’t get enough of seeing dogs behaving well. I don’t mean the sort of rigid obedience we see and wonder at every year at Crufts that needs full time true dedication but every day well behaved dogs taking their rightful place in daily life alongside their owners.

I could go on but I think you get the general idea of the sort of behaviour I admire and encourage in dogs. All of this is easily achieved with a little work on our part and is worth every bit of effort you put into a puppy when you have a grown up well rounded dog that you can take anywhere, who can cope with all situations – a dog that has good lifeskills in fact.

I am a great believer in the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme which was introduced in 1992 to try to help combat anti dog negativity. It incorporates a comprehensive learning structure that is focused around domestic dog owning situations. My dog Blue achieved Gold medal status and was chosen to represent the Kennel Club at Earls Court and the NEC three years running, Seb has his Silver which is quite something for this particular rescue boy, Gus passed his Puppy Foundation test at 16 weeks, his Bronze award at 6 months old and now has his Silver and even Daisy the Shih Tzu has her Bronze! New girl Riff has her Bronze, Silver AND Gold all by 12 months of age.

Now many many years after the bus rides to training class and very sadly many dogs later I still get that same feeling when I see a well behaved dog and owner partnership and get a great buzz from seeing an owner enjoy teaching their dog something new.

I have shared my life with some wonderful dogs over the years – from Great Danes to Shih Tzus and even though I have a diploma in Canine Behaviour and Psychology I do wonder sometimes how dogs manage to understand what we want them to do when the body language they study tells them something different almost every time. That’s how wonderful their understanding and desire to please us is (and the desire for a juicy treat whilst learning of course!) – they interpret what we want and decide whether to do it in a split second.

My classes will aim to help you & your dog learn lifeskills and provide the socialisation and experiences that will allow him/her to take his/her place by your side.

Janet Garrett  DipCAPBT MAPDT (01066)  MIACE

Tel: 01793 727158 - janet.garrett@virgin.net