Dogs have always been my passion. I have my own dogs , two fox-red working Labradors, who are my life and my ´all and everything´.
I have trained them as gundogs and 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 my dogs, how to clearly communicate and how to work in partnership and as a team.
Dogs are not machines and that new issues can appear every day. Your energy and mindset will transfer onto your dog and it is normal in dog training to have good days and bad days. 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 your dog (esp. if to the level of competing) is priceless and so utterly rewarding.
Today I still work and train my dogs but also help others achieving results with their dogs.
I have worked with more than 500 dogs over the last 10 years and work with dogs across all breeds and ages.
I am also very passionate about dog health and nutrition and have transferred a lot of knowledge from my other profession 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 severe Lyme cases and unfortunately it is so often left undiagnosed (as conventional testing for it is not very reliable).
I offer bio-energetic testing for food intolerances and deficiences in dogs and give advice on nutrition, detox, supplements and the impact environmental factors can have on dogs.
You can see Toby here in the middle middle of a deer herd minding his own business, not even taking much notice of them. This could also be a herd of cows, sheep, chicken, rabbits, pheasants or a fox running past. It goes to show that - contrary to common belief - a trained dog and especially gundog can well be taught to understand that all these animals are part of our planet, to be left in peace and not to be chased.