Woofing Magic

My name is Kirsty Maitland and I have owned dogs all my life. I grew up with Springer spaniels then when I was 21 I bought my first Dobermann.  Now I have two Dobermanns and a Weimaraner and compete in breed showing, working trials, competitive obedience and agility to various levels.  Working trials is my real passion, carrying out 10 different exercises in a field my dog has never been in, sometimes with sheep, birds, rabbits etc as distractions, is a real challenge -  even more so when working a Dobermann!

The people who have influenced my training the most and from whom I have learned so much over the past years are John Rogerson, one of the most respected and talented dog trainers in this country, and his associate Yvonne Walker.  I train with Yvonne every week with my own dogs and with John when he is available as he is in demand all over the world training dog trainers. 

I sat and passed the exams set by the Kennel Club to allow me to be an examiner to Gold Award for the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme and regularly examine all levels.  All of my dogs have sat the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme tests, Fabio and Daina both have their Gold Awards and Morgan has her Silver Award.  

My training courses use kind, modern and above all effective techniques to train the dogs based on lure and reward.  I want the dogs to want to do the exercises because they find them rewarding as then they will do them with their tails wagging.  My dogs love their training as it's all a big game to them. In the above photo you can see that Daina doesn't have a collar or a lead on but is happily doing heelwork. I never use force to train my dogs.

I believe it is becoming more and more important that we, as responsible dog owners, ensure that our dogs are obedient and do not bother other people.  An increasing number of councils are passing laws that prohibit dogs from running off lead and sometimes from even being in public parks as complaints are being received that dogs are running amok.  Obedient dogs are happier dogs as they can accompany their owners almost everywhere they go.  If your dog will walk nicely beside you without pulling, come back when he is called, and if he has manners and will not jump all over people or their dogs then there would be no complaints and therefore no new laws limiting where we can walk our dogs.  I hope that my classes can help people to train their dogs to be obedient, well mannered companions they can be proud of. 

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