Dogs have always been my passion. I train my own dogs (fox-red labs) to compete in working tests. They are my life and ´all and everything´.
Toby has won several trophees in working tests (see photo). He has also been featured on the front cover of the Crufts magazine (see photo). Gundog training has taught me a lot about dog psychology. Most importantly how to read your dog, how to clearly communicate and how to work in partnership and as a team. Dogs are not machines and your physical condition, energy and mindset on a particular day will transfer onto your dog. There are good days and bad days in dog training and new challenges can occur every day. There might be moments of frustration but overall the hard work will pay off. The intense bond, understanding and relationship you develop when you work (with) your dog (esp. if more seriously, at competition level) is priceless and utterly rewarding. You can see Toby here in the middle of a deer herd minding his own business. This could also be a herd of cows, sheep, chicken, rabbits, pheasants or a fox running past. It shows that - contrary to common belief - a trained dog and especially gundog can well be taught that other animals are to be left in peace and not to be chased.
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Today I still work and train my dogs but also help others achieving great results with their dogs.
I have worked with more than 500 dogs over the last 10 years across all breeds and ages. I am also very passionate about dog health and nutrition and have transferred a lot of knowledge as a Functional Medicine Health Coach for humans to the dog world. One of the conditions I specialise in is Lyme disease and Auto Immunity in humans but also in dogs. Both Toby and I have been affected quite considerably by Lyme. Unfortunately it is an infection so often left undetected or misdiagnosed when it is not uncommon - esp. when chronic - for it to be the root cause of so many health conditions. Autoimmunity can have a myriad of different symptoms but can often be very well managed by elimination diets and a healthy lifestyle. I offer bio-energetic testing on food intolerances and deficiences in dogs and give advice on nutrition, detox, supplements and on the detrimental impact environmental factors (indoors & outdoors) can have on dogs. |