Cowal Dog Training Club is a SCIO (S.C. 030574) and is also registered with the Kennel Club. The Club is run by a Committee of dedicated volunteers, and all of the dog trainers either have KC accredited qualifications or are working towards them. The Cowal Dog Training Club constitution is avialble to read here. Our trainers have very kindly written their own background information, detailed below:
Agnes Campbell:
I have always been mad about dogs. As a child we had 3 family dogs; a small cross spaniel and 2 Labradors. When I left home my first dog was a Springer spaniel. Next came a little cross breed that I had for 14 years. I was heartbroken when I lost her but was working full time and didn’t think I would be able to have another dog. One day in Halfords I spotted a very unusual dog and asked the owner what breed it was. It was a Mini Schnauzer that was non casting and my love of the breed started then. Schnauzers were quite rare in those days (around 28 years ago) but I found Holly and she was joined later by Peebles. Unfortunately I lost Holly at 4 years, but then Magic came to join the family. My late husband and I moved to Tighnabruaich and sadly lost Magic 2 years later. I then welcomed Sunny who was a Springer spaniel into the household and my association with the dog club was started. Sunny and I made the sometimes perilous journey from Tighnabruaich to Dunoon every Monday evening and after a few years I joined the committee. I then had the honour of being Chairperson and have been in post now for around 9 years. Pebbles lived to be 17 and was quite a character; we were again so sad when we had to say to goodbye. Unsure what to do next, my dilemma was solved by my mum who bought me a lovely little black bundle of fun that we called Blu. Blu is hybrid which is a combination of 2 pedigree dogs: a cocker spaniel and a miniature poodle. Sunny is now retired from the dog club, but Blu and I are still going strong and loving our classes at Cowal Dog Training Club.
Carolyn Pearce:
I have been living with dogs since the age of 5 when my parents got a poodle. He was followed later by a Sheltie and a Welsh Collie and my brother had a Border Collie. When I was married and in a position to get my first dog it was a hard decision but as I was living in the South of England at the time, it seemed a Scottish breed was in order so I went for a Gordon Setter. I had heard all the usual stories about Setters being stupid and untrainable and although I don't have personal experience of the English or Irish Setters, I can categorically state that Gordons are neither stupid or untrainable. I had to learn very fast that training this dog was not like training a Collie and a different technique was required. I think this is where my interest in dog training really began, trying to figure out what it takes to make a dog's brain tick. No size fits all, not even in the same breed, as I discovered 18 months later when I got my second Gordon who was a full sister to my first, out of a different litter. She required more quick thinking, as her personality was much more enthusiastic than her sister. Over the years I've had a Golden Retriever and a mongrel too, more Gordon Setters and have trained my parent's dogs and my son's dog. All different, but all fun. I've taken my present 3 Gordons and my son's collie cross through their Kennel Club Good Citizen tests at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and am now an examiner at Bronze and Silver level, having passed courses in both. I enjoy seminars on dog training, as well as trying out Agility and Rally Obediance I also show my dogs and have qualified for entry to, and been placed at Crufts many times. I also occasionally breed dogs and I am a Kennel Club Assured breeder.
Cathy Proctor:
I started training dogs at a training club near Cheltenham in 1978. I moved to Dunoon in 1985 and became a founder member of Cowal Dog Training Club. I have been involved in training dogs at Cowal Dog Training Club since 1985, taking 2 classes of up to 10 dogs in each over 4 X 8 week courses throughout the year. I completed 2 courses at Alexandria and District Dog Training Service (Trainer and Instructor in Community Dog Training in 1992 and 1995 respectively). I have completed the National Dog Training certificate with the Cambridge Institute of Behaviour and Dog Training (CIDBT) and am currently working towards the Canine Psychology and Behaviour Diploma. I am an accredited trainer with the Kennel Club Accredited Trainer scheme (KCAI). I show my dogs and also judge at Championship and Open dog shows. I am approved to award Challenge Certificates in Rough Collies.
Christine Bell:
It has been 13 years since I first became involved with Cowal Dog Training Club, taking along my new puppy, and as they say the rest is history. From that very first class I knew that this club would be very much part of my life. Over the years from participating in weekly classes and annual events along with attending courses both locally and further afield friendship’s and bonds with both club members and dog owners, have been formed and of course not forgetting all the lovely dogs. I now have 3 dogs and I am Vice Chair of the club which has grown over the years and is helping to promote responsible dog ownership in our community.
