My name is Marion and my greatest passion in life is my love of animals. I was born and brought up on a farm in Ayrshire and my whole life has been about animals, great and small. Before I began working with dogs, my earlier years were spent with horses; with most weekends being spent competing in local showjumping and cross-country events with my own ex-racehorse, Pam.
It’s no secret that I love dogs!! I set up Elite Pet Care back in 2011 and it very quickly became a busy dog walking and pet sitting business. Over those years I would often come across dogs with lots of training and behaviour issues. But at that time, I didn’t know how to help, and that frustrated me a lot!
Then in 2018 I adopted my fabulous cockapoo, Benji, and my life changed forever.
It’s funny, when people meet Benji we always receive lots of compliments on how well behaved he is, how happy he is, and the amazing bond that he and I have.
Please believe me when I say, it wasn’t always like that!!!
When Benji arrived with me he had:
- No Recall.
- He already had a history of running off to do his own thing; both with his previous owner and then with me. He would do everything in his power not to be caught. He was very unpredictable, and that upset me so much.
- He would pull like a train on his lead, it was as if I didn’t even exist sometimes.
- Some days he just wouldn’t do a single thing I asked.
- He would steal things and not give them back.
- He detested being brushed (which was not handy with his cockapoo coat which needs lots of care)
- He would bark at every single noise he heard.
- And he struggled to be left alone for more than 30 seconds.
I became deflated, frustrated and really upset that this dog that I loved so very much was causing me so much distress and anxiety.
However, being someone who likes to see the glass as being half full, I decided that now was the time to fulfil the passion that had been in me so long to become a dog trainer.
I gained recognised qualifications, worked with professionals in the field, read books and attended numerous courses and webinars.
Slowly but surely our relationship changed from dog and guardian into a beautiful partnership. Benji wanted to do things with me, and for me. We have fun, an awesome partnership and I have a dog that everyone thinks is easy and well behaved, which I do! But the time, effort, sweat and tears getting there was definitely a labour of love.
Over the past 15 years I have worked with numerous Cockapoos, Cavapoos and Labradoodles; in both a dog walking and a training capacity. I know and love these breeds so well that specialising in working with them and helping their dog parents to understand them better is without doubt my passion .
I am an Accredited Dog Trainer with both the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT) and the Association of Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), which is a highly recognised qualification in our industry. I was also lucky enough to be awarded one of the Three Best Rated Dog Trainers in West Lothian at their latest awards.
