Over the years I've used "Skype" to help dog owners from all over the world, including the USA and the Australian Outback. But an invitation to help owners in Umbria, Italy was something that really required a home visit ! Having landed at Pisa, I left Tuscany and made my way to one of the many hillside villages surrounding Perugia, where I had the pleasure of working with some lovely expats and their dogs. My office, with Poppy (L) and Joe (R) Joe the Cocker is a real character who fancies himself as the guard dog of his home .......... ............. which is a big responsibility given that a large pack of Maremma Sheepdogs guard their flock very close by ! When a wild boar strayed onto their patch, he was quickly chased away. Maremma Sheepdogs make their presence known Not that any of this worries Poppy, who looks like butter wouldn't melt .... if only !! Poppy takes time out This was always a wonderful view to wake up to - and not a sound ...
I'm Janet Ardley, a professional dog trainer and behaviourist living in the beautiful Lake District National Park here in Cumbria.
I offer residential home boarding, training and help for dogs with behavioural problems.
I'm also very busy training dogs not to chase sheep and livestock.
The purpose of my blog is to give an insight into my working life and hopefully reflect the great fun and happiness I get from working with mans' best friend.
Janet