Below you can find out about me and how Nightsabre Groenendaels started
Our family's first dog joined us when I was a young lass. My mum and dad rescued a male German Wirehaired Pointer called Castor. Now, you have to understand that I was still very young, and although willing to take Castor for walks, I was only allowed to walk him round the garden. I remember that Castor was taller than me at this stage! I guess that is probably where my love of dogs and animals started.
Many years passed, and I left home and got married when I was 21. My husband, knowing how much I love animals, gave me a Shetland Sheepdog for our first anniversary. Dali was the dog that introduced me to the world of dog training, and through him I started on the road to becoming a dog trainer, behaviourist and dog show judge. Dali was one of those special, once-in-a-lifetime dogs, and I still miss him dearly. I think my husband would say that Dali has a lot to answer for!
Our first Groenendael joined us on 17 February 2004. Shadow came from the Jetaime kennels in Dorking, UK. Shadow, "Jetaime Esprit de la Dance", was born on Christmas Day 2003. Shadow was all we could wish for in a Groenendael, and she holds a very special place in our hearts.
In October 2007, "Luna", Jetaime Elegance de Luna, joined us and became our foundation bitch. Luna did very well in the show ring, gaining Best of Breed at Crufts in 2009 and 2010! Luna is the mother of our Moon and Moon Lakes litters. From the first of these litters, we kept Seina, Nightsabre Io for Seina.
When Shadow was about two years old, I decided that I would like to breed a litter with her, as she had such a wonderful temperament and joy for life. I decided that if I was going to breed a litter, I would need an affix of my own. After much consideration, I came up with a shortlist of a few affixes. "Darkside" and "Nightsabre" were my two favourites.
Both names have their roots in science fiction and fantasy, my favourite genre of books. I have always liked the Star Wars trilogy, and both options came from it. As Groenendaels are black, "Lightsabre" didn't seem quite appropriate, hence "Nightsabre". So "Nightsabre" is actually a play on the word "Lightsabre".
I started out with Dali, my Sheltie, taking him to our local dog training club, where I very quickly became involved in running the club by joining the committee. Before long, I was asked if I was interested in becoming one of their dog trainers. In 1995, I started training dogs, firstly spending a year assisting the existing trainers in the puppy and beginners' classes.
Since then, I have chosen to specialise in puppy training using gentle, hands-off, reward-based training techniques. Over the years, I have gained valuable experience by attending various training courses, demonstrations and workshops on dog training. Competing in obedience, agility and breed showing has given me the experience to advise on many aspects of dog training.
I constantly strive to improve my knowledge. I hold the COAPE Advanced Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and Training, completed the COAPE Think Dog! course written by the late John Fisher, and hold a Puppy Instructors Certificate through COAPE/Alpha Education. My further qualifications include Dog Training College Accredited Instructor, Pro Dog Trainer and Advanced Canine Hoopers World Instructor. I am currently studying The Behaviour Bible programme through the School of Canine Science. Continuing to learn is as important to me now as it was when I first started training dogs.
Today, I offer dog training and coaching through Fun Focus Play. You can find details of my current classes, one-to-one training and other services on the Fun Focus Play website.