Gill became a member of SOATC back in 2004 with her first rescue dog Harvey who had issues towards other dogs.  Through other trainers there, Gill became very interested in how dogs think and learn, our relationship with them, and the use of positive training methods has shown her how intelligent and adaptable they really are.  Through the club they worked their way through to Gold level Obedience and passed all levels of the KC Good Citizen Scheme.   Both Gill's other rescues are working towards the same aim. 

In 2008, Gill achieved a 3 year Foundation Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training at Bishop Burton college.  Part of Gill's work experience whilst at college was teaching classes at SOATC during 2007, offering training techniques and basic behavioural advice to pet dog owners. We are lucky to still have Gill heading up our Obedience section at present. It gives Gill a great sense of pleasure to see an owner and dog working together and having fun doing so, as well as presenting Club awards to the many that pass our pet obedience levels.

Gill admits she  is one of many lost souls who has become hooked on agility and has 2 dogs that compete on a regular basis.  Gill also helps out with the training of new starters in our agility classes as and when needed.

Davina has been a member of SOATC since 1998 and has owned dogs for most of her life.  Davina works for the RSPCA and Animal Rescue, and part of that work is to foster dogs and puppies that need socialising, training and re-homing.  Davina has always owned a mixture of breed types (all rescues), from collies, lurchers, terriers and crossbreeds, which have all been trained using only positive reward based methods.  Whilst they are very well behaved (usually!), they also retain their cheeky fun loving nature.

Davina's interest in dog behaviour, their needs and training methods led her to achieve a HNC in Canine Behaviour and Training.  She fully enjoys teaching her dogs new and stimulating activities which include fun tricks and Heelwork to Music moves.  She has competed in flyball (at Crufts!) and competitive obedience, passing all levels of the KC Good Citizen Scheme.   Davina now competes in agility and continues to seek and devise new games and activities that will stimulate her dogs brains and encourage them to learn. 

Tracey has been a member of SOATC for approx 1993 years when she began training with her German Shepherd Tuscani.  In those days training methods were based on punishment or force.  Thankfully, times and people's attitudes towards training dogs has changed towards the more successful (and much to all dogs relief) better reward based training.

By using positive training methods it has enabled Tracey to enjoy teaching basic obedience and tricks, as well as having a dog that successfully enjoys competing in agility.  Tracey owns rescue dogs that have also worked towards and passed through the Bronze, Silver and Gold Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme, as well as reaching Gold Level in Obedience.

Andie became a member of SOATC in 2004 and became hooked instantly.  As she continued as a pupil learning how to teach her own dog basic obedience through positive reinforcement, she reached the Gold Level Obedience award and passed all Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the KC Good Citizen Scheme.    Through learning these methods, it taught her  how much fun you can have with your dog and how responsive they are towards their owners.  Therefore, Andie became an instructor in 2007 and teaches all levels from puppies through to the more advanced classes.  Training involves basic obedience, having fun with toys, trick training, how to stimulate your dog and developing a strong human-dog relationship.  Andie have also recently been training in agility as another motivator and fun activity for both herself and her dog Cally to do together.