Trainers

HDDTS has some of the most experienced trainers in the country covering all aspects of dog training, obedience and competition showing.

Carol Pearce

Experience	29 Years
Training	DTI Solo Trainer 1982, DTI Advance Trainer 1991
Dogs	Duke – black Labrador (Deceased), Travis – Goldie (Deceased). Mitch – GSD (Deceased), Marley – GSD aged 12½ , Gabriel – black Labrador aged almost 6
Comments I have now been an active Trainer at HDDTS for almost 30 years and I still enjoy my Thursday evenings. I can remember being asked to become a trainer back in 1981; whilst doing my training I gave birth to my daughter and in September 1982 promptly left my 9mth old baby and 2 yr old son with my Mum as I went off to Totness in Devon to complete my DTI training course and pass my Solo Trainer exam. I then waited almost 10 years before gaining my Advance grade. Not much at HDDTS has changed over the years; trainers meetings are a little more relaxed now, and the Beginner Class format has changed very slightly. I am proud to say that we are the biggest and best training club in the country. For just over 10 years David and I trained the clubs trainers, some 25 of them! As I always wanted to be a teacher but couldn’t quite get another 'A' level and always having a love of dogs training trainee trainers was a natural progression. Passions in life - in no particular order: I love to socialize ~ I’m quite mad and love a good laugh; I’m also very silly and very loud!! I adore red wine (but not Australian) the favorite one at the moment is Chilean Merlot or Carmenere. I love to cook too, whether it’s a weekday dinner or a posh dinner party. We have been called extremely mad by our neighbours as it has been known for us to have a barbeque with snow on the ground!! I like walking and swimming too. I do have two, no it’s three main passions in life my family and giving blood. I have 3 children whom are all now grown up, 2 have left home and 1 floats back every now and again (normally with washing). I’m very proud of them all but especially proud of my grandchildren; in November 2009 my grandson was born on the 8th and my granddaughter on 11th November. I prefer to be called Grandma as I think it sounds far more regal than Nan!! My other main passion in life is giving blood ~ that’s me and my dog Gabriel. I have now successfully donated 35 pints and Gabriel has successfully donated 7 pints. I have an enormous zest and energy for life and if I can help save a life or make someone better I’m happy. Gabriel means the world to me and by him donating blood to help a sick dog to get better and re-unite that bond between owner and dog again we are happy. My parents’ dog had to have a blood transfusion and I know it wasn’t Gabriel’s but it still made us burst with pride, if she hadn’t of had the transfusion she wouldn’t be with us today. Its true do something amazing!! The other passion is football, I love watching football whether it my Niece playing her Sunday league, the world cup ~ a typical Sunday afternoon is watching my favorite football team on the telly, sipping a nice bottle of Chilean red wine with my little black dog curled up by my feet - pure heaven.

David Pearce

Has been obedience training since 1985 and qualified as a DTI Solo Trainer in 1987 and Advanced in 1991. David is our most experienced GSD handler and has also trained Border Collies. David had competed in Obedience through all stages up to Open 'C' achieving a 1st, with too many 2nd, 3rds and 4ths to mention.

Experience	19 years obedience
Training	Dog Training Instructors Course, Solo and Advanced, 7 Obedience courses- 2 Day courses (Sandy Wadham)
Dogs	Jayne B/C 1972, lived 19 years (blind for 10), Lacie GSD  1982,lived 14 years, very dominant. Josh GSD 1986 lived 9 years, Very special. Josh B/C 1995 put to sleep 1997, very dominant, Jon GSD 1997, close to being special - put to sleep 2007
Awards	Open 3 x 1st Beg, 4x1st Nov, 3x1st A Ring, 2x1st B ring, 1st C Ring  (Too many 2nds, 3rd and 4ths to mention)
Comments The lives and loves of all of the above dogs, good and bad experiences have made me a better human being for knowing them. The experience I have for pet dogs ranges from very dominant to very introverted. I get a great satisfaction from trainee trainers which started in 1992.

