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funfordogs is a dog training business run by Sue Holstead. Sue is a member of the
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), an organisation set up in 1995 to offer pet owners a guarantee
of quality when looking for a training class or puppy class in their area.
All members of APDT have been assessed according to a strict code of practise and agree to abide by kind
and fair principles of training. They do not use any punitive or coercive techniques and equipment.
A copy of the APDT code of practise is on their website www.apdt.co.uk.
One of the requirements of membership to APDT is to keep their training and education as up to date as
possible with training techniques employed that are the application of scientifically based research
and proven practical experience.
In 2000 Sue attended the first International Dog training School which involved two years of part time study
under some of the top trainers in the World including Turid Rugaas of Norway, the world’s expert on stress
in dogs and the calming signals they use to deal with this stress and communicate safely with each other.
Anyone who has already attended any of our courses will know that we only allow small limited numbers on
each class or workshop and we look out for and take steps to reduce stress levels at all times.
Sue has also spent many weekends training up at the Learning About Dogs centre in Chipping Campden with this
country’s top clicker trainer, Kay Laurence and has achieved the clicker trainer’s Competency Assessment
Program award at Level 2 with distinction. This is currently the only certified system validating the
competency of clicker trainers.
Sue has also taken various courses in the Teaching of People as it is just as important to balance the skills
needed to effectively teach the owners as well as those needed to train dogs.
Sue has owned and trained dogs now for for over thirty years. Before concentrating on the pet dog owner she
used to compete in Obedience and Agility. She has owned many gundogs over the years including a rescue labrador who had had five homes before
arriving at Sue's for his 'forever' home! She now owns a Jack Russel Terrier rescued from Dogs Trust after his second stint there!
Yes, he was the terrier who starred as 'Toto' in the 'Wizard of Oz' performance at Salisbury Playhouse in Summer 2009 !!
Sue used to take her gundogs out with her in the winter months on the local shoots.
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Karen Marsh PDTE member no 082, BSc (Hons), Cert Ed, DipCAPBT also teaches at Wagalot Barn on a part-time basis.
She has recently completed her
Advanced Diploma in Practical Animal Behaviour and Training run by the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers. This is the largest specifically qualified
association for pet behaviourists and trainers in the UK. Membership offers all pet owners a guarantee of quality when seeking help with the treatment of behaviour problems,
or in the training of your dog or puppy.
Karen has also completed the International Dog Training School and already holds the
clicker trainer's Competency Assessment Program award at Level 2 with distinction.
She owns a rather
more exotic breed of dog than Sue, two Northern Inuits, Kodi and Kaya.
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Ruth MacGill and Dick Bywater assist with Gundog classes. Ruth also assists with some Agility classes. Ruth owns a Hungarian Viszla and Kelpie and
competes at agility competitions throughout the country. Dick Bywater owns two Springer Spaniels and a Spaniel cross and picks up on local shoots through the winter months.
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Fenella Hill and Graeme Gray assist with Agility classes. Fenella owns three cocker spaniels and competes at senior level at UK agility competitions.
Graeme does a sterling job of keeping Sue's terrier, Dexi in check at funfordogs agility classes and is often seen at the barn with his toolkit
on hand for any equipment repairs too!
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