How it all started

I started dog training at a local school in London around 1966 with my family dog, Prince, who was a typical little mongrel, and a friends lassie collie, called Rocky. Although I was only 15, my Instructor Barrie Linford thought I had potential, so started to coach me, and letting me help with his classes. I then went to Bellmead Training college, (now part of Battersea Dogs Home) and did all aspects of kennel management , obedience, showing, breeding, grooming. I continued working with Barrie and he put me forward to do specific Instructor courses with well known trainers like Paddy Burns, John Simpson, and Silvia Bishop. I was also involved in a local theatre production Of Oliver with my own dog playing Bullseye

I got married and joined several local clubs, where I helped as instructor, as well as working with my own first dog, a border collie cross called Jamie.

After 15 years, I divorced and remarried and had my first and second German Shepherd Dog and became a member of B.A.G.S.D. (British Association of German Shepherd Dogs) as a trainer and competed with both dogs, and was part of their demo team.

We came to Spain in 1997, and I became involved with ADANA in Estepona, and set up the school in 1998, as Estepona Dog Training. I was given permission from the Ayuntamiento (Council ) to work the classes behind the Palacio de Congressos in Estepona and then met and teamed up with a very special lady.

Diana Smart was an integral part of the school, and we worked together for many happy years. Sadly Diana passed away in 2010, and she is very sadly missed as a great ambassador for the Boxers and Rottweillers she used to show and breed, as well as being a wonderful trainer with the many puppies that came along to the classes.

In 2007, I started classes in Sabinillas having permission from the Ayuntamiento to be there. I decided to change the name to 4Paws Dog School as we were no longer just based in Estepona.

I joined “David the Dogman‘s‘” team over 12 years ago, where Diana had already been his ‘puppy lady’ for many years. Over the years, I learnt a lot from ‘The Dogman’ and worked alongside him and Diana, running very happy and successful classes. Just before Christmas 2008, David decided it was time to retire, and he asked if I would take over his school, which I was very happy to do, and did with his blessing.

4Paws now covers 3 classes a week, and is available for private and home visits.