This Tuesday was Test night when our handlers duly impressed the KC examiner.

Next week we turn over a new page and start again with all new dogs and puppies.

I always get excited when those new students arrive. I never know what to expect and it’s the not knowing that makes it so fascinating.

We’ll have biddable puppies, confidant mutts, nervous little bitches and dogs who believe they rule the world.

Every puppy/dog presents a unique challenge and it’s up to me to find the answers.

There is no one-size-fits-all training method particularly as all dog behaviour is owner driven and I’m training people as well as dogs. Believe me… it’s a real education.

Every dog teaches me something new.

You can’t get that experience from a book so why not bring your dog to class and learn.

We have indoor classes on Tuesday evenings and outdoor classes on Saturday and Sunday mornings for older dogs.

Forget all that nonsense about teaching old dogs new tricks. Unlike us, dogs learn at any age.

I recently trained a 12-year-old terrier and he’s the best student I’ve ever had.

Over the course of a dog’s life owners are going to spend around £10,000 on their dogs so a few pounds spent on training the pet they will be living with for the next 12 years is a wise investment.

Well-behaved dogs don’t just appear. They are not born with an obedient gene. It’s all in their education and upbringing.

Calm, balanced dogs are a joy to live with. I should know, I have a houseful.

They didn’t all start off like that, sometimes it’s been a battle of wills but we always made it in the end.

Pups are special. You are working with a blank sheet… get it right and you have a companion for life.

If you want to book classes visit vicbarlow.com or text me on 07590 560012.

  By The Dogfather