Meet the owner

Pam Rowley

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 soon after leaving school 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 still offers this service from her salon in her hometown 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 Working Dog Excellent.

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.

Pam is a listed examiner for the Kennel Club Good Citizen dog scheme and has worked dogs to the gold level on this scheme.  In addition to training Pam works for a Stockport based animal care college as a tutor, assessor, and internal verifier of the animal care qualifications.  She also works for City and Guilds as an external verifier, exam marker and exam writer for the dog grooming qualifications and offers these qualifications from the salon in Gatley. 

Pam's professional development continues by attending courses and seminars and is working towards Accredited Instructor status from the Kennel Club. 

Pam can be contacted on 0161 428 8207