Meet the Instructors

Agility

Lydia Critchlow BSc Hons

The driving force behind the Club….. I have been around animals and dogs all my life. Living on a hill farm in the Peak District and having first hand experience of the skills required of working sheep dogs in the cold winters has made me truly appreciate the value dogs have. During school, I worked with various equine and small animal veterinary practices, which has provided me with the hands-on knowledge and experience to widen my knowledge of all animals ranging from cattle, sheep, rabbits, horses, guinea pigs and of course dogs.

In 2005 I graduated from Harper Adams University with a Bsc (Hons) Animal Health degree. The degree examines in detail the biology of animals and disease and outlines the scientific principles and applications of animal health and welfare.

I am currently studying for a Masters Degree in Mctimoney Animal Manipulation verified by the University of Wales. www.mctimoney-chiropractic.org Like people, animals suffer from back, neck, pelvic and musculoskeletal problems and, like us, they can benefit from McTimoney manipulation. I hope to qualify in 2009 and for my “MSc Thesis” I will be looking at “The effects of tactile stimulation of the fore and hind limb kinematics of agility dogs during a jump sequence.”

Alongside agility training I am a qualified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, obtaining the Equine Body Worker (EBW) certification from Equinenergy in 2007. This popular, effective therapy can be used separately or alongside McTimoney Animal Manipulation. www.equinenergy.com

I became a member of the APDT, Association of Pet Dog Trainers in 2007, membership number 01001. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers was founded in 1995 by John Fisher to offer pet dog owners a guarantee of quality when looking for a puppy and dog training class in their area.

In August (2008) I attended a weeklong course with the PDTI, Pet Dog Training Instructors, and passed with the ‘Instructor Certificate.’ The course covered a wide range of training expertise from, Obedience Show Competitors and Judges, to leading Breed Judges and more famously, Annie Clayton who founded the Heel Work to Music – ‘canine freestyle.’

I am a member of the (KCAI) Kennel Club’s Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour. This is a membership scheme designed to set the standard for quality of advice, and by networking with its members, provide the best service possible for dog owners and dog training enthusiasts.

I have undertaken agility instructor training with Kim Hunt and attended 4 courses to help with class motivation, pre-agility training programmes and training the beginner and experienced agility dog. All the instructors at DIG IT have been on the instructors course with Kim and thoroughly enjoyed it and gained valuable instructor experience.

I am also qualified through pet-detect as a Microchip implanter for dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets. Petlog is the official UK database and is run by the Kennel Club and in June this year we had an event at the club for “National Microchipping month” which we hope to host every year!

I train my own dogs, Treacle, a Patterdale x Jack Russell Terrier and my latest addition to the family is ‘Red’ a very lovable red and white Border Collie.

I am also a dog walker during the day and enjoy working with Hayley from Doggie Day Care walking up to 15 dogs per day!

In 2008 DIG IT DOG TRAINING CLUB became Kennel Club Listed which is a great achievement and we have had a number of club members take the Puppy, Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.

Susie Felix BSc Hons,

I have always been surrounded by many different types of animals including dairy cattle, sheep, chickens, hamsters, horses, cats and of course, dogs. We had have had many different breeds of dogs including Alsatians, Boarder Collies and Parson Terriers.

Having worked at livestock and arable farms and stables all my life, this got me interested agriculture and as a result I graduated from Harper Adams in 2005 with a degree in Agriculture with Land and Farm Management, where Lydia and I met and became friends. I now work as a Farm Business Consultant.

It was Lydia who fuelled my interests in dog training. Seeing her training her own dog Treacle, she encouraged me to start agility training with my Boarder Collie, Bryn. Since then I have never looked back and I have become very involved in agility training! I help to train the beginner’s agility at Dig It and try and get others as enthusiastic with agility as I am!!

I am currently training and competing with Bryn and have started training my Parsons Russell Terrier, Meg – so watch this space!

Sarah Dinning Bsc Hons

Sarah has always had an interest in animals in particular dogs. since leaving school she attended Reaseheath college in Nantwich, where she studied for an NVQ in animal first aid and small animal care, then moved onto 2 centra awards in small animal care and husbandry and finally completed her time at Reaseheath with a BTEC National Diploma in animal care. After leaving college she attended the university of Chester and Liverpool where she achieved her Bsc Hons in animal behaviour and welfare and had a paper published in Origin on Bat Behaviour.

During her time at college and university Sarah gained lots of practical experience working within veterinary practices, kennels, catteries and stables, as well as her behavioural work at Chester zoo, Sarah volunteered at the Cheshire wildlife trust. She now works in research at the University of Manchester.

I have always had dogs and enjoyed teaching them new tricks. Since 2007 I have attended dig it with my JR terrier Buster, in 2008 I joined with my beagle Willow and in 2010 I will be attending with my JR terrier Elgin.

Both willow and buster have attended flyball, HTM, gundog, clicker classes, KC good citizen obedience, but by far our favourite discipline is Agility, we now attend club and external competitions for agility and fun dog shows where we practice our obedience.

