I trained my first dog Shep in 1992 with Exeter Dog Training Club when I was 16, he was a Border Collie with no enthusiasm to do any work. Since then I have had a German Shepherd and 3 more Border Collies, a Cockapoo and a Papillon, I have also trained a friends Lurcher to do dog agility and competed with him for many years. I train and compete in dog agility with all my dogs.
I have been teaching with the Club since 1996 and I have been the head trainer for many years. I have just completed the accreditation scheme with the Kennel Club to become an accredited companion dog training instructor.

I joined the Club in 1996 when my previous dog Snowball was six months old. After attending classes for a few years I joined the Committee and started to help run classes. Over the years I have held the posts of Show Treasurer, Club Treasurer and am currently Club Secretary, Trainer and webmaster. I live in St Thomas and like to spend my spare time walking on Dartmoor with my other half and our Collie x Springer Retro, who I also do a little bit of agility with.

Hi, I joined the club in 2008 when the family Blue roan Cocker Spaniel was 8 months old and really needed some training. We now have two spaniels, one a cross Spinger - Clumber and the other a cross Springer - Cocker. The whole family really enjoy walking the dogs, although they are not perfectly behaved they are a pleasure to walk and be with. After being with the Club for a couple years and helping with the Club Obedience Show I took on the role of Show Treasurer and when Lucinda took on the role of club secretary I moved to the role of club Treasurer. I have been helping in the classes for several years and sit on the Club Committee.

Paul's involvement with dogs began with his first Australian Shepherd, Gypsy. Paul trained and competed with Gypsy in Working Trials. Gypsy's daughter, Fern, followed and both dogs retired working at the top level. Paul was a KC registered Working Trials Judge prior to his 'conversion' to Obedience with Fern when the Working Trials jumps become too much for her. Fern went on to gain First places within Class 'A'. Paul has also trained and competed with two other dogs the last of which was currently working within Class 'B'. He is now bringing on a puppy with which he hopes to compete later in the year. Paul is a KC recognised Obedience Judge and KC Good Citizens judge. In addition to taking pet obedience classes in Exeter he is also one of the Competitive Obedience instructors at the Woodbury class on a Wednesday evening.

I joined EDTC in1997. I have worked 2 border collies through the Kennel club Good Citizens test of bronze, silver and gold. I became a member of the EDTC committee in 2008 and subsequently a trainer. I support the Border Collie Trust rescue centre in Staffordshire. I currently own 2 border collies. We enjoy time out with dog friends and in the countryside on my friend’s farm. I am passionate about border collies and their amazing working ability with livestock as well as their keenness to work in a dog training club situation. I am a Border Collie fanatic and an organist of Poltimore Church.

I have 25 years dog training experience started with my father and my grandad training greyhounds. I learned to understand dog social network. After school I used to help out in the local kennels and this is where I developed my skills and passion for dogs. I have studied dog behaviour in wild dogs, wolves and feral dogs. I believe that dogs train the younger members of the pack and they have a strict hierarchal network within the pack. I use these instinctive behviours in the methods I use to train pet dogs. I do not believe that dogs should be subject to harsh punishments or forced into submition to please humans. With time patience and care we can build a bond with our dogs that will turn into a great relationship promoting a happy dog and a happy family.

Barbara joined the Club in 1992, but her experience goes back many years before then when she was active in the dog obedience world in the Midlands. She has held many Club posts over the years, including Chair and Head Trainer. She retired in 2015 but still helps out occasionally covering for trainers holidays etc.

Margaret has trained dogs to Championship Obedience level, and competed at Crufts. She has recently retired but returns occasionally to judge our Good Citizen tests.