Vickie also runs 'The Doglady'

offering 1-2-1 training and homevisits

 www.the-doglady.co.uk

CCEG1 Special Awards

Alison Rowbotham (Ali) Canine Behaviourist & Trainer Rescue advisors & coordinator and Author My appreciation and gratitude to this  outstanding Dog person for her friendship,
help on Canine Conventions Courses and the sharing ofher knowledge of canine behaviour and understanding
 to me and many others.   

Dr Jennifer Chebroux an outstanding Vet who cared for Rema and Nessa when Gloria was moved to another practices To me and I’m sure many others who knew her from her time in England she is one of the best,

Dr Charley Gray who joined CCEG when she was a student vet and brought with her Maddie and Dexter. Charley came to most sessions and I’m sure it had nothing to do with the bacon rolls we fed her with!! After qualifying she moved down South but she still gives me help and advice with my ‘kids’

GSD Owners or those think of becoming one

If you would  like free help and advice on all things GSD then please contact me at

alan@cceg.co.uk

and visit my GSD website

www.cceg1.co.uk

My overall approach to training and behaviour management has been formed over a life time living with dogs and other companion animals. And for the last 53 years from attending Courses, reading books, talking & listening to my peers, on many areas of training, behaviour, instructing etc. and above all learning from the great dogs that have been a part of my life. So after all this, I have reached apart of my life where I am comfortable with what I believe in, and what I do. I remain open minded to every new idea that comes along but feel that I don't need to agree with every 'new expert' or 'method' just to keep fashionable.

It was with my first GSD Kim that I became interested in training - that was in 1966. At that time there were very few dog training clubs and if you were lucky enough to find one then predominantly competitive obedience handlers ran them and those instructing were mostly ex-service dog trainers from the Police, Army or RAF.The training for both owner and dog was very much based on achieving a high standard of accuracy and success in all exercises. This meant that every dog and handler was trained in the whole range of competitive obedience exercises as if they were aiming to compete in top-level obedience competitions. This regimented method of training was all there was whether you planned to enter competitions or not.

When I joined a class, I learnt from the Instructors, that 'Come' meant get here fast and sit straight in front - 'Stay' meant do not move until I tell you, you can. 'Heel' meant walk close to my left leg with your front leg in line with mine - in short the training for both dog and handler was very much based on discipline- obedience - respect. When I became interested in becoming an Instructor I was advised by these experienced trainers never to instruct an exercise, I had not trained my own dog(s) to do. And never advise methods or give advice that I couldn't justify a reason for offering.

Most of the time the dogs seemed to enjoy the training and the owners appreciated the results that teaching in this way produced. I never saw a dog abused or injured by this approach (saw some handlers shouted at!). Over time many owners have become less interested in the accuracy that these classes aimed for and a more casual response from their dog has became acceptable - with most just wanting a dog to 'Sit' 'Come' when called and 'Walk with out Pulling' and some 'socializing' with other dogs

The British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers

The Kennel Club Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Behaviour

National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors