Testimonials

Testimonials

Chris & Dudley:

You have probably read on this web site and in the Burton Mail how Dudley and I have just won the dog Obedience Championship at Crufts this year. Crufts is just such an amazing experience. I've always been moved when they play "We are the Champions" for the final parade, even before I qualified and went to Crufts for the first tume. To walk into that ring and parade around with your dog is something else, to do it, knowing that I was the winner, was and is the most unbelievable experience ever.

My dog training career started in Sheila's pet training classes back in 1995 with my little collie-cross Sam. We started in the puppy class and then progressed to the higher classes. Sheila doesn't just discard you after the first classes! Sam was so biddable and I found it so rewarding that I wanted to take it further. So I started to go to obedience shows. Since Sam I have had Monty, then Dudley and now also Finn who is 18 months old. Even though I am training Finn for obedience competitions I still took him to Sheila's puppy and follow on classes. It is so important to socialise young dogs in this sort of environment, and Sheila's ability to assess each dog's individual character, and therefore potential behaviour is something I'll never be able to do.

Sheila's had over 40 years experience - I've only had 17! You cannot achieve this kind of skill just by reading books and going on training courses - it is something acquired over a lifetimes' experience.

Dudley was easy to train and only ever wanted to be "good" - we call him 'Mr Perfect'. But Finn had the potential to be really naughty and without Sheila's help assessing his character I would have struggled with him. You cannot train for obedience competitions until you have the respect and general everyday behaviour, and that is where Sheila comes in. Finn is now a lovely 'pet', which is what all of my dogs are first and foremost. He is lovely to live with and take out on walks. His obedience training is coming along slowly!