About us

Dogs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up surrounded by animals of all kinds, but it was dogs - and particularly the relationships formed through walking, working and living alongside them - that shaped everything that followed. One of my earliest memories is caring for our retired gundog-Springer Spaniel called Grouse, taking him out on long walks and learning, instinctively, how much dogs need time, space and purpose. At twelve years old, I was given my first dog of my own - a timid rescue mongrel with a complicated past. She came with challenges, but she taught me patience, empathy and how transformative calm, consistent care can be. Losing her was devastating, but she cemented my lifelong commitment to understanding dogs properly. From there came Shady, a springer spaniel puppy who became my first agility dog in 2001, followed over the years by a Labrador, a Springerdor, a German Shepherd Dog, Chihuahua, Miniature Dachshund, and Zazu - my first Border Collie, who I lost in April 2021 at the remarkable age of 16½. Each dog brought different lessons, shaping the way I work with behaviour, movement, confidence and social dynamics today. When I left college, I knew without question that I wanted to work with dogs. I also knew I didn’t want to leave my own dogs at home all day, so I began dog walking - taking dogs out onto my Dad’s farm in St Catherine’s Valley. It quickly became clear that dogs thrived when given real countryside time, freedom of movement and consistent social interaction. In January 2006, I founded Doggy Doos, making it the first dog day care centre in the UK. With access to private farmland, the business grew naturally, guided by observation, experience and what the dogs themselves showed me they needed. Now 20 years on, Doggy Doos remains owner-run, welfare-led and grounded in the same principles it was built on from the very beginning. Alongside running Doggy Doos, I have continually developed my knowledge through studying dog behaviour, canine body language and multiple dog sports, as well as completing human and canine first aid training. I am a Kennel Club agility judge and actively compete with my own dogs, and I spend much of my free time walking in rural landscapes - hills, mountains and the lakes - always with dogs by my side. Today, I share life with six dogs and my three sons — Zephyr, Rupert and Sully. Family, dogs and countryside life are inseparable for me, and that ethos runs through every aspect of Doggy Doos.

I have always had a lot of dogs in my life. I just couldn't imagine it any other way. I would say that 6 is plenty for now though.

Ollie — a blue merle Border Collie, born September 2010. Ollie was a rehome and came to me at ten months old. Ollie had fun learning all sorts of tricks for heelwork to music, he tried a bit of flyball but mostly competed at Agility. He retired from agility during Covid, having reached Kennel Club Grade 6 and only needed one more win to reach Grade 7.

Zog — a liver and white Cocker Spaniel, another rehome who joined in 2017 at eight months old. Zog now competes at Championship Grade 7 (Medium) and brings enthusiasm and joy to everything he does. Zog does his upmost best to control himself around Pheasants but sometimes they are just too tempting to want to flush out of the bushes. Zog loves to charm people with his spaniel smile and rolls over for a belly rub.

Zuma — a blue roan working Cocker Spaniel, brought home as a puppy in 2019 from a wonderful breeder in Shropshire. A brilliant family dog, she also competes at Grade 7 agility. Zuma has now had two litters of puppies, the first were born in march 2023 and Zizzi was my keeper. There is something about having a dog from the minute they are born that makes them extra special. Zizzi is the special one.

Zest — a blue and white tri Border Collie, who joined us as a puppy at Christmas 2021. Zest is a beautiful collie and such a brilliant family dog. She loves to keep the dogs in check at Doggy Doos. On walks she will always be alert and will silently tell me if I need to be aware of anything coming our way. Zest loves agility a bit too much and is very enthusiastic with it. She is currently competing at grade 5 intermediate and I just need to learn how to channel her craziness in the right direction.

Zizzi — a black Cocker Spaniel, born in March 2023. Small, cuddly, and delightfully chaotic, she brings endless character to the pack. I adore every mm of her and she loves to use me as a pillow at any opportunity.

Zella — a toy poodle, aka The Poodle thing! I wanted another tiny dog after loosing my chihuahua Ziggy and dachshund Zali in 2022 and Zella was a bit of an impulse buy at a low point in my life. She is spicy, yappy and hilarious. Which was just what I need in my life. She loves being part of the pack and there is never a dull moment with the poodle thing about.