The Dog Academy Agility Group
Living The Dream...
Wendy initially became involved in training and caring for dogs when she was just 9 years old !
Her first dog was a 'Sheltie' Collie named 'Bobby'. He was her ticket into her beloved world of canines, something which would consume the rest of her life, totally. By the time she was 14, and after 5 years of intensive training at a doggy centre in Stockport, Wendy was included in a team which was to put on a display of Dog Obedience', staged at the world famous Crufts in London's Olympia Exhibition Centre.
By this time the mould was set. She invested all her spare time in the study of dogs. She is a qualified canine nutritionalist, Wendy has numerous C.C.'s etc for the championship animals she has both caree for, trained, bred & shown over the past 30+ years. She studied genetics and breeding in an attempt to improve the standards of all the animals in her care. She is, has, and always will be, totally dedicated to her canine companions.
After we retired to Andalucia in 2003, the lifelong dream of living in the Mediterranean and breeding German Shepherds and her beloved English Cocker Spaniels began to take shape.
We built kennels and a secure dog training arena for canine agility and obedience.
At the moment we have Two German Shepherds and Two Border Collies !
All are groomed, fed, trained and exercised every single day, quite a task but one Wendy enjoys immensely.
It is nothing less than awe inspiring to see Wendy with her dogs, she communicates with them in a way others can only imagine, but for her it is second nature.
Every dog, including clients dogs, respond to her in an instinctive way.
This has truly to be seen to be believed.
It is a unique talent that Wendy has, one she uses to the dog's advantage, in gaining understanding and trust. She displays infinite patience and encouragement to both clients and their dogs.
This is why all her 'doggy' companions and friends love so much, and why I do to !!
At our home base HQ, we utilise our very own, purpose built, 'Canine Agility & Obedience Training Arena' which has been professionally built & fitted out with the finest canine training & agility equipment available today. This is where Wendy employs and expertly utilises 40 plus years of 'Obedience, Behavioural & Agility Training' experience skills that have been expertly honed over many years of working daily with all types of dogs and responsibly applied to all her clients and their dogs. Wendy holds multiple academic canine grooming certificates and canine training diplomas, so you can be assured that your family pet is safe in the most professionally knowledgeable and experienced of hands. Wendy can train all types of dogs, utilising her wonderfully patient nature to instill confidence and calmness into your pet. Within a matter of a few seconds Wendy will, in a special way, communicate and form a firm, controlled bond with your dog. A process which is totally amazing to witness and behold. Any serious trainer must first realise that only true patience will win an animal's complete trust, then and only then, training can commence in earnest. With solid patience, one can attain a higher level of trust and cooperation, plus, when the animal swiftly realises that there is absolutely nothing to fear, then that same animal becomes a willing, beautifully relaxed and laid back student & friend, as well as an all too willing subject which is totally relaxed about the whole training process.
Nothing is ever forced or rushed. All dogs are trained along with their respective owners, simultaneously, and must have a happy heart and of course, a very ' Waggy Tail' or we have failed miserably - and that will never be allowed to happen !! Many years of working in the canine world has sadly demonstrated to us that all too many so-called 'Dog Trainers', who only hold internet fee paid online diplomas and have never physically attended any recognised canine training centres, in the absence of real world canine classroom learned techniques to address problems, readily resort to forceful and punishment techniques if the dog is uncooperative. This is indeed, a truly and very sorry state of affairs. It is not unusual for a new client to arrive at The Dog Academy with a dog which has been previously traumatised by such a lamentable life experience.Such a dog will tragically, already be in a clearly unsettled and fearful state of mind about being trained.Wendy will swiftly rid the poor dog of it's misplaced distrust and renew the dog's positive trust with a new and positive relationship and bond with Wendy which makes for a swiftly happier dog.Such a happy dog, will in the future, both arrive, partake and depart from a Dog Academy training session, wagging his tail excitedly, in a wonderfully relaxed and serene mental state. This trust is then permanently renewed, time and time again and re-enforced upon each and every subsequent training visit with Wendy.
After all - every dog is pre-programmed to 'Want to please his leader'
This is a win - win situation for both the client & especially the clients, now much happier, canine companion.
It is also a situation that we are very happy about too !
The Dog Academy 2023 ©