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About Us
My Story- Jane
Paws 4 Training first started in 2015 as an outdoor dog training class held at Abandoned Animals, Prestatyn where all proceeds went to the charity. The classes proved very successful and as well as handlers and dogs from outside the sanctuary, we also had dogs within the sanctuary and were able to give them a good grounding before they went to their ‘forever’ home. On the back of this success I decided I would like to try and find an indoor venue for instructing, the weather might have had something to do with this decision! It has taken a long time to secure the right venue suitable for training, eventually I did and we have been here for 11 years!
I am a member of the Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme and qualified with the PDTI (Pet Dog Training Instructors) at Intermediate Level with a Merit.
Instructors
Jane Stacey: My name is Jane Stacey, APDTI, and I have had dogs all of my life. I started to train my first Border Collie dog, Flip, when I was 10 years old, and as the saying goes, you may have many dogs, but there is always one that is extra special and Flip was the one!
From Flip there were many more dogs, all special in their own right and all broke my heart when they left. Some I took to training school but not all dogs thrive in a classroom environment and it wasn’t until 20 years ago that I took up obedience training in earnest. I rescued an 18 month old Jack Russell dog who had been living rough for at least 2 weeks that we were aware of. Mr Chips as he was called, was in a bad way with no ID and terrified of men and other dogs, and so it began. I started going to a dog training club purely as an exercise to socialise Mr Chips and went on to do Bronze, Silver and Gold kennel club awards with him, followed by the club’s own tests of Platinum, Ruby and Emerald. We were also chosen to become part of the Obedience Training Team and took place in various displays at local dog shows. In 2010 I acquired two Border Collie pups Del and Flynn. Flynn did his Bronze, Silver and Gold KC Award and Del her Bronze and Silver. Not forgetting Dougie, my little Shitzu x Border Terrier, who completed all his Good Citizen Awards, and for several years was our demo dog in classes.
In 2012 I made the decision that apart from doing obedience dog training I also wanted to do some instructing, having helped various people over the years. I started assisting at my local club and also attended two other clubs as I wanted to experience other people’s methods of training, and believe me they do vary from club to club. This helped me gage which method might be best suited to individual dogs and owners!
In July 2015 I attended a week long course with the PDTI (Pet Dog Training Instructors) at Harper Adams University in Telford, Shropshire which was a course aimed at Instructors with an emphasis on pet dog training. It was a tough course with up to 12 hour days but I learned an awful lot and I am pleased to say I passed my Instructors Course at Intermediate Level with a Merit. I still continue to attend various day and weekend courses as you are always learning and picking up ideas! I also have attended a Pet First Aid Course with Mochdre Vets and the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) course for the Perfect Puppy Foundations, two courses with Kay Attwood and the cream on all that, one of my dogs Dougie achieved his Gold Good Citizen Award! :) Covid lockdowns and restrictions, unfortunately, put a hold on courses but there was plenty online to join in via Zoom and although not quite the same, we were still learning.
Christine Twist: Chris has many years of experience in the dog world and currently has an Irish water spaniel Jack, having sadly lost one of her Irish Water Spaniels and 2 Goldendoodles in recent times. Chris has showed her dogs all over the country: where they've had 7 x 1st places at Crufts, numerous group placing at premier shows and several Best In Show awards with Jack. We are all very proud of her. Chris's knowledge and experience both in the show ring and obedience is invaluable and I am pleased to have her on the team as an instructor.
Fiona Holdsworth: Fiona has been around and loved dogs her whole life having grown up at the family boarding kennels and has owned a number of wonderful dogs throughout her life. The current love of her life is Mabel an adorable Cockapoo. They have trained hard together and have been awarded their Kennel Club Good Citizen award at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. They also compete in rally obedience, Trick training, and obedience work which is a favourite but they also enjoy hoopers and agility work too.
We recognized Fiona's love and passion for Dogs and asked her to join the team in 2020 as an assistant instructor. Fiona is a keen instructor who loves to see the bond between dog and owner grow and flourish.
Summary: Paws 4 Training has an excellent team to help and advise you and you will find us easy to approach and friendly!!! We are all dog fanatics with the dog's welfare being our primary concern. We attend regular seminars and training programs run by the PDTI (Pet Dog Training Instructors) and the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Training), and keep up to date with changes and regulations within the dog world, which we hope to share with you. All members of the team also hold their Basic Pet First Aid certificate.