Inspiration is all around...

I was going to write a bit of a rant about something, but I'm feeling pretty positive at the moment so I'll save that for a darker day and instead focus on the good!

I feel very lucky and privileged to be able to train (albeit sporadically because of the huge travelling distances involved!) with one of the most inspiring and talented young trainers around, the ever smiling Lauren Langman of Devon Dogs. Just had a fab session with Whirli, and as always I've come away buzzing and enthusiastic (though with a slight headache, but I'm pretty sure that's more to do with the ongoing concussion than Lauren and her training techniques!!!).

The world of dog training is a funny old thing - there are so many differences of opinion on what the 'right' way to teach anything is (although as far as I'm concerned if you're basing your training on sound Learning Theory and scientific research you can't go too far wrong), there's so much outdated information still being reeled out by 'trainers', there are so many disagreements and fallings out amongst the trainers themselves, there are far too many trainers who might have dog skills but aren't good 'teachers', and there are far too many people trying to teach things they really know nothing about and charging extortionate rates to do so (rant on this last point to follow at a later date!!). But Lauren is the antithesis of all these things, and is one of only a very small number of trainers in existence that I've encountered who has a sound understanding of Learning and Behaviour, is constantly researching new ideas and techniques, is always looking to expand her own knowledge, is an excellent teacher of the people as well as her own dogs, and knows so much about her own field. She's truly inspirational, and I take my hat off to her! If I was half the dog trainer and teacher she is I'd be a very happy girl, and I aspire to be so in the future. 

So many thanks to Lauren for today's session, and for trying to drag agility training kicking and screaming towards a better, more enlightened future; I know it hasn't been easy for her, and that she's encountered some problems and a small amount of opposition from less enlightened people along the way. Keep up the good work - you're slowly changing the face of agility in the South West for the better! :-)

Wags and kisses,
Shelley, Mr Finn and the Whirli Girli xx

Teeny tiny spaniel puppies! Weren't they cute?!!