A dedicated dog trainer is branching out, by offering qualifications for people too.

Sheilagh Goodwin began teaching people to train their dogs 30 years-ago, and along with her husband John, runs Clicktrain K9 Centre in Bonnybridge, Scotland.  There they offer dog day care, grooming as well as dog training classes for puppies, kennel club canine good citizen awards and assistance dogs.

Her work has taken her from training with John Rogerson, one of the UK’s top behaviourists to helping dogs get the skills that they need to support disabled people.

But now Sheilagh is set to excel as a teacher of people, offering Ofqual regulated iPET Network qualifications to pet owners, would-be and existing pet professionals.

“It has always been a dream of mine to extend the school to offer career training too, and now it’s finally happening.

“I did lots of research into what qualifications to offer, and I chose iPET Network because of how down to earth and welfare focussed the courses are.

“I’m really excited to start this journey, helping pet professionals of the future operate at a high standard.”

Clicktrain K9 Centre will now offer a range of iPET Network qualifications, including the Level 2 Awards in Responsible Dog Ownership, Principles of Puppy Socialisation and Canine Care, Health, and Behaviour.

The Centre will soon be offering a Level 3 Awards in Emergency Canine First Aid in the Workplace, Dog Walking and Pet Sitting for Professionals and Educators in the Canine and Feline Sector, with grooming Awards being added later in 2023 and many more courses as IPET Network releases them . This makes them the go to place for Canine career training in the Central Belt and beyond with both in person and distance learning available.

Sheilagh, who was one of the first people in the UK to run modern, motivational, clicker classes in the UK, added: “When I was nine years old I trained my own dog at a local dog club and got the bug. I have never looked back.

“There are so many more dogs now living in UK homes, and they all will need the services of pet professionals at some stage in their lives. So now is a great time for people to get their qualifications, and for Clicktrain K9 Centre to expand. It’s really exciting.”

Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty, director national awarding organisation The iPET Network, said: “We are so happy that Sheilagh is joining the iPET Network family and with her high level of expertise and deep love of animals, she is the perfect person to instill in learners the importance of the work they do.” 

To find out more visit www.clicktrain.co.uk