The dogs that make us: Part Four

Sonnet - life with an anxious dog Most of my posts over the last year have focused on Ember, as I’ve shared the trials and tribulations of raising a setter puppy (alongside the joys, of course!) And of course, lots of you know of my first Field Spaniel, Lyric, and the pain of losing herContinue reading "The dogs that make us: Part Four"

The dogs that make us – Part Three

LYRIC - FECIMUS HEAR NO EVIL August 2019 - January 2024 It's said that dogs come into our lives for a reason – and this feels particularly true when I think about Lyric. January 2025 marks a year since I had to say goodbye to her, and it’s taken this long to be able toContinue reading "The dogs that make us – Part Three"

The dogs that make us – Part Two

Riley - Tsitsikama Russet Flint - January 2008 - November 2019 You might find this a strange reason for spending most of my life with more than one dog, but I can’t bear the idea of being without one. Whenever I’ve faced that hardest of days when I’ve had to say goodbye to an oldContinue reading "The dogs that make us – Part Two"

The dogs that make us – Part One

It’s just over a year since this beautiful boy left us – I still miss his gentle presence, although having struggled bravely with degenerative myelopathy for the last couple of years of his life, he was tired and it was definitely time to let him go. Seeing photos of him made me think about allContinue reading "The dogs that make us – Part One"

The first year – roughly – reflections!

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 aContinue reading "The first year – roughly – reflections!"

Why should you train your dog?

Like most trainers who find working with dogs ridiculously rewarding, I fit in a course with one of my own dogs as often as I can. The most recent adventure has been a gundog training session with Sonnet, and being a learner at times instead of a teacher is so important. I’ve taken almost everyContinue reading "Why should you train your dog?"

Top Tips for New Puppy Owners

It's really worthwhile getting ready before you bring your new puppy home. If you’re organised and prepared before your new arrival is carried through the door, the first day and night will be so much easier. So – book a shopping trip, have a look online and make some decisions well in advance. Where willContinue reading "Top Tips for New Puppy Owners"