Since completing my training for trainers 1 and 2 in 2008 and several workshops, I have enjoyed teaching beginner and intermediate classes and helping and competing at the monthly competitions at dig it, helping others gain the agility bug.

Rachel Flentje MSc, BSc Hons.

I have been surrounded by animals all my life and have been lucky enough to develop a career working with them. After leaving school I went to Reaseheath and completed a first and national diploma in animal care and then went on to complete a degree in animal behaviour and welfare. During this time I worked at Windyway Animal Sanctuary, where I gained practical skill working with dogs, cats and horses.

In 2006 I was kindly sponsored by one of my past lecturers to complete an MSc in research methods. In return I conducted some research for her as part of my dissertation on horse personality. I have now been lucky enough to find a job working at an equine research centre, where I am currently conducting systematic reviews on the health and training of these animals.

In my spare time I obviously enjoy (addicted to!) agility and started competing last year with Poppy a collie x, who loves it. I also attend obedience classes and more recently heel work to music classes.

Claire Powell BSc(Hons).

I was delighted to be recently asked to join the instructor’s team at Dig It. Like everyone else I have had a love of animals from an early age, although it took sometime before I got my parents to agree to having a dog. After my GCSEs I started to volunteer at Blackpool RSPCA kennels and soon found myself working with the problem German Shepherds, although my first dog was a Sheltie cross I insisted we adopted to save him from a pts situation. He was extremely kennel stressed but turned out to be a delight to own.

From then I knew I was destined for a career with animals. So I decided to go to University and managed to attend 3 universities to gain my HND and BSc. Starting at Reaseheath College and then a second year at Chester University college doing a HND in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, then I choose to complete my degree at Harper Adams University so I could concentrate on the agricultural side of things and gained a BSc(hons) in Animal Health, Management and Welfare. But my learning hasn’t stopped there I am continually topping up my knowledge and attending more courses as and when they come up. This includes various one day courses back at Reaseheath as well as Canine Nutrition and currently Dog Training theory.

I am also a keen horse rider but have recently had to give it up due to lack of finance and time as I spend most nights at the club doing one discipline or another. My own youngest terrier Cooper is quite a character at the club and trains in no less than 4 disciplines (Agility, Flyball, obedience and ringcraft) hence why I end up at the club so much! He has just started competing away from home this year and rarely comes back empty handed (well pawed). He is a very good agility dog, shame I can’t keep up with him but he is learning to manage to get a good run despite me. We have recently entered our first flyball competition where he ran without a hitch so he is now registered with the BFA and will be running in open competitions from now on. He also does very well in the show ring despite not being a pedigree as we are members of the Crossbreed and Mongrel club and I also try my hand at Adult handling classes, which we managed to qualify for the championship finals this year and got short listed but not through to the placings. But as I have only been doing that discipline for a year it was a great achievement. I have also started to teach ringcraft myself now.

On top of all this I foster dogs for a charity called Oldies Club who rehome dogs over 7 years old and only used foster homes so none of their dogs ever go into kennels which is a marvellous thing for these older ladies and gents. They will often be seen at the club too even if it only for a social. Although it is surprising how little training a lot of the dogs have had even at their age, so I work hard rehabilitating them before sending them off to start their new lives. Two of my fosters do now live in Sandbach so it’s nice to be able to keep in touch with them. My last foster dog keeps in touch daily as I ended up adopting her myself.

Sheli Brown

I love animals and I have spent most of life surrounded by them. I work as a counsellor with children and young people so spending time with my dogs is relaxing and uncomplicated!

Agility is both fun and addictive for me and I'm sure that's how my dogs feel when we're training. My daughter Heather (11yo), also comes to train with me and she is hoping to train our latest addition to the family 'Daisy'. We have three cross-breed medium sized terriers, Willow (7yo), Holly(6yo) and Daisy( a few months old, and daughter of Holly).

I have recently started teaching a pre-agility and I love meeting new people and helping them train their dogs. I hope to do more teaching as 2009 continues.

Vicky Robinson

I came to DIG IT DOGS in 2008 with a view to gaining experience working with dogs and how to train dogs using positive methods. I started off watching classes and helping out with the Weave training exercises which ensure the dogs have independent weaves from the start of their training... with a little extra help from me!

I already have teaching experience through horseriding where I have taught beginners to more advanced riders, and also through dancing which I studied for A level. I spent a week in Germany teaching dance to young German children which I loved as I really enjoy seeing people progress...and now I’m on to Agility!! I now take two beginner agility classes a week with some really promising dogs and enjoy seeing the handlers take part in the Begin to Win competitions.. all are doing really well!! I have also taught the Good Citizen Obedience award at Bronze level on the odd occasion when Lydia has needed an instructor!

I have always loved being around dogs and I currently train my Auntie's border collie Jaz. He is great with other dogs and he's so funny! He is still learning, like me but we are really coming on together and forming a great partnership.. Our achievements so far include.. first and second placings in the Club competitions - so watch this space!

Lydia encouraged me to take a training course ran by Kim Hunt which showed how to bring out the best in beginner dogs and also we have a very good Library of books and DVD's that are useful training aids and give us instructors some good ideas!

