In conversation with: Janet Garrett

It would be quite a surprising revelation to find out that you haven’t heard of Janet Garrett, or at least her Puppy Skool.

Janet’s business has been running in Swindon for 12 years now, from a cow shed conversion, turned family home come puppy paradise.

Naturally it is of no surprise that dogs have always been present throughout Janet’s life from a Rough Collie to Great Danes, then Deerhounds to Shih Tzus, and finally her award winning Bouviers des Flandres.

Despite this canine continuity, her professional life did not always revolve around dog training.

During her earlier career Janet was a bi-lingual PA at Arval for four years. She spent a lot of her time conversing in French, so dog training in my eyes seemed to be quite a leap in career change.

This does however explain how she came across her beloved Bouvier breed, her first encounter being at a French café. As if reliving the experience, she lights up as she fondly recalls how enthralled she felt when she first met the friendly giant: "I just fell in love with him".

Unfortunately it was during this era in Janet's life that she was struck with the news that her baby Grandson Jamie, who would have been 13 this year, passed away.

She graciously explained how the tradgedy impacted her outlook on life: "You just start thinking to yourself 'what does it all mean?' and I wanted to know what I was doing with my life. So I went in a new direction."

With support across the board from her family, and love for dogs unquestionable, Janet soon found herself running small groups of puppy classes. Little did she know that 12 years down the line she would see 150 dogs a week come through her door.

Granted, before heading off down her new career path, Janet had already achieved various training cerftificates which settled my speculation as to how dog training was such a plausible and easy exchange. Her impressive resume includes her Level 4 CTDI (Certified Trick Dog Instructor), Level 3 CertNut (Nutrition). She is also a published author, as well as a member of the Coape Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers (CAPBT) and Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).

However Janet is not the only high achiever at Skool, or home.

For those unfamiliar, Bouviers are a French breed and relatively uncommon in Britain. Janet, however, just so happens to have three of them; Mack, Gus and Riff. But these aren't any ordinary Bouviers. I refer in particular to Mack, also known as 'the head boy'.

Mack is the first Bouvier, in the world, to win the Trick Dog Championship (TDCH) title in both the UK and USA. Telling tales of their life on tour, Janet brazenly admits: "I don't know who likes showing off the most, me or Mack!"

It becomes more evident how gratifying this way of life is for Janet, as she explained: "I can't see my life without dogs. It's strange when your work is also your passion - I don't handle time off easily. I go out for the day and I feel like I've had a week off!

"But the best part about my job is when people tell that my training has changed their life, and bond with their dog."

The latter strikes an emotional chord with Janet, but it becomes all the more apparent just how compassionate and generous she. Amongst all her achievements, and in tune with her line of work, Janet also devotes much of her time to numerous chairites uncluding Dog Aid, Children in Need, Climb, Dogs Trust and Swindon Heartsafe.

Never without Mack, speaking of her charitable work she said: "I love doing what I do, and seeing what joy dogs can bring. It's a huge pleasure and so much fun to help donate."

Thinking that nothing could take down this Garrett powerhouse, but I daringly breach he subject, Janet amiably revealed: "When I retire it'll be because of the weather, not the dogs."

There is no doubt in my mind that it would take extremely stormy weather to stop Janet Garrett doing what she loves.

Insider knowledge: Janet's top five dog tips

1. Choose your puppy wisely and make sure you see the mother. Also make sure you visit several times before taking your puppy home
2. Feed your dog the best you can afford
3. Book your puppy into school as soon as you know you're getting one as classes fill up quickly
4. Rome wasn't built in a day! Dog training is a process of building and rewarding - it requires a lot of patience
5. If you have an older dog with a problem, and can't go to classes, contact a behaviourist

Photo credit: ©CALYX