My name is Caroline Cowan and I have been passionate about dogs since childhood. Having owned many rescue dogs of varying breeds or mixtures, I currently live with an eclectic mix of a Bullmastiff, Rottweiler cross, Skye Terrier cross, and a Doberman x Dogue de Bordeaux x American Bulldog . Previously I have owned German Shepherd dogs, Border Collies and their crosses and mongrels, or what I call 'natures dogs!' In addition I've fostered many other breeds or types of dog. Unlike some trainers who may train their own dogs to obedience competition standard and puposely choose breeds of dog suitable for this, I have personal experience of the breeds of ogs not thought to be ery trainable. This has given me experience of how to train these types of dogs and empathy for those who own these more challenging breeds!
I enjoy the challenge of taking on those dogs that require rehabilitation; dogs with identified problems that some rescue organisations may find difficult to permanently home.
Initially I began holding dog training classes for Coleg Glan Hafren Tertiary College as part of a Saturday class pilot scheme. However, the response to these classes was so overwhelming that I started classes at Roath Community Hall in Roath, Cardiff. These too took off and, responding to even greater demand, I started classes at Buttrills Community Hall in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. The Cardiff classes are now based at Belmont Baptist Church Hall, Taymuir Road, Cardiff.
After I had gained suitable, extensive practical experience and achieved nationally recognised academic qualifications, I progressed to becoming a canine behaviourist/psychologist.
I have appeared on television on Wales Today and ITV Wales, on Radio Wales and numerous times in print in the Barry and District, Penarth Times and the South Wales Echo.
Qualifications and Experience
Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Canine Behaviour and Training awarded by Bishop Burton College in Yorkshire and I have also completed a Foundation Degree (FdSc), awarded in partnership with Hull University.
Completed a BSc (Hons) degree course in Canine Behaviour and Training.
Full Member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers (MBIPDT) and I am also a student member working towards accreditation of the Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training & Canine Behaviour.
May 2010, achieved a National Certificate in Canine First Aid awarded by The European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies in association with Dogs Trust and Your Dog Magazine.
Experienced in training over 100 breeds of dogs and I am recommended by several rehoming centres and veterinary practices.
Certified Temperament Test Assessor for Pets as Therapy (PAT) and visitor.
Attended numerous practical courses and seminars with such renowned canine experts as Angela Stockdale, Nina Bonderenko, Dr Pamela Reid, Nicole Wilde, Ann DeRizzio and Ian Dunbar amongst many others.
Attended a three day Pit Bull identification course with Peter Tallack in conjunction with the NDWA.
Attended dog law expert Trevor Cooper's seminars and nutrition course on natural health care and the Burns Product Range and Canine Health Concerns Foundation in Canine Healthcare Course.
Local Authority Dog Warden
I'm currently a local authority dog warden - a position that I've held since September 2002 - and I am a member of the National Dog Warden Association (NDWA). Within this role I deal with:-
- impounding stray dogs
- containing dangerous or banned breeds of dogs with the police
- returning stray dogs to their owners
- collecting unwanted dogs
- boarding establishment inspections
- behavioural/training advice
- micro-chipping
- home checking prospective new homes for rescue dogs
- school educational talks (with my PAT dog)
- attending fetes and open days
- prosecutions for dangerous dogs, abandonment and dog fouling
- participating in awareness days with the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and PDSA