Skool's back! 

16 going on 17 years for Janet's puppy training

 

In dog years, it's well over a hundred - but for Janet Garrett it feels like yesterday.

 

Janet's Puppy Skool has just started its 17th year in Swindon, with a brand-new group of dogs & owners enjoying training classes & instruction at puppy HQ in Haydon Wick.

"The time has literally flown by," Janet told us, "so when someone mentioned that we first started back in 2007, I couldn't believe it.

"We reckon that we've now trained over 10,000 dogs here in that time and it's been an absolute delight to meet so many wonderful people and so many different breeds. And all with their own personalities."



Never far away from her own brood, Janet also owns and trains Bouvier des Flandres, a rare Belgian breed, which currently includes Mack, now 12, Maude, nearly 5, Lark, only 18 months and now Tipie, 10 months, who has just arrived from La Rochelle, and learning English!

Mack is a former World Dog Trick Champion and has helped Janet also raise thousands of pounds for Children in Need and local charities.

Having trained dogs for so long, the 'skool' is now seeing owners return with second, third and sometimes fourth new dogs, with Janet definitely noticing the trends in which breeds are the most popular over the years.

 

"Definitely during, and just, after the lockdown period we saw so many cockapoos and labradoodles, it was incredible, and before that smaller dogs like French Bulldogs.

"But I'm definitely seeing the traditional types now coming back in favour - like spaniels, labradors and golden retrievers, which is lovely.

"It's amazing how things change, really."



But apart from her own dogs, Janet always insists that no particular dog or breed is her favourite.

"I genuinely love them all," she added, "big or small, young or older, quiet or a bit bouncy, every single one that comes here is special and it's been fabulous being surrounded by them all in the last 16 years.

And with no plans to retire, Janet is definitely thinking: "Let's see what the next 100 dog years brings along!"

Janet's Puppy Skool is open all-year-round for training of all dogs, ages & sizes, with classes times & more information available via the website link below.