Pam - Owner

 

Pam has had a passion for dogs all her life. Since leaving school she has always worked with dogs, initially starting off as a kennel maid at a boarding kennels, training as a veterinary nurse, working as a dog groomer, then for breeders of toy and giant breeds.

 

She trained and qualified as a canine beautician in 1988 and went on to achieve a level 3 City and Guilds in grooming. More recently being awarded an LCGI from City and Guilds. In 1991 Pam set up one of Stockport’s first dog groomers, which specialised in nervous and aggressive dogs that had been banned from many other groomers.  Pam now offers this service from her new shop in her home town of Gatley.   As her reputation grew for managing difficult dogs she began studying canine behaviour and psychology in more detail, and has trained under the watchful eye of many well- known and respected trainers and behaviourists, such as Erica Peachy and John Rogerson.

 

For many years Pam competed in the breed show ring, handling both her own dogs and handling show dogs for other people. She has also been involved in competitive obedience, agility and fly ball; her real passion however is for working trials, in which she has qualified a dog to W.D.Ex

Pam started 'Best Friends Dog Training' in 1994 as she felt there was a need for Pet Dog Training in the area. Although there are many dog clubs, most people were wishing to compete with their dogs. Few were aimed at training based on reward and motivational methods of training. In 1996 Pam became a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Membership No. 00278 and is now an assessor for the association.