I started my career in dogs by qualifying as a Canine Beautician. This qualification was my entry into the world of a boarding kennel and the day to day care dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea-pigs, birds and most other regular family pets. We’ve cared for an incredible number of dog and cat breeds (and those of no recognisable breed). This has provided us with all of the necessary experience to understand and care for most pets that we are likely to meet.
As a family with two children our family menagerie included, the to be expected, dogs and cats, rabbits and guinea-pigs, but also varied breeds of chickens and parrots, Shetland Ponies and goats. This was the way that our children learnt how to respect and care for animals.
Over the last couple of years I’ve been taking a series of courses and workshops with the IABTC (International Animal Behaviour Training College).
Training our black Labradors has been, and is, very rewarding. I’ve used reward based techniques, and the kind, gentle approach supported by the IABTC.
We are convinced that our family dogs require exercise that stimulates mind and body, they must be allowed to use their powerful sense of smell.
Kennels were always set aside for the use of dog re-homing charities both local and national. Dogs coming into our care often needed a little bit extra. One consequence of this side of our activity was that we occasionally kept a sweet but needy little person. Our “gang” must have looked very odd to people who didn’t know us.