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| Kapia Red Fox (Australian Shepherd X Collie) |
Our first family dog was "Jet," a very grumpy Pekingese who came from Battersea dog's home...he was talented at
teaching six year olds how to avoid getting bitten I remember!
Luckily I had the old fashioned type of parents who smacked (yes, they believed in compulsion <g>) kids who teased
dogs rather than blame the animal and Jet was followed by a procession of small animals of all sorts who I had a lot of fun
showing at various events around the country.
"Solo" was a Corgi x Collie (with "Royal connections" according to the man in the Kilburn High Road
pet shop ;-) ) who came to me as a thirteenth birthday present and started an interest in competitive dog training that shows
no sign of waning.
My parents insisted that Solo must be trained and I was deposited every Monday night at a local (in those days dog training
classes could be held in school halls, I don't believe anyone ever died of it!) school where I soon became determined that
I would have a keen, beautifully trained dog just like the instructor's Border Collie.
Sadly, it was to be many years before my skill equalled my aspirations but I was soon enthusiastically training any dog
that moved in North West London...I didn't notice it at the time but I fear the dogs were probably somewhat less enthusiastic...
"Harberdown Kerri" was a seventeenth birthday present and by that time I had definitely moved into the "attitude
is everything" camp, motivational training was starting to become popular although it was usually a bit "stick and
carrot" orientated.
Kerri became an Obedience Champion and was followed by several others who worked the highest obedience classes in the
U.K, I also had a stab at Working Trials qualifying Runfold Leith WDex, something I intend to return to now I've moved away
from London.
My main interest has always been teaching rather than competing and I get a buzz out of the success that the handlers
who I coach have had using my rather off the wall useage of operant conditioning!
Heartfelt thanks must go to John Higgins who grew up in the same part of London and with whom I developed many of my ideas
on dog training; his Ob Ch Canasta Replay (Kerri's son) will still feature in many obedience pedigrees today.
Hopefully, I will be competing in Working Trials this Autumn with my young Malinois bitch "Paris" if all goes
according to plan.
| Debbie Lammin's Hungarian Puli |
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| "Luba." |
"Just to say thanks to Jo for her faith and help with Mam's dog Velcro, she won her 3rd "A" on sat and then
a "B" today....she's been rather hard to get to work but with a lot of advice from Jo she's not beyond help.....sure
Mam would have given up without the help."
Rachael Young.
"After receiving lots of recommendations for Jo Hill, I arrived for my first monthly lesson with a very sad looking,
demotivated dog which would slink around under chairs rather than work - within 8 months my dog had been placed second 4 times
and then won Novice Freestyle and has been placed 2nd twice in Intermediate Freestyle and is now a bouncing happy girl who
wants to train and learn. Jo's sensible and kind methods makes the handler think and gives the dog plenty to reflect on
too. Happy and very logical training - And please note - Jo is totally adaptable to train in many different dog sports too"
Kath Hardman.
"Thanks every one for your congrats on Ludo's wins. He's been very consistent which just goes to show how effective
training by positive reinforcement is.
None of his achievements would have been possible with out Joanna's continued help and support and John's of course,
Ludo may not have the style and power of some of the other fabulous dogs on this list but he is always more than happy
to work for his 'sweets.' He has taken me on a fantastic journey and I know that none of it would have happened without Joanna's'
Powerpaws method of training.
6 Tickets this year, THANK YOU JO."
Wendy Hagger.
"Jo Hill is one of the few dog trainers that I know who is also has all the essentials required to be an excellent teacher
of people. She is entertaining, humorous and can communicate at all levels. Since we moved to the UK Ria and I have become
Jo's neighbours (well 20 miles away) and we have managed to spend some time together. Jo has used our training field a couple
of times and to be quite honest, watching her training was one of the most impressive training sessions that I have ever seen.
Her rapport with her dogs and skills level was gob smacking. Jo may be controversial, but anyone with an open mind could not
help but be impressed with her ability."
Brian McGovern
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