In 1985, I started taking her to dog training classes, the equivalent of our Beginner Classes (puppy classes didn't exist yet at that time). I joined the largest dog training club in Switzerland, the Kynologische Gesellschaft Winterthur. In 1987, I started instructing beginners and then advanced pet classes myself (at the age of just 16 years old!) in the KGW. I was also one of the instructors that set up the first ever puppy classes in the KGW (and possibly in Switzerland). In 1994, I started training a very challenging, but fantastic German Shepherd called Ronda. She belonged to an elderly lady, but I used to take her for walks and training sessions. We got to Begleithund I level (similar to working trials here in the UK) and also trained in Schutzhund I. I did a couple of Begleithund competitions with Ronda before I emigrated to the UK in 1997. Between 1999 and 2003, I occasionally helped dog owners here in South Norwood with their problem dogs. In 2003, I set up WTDT training school with two classes (puppy and advanced). By 2006, we were running 5 classes and since 2007 we run up to 8 classes every week. In 2004, I was assessed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and was awarded full membership. In 2005, I started studying for a Foundation Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training together with my friend and colleague Karen Dance. In 2008, Karen and I passed and were awarded the Foundation Degree. We are now tackling the extra two years for the full degree. In 2008, our WTDT members Maxine and Rick and their blind greyhound Elliot and I came 2nd in the James Wellbeloved Tails of Achievement Award. |
Vera's Profile |
My parents would not allow me to have my own dog despite all my pleading as a child. Nevertheless I managed to spend a lot of my time with dogs from an early age. My mum says that even when a toddler, nothing used to stop me from going up to any dog that I saw. I used to spend my school holidays on a friend's farm where they had Argo, a beautiful Great Swiss Mountain Dog. He was the guard dog on the farm. I also used to walk a neighbour's dog, a boxer called Sandy. When I was 13 years old, another neighbour had acquired a new puppy. She was called Panda, a cross between a pharaoh hound, a Bergamasco sheepdog and an Appenzeller mountain dog. I soon started visiting her regularly and taking her for walks. |
In 1985, I started taking her to dog training classes, the equivalent of our Beginner Classes (puppy classes didn't exist yet at that time). I joined the largest dog training club in Switzerland, the Kynologische Gesellschaft Winterthur. In 1987, I started instructing beginners and then advanced pet classes myself (at the age of just 16 years old!) in the KGW. I was also one of the instructors that set up the first ever puppy classes in the KGW (and possibly in Switzerland). In 1994, I started training a very challenging, but fantastic German Shepherd called Ronda. She belonged to an elderly lady, but I used to take her for walks and training sessions. We got to Begleithund I level (similar to working trials here in the UK) and also trained in Schutzhund I. I did a couple of Begleithund competitions with Ronda before I emigrated to the UK in 1997. Between 1999 and 2003, I occasionally helped dog owners here in South Norwood with their problem dogs. In 2003, I set up WTDT training school with two classes (puppy and advanced). By 2006, we were running 5 classes and since 2007 we run up to 8 classes every week. In 2004, I was assessed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and was awarded full membership. In 2005, I started studying for a Foundation Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training together with my friend and colleague Karen Dance. In 2008, Karen and I passed and were awarded the Foundation Degree. We are now tackling the extra two years for the full degree. In 2008, our WTDT members Maxine and Rick and their blind greyhound Elliot and I came 2nd in the James Wellbeloved Tails of Achievement Award. |
We have four dogs; from left to right: Jesse, Flash, Dylan, Troy. Dylan is an 8-year old saluki lurcher. He was picked up as a stray and brought to Binfield Dog Rescue, from where we adopted him in March 2002. He was not an easy dog for the first 18 months or so, being a typical lurcher with the clear independent saluki characteristics, but with lots of training and patience, he has turned into a fantastic dog that is a joy to live with. Dylan used to do competitive obedience and is also a retired PAT dog as he loves people so much. Our new hobby is agility which we both absolutely love. Dylan achieved the KCGC Bronze and Silver Awards in 2002 and the Gold Award in 2009. Troy is a 10-year old Pyrenean mountain dog. Troy too is a rescue dog that ended up in the breed rescue at 2 years old. We adopted him in April 2002. Troy is a very typical strong willed pyrenees, that in addition also does not like other dogs. This is probably mainly down to lack of socialisation as a puppy, but partly also a breed characteristic. We have done a lot of work with him and he is now so much better around other dogs and will even greet some nicely. Troy too is a retired PAT dog. Troy achieved the Bronze KCGC award in 2002. |