At our club competitions I also help to time, scribe and Judge the classes so I am kept very busy!!

I also enjoy competing on my own horse and i am planning on attending a weeklong course with the (PDTI) Pet Dog Training Instructors in the near future to get my qualifications which i am very excited about so wish me luck!! :D

Profiles on the way from:

Ann Williams

Jenna Ellison

Louise Cadman

Sue Fitton

Ringcraft

Kathy and Wayne Beresford

Wayne and I entered the show world purely by chance when 11 years ago we put our names down, waited patiently and eventually brought home our first Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Molly. We got her as a carefully chosen “pet” rather than a “show dog” but as she had such a great pedigree and the breeders were so supportive, we decided to “have a go” - never dreaming where it would lead . . . All the way to CRUFTS.

Ringcraft classes, practice, grooming, training, more practice . . .not to mention the travelling and expense - Hard work, yes certainly, worth it ? definitely. Since then, we went back for a companion for Molly and now also have Lulu who is three years old, who among others prizes won Best Puppy in Breed at a Champ show to also qualify for Crufts. Wayne and I are also proud to represent Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Breed at Discover Dogs at Crufts each year and enjoy supporting the Breed Owners Club as Area Representives taking part in Grooming workshops, pre- owner visits, family fund days and fund raising.

Owning Molly and Lulu has brought alive my passion for dogs and the fantastic bond that can be created between handler and dog, communication that brings out the best in your best friend.

I have experience Good Citizen Awards (Bronze and Silver and Gold) some agility, learned about Tellington Touch, I’ve successfully completed Canine Studies workshops (yes, Tracy’s) passed Dog Training Theory Course and at the moment am studying Canine Psychology and Behaviour to try and satisfy my unquenchable thirst for more knowledge to make the most of our canine partners.

I hope to share my knowledge and experience to help others to bring out the best from their canine buddies, and of course, have some fun along the way - they’re not “just dogs” you know....

Vanessa Henshull

I don’t think there has ever been a time in my life when I haven’t had a dog. I grew up with Bassets and Boxers that my parents bred, exhibited and judged and in fact, if I was ever missing, I could usually be found in one of the dog’s kennels or baskets, often fast asleep!

I have shared my life with a variety of different breeds from the original Bassets and Boxers to Dalmatians, Yorkshire Terriers, Mongrels and Labradors, culminating finally in my chosen breed of Rhodesian Ridgebacks which I first fell in love with in the early 1980’s. It wasn’t until the late 1990’s that I was in a position to actually own one but I knew exactly what I wanted and what I wanted to do with him – enter the Show Ring.

Whilst I might have spent a lot of my early years around the show ring, it in no way prepared me for what I needed to do or for that matter, get the dog to do, so I started at the beginning with Ringcraft classes. Over the years I have been to many different Ringcraft classes, some good, some not so good. I have seen new people trying showing for the first time come and go and for the main part they have gone because the people teaching them were more interested in their own affairs rather than helping the new ‘intake’ learn what they needed to enjoy and become part of this whole new world of dogdom. My aim is to share my experiences of the show ring, both good and bad, with people that want to learn. Be warned – this hobby can be highly addictive!

I now share my life with four Ridgebacks, a very elderly Labrador and my Husband. In 2006 I took over as the Secretary of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain (the largest Breed Club for Ridgebacks in the UK) where together with the Committee we run an Open Show, a Championship Show, Seminars and various other events each year. I also advise both potential and existing owners on queries or problems that they experience with the breed not to mention also finding time to judge and breed the occasional litter.

Obedience

Tracy Ridgway

Like Lydia I have been around animals and dogs all my life and have hands-on knowledge and experience of animals ranging from cattle, rabbits, horses, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, cats and of course dogs. I have worked at an exclusive kennels and cattery where one to one care was given to all boarders.

I am currently studying to become a practitioner in Tellington Touch on companion animals, and in March this year attended my first week long practitioner course, and I am booked on for my second in October this year.

TTouch - the Tellington TTouch - is a method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body. The intent of the TTouch is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence - a little like "turning on the electric lights of the body."

Using a combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises, TTouch helps to release tension and increase body awareness. This allows the animal to be handled without provoking typical fear responses. The animal can then more easily learn new and more appropriate behaviors. By using the TTouch and a variety of other tools, like the Confidence Course, you can assist the animal in experiencing self-confidence in previously frightening situations.

In august (2008) I also attended a weeklong course with the PDTI, Pet Dog Training Instructors, and passed with excellence the ‘introductory level’ and am back again in August this year, also attended the BIPDT, The British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers and passed with Honours my ‘Second Grade’ and I am also affiliated to the BIPDT.

I also teach dog training and lecture in canine studies workshops at Reaseheath College, I have also completed a numbers of canine courses at Reaseheath ranging from Behaviour and Psychology, Dog Training Theory, Canine Food and Nutrition, Complimentary Therapies, Breeding and Grooming.

I have attended animal communication and Reiki Level 1 workshops, but I do not practice these skills.

And finally I own two GSDX, Trixie and Winston who I love more than anything (even chocolate).