I have been a member of the Jersey Junior Dog Handlers for 20 years, during which time I have successfully trained my dogs in show handling, obedience and agility. I am also an honorary life member of the association which has played a large part in mine and my family’s lives for the past 20 years.

I have been around dogs all my life as my father was the first and only Guide Dog owner in the Channel Islands for many years. A succession of Guide Dogs passed through our house and in addition to this my brother and I had a couple of Pembroke Corgis. I worked voluntarily for the Animal Shelter for three years on a Saturday and in school holidays where I was able to work with dogs as well as the cattery and the stray block. When I left school I went to work at the David Place Veterinary Hospital where I became one of the first two home trained veterinary nurses, working my way up from kennel maid to head nurse. I was there for 12 years before I left to have my two sons. 

When we acquired our first family dog we joined the Juniors Handlers and I took on the position of secretary which I held for 13 years, 1991-2004. My two sons competed successfully locally, in the UK and Europe through this club and are both actively involved with the dog world now they have moved to the mainland.

I have represented the Channel Islands at Crufts with one of my dogs Taj in both the silver and gold Good Citizen teams and successfully competed at championship level in the UK with our kennel of Cesky Terriers.

My family has had dogs for many years.  My parents had two West Highland White Terriers when I was a child and I have always had friends who have dogs.  I became involved in Showing dogs quite by accident when a friend of mine who had an Irish Setter Puppy had a riding accident and was unable to show her puppy.  She asked me to show him and her experience in showing, spanning over many years of showing and Junior Handlers, was invaluable to my learning.  We then purchased a Tibetan Terrier as my eldest son then 6 years old wanted to show dogs and was borrowing dogs of our friends.

I took part in the show handling section of the last big Jersey Junior Dog Handlers Easter show and managed not to disgrace myself.  I have two animal mad boys aged 8 and 11 both of whom have showed dogs and have done much of their instruction myself.  Both boys have had some small success and the eldest competed in the Junior Handlers section of the Richmond Dog Show gaining a Highly Commended.

I have been a member of the committee of the Kennel Club of Jersey, stepping in for a short time upon the resignation of the Secretary part way through a year.  I am keen to share my small amount of knowledge of training dogs with others although I am unable to commit to attending every week due to my children’s sporting commitments.  I am keenly aware that there are many people within the Jersey Junior Dog Handlers Club with much more experience than myself but have always been a firm believer in the common sense approach to training and of course asking those with more knowledge.