Hi, I'm Caroline Ward the head trainer at FITdogs Club! My passion for dog training started with my own four-legged companions. I have always loved animals and had a variety of small pets and as a child a family dog called Monty.

 

Circumstances meant that I was unable to have a second dog for many years. But in 2008 we welcomed Bella, a bouncy papillon puppy into our home.  I trained Bella and worked as a volunteer trainer at a previous club, from 2010 to January 2014.

 

In mid 2014 as the club had to close I joined FITdogs as we had just welcomed Darcy a Shetland Sheepdog as a rehome and we started rally together to build up our bond and once again I was privileged to be asked to be a volunteer trainer.  In 2016 FITdogs Club was born.

 

Sadly, Bella crossed the rainbow bridge in July 2021 and Darcy in November 2023 but their memory continues to inspire my work with dogs.

 

In 2016, Joey, our second Papillon, joined our family, and I continued to grow my knowledge and love for dogs. Then, in August 2022, Matilda a wild child of Papillon puppy, catapulted into my life, adding another member to our family.

 

I advocate for small dogs who I feel get over looked and work to help them unleash their full capabilities.

 

I am a committee member of the Pet Professional Guild (Canine division) and a volunteer trainer for the charity DogAID helping pet dogs train to become assistance dogs.

 

Over the years, I have attended numerous workshops in puppy training, lifeskills, and cognition, including The Dogs Mind and Social Learning in Puppies with Claudia Fugazza (2019).

 

I have also completed a variety of canine related courses and enjoy updating my own Continued Professional Development (CPD) most recently with Chirag Patel's online puppy training week (February 2023).  I value education and staying up-to-date on the latest developments in dog training.

 

I understand that dogs have personalities and emotions just like humans do. That's why I have a special interest in canine cognition and empathize with how dogs feel to better understand their behaviour. 

 

I believe that all our canine friends have great potential, which is why I am always striving to stay on the cutting edge of training and behaviour techniques in order to help you and your canine companion.

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FITdogs Club is more than just a dog training centre, it's a community.  

 

I would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about our training programs or services.

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Please feel free to contact me for more information.

 

I look forward to helping you and your four legged friend become the best team you can be!