LOCAL BUSINESS
Puppy training…with a difference! I
wanted to see if early training for a new puppy could really make that much difference to the behaviour of a new pet. In our dreams all new dog owners would love to be able to step out with their new animal companion walking nicely on a lead, meeting and greeting other animals and humans en route politely and with confidence and respond to commands such as sit with gusto! In reality, your arm is nearly pulled out of its socket, the puppy is half choked, you spend most of the time apologising to passers by as your puppy lunges/barks at them or screaming the dog’s name over and over as it disappears into the distance in hot pursuit of a rabbit or another dog! Fear not North Norfolk Living readers for I can reveal that professional help is at hand! I sat in on a couple of classes run by two local training experts at Fakenham Scout Hall and was amazed at the difference just 8 weeks of training could make. On Week 1, the hall was full of the puppy exuberance you would expect (refer to previous paragraph…). However Week 8 of training was a whole different story – verging on miraculous! Trainers Dave Brice and Nadine Fletcher have taken their years of studying and working with dogs to produce a training programme that is really effective. By limiting class size to 8 puppies Dave and Nadine have the time to give lots of personalised training. Putting the puppies and humans (you have to be prepared to put the work in humans!) through their paces teaching all the basic
commands plus importantly, instilling good manners when for example, meeting other dogs and their owners. Nadine Fletcher has been part of the veterinary profession for over 20 years; she set up and has been running socialisation classes and early training for young puppies for over 17 years. Most recently (2010), Nadine has become an agility club approved instructor; an intense course on training within this sport and a series of examinations gained her first class status, one that only a handful of instructors have received. Nadine and her husband live locally with their 2 children and 2 dogs. She trains both her dogs in agility and competes all over the country. Dave Brice is a Companion Animal Practitioner and runs a canine behaviour and training practice in North Norfolk. He has worked for Wood Green Animal Shelter and the RSPCA. Amongst other qualifications he has an Advanced Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training. He has been working with Nadine at Puppy Socialisation classes for the past 3 years and works as a tutor for the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE). He lives locally with his partner and 2 dogs, Lily and Alfie. • The 8-week courses for puppies (aged 18 weeks or under) and juniors (19 weeks – 18 months) run on Monday and Wednesday evenings in Fakenham. For details please call Dave on 07788 857 092 or visit www.db-dogbehaviour.co.uk
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THE WROUGHT IRON & BRASS BED CO.
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North Norfolk Living Copies are replenished after three weeks to ensure maximum reach and awareness.
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… fantastic new showroom … 2 Ravens Yard, Nethergate Street Harpley, Norfolk PE31 6TN Opening hours:
Tuesday–Friday 10-4pm and Saturday 10-3pm
01485 542800
www.wroughtironandbrassbed.co.uk 26
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NORTH NORFOLK LIVING Early Summer 2011
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