WAGGING TAILS

My first dog Kern is a first cross Flatcoated Retriever - Red Setter.  Upon realising that Kern was going to be a large dog I started to attend a puppy class at Knowle Dog Club, receiving 1st place in the basic training class.
I then carried on with the club, climbing up the different classes and received the Whitworth trophy in 1997 for the dog that had progressed the most for the year.

I then felt that I just wanted to "know more and more" so I started attending courses run by the Learning About Dogs organisation run in association with the Oxford College Networks.
I have taken:

• Canine Mind & Learning - Level 1 1998
• Canine Training        - Level 1 1998
• Canine Mind & Learning - Level 2 1999
• Canine Training        - Level 2 1999
• Canine History         - Level 1 1999
• Canine Welfare         - Level 1 1999
• Tutors Diploma         - 1999  - On going.

I was introduced to clicker training in 1998. I base all my training techniques on positive-based methods, using operant conditioning techniques, my training bibles being "Don't shoot the dog "by Karen Pryor and "The Culture Clash" & "Dogs are from Neptune" by Jean Donaldson.
 
Bryn my Liver FCR arrived in 1998. I then set out to socialise and familiarise Bryn with anything and everything, cars, trains, shops, people, dogs, we even went and sat outside the supermarket to get him used to trolleys and crowds, he is always to be seen at the children's school, and is quite used to being hugged and kissed by hundreds of children.

In October 1998 I started helping to teach at a dog training class in Worcester called K9    Companions, run by Claire Raymond (a member of the APDT). We use the clicker in all three of the classes and I would take the occasional class when needed.

I have also had a go (with Kern) at Heelwork to Music in 1998, with a demonstration team for the LADS organisation, it was great fun.

In October 1999 I attended a four day seminar given by John Rogerson on dog behaviour, fascinating stuff !!!.

Association of Rehabilitation Trainers

In February 2000 I attended the first in a suite of workshops run by one of the top Behaviourists, Kym Lawrence and Canine Rehabilitation Specialist, Angela Stockdale. This was called Practical Aspects of Rehabilitation.  I attended the second workshop in March 2000 in which we covered line training and aggression problems.  The third workshop covered case studies and the rehabilitation process.

Two case studies then had to be submitted with written and video evidence providing an analysis of the type of aggression the dog was suffering from and how we were able to help the dogs and owners lead a more 'normal ' life.

I then joined the Rehabilitation service, a network of trained trainers that offer rehabilitation service which dogs can be referred to by pet behaviour counsellors for continuing improvement.

There was also the Pet Behaviour 2000 seminar in April entitled Rehabilitation of Aggressive Animals (run by the APBC) which I attended.

From September 2000 I began offering Puppy, Intermediate and Advanced classes.  All of my courses are run with the aid of a clickers (even/especially the puppy class). I also started taking on one-to-one training and a referral service from April 2000.

Institute of Pet Behaviour Consultants

I have been doing a correspondence course with the Institute of Pet Behaviour Consultants, which covered all aspects of dog behaviour, and have passed this year to become a full member.

British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers

In July 2001 I was accepted as an Associate Member of the BIPDT. The Institute has been formed to be able to provide a register of bona fide persons suitably qualified as trainers to establish the highest code of conduct for all persons connected with the use of dogs in the service of mankind by means of training courses and examinations for instructors, trainers and handlers, to raise the standard of training, management and welfare. Later on in the year I went on a course on rehabilitation exercises and one on rehabilitation support groups at the NCDL at Evesham.

I am also a member of S.C.A.S (Society for Companion Animal Studies)
The aims of the society are:
   * To advance the understanding of relationships between people and companion animals.
   * To disseminate information about human/companion animal relationships.
   * To promote the quality of life of people and pets by encouraging responsible attitudes.

In July 2001 Wagging Tails received LISTED STATUS from the Kennel club, and are now entitled to run The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme.   This consists of Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
It is up to each individual dog owner to enter the tests only when they wish to (if at all ) and only when they feel ready to do so I firmly believe that training a dog should be done in a positive, patient way, learn the things the dog loves to do and adapt these into your training methods.

Our third Flatcoated Retriever has arrived, this time a little girl, Mia.  I am busy with her training, bringing her up to the standard of the boys.

Bryn my Liver Flatcoated Retriever passed his assessment course and became a P.A.T. (Pets As Therapy) dog. This is a service that has been set up to take dogs or cats on regular visits to Hospitals, Hospices, Residential homes, Special needs schools etc. I am very proud of him in his yellow jacket and he loves all the attention.

Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)

The APDT was set up in 1995 in order to offer pet owners a guarantee of quality when looking for a training class or a puppy class in their area.  All members of the APDT have been assessed and examined by a qualified examiner.
Veterinary personnel can rest assured that all APDT members are happy to work closely with the referring practice.
 

My achievements to date with my own dogs:
   Kern - Kennel Club Good Citizen GOLD award
   Bryn - Kennel Club Good Citizen SILVER award
   Mia  - Kennel Club Good Citizen GOLD award.

Kennel Club Accredited Instructor

In January 2006 after eighteen months hard work I passed my final assessment and review and became an Accredited Instructor for the Kennel Club.

The scheme aims to unite all who work with teaching and behaviour, and in so doing, to develop the best service possible for the dog owning public and training enthusiasts.  It is designed to promote education; it's not a course but it does set a syllabus. The scheme offers a personal 'Accreditation' by written, oral and practical assessment, provided all the criteria, set by the scheme, are satisfied. This has so far, been my crowning achievement, and is a highly sought after position within the dog training world. For more info.

JULIA SMITH  KCAI AMBIPDT  MIOPBC

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