Phil Woodward

Experience	Member of HDDTS since 1980. Member of management team for Harlaxton Dog Training Instructors Course for 3 years. Assisted with the setting up and running of Stratford Pet dog Club 1985 - 1988
Training	Gained 1st Grade trainers certificate at All Britain Dog Training Instructors Course Totnes 1982,Gained advanced Grade trainers certificate at above course 1984. Examiner at United Kingdom Dog Trainers Instructors course 2001&2003. Judged at exemption shows.
Dogs	Past: Old English Sheep Dog, Shelties, GSD,Collie X. Present: Saluki X Lurcher. My Old English sheepdog appeared in a children's TV program called 'SEEING & DOING' in the early eighties. Filmed at Thames TV studios Teddington.
Comments Have been involved with the training of breed show dogs and Obedience training for over twenty years. HDDTS is an extremely well run club. The trainers are in my opinion amongst the best in the country. I have met many people from all over the country and have asked them about the structure of their clubs. It still appears that we have probably the best venue and club structure of all. The standard of our trainee trainers attending courses is second to none. After gaining certificates of competence trainers go on to learn more training and class management skills. The club on a Thursday training night is friendly and productive. We have good support from both our committees and from the membership as a whole.

Susie Cox

Susie, along with Jo Codd (below) has taken on the task of training the trainee trainers.

Experience	5 years training at HDDTS.
Training	Solo trainer DTI (2001), Advanced Trainer DTI (2004).
Dogs	Lily - Yellow Labrador (1998), Chloe - Black Labrador (1999)
Comments I was brought up in a house full of dogs, as my parents had dogs even before I was born. So as soon as I had my own place it was the natural thing to do. However Colin (husband, ex-trainer) said he’d only agree if I did all the pooper-scooping and went to training classes, fair enough. So a day after buying our house I got Lily (take note: training a new puppy surrounded by boxes isn’t such a good idea). A few months later I was pulled to one side at the club and was pleasantly surprised to be asked to train as a trainer (thought they were going to ask me to leave because Lily was so strong willed). I went on to pass my Solo certificate in 2001, my Advanced in 2004 and currently train any new trainee trainers along with Jo Codd. Since joining the club my life has changed a lot. Eventually Colin suggested getting another dog so we got Chloe. I married Colin, and we now have 3 children, 4 year old twins and a 16 month old. So if you see a mad woman out walking with two labradors, twins and a toddler in a pushchair then it’s probably me!

Andy Stebbeds

Experience	5 years HDDTS, rest of life clouded in a veil of secrecy.
Training	Solo trainer DTI, Advanced Trainer DTI.
Dogs	Jix - Border Collie Cross, Basil- English Setter(Deceased)
Comments Having always had a love of dogs, being a trainer is a highly enjoyable and rewarding way of spending time. Helping like minded people with their pets and an unlikely change from the 'Pub' and other alcohol related activities.

Jo Codd

Jo, along with Susie Cox (above) has taken on the task of training the trainee trainers.

Experience	5 years HDDTS.
Training	Solo trainer DTI, Advanced Trainer DTI (2004).
Dogs	Honey - Goldie; Raven - Black Labrador
Awards	HDDTS Internal awards
Comments My time at HDDTS started when I came along with my first dog Honey as the club had been recommended to me by her breeders who had trained both their Goldies there. Never having had a dog before I was very keen to learn all I could, although I remember I had to wait six months before I got offered a place, so we were just as popular back then. I well remember how nervous I was in those classes, not because the trainers didn't do everything they could to put me at my ease, more that I wanted to do everything right and not let Honey down. So here we are now and as you will see from the above photo I have got myself another little bundle of fun, a black Labrador bitch this time called Raven, who is a real pleasure to be with. I had been thinking for a while that I wanted to get another dog and eventually things worked out okay and Raven is now 9 months old and she and Honey, who is now 7, get on absolutely fine. I certainly made some mistakes when I was training Honey and I hope I won't make the same ones with Raven. Honey has a very loving character although she can be aloof when she wants to be, we'll call it selective hearing shall we, and takes things at a very leisurely pace. Raven is also a very loving dog with an amazingly waggy tail, now she has two paces - stop and go, go, go, go! I love them both very much and cannot imagine being without them as they give me so much love and enjoyment. Having been asked to become a trainer, I became more involved with the club and it's nice to feel that Honey has been with me every step of the way. I really get a great deal of pleasure out of helping people with their dogs, I find it especially rewarding when people come down to the club even before they have a place on a course, just to talk about their dog and get help with any problems they might have.

