Hi,

I thought I'd add here a little about myself, well how hard is that?! I've never really been one for blowing my own trumpet! But just to sit down and give a little background is easier said than done!

My Mum used to say I'd never make it to my next birthday if I wasn't careful! Well I've had 50 of them! So I must be doing something right! Ha, Ha.( maybe she had another reason for saying that? I can't think what!).

 

Well, this isn't about giving anyone my life history, so I'll just point out some of the highlights in my life.

 

After I left school, I went to be a kennel maid, in those days it was £10 for a 6 day week! It took me a long time to find the right place, I had to do some weekend "trail interviews" , and I'd not get paid for it either, the payment was bed and board. I love the German Shepherd dog, I have no idea why as it was later in my childhood that we got one, before we always had mutts.

I was still at school then, my parent's brought home a massive Shepherd, male, they re homed him from someone who's son had an allergy to him. He was very big! And had a heavy coat, I thought he was the best!

So I got interested in showing at fun shows, I would teach him lots of tricks, we had lots of fun together.

Later, I got married, had 4 beautiful children and I got a Shepherd of my own for the family, She was called Tegan, She was a lovely girl, but she had lots of problems as a puppy, so she was not socialized outside of the family . Her training was very good though and she would never leave my side, but she was over protective. We still took her on camping holidays, and she would always look after the children, so much so, that she would walk next to them to ward them away from the banks of the river.

Sadly Christmas 1993 I had to have her pts, as her hind legs gave in and she could get up no more. She was only 9 years old. The look on her face broke my heart. I'll never forget her, RIP, my darling Tegan.

 

I didn't get another dog for 7 years. 

This is when I got Kira, a white German Shepherd bitch. I saw her at 3weeks, and her breeder wanted shot of all the pups before 6 weeks! So I ended up getting her at 51/2 weeks.

I'll tell you more about Kira on her own page.

Now with the children all grown up, and some leaving or left home, I went back to the dog training that I'd loved doing before.

The club I had been taking Kira to asked if I'd be interested in going on a dog training instructors course, I of course said yes!

In 2002 I got my Assistant certificate,

In 2003 my Solo

In 2005 my Advanced

(  I like to take my time!)

All the above were with the then, DTI Course.

Then in 2006 I went to the new PDTI Course and got another Instructors certificate.

I am now a member of the Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme working towards my accreditation.

I'm also one of the Instructors at Canine Academy Dog Training in Stotfold, where I take the puppy class, and I love it!

In 2007 I was fortunate enough to be able to go to a special event held by the Northern Inuit Society, featuring the lovely Mr Shaun Ellis, That was Brilliant! I hope to go again.

 

Shaun very kindly posed with my Kira and Echo