Flash is our third dog. He too is a saluki lurcher (possibly full saluki), he is 5 years old. He was also found as a stray and was brought into Lurcher Link rescue in Yorkshire, from where we adopted him in June 2005. Flash also does competitive obedience with me, though we only do indoor competitions as he has a tendency to suddenly take off saluki-style for a few laps of honour. (Those who own sighthounds, in particular salukis, know what I mean...) We have won the Starters class in Club Matches twice. Flash and I also took part in the 2nd series of Top Dog on Animal Planet where Flash was a typical saluki - he did some exercises very well, others not at all - and most of all, he did lots of running... Flash also does agility which he loves. |
Jesse is our baby being our youngest. He is a sable American Cocker Spaniel with a beautiful long tail. He was born on Boxing Day 2006 and we have had him from 8 weeks old. He does competitive obedience with me and impressed everyone with a 2nd place in Pre-Beginners in his first ever competition and then winning out of Pre-Beginners in his 3rd show (see all his results below). Jesse approaches everything we do with lots of spaniel enthusiasm, be it obedience, doggie dancing moves or trick training! Jesse's achievements in competitive obedience: May 2008, Culverstone, Pre-Beginners, 2nd Place Judge's Report (Michelle Newmann): "I really thought when this team had worked they'd probably be my winners. You were unlucky to meet the above team today. A super little dog with a smashing attitude, and who really looks the part! I doubt you'll be in this class for long. Best of luck." July 2008, North West Kent, Pre-Beginners, 1st Place Judge's Report (Liz White): "This little spaniel was a star, happy, motivated and attentive, all I was looking for. Flowed round the ring in the intense heat and made it look easy. Many congratulations." July 2008, North West Kent, Beginners, 5th Place Judge's Report (Sandra Cobbold) "5th No. 299 Vera Mooney Weiambea Jesse James (Jesse) American CS Lost 6 ¼ Worked sixth in the running order. Another team who needs to ensure that you start HW together, also just need to get him to concentrate a little more to stop him coming out of position. On both recall and retrieve very quick but decided to sit back out of position on the finishes. A very smart little lad so happy seems to glide around the ring. Well done on this place, good luck at future shows." August 2008, Ditton, Beginners, 4th Place August 2008, St. Edwards, Beginners, 6th Place Judge's Report (Gill Brett): "6th losing 7 points was Vera and Jessie. This American Cocker I think is the only one working on the obedience circuit in the south. I have seen Jessie work better than this and I feel fewer marks would of been lost had Vera worked at a smarter pace. Nevertheless this was a great achievement for this pair as they have only entered a few shows this year. Well done." January 2009, 8-way interclub match, Ditton, Beginners, 1st Place March 2009, 2-way interclub match, Culverstone, Beginners, 2nd Place April 2009, 3-way interclub match, Billingshurst, Beginners, 2nd Place May 2009, Gravesend, Beginners, 4th Place Judge's Report (Maurice Sage): 4th. No. 246 losing 4 Vera Marney with WEIAMEA JESSE JAMES ACS. A good team to watch, Jesse has a lovely attitude for working, nice and close but when handler moved her hand Jesse jumped out of position. Excellent recall and retrieve. Keep up the good work. June 2009, Southern Alsation Training Society (SATS), Beginners, 3rd Place Judge's Report (Hazel Fisher): 3rd Mrs Vera Marney and WEIAMBEA JESSIE JAMES (American Cocker). HOL 1.25, HF 1, Rec 0.25, Ret 0.5. Lost 3. A stylish little American Cocker who took everything in his stride to take this place. Very nice little working dog who fairly twinkled round. Try not to walk away from Jessie as it makes his job that much harder as he has to close the resulting gap and this cost a higher place today. However, well done in training this little lad - small dogs are not easy. July 2009, South Eastern Dog Training Society, Beginners, 5th Place |
