About Me
I decided to set up Maidstone Activity Dogs back in 2014 after moving to the area and finding it difficult to find a place to train my own dog. Over the years we have expanded into new sports and activities. I have over 20 years experience of working with Dogs including Military and Police Dogs and dogs trained for private security companies. I have competed in Agility for 19 years! I have held a certificate in education and training for 9 years.
Over the years I have had many dogs but now I have two, Bridget and Ralph and a tiny human called Finn.
I currently compete in Agility and Hoopers with Ralph, he is Grade 4 in Agility but due to a season of him being injured and then me having a baby he has yet to return to competing. We have had a very successful season competing in Hoopers gaining 8 x 1st places!
I competed with my Malinois Chaos for Great Britain at the Belgian Shepherd World Championships in Germany in 2017, I am a Kennel Club Championship judge for Agility, Agility 1st Qualified Instructor and Canine Hoopers World Level 1 Instructor.
These days classes are mostly run by my brilliant and knowledgeable team below, I run the admin side of the club and teach introduction sessions and one off classes and the odd 121 to fit around being a full time mum.
Our Training Team
Full Time Trainer
Vanessa
Vanessa joined us in 2021 as our full time trainer. She runs all Puppy classes, Agility and Hoopers classes. Vanessa is qualified as a Canine Hoopers World Instructor and Hooperholics Instructor.
Vanessa has competed in Agility at Grade 7 with her Border Collie Josie and also has Nancy, a Sheltie. Josie now trains and competes in Hoopers.
In Mid 2022 Vanessa had a new addition to her pack, another Sheltie called Periwinkle. He has started Hoopers training & Agility Training.
Agility Trainer
Lisa
Lisa began teaching for us in 2024 after covering some classes and realising she enjoyed it! She now teaches Agility on a Wedensday evening.
Lisa competes with two terriers, Teds who is Grade 6 and Yogi who is Grade 3. Lisa & Teds won the Agility club Novice invitational Final in 2022.
Due to an injured handler this year Lisa's dogs have had to learn to work at a distance, something they have found challenging but Yogi in particular has excelled at. Teds is on the fence and would prefer his mum to run!
Agility Trainer
Lizzie
Lizzie is on maternity leave until 2027.
Good Citizen Trainer
Anne
Anne has been running our Good Citizen classes for a number of years now and is also a Trainer at Swale DTC. She has a very good pass rate when it comes to dogs being tested. Anne is an examiner for Bronze, Silver & Gold.
Anne has two dogs, Ed & Boo. She shows them both and Boo who is only a youngster has done exceptionally well, regularly bringing home some top places.