The new year seems like a good time to look back on the first year and a bit of running a dog training business. It seems impossible to believe that October 1st 2022 marked the first anniversary of my very first classes, initially as K9 Admin and Training, now as Homefield K9. It’s been a whirlwind year that, not so long ago, I couldn’t even have imagined; now here I am, working in what I can honestly say is my dream job. Running my own business has certainly involved a steep learning curve, but it’s absolutely been worth every sleepless night!
K9 Admin began as the seed of an idea, planted by one of my daughters when, having spent the Covid lockdown working from home in an admin role, I realised that I didn’t really want to go back to driving to work in an office and paying someone else to look after my dogs. The notion of offering admin to canine businesses took shape – why not carry on working from home and make it something I was really interested in?
To cut a long story short, although I did get some expressions of interest, the admin idea never really took off; but in the meantime, I quit my job and began to take courses in dog training. The original plan was to increase my understanding of the businesses I was intending to support administratively, but I enjoyed the practical instructor course so much that I realised my dream job was possible – to combine my twenty years of secondary-school teaching experience with my thirty plus years of dog ownership and own training and become a trainer!
I have been very lucky – the Portland community (and surrounding areas) have been wonderful, enthusiastic clients; friends and family have helped in innumerable ways, and I’ve had the best support and encouragement I could hope for from other local dog professionals. It’s been so rewarding to work in collaboration with others and have experienced people to turn to for advice rather than to feel that you’re trying to compete with established businesses.
When I made the decision that the word ‘admin’ was clearly not relevant to my business, I had to think about a new name that would last: Homefield has some really positive associations for me, including the fact that both my dogs are Field Spaniels. So, home will always be where the Fields are! My beautiful girls deserve a mention too, as they have been my inspirations in many ways – including a very talented friend’s version of this photo, which became the image for my new logo.
In classes and 1:2:1 settings, I’ve worked with more than 250 dogs and their humans over the course of the 14 months since this venture began – an astonishing number when I counted up! I am constantly looking for the next course to sign up to; rather than dreading CPD, I love expanding my knowledge because dogs and their wellbeing is my passion. I’m never reluctant to go to work, because I’m fortunate enough to be doing my favourite thing as a job! It’s not easy, and it’s certainly not your average 9 – 5, but it is without doubt the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.
So – thank you to all of you who’ve made this possible! And here’s to the next year of Homefield K9 Training!
Homefield K9 Training 