Whether you have already met our Head Trainer, Debbie, or have yet to join one of her classes, it's always nice to know a little more about the person behind the uniform. Our other staff members came up with ten questions for Debbie to answer and here you'll find the answers!
What dog has had the biggest impact on your life?
Every family dog has impacted me a different way so it’s hard to pick just one. However, I would be inclined to say Danny, my grandparent
s’ setter-cross, who was a puppy when I was around 4 – we did everything together and had a special bond. I used to plait his hairy ears, pick out the ‘sweethearts’ stuck in his fur and take him for long walks with my Grandad. He was the naughtiest dog: he stole sausages from the pan and the turkey off my Christmas dinner plate. He stole Gran’s knitting projects, reading glasses and anything he could find and would run off into the garden with them. I vividly remember everyone chasing him around and I, aged about 9, called him over and he dropped the stolen item straight into my hand. He certainly made life entertaining!
If you had to describe yourself as a dog breed, what breed would you be?
I used an online survey to match my personality to a dog breed and here is the result...
An outdoorsy Malamute - You're a rugged nature-lover, and so is the Alaskan Malamute. In fact, these outdoorsy explorers were bred to trek through harsh terrain in extreme climates. That makes them the perfect companion for long hikes, camping trips, and backpacking excursions, especially in cold weather.
What is your favourite thing about your career/job?
Surprisingly I actually don’t spend much time with dogs, but primarily with owners talking about dogs. My favourite thing is seeing the amazement and happiness on an owner’s face when their dog achieves something for the first time and they are truly so proud of their dog!
After a hard day’s work describe your perfect way to un-wind?
Usually an evening on the sofa in my PJs, snuggled up with my daughters watching a film whilst enjoying popcorn! There’s likely to be a dog or two at my feet too.
What is your favourite dog training exercise?
I have so many it’s hard to pick but I think I would have to pick Engagement as my favourite to teach as it’s the foundation of everything else. Improving the relationship between dog and owner is the key to future success.
What would you sing at karaoke night?
My secret passion…. I always wanted to be a singer. Again, a super hard decision but it would have to be something from a musical, probably On my own or A little fall of rain from Les Mis.
As a child what did you want to be growing up?
Apart from a singer….. for a long time I wanted to be a hairdresser!
Who is your hero?
A corny answer but it has to be my Dad, he was simply an incredible person and made me who I am today (obviously Mum helped quite a bit too – ha ha!)
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Without any hesitation, The Lake District, my most favourite place. Picking whereabouts would be trickier, it would have to be quite remote so possibly Little Langdale or Loughrigg.
Who is your favourite fictional dog character?
Dogger! Not sure if it counts as effectively, he was a dog teddy bear. My absolute favourite storybook about Dave and his beloved teddy, Dogger, who got lost for days but thankfully turned up in the end. It probably resonated with me as I loved teddies growing up and often lost them and wouldn’t rest until they were found and now my youngest daughter is the same with her very special ‘Tiger’!
Potter Paws is a Dog Training School in Buckinghamshire. If you've got any other questions,
email Debbie and she'll happily answer!