My name is Cat Clark, I'm sixteen and have been living in Chester-le-Street my whole life. I'm sure as some of you who are attending Pawfect Start have experienced, as a child I was one of those children who insisted upon having a dog. We got Dylan, a Tibetan Terrier, when I was around five and we did everything there was to do wrong. He had no recall, was reactive with other dogs, lorries, bikes, cars etc.. had little desire to learn anything and what he did know was impossible to get him to perform outside. He failed puppy/obedience classes, my mother dreaded taking him anywhere. It wasn't until I started to work with Gypsy my collie mix that I started to learn more about dog training.

Sadly Dylan passed away in 2005 but the difference in him from me learning how to understand dogs was phenomenal. Everything I do today is inspiration of him and my lurcher Marley, who died in 2009. Dylan was the dog who started everything there is about me, and Marley is the dog that sprang my love for positive dog training.

I'm currently on a Canine Behaviour course with John Rogerson and have been experiencing and learning about dog psychology for three years. All my methods to be positive based, which means I see no need for physical corrections and I believe dominance is a word forced upon dogs that has little to do with unwanted behaviours. I'm an avid clicker trainer and believe a well stimulated dog is a very happy dog indeed! All my dogs are rescues and I feel each of them has brought me a little bit further into being a better trainer.

For more information on me, my dogs and my training, you can view my blog at: http://www.themodernlove.co.uk

Gypsy	Pogo	Jay
Gypsy Rosa Lee Bitch Working Sheepdog mix	Go Go Pogo Ranger Bitch Whippet	--- Dog Saluki