Julie Norman-Brown (Instructor):
In 1985 I became the owner of a very difficult German Shepherd Dog called Sheba. We struggled until we joined Hastings & St Leonards Dog Training Club where, with the help of the Club’s most experienced instructors, Sheba became a well behaved dog. Vera Jones decided that she would develop my skills so in 1987 I began helping in the Beginner classes and after an apprenticeship, I began taking my own courses with the help and support of our most experienced instructors. I then took an eight year maternity leave, returning to take classes with my mentors helping and supporting me. My main area of interest is helping owners have a happy relationship with a well behaved dog so I love working with them to overcome the common and unusual problems they encounter with their pets. I have owned German Shepherds for over thirty-seven years and nineteen years ago we added Bichon Frisés to our household. Our German Shepherds have acted as ambassadors for their breed at Discover Dogs in London and at Crufts.
In 1985 I became the owner of a very difficult German Shepherd Dog called Sheba. We struggled until we joined Hastings & St Leonards Dog Training Club where, with the help of the Club’s most experienced instructors, Sheba became a well behaved dog. Vera Jones decided that she would develop my skills so in 1987 I began helping in the Beginner classes and after an apprenticeship, I began taking my own courses with the help and support of our most experienced instructors. I then took an eight year maternity leave, returning to take classes with my mentors helping and supporting me. My main area of interest is helping owners have a happy relationship with a well behaved dog so I love working with them to overcome the common and unusual problems they encounter with their pets. I have owned German Shepherds for over thirty-seven years and nineteen years ago we added Bichon Frisés to our household. Our German Shepherds have acted as ambassadors for their breed at Discover Dogs in London and at Crufts.
Lesley Rudling (Instructor):
I have worked with many dogs over the years and each has enhanced my skills as a trainer. My aim at Hastings & St Leonards Dog Training Club is to pass on to the dog handlers on our Kennel Club courses the knowledge I have acquired. This I hope will enable them to grow in confidence as they develop the ability to meet the training needs of their individual dogs.
I have worked with many dogs over the years and each has enhanced my skills as a trainer. My aim at Hastings & St Leonards Dog Training Club is to pass on to the dog handlers on our Kennel Club courses the knowledge I have acquired. This I hope will enable them to grow in confidence as they develop the ability to meet the training needs of their individual dogs.
Club History:
Hastings & St Leonards Club was founded in 1954 when the Kennel Club decided to invite applications from people wishing to register dog training clubs. The Club supplemented its income for the first three years when its founder members, led by Fred and Vera Jones with Howard Withers, performed demonstrations with their dogs in Alexandra Park for four Wednesday afternoons in the summer averaging 1,200 spectators at each performance. These demonstrations were re-introduced in the 1990's and in 2016 to support local events.
In 1954 annual subscriptions were 25p with classes costing 2 1/2p per week, today annual subscriptions are £5 with class fees equal to £3 per week. Inflation has been kind to dog training!
Vera Jones went on to win the Crufts Bitch Obedience with her German Shepherd 'Copyright of Rozavel' in 1957.
The Club went on to run training courses for instructors, show judges, stewards and handlers. The club ran Open Shows and applied to the Kennel Club for Championship show status. These shows are remembered to this day for their quirky venue at the Bathing Pool Holiday Camp and continued until the venue closed in 1985.
The Club has continued to grow and develop and now, not only has a Competitive Class, but also runs Puppy Foundation, Bronze, Silver and Gold Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme classes.
Throughout its 69 years the Club has supported several charities, raising substantial sums of money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, The Dog's Trust, Canine Partners, Medical Detection Dogs and its current chosen charity: the Cinnamon Trust, raising over £5000 for them since 2017.
The Club's current instructors were trained and mentored by the most experienced trainers from the period 1954-2004 also acquiring modern qualifications along the way.
In 1954 annual subscriptions were 25p with classes costing 2 1/2p per week, today annual subscriptions are £5 with class fees equal to £3 per week. Inflation has been kind to dog training!
Vera Jones went on to win the Crufts Bitch Obedience with her German Shepherd 'Copyright of Rozavel' in 1957.
The Club went on to run training courses for instructors, show judges, stewards and handlers. The club ran Open Shows and applied to the Kennel Club for Championship show status. These shows are remembered to this day for their quirky venue at the Bathing Pool Holiday Camp and continued until the venue closed in 1985.
The Club has continued to grow and develop and now, not only has a Competitive Class, but also runs Puppy Foundation, Bronze, Silver and Gold Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme classes.
Throughout its 69 years the Club has supported several charities, raising substantial sums of money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, The Dog's Trust, Canine Partners, Medical Detection Dogs and its current chosen charity: the Cinnamon Trust, raising over £5000 for them since 2017.
The Club's current instructors were trained and mentored by the most experienced trainers from the period 1954-2004 also acquiring modern qualifications along the way.
All classes easily accessible from Ashburnham, Battle, Bexhill, Breed, Broad Oak,Catsfield, Crowhurst, Fairlight, Guestling Thorn, Hastings, Hooe, Icklesham, Ninfield, Pett, Pevensey, Rye, St Leonards, Westfield, Whatlington & Winchelsea, East Sussex
Dog Training, Kennel Club Competitive Obedience, Kennel Club Good Citizen Classes, Puppy Training, Adult Dog Training, Dog Classes
Dog Training, Kennel Club Competitive Obedience, Kennel Club Good Citizen Classes, Puppy Training, Adult Dog Training, Dog Classes