Cumbria Dog Training

Some boarding dogs arrive with manners and others have to be taught them. However, despite Olive being in the first category, she certainly has a way of showing her displeasure at a photo shoot !! Manners please Olive ! Few things excite Bert more than chasing a fox tail. Thankfully this is the only thing he runs after, which is just as well, given the number of lambs currently around us ! Up up and away !! I've just found this pic that Paul took of Pixie and me when I first got her. In truth he's taken so many of "my !!" dog. She's now 16 wks old and only wants to know where Mum is, which is always a good sign for bonding ! Love is .... Meet Plum, a very young - and lovely - Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen who's staying with me for training.  Plum has the soulful howl of the hound she is, a noise which can be heard over some distance. However, her warm and friendly personality has won us so we're able to ignore a little noise ! ...

This photograph of Sumo really does sum him up. Paul's energetic three year old Working Cocker Spaniel is full of life and certainly knows how to get along with other dogs - whatever their size. This is never more apparent than with German Shepherds Inka and Deefa. Despite the size difference, play fighting and chasing after each other never results in anything more terrifying than a freeze framed expression ! Sumo in full flight Who else better to play with than Inka ..... even if it means leaving the ground to do so. Sumo makes the most of his short legs ! Meanwhile it's time out for the little dog while sitting next to Deefa, a really beautiful large German Shepherd with a wonderful temperament.  Deefa and friend Meanwhile Milo is happy with some water and a stick of any size ! Milo loving life ! "I have to be in the office early today ....... although I can bring my dog". What a wonderful situation to be in ! The Office

After much prodding from me and alot of persuasion from others, Paul has made the decision to photograph dogs "professionally". He's been a "happy snapper" most of his life and has the eye and patience that I don't ! He also has a very high standard as these three images show. Please contact me if you're interested in having your dog caught on camera. Janet Honey is mesmerised by a feather Now there's a blizzard of feathers. Deefa the German Shepherd is a wonderfully compliant subject ! Deefa

Meet Pixie, my little 8 week old Cocker Spaniel puppy. Pixie is into everything and the fact that she comes from Working lines means that she's only going to become nosier and faster with it ! As the only person who feeds her, lets her out and hugs her (!), the bond is already developing as I hear the patter of small paws following me around the house ! Meet Pixie Pixie's first day - and looking a little startled by all the attention ! Marley stayed with us for almost a month while his owners were enjoying the Australian summer. He is great company to have around and would regularly wander into my office in the evening, just to check on what I was doing before returning to his bed ! Marley Lulu is the divas diva ! Not content with her ample bed, I would find her curled up and comfortable on my chair ! Lulu It's not every day that we have a Ralph come to stay and even rarer for a Jug to be with us. But this Jack Russell x Pug was wonderful company...

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 ...

Meet Wilf, my latest residential training dog. At 18 months of age, this English Setter is a lovely, lively character. However Paul did manage to settle him down just long enough for a few photographs to be taken this afternoon. Eight month old Inca and adult male Deefa are two very impressive German Shepherds who stayed with us recently - but neither could catch Lily when she was in full stride ! Next time you're stuck in the traffic, with your stress reaching dangerous levels, spare a thought for me as I struggle to reach my office without any mod cons. Charlie's first ever fashion shoot ! With Rachel in charge of his wardrobe and Paul looking after the camera, the poor lad doesn't stand a chance !

As we were having dinner recently, Paul glanced over to the Scar and we knew immediately that the two silhouettes could only be those of our daughter Rachel and her boyfriend Ross. The sunset highlighting the two out for an evening ride emphasised once more how fortunate I am to live at Toddle Cottage and in the area that I do. A home with a view A recent boarding guest has been Josie, an extremely fit 8 yr old Cocker Spaniel. A small dog with a wonderfully warm and friendly personality, Josie was at her happiest when out in our field with a ball being thrown for her - then having the chance to A great catch in the outfield by Josie And now a chance to recover Scooby is a residential training dog who arrived almost two months ago. This lively Beagle is from working lines and his natural instincts have been very much in evidence over the past few weeks ! However Rachel and I have worked hard to train this youngster into being a family pet, able to be off a lead and to ...