Kirsty & Daina

Amazon Innocent Love

***KIRSTY AND DAINA ACHIEVE THEIR KENNEL CLUB GOOD CITIZEN GOLD AWARD (9 MARCH 2005)***

***Kirsty & Daina achieve their Kennel Club Good Citizen Silver Award (Nov 2004)***

***Kirsty and Daina achieve their Kennel Club Good Citizen Puppy Foundation on 25 August 2004 and KCGCS Bronze Award on 15/09/2004***

***Daina qualifies for Crufts at the SDC Championship Show on 28 August 2004***

I attended Yvonnes classes many years ago with my first Dobermann and we both learn't a lot so I decided to bring Daina, my present dobe to classes too. I live in Glasgow and it was a bit of a thought to drive an hour to Edinburgh every wednesday to train my dog, especially in the winter, but what Daina and I learn from the classes is well worth it. Daina loves training, Yvonne and Helen make the classes fun and exciting for the dogs and I think Daina believes she just goes to play - she carries out all of the exercises with enthusiasm and her tail wagging. The dogs are taught with positive reinforcement which means they are always willing to try new things, with exercises that ask them to think about things. I also attend outside training with Daina and Morgan, my weimaraner, with the intention of doing working trials and both dogs throw themselves into the exercises with gusto. Morgan is a shy dog who lacks self confidence and she doesn't like working inside but from going to these outside classes, where there is no pressure on her, she is becoming more out-going and confident. The other people who attend classes are very friendly which makes classes fun for me too and I really look forward to training nights.

I am very lucky in that Daina is a very intelligent dog so training her is a joy and with Yvonne and Helen's help I hope to make her life interesting and fun so that she enjoys her showing and working trials career as much as I do. Morgan doesn't like showing but she loves jumping and tracking so we might try working trials with her too. I love my dogs and I train them for their enjoyment as well as my own without using force or compulsion and Yvonnes classes are teaching me to do that.