WEST LANCS BOXER TRAINING CLUB

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Janet Metcalfe

I have been asked to write a few words about myself and how I came to be the obedience instructor at West Lancs Boxer Training Club, so here goes:

I first became a member of the West Lancs in 1993 after acquiring my second boxer, Dempsey.  My first boxer, who I bought from Cora Donohue in 1982, having died some time before.  Dempsey was very well behaved, so I decided try some obedience work with him and so we attended weekly sessions at our local all-breeds training club as well as the West Lancs.  He did so well that I decided to get another boxer to train as well, thinking how easy it would be.  Daisy was nothing like Dempsey in either looks or temperament.  I NEVER did get her to do ANYTHING !  Hopefully I learned from my mistakes.

My husband Graham and I were invited on to the committee of the West Lancs Boxer Training Club in 1995 and we have been committee members ever since.  At the beginning of 1996 our obedience instructor had to resign as he was moving away from the area.  I was approached to take over.  As I felt a little bit out of my depth with this new task, I signed on for the newly designed course Canine Studies Certificate.  This meant attending evening college for 12 months studying all aspects of dog ownership.  The course included Dogs in Society, Psychological and Physiological Development, Health Care and Dogs in Sport and Leisure.  In July 1997 I was fortunate enough to pass the City and Guilds Award in Canine Studies.

Dogs being examined and assessed for their Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Silver Award. The examiner on that occasion was Inspector Wheedon, Dog Handler Instructor for Greater Manchester Police.

Soon after my achieving the City and Guilds pass, the club got involved with the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme.  We periodically arrange tests for members of our Obedience Training class.  We are proud to have taken several dogs through from Bronze Award, to Silver Award and on to the top Gold Award.

The photograph (above) is of our first two Gold Award passes in July 1999.  They are my very own Dempsey with my husband Graham and Basil with his owner Emma Silver.

The West Lancs Boxer Training Club is an ideal place to socialise your puppy and older dogs.  Ideally, the younger the dog the better, before any bad habits have set in.  Our training is based on praise-and-reward, with a lot of importance placed on your dog ENJOYING itself  - and that goes for the owners too!

We usually organise a fun and games night before Xmas.  I don't know who enjoys it most, dogs or handlers.  Musical Chairs can get VERY competitive!!!!!   ...as can Pass-the-Parcel !

Anyone who has acquired a puppy that has not yet completed it's innoculations, why not come down and meet us to see what goes on?  Pick up a few tips for when you bring your puppy to classes.  

I look forward to meeting you.

Janet