Sara Dyson

Experience	4 years training at HDDTS.
Training	Solo trainer DTI (2002).
Dogs	Sam: Rottweiller/Labrador Cross, Lucy(Lurcher/Doberman cross)  and  Midge (Parsons Jack Russell)
Comments I can't remember a time I didn't have a dog, from the dogs my parents had (whippets) to the dogs I have now. The first dog that I had of my own was a stray who was in a very bad state and after no one claimed him, I decided to take him on, I was working at a stables at the time so he had a lot of animals to get used to but after a couple of days , he rarely left my side. He was one of those dogs who just seemed to know what you wanted of him. I was lucky to have him. After he passed away I got Lucy (from Blue Cross) she chewed everything, chased everything and ran off when she saw another dog, etc, etc. I made mistakes with her but also learnt a lot, she still has some funny ways, but is a lovely dog now. Then when we moved to a small holding and had more room, I got Sam, he was 15 weeks old and had had 3 homes already, when we collected him he was tied up in the garden. He has is 8 now and a pleasure to have around. About 3 years later , I got Midge the only pedigree, this is how I began at HDDTS, I started in beginners with her, in 2001 and after being promoted to Improvers 2 I was asked to become a trainer, I decided to take on the commitment, and haven't looked back since.

Gill Simpson

Experience	Training at HDDTS since 2001.
Training	Solo trainer DTI (2003).
Dogs	Minnie (Goldie) - 16 years deceased, Jess (Goldie), Polly (Goldie) & Piper (Goldie) (notice a pattern here, readers?!)
Comments I was bought up always having a dog and I think people miss out on a lot if they have never experienced having a dog as part of their family. I have learnt so much from each of my dogs and continue to do so. I do agility with Jess which we both enjoy - she has so much energy and is much better at it than me! I really look forward to Thursday nights, it's great to see handlers enjoying training their dogs and progressing through the classes.

Richard Hallman

Having taken on the mantle of webmaster, you shouldn't believe too much that you read about him.

He would welcome any contributions to the website from HDDTS members - whether it's a photo or an article!

Experience	All my "formal" dog training has been here at HDDTS (which I joined in 2002), whether as a member of a class, a trainee trainer or as a "proper" trainer. As we all do, I still have a lot to learn, but enjoy not only the contact with the dogs, but with the owners as well!
Training	Solo Trainer DTI (2004).
Dogs	Currently Tilly (English Springer x Collie) & Tifer (English Springer).
Comments Having grown up with a Jack Russell, as well as my grandparents' 5 (yes, 5 - at the same time!!) English Springers, I suppose it was inevitable that I would at some stage own dogs. It took a while, but a few years back when I began working from home we decided the time had come! Working our dogs and helping others with theirs gives me a great break from my "usual" occupation - something everyone needs.

Phill Montague

Experience	Training at HDDTS since 2003.
Training	Solo Trainer DTI (2004).
Dogs	Geri, German Shepherd

Karen Connolly

Experience	Training at HDDTS since 2003.
Training	Solo Trainer DTI (2005).
Dogs	Kelly was a part of the family before I was even born. She was a Border collie cross and was around until I was about 15. Lady was a Jack Russell cross Whippet who we rescued when I was about 7, although she was a family pet I spent most of my spare time as a child with her. I took her just about everywhere I could. Max is my first official dog of my own. He is a border collie that we rescued at about 9 months. He is one of the most friendly and happy dogs you could wish for. Slightly hyper active and a bit mad but I think that's a collie thing. He keeps me on my toes.
Comments I joined HDDTS in 2003 and was asked to be a trainer in 2004. I love training Max and thoroughly enjoy being a trainer. It is really gratifying to look in someone's face when you are offering them advice and to see them really listening and taking it all in. Hopefully they are going to practice and improve as the weeks go on and you can really start to see them enjoy their dogs. It is nice to think you may have had something to do with that. I look forward to a Thursday night and hope to continue training for a very long time.

