I am Leanne Smith and have spent a lot of time around dogs, borrowing them from friends as a teenager when I didn’t have a dog of my own and later working in a kennel part-time to supplement my student grant.  I began my dog training career in earnest in 1999 with my German Shepherd Dog bitch called Jaffa.  I trained Jaffa in several disciplines including pet obedience, agility, tracking, scent and basic gundog work.  In May 2005 I got Indy, a German Wire-haired Pointer bitch and she is also doing obedience, agility and gundog work.  Branston is a Working Cocker Spaniel and joined us in October 2008.  He will be kept busy in the winter going beating and picking up on local shoots.  His summer activities will include Agility and taking part in scurries at Game and Country Fairs.

Although I worked as a Research and Development  engineer since 1999 and became a Chartered Engineer in 2004, I have a background in teaching.  After leaving school I worked with a voluntary group that traveled the North of England visiting schools to take lessons, hold assemblies and after school clubs.  As far as dog training is concerned, I have helped at clubs since 1999 and also taught agility for a private trainer.  In March 2005 I moved from Lancashire to Devon to work with Sally at Dogs R Dogs.

I have always been fascinated watching dogs carrying out the tasks that they were bred to do, and this has fuelled my interest in Gundog Training.  Whether it is training them to work on a shoot or just to have fun with their owners it is great to watch the dog’s instincts becoming fully developed and focused on working with their owner.  Over the last couple of years I have started to go beating and this is a great place to watch the dogs in their element.

I hold the COAPE Advanced Diploma in Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training, and am an affiliate member of the COAPE Association and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (Membership No 906).

Read a case history about my work with Trigger, a four year old Jack Russell, who didn't have the best start in life. With time, effort and patience from his owner and help from Dogs R Dogs he is a reformed (and much happier) character!

Teddy is a four year old German Shepherd Dog who came to us with problems but now has learned to love to work with his owner. Read a case history about my work with Teddy

Contact me on 01884 33737
Mobile: 07811 048555
Email: leanne@dogsrdogs.co.uk