Bob Sharpe



Hannah and I began our Agility careers on the same day in 2001 Hannah with a very handsome black and white Border Collie, Josh, and I with a Blue Merle, Border Collie Skip. We had differing fortunes, Skip unmotivated but steady, won into Novice at his second show, Josh the complete opposite remained in Elementary during the 1 st year despite having amazing potential, as we were repeatedly told.

Despite the vastly different hurdles both of us faced, we had two things very much in common. Firstly we wanted to improve, secondly we did not know how to. There was another complication, I had acquired Flynn, a very headstrong highly motivated Red Merle Border Collie and fearing I would have similar problems Hannah had with Josh, sought inspiration and it came when Hannah produced a video “Great Dog Shame about the Handler� by Greg Derrett. I decided then that the only way forward was to follow the video doctrine. I took the video, not sure if Hannah ever got it back, rang Greg and commenced the 300+ round trip for training. The rest, as they say history.

I now run 3 dogs, Meg, a brown and white rescued Border Collie at G7, Flynn at G6 and Flynn's younger brother Moss, a brown tri Border Collie, now in his 1 st season as G3. Skip still competes with my wife Pauline.

These methods have brought success, and 2008 already brings a place at Crufts for Meg, an Olympia Semi Final for Maddy, and a Tuffstuff Final place for Moss. 2007 saw Hannah and I win the Laser Pairs K.O. Final, and another Olympia semi for Maddy, whilst Meg finished 3 rd in the Royal Canin Final with Flynn also placed,following from o Meg winning the Dog Agility Rescue League Final in 2006, and appearances and places in Pedigree Team, CSJ, Adams Derby, First Contact and Tuffstuff Finals.

PAULINE SHARPE



I have had dogs all my life, as a child these were usually Heinz 57's, as they were affectionately called. Dogs in my childhood were often left to roam the streets and puppies were everywhere, so any dogs we had were given rather than bought. Spaying was unheard of and disease in dogs was rife. Nothing like the world of dogs today.

My love affair with dog training started back in 1986 when I attended my first ever training class with my two young puppies a Springer Spaniel, Dusty and a very nervous Border Collie, Candy. I have been involved ever since, starting in Sheffield and latterly in North Lincolnshire . Bob and I own 7 dogs, 6 Border Collies, two of whom are rescues and one Golden Retriever, again a rescue.

I have been a trainer of pet obedience for over 6 years, and currently undertaking a Degree Course in Canine Behaviour, with my ultimate goal to be a fully qualified Behaviourist. I compete in Agility and have competed at Crufts in Flyball and Division 1, BFA (British Flyball Association) with three of our Collies.

To say I am passionate about dogs is an understatement, and my involvement in training of all breeds and of all ages, I have found extremely rewarding. There is no greater satisfaction than when a nervous rescue dog appears at a training class to see it blossom into a confident happy dog after a few weeks.