Welcome to 2022!

Here we go with 2022. I’m nervous to even consider what it might look like from a wider point of view but from a Valley Dog’s viewpoint I have plenty planned!!

First a quick reflection on starting Valley Dogs towards the end of last year and what I've learnt so far. After nearly 2 years of working behind the scenes of another dog training business Valley Dogs is me stepping out to do absolutely the best I know I can for my own students and their dogs. I’ve put a lot of time into my own learning, practice and growth in dog training knowledge and I hope that my enthusiasm and compassion for dogs comes through with my clients! Getting the Pro Dog Trainer course and Geek behaviour section under my belt has been one of my biggest achievements of the year.

The first round of classes which ran in December went down a real storm and it was great to see the dogs progress and learn new things even in such a short time as 6 weeks. A huge thank you and well done to all of you who came along and pleased that the large majority are staying with me in classes or moving on to some other form of support I am able to offer.

I had a great visit down to Devon and the home of games based dog training to do some up skilling of my own handling and training skills and was privileged to work with some very enthusiastic Working Cocker Spaniels and Devon Dog’s head trainer Michelle who has been go to mentor for help with Elvis! Also to share ideas with the other Pro Dog Trainers on the course was invaluable and gave me plenty of things to bring home to Valley Dog’s for you guys.

So what’s coming in 2022? Well the classes are carrying on and with the extra interest I’ve added another one to the roster and hope to add some more as the year progresses. I’m also excited to start with the Out and About lessons for existing clients. It’s often the hardest part of all our dog training journey’s, taking what we have learnt in class or in a 121 and applying it to real world situations, so I’m really pleased to be able to offer my students some help with this, because I want real life results and happy stress free lives for you all!

From my own point of view I have just two units of my level 4 Behaviour Diploma with the British College of Canine Studies and will then be adding a health diploma to my qualifications as well! I really believe that training and health go hand in hand and we should consider the whole dog when thinking about behaviour struggles in particular!

What else are myself and Elvis going to be getting up to? We start our Man-trailing journey in 2 weeks with our first workshop over at Borders Scent Work. I love scent work for nearly all dogs, especially the excitable sorts who struggle with reactivity and emotional regulation. It’s great on so so many levels and Man-trailing is a sport any dog and any human can get involved in. So watch this space as I have plans to bring this to Peebles as an activity by the end of this year!! On the scent theme I’m also going back down to Devon in May for a 3 day scent and tracking workshop to continue to add to the skills in this area. I’m excited!

A game of Funder will start the new year off right!!!

There is more…I am also looking at cani-cross as another potential thing I can offer you. I like a run and now Elvis is old enough he has started to come with me. I can see the benefits for both of us in terms of fitness and mental health and I know that you guys in Peebles and the Borders are a fit bunch and with the nearest classes being away in Edinburgh at the moment it seems like a no brainer to bring it to the borders. I don’t see myself ever competing with my ex military knees but for fun, fitness and health I’m all in and I’d love you to join me!

So lets bring on 2022, help more dogs and humans and have some fun while we are at it!

P.S - Did you see my new 1-2-1 packages, they are pretty awesome!!

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