My name is Sarah Gleave, I have been working with dogs & mainly Springer Spaniels for the past 13 years and more recently the past 7 years at my Springer Sanctuary just outside Lincoln. My dogs have had me on their intensive training course and I feel that this is the best experience you can get. Handling their training & behaviour issues 24-7 is my qualification.

I have always lived in a multi dog household, minimum 5 maximum 17. This is the best way you can learn about dogs, the more the better. Its like a fast track to experience that no books or courses can ever teach you and with another 7 living outside, they certainly keep me working hard.

My own dogs consist of 4 Springer Spaniels, 1 German Shorthaired Pointer, 1 Springer X & 1 Border Collie X Labrador.

I used to enjoy doing Obedience with Robert my 7 year old Springer Cross, Finbar my 4 year old German Shorthaired Pointer & latest addition Gerald a 3 year old Springer. Robert entered his first show in 2006 with a 4th at Louth Dog Show and a first in the beginner class in 2007. My commitments changed drastically in 2007, I now run www.megheathkennels.co.uk

My method of training is reward based only and do implement Clicker style training, with the complete elimination of force of bullying. Clicker Trainers focus on what we want the dogs to do rather than what we don't want them to do.

My aim is to provide a stress free and friendly environment for both you and your dog. Gone are the days of being bullied or made to feel pressured or stupid, I will aim to accommodate any person who is willing to learn. I hope you will feel at ease discussing your training with me so you will maximise your learning potential.

Children are welcome to help train their dog, whilst being supervised by an adult.

None of our training has any pack or dominance related theories, however firm, kind and consistent communication will be encouraged with your dog to aid your relationship.

Up until recently, I had occasionally heard canine behaviourists comment that dog enthusiasts without a degree should not be aloud in the field of dog behaviour selling their services to paying clients. I always sniggered at this, thinking that not every one who was 'good' with dogs were fortunate enough to be educated in this way. However, my thoughts have changed. I see people coming to me for help who have been to other local Lincolnshire trainers and behaviourists, who are confused about what to do with their dogs. There is a lot of conflicting advice out there and some fundamentally flawed and down right dangerous and stupid.

I don't currently offer behavioural services, but I am able to help with obedience & referral if need be to one of 2 behaviour services in Lincoln.

The reason I don't offer behaviour services is because I am still learning. I recently started the Compass Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Modification. This is the 'equivalent' to a foundation degree and you can finish a full degree with part time study in 2 years after completing this course. I am also doing a Diploma in Dog Training Class Instruction (Part one) Level 3. I have completed the Diploma in Kennel Management and Diploma in Dog & Cat Anatomy & Physiology. I enjoy studying but it is hard to squeeze in the study especially at Level 5. I am thoroughly enjoying studying Learning Theory and couldn't imagine how I could have done classes without this knowledge.

Are you a local behaviourist who disagrees with me? Or are you a local behaviourist who is degree or higher qualified and thinks that the industry should be regulated? www.cawc.org.uk is rumoured to be in talks about regulating the dog behaviour industry. I for one will be interested in what they have to offer.

More about me.

1980 - I have a background working in Hunting & Riding School Stables, this was my first animal related job, starting at age 11. Teaching beginners & children to ride ponies was my first taste of teaching.

1983 My first experience as a veterinary assistant at a local vets in Cossington, Leicester at age 14. I used to help at evening surgery being paid £1 per night!

1986 Working as a full time Veterinary Nurse in Leicester I acquired my first dog. She was Boo and she looked rather like a Manchester Terrier cross. We lost Boo 17 years later.

1996 My first serious doggy job. I answered a local post office advert for Kennel Maid. I found myself working in a kennels where the owner supplied dogs to the police & other services. I acquired skills working with difficult dogs, got bitten for the first time & my first taste of rescue. I was responsible for daily kennel duties and helping to assess dogs for working as substance detection dogs. I left here on grounds of my disapproval of the lack of animal welfare & consideration for the dogs' well being. I acquired dogs 2, 3, 4 & 5 here, they were a Collie cross and three black Labradors.

I moved on to work in another local kennels - Boarding this time at Barrow-Upon-Soar, as a summer job and then moved on to another boarding kennels / Boxer Breeding Kennels in Hoton, Leicestershire.

1998 All the time right from the start, I wanted my own place. I left the training kennels in August 1998 and set up on my own supplying dogs to the Police & Prison Service. I re homed 5 dogs and their destinations were:

Toby - English Springer Spaniel - Prison Service
Storm - Black Labrador - Arson Detection Dog in Northern Ireland
Sabre - German Shepherd - Nigerian High Commission via DAC Melton Mowbray
Henry - English Springer Spaniel - Prison Service 
Buster - German Shepherd - DAC Melton Mowbray 

This business made its own natural progression in to rescue & I found myself rescuing dogs rather than supplying dogs to the police & prison service.

The first dog I rescued was a black & white Border Collie called Bobby In August 1998. 

During this time rescuing I acquired dogs 6,7 & 8. Ellie, Moss & Benji Trouble - all English Springer Spaniels.

In January 2002 I moved to Lincoln, buying a kennel property. I re started the rescue and promptly started taking in dogs.

I acquired dog 9 - Bobby a Springer cross who I started training with Alison Nichols at Heighington.

In June 2004 I started training Bobby with Paddy Driscoll. About a year later she asked me to be a training assistant in her classes. 

October 2005 I bought Finbar, a German Shorthaired Pointer from near Pickering, North Yorkshire. She was bought to be my new Obedience dog as I didn't think Bobby would be a strong enough personality to compete. How wrong could I have been...

November 2005. I have rescued over 150 dogs and now feel ready with enough experience working with Springer Spaniels, to set up dog training classes. I feel I have been on a 12 year apprenticeship working with dogs, no courses I have done have touched on what I have learned working hands on with dogs.

February 2006. Classes are under way & running well. Started training segments of Paddy's classes.    

February 2008 More progress to bigger & better.