Jo Hart

Experience	Training at HDDTS since Autumn 2001
Training	Solo Trainer DTI (2005).
Dogs	Jake (black lab) & Izzy (Border Terrier)
Comments My dad took part in field trials with his dogs when I was really young. He had a Springer Spaniel (Jessey), a Springer Spaniel cross Labrador (Rossy) and a Black Lab bitch (Asa). The Springers were only around when I was very young so I don't remember them much, but I can remember taking Asa out walking, she was highly obedient. Asa died when I was about six and that's when I started to pester my parents for my own dog. It took me seven years but in 2001 I got my first official dog, a black Labrador (Jake). Since then there's been the addition of Izzy the Border Terrier in 2004. They are complete opposites; Jake is very laid back and easy to work with but he can be hard to motivate. Izzy will do anything that is fun, but she doesn't think like Jake or read my body language, so she makes mistakes easily. I started agility with Jake in October 2004 and with Izzy in April 2005. They are both doing well and Jake even managed to get a clear round in one of his first competitions! I have only been in one official obedience competition, in which Jake got a 2nd in the starters class. I started training at the club in 2001 and was asked to become a trainer in 2004. Three things happened that night which made it so memorable; Jake and I got a progress trophy, we got promoted to the advance class and then was asked to become a trainer! Initially the thought of taking a class petrified me, however as my confidence has grown I thoroughly enjoy taking classes. When it comes to hobbies, dogs, school, work and the occasional party are enough to keep me busy!?

Jackie Sharp

Experience	I started breed showing in 1984 and moved on to obedience training in 1986. Member of HDDTS since 2003. Present member of: Hatfield Dog Training Club, Gade Dog Training Society, Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla Association. I was an active committee member of Home Counties Boxer Welfare 1993-2007 assisting with training and behavioural advice at their monthly rallies.
Training	Instructors Certificate at Pet Dog Training Instructors Course (PDTI) (2007).
Dogs	Present dog "Gunner" Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla + menagerie
Awards	Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze Examiner (24/04/05) Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Silver Examiner (29/07/05) BOB with "Kerry" my IWH Won out of starters and pre-beginners now competing in Beginners at Gade Club matches with Gunner.
Comments As a child we had a variety of dogs including GSD's, an Irish Setter, and an Irish Wolfhound. When I moved into my own home along came my Boxer "Cass". He came to work with me; we started obedience classes and entered the show ring. He loved obedience and I soon discovered that I did too. He was a very exuberant puppy - I had to learn quickly! Cass excelled in agility and I got the taste for that too. A rescue Boxer "Chester" came into my life for a short period of time. He had a heart problem, which sadly led to a premature death. Although my other Boxer "Cass" lived to the ripe age of 13 he had seen his fair share of tumours in his lifetime, hence this led me to another breed "Gunner". My experience with rescue Boxers has taught me that not all dogs are best suited to just being a family pet some need an interest with mental stimulation, such as training or agility to channel their energy in the right direction. We make our dogs what they are and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the bond between a handler and dog.

Sarah Ganney

Experience	Formal dog training at HDDTS since 2006, but we have had dogs since I was 6
Training	PDTI Certificate, 2008
Dogs	Sephie - Weimaraner. Nero - Chocolate Labrador. Jasper - Springer Spaniel (deceased). Roly - Chocolate Labrador (deceased)
Comments We got our first dog Jasper, a rather excitable and challenging Springer Spaniel when I was 6, and I have never been without a dog since. He was joined by Roly, a wonderful chocolate Labrador, then followed by Nero, another chocolate Lab who is also wonderful to have around. In 2005 a friend of mine bred a litter of Weimaraners, and in January 2006 we picked up Persephone (Sephie). She had been enrolled at HDDTS when she was about 5 weeks old (before I even got her home!) and started training at the club in the March of that year. I really enjoyed doing the formal training with her, and was thrilled when I was asked to be a trainer in the July. I work as a horse riding instructor, and have enjoyed the transition and challenges that have come with working together with dogs and their handlers, although I find that there are also many similarities when working with the different species! I have also been training Sephie in agility classes since 2007, which I really enjoy, but neither of us are ready for competition yet!