Meet The Trainer: Graeme Bennett
We thought you should get to know the trainers who help us with our specialised training courses, and this time we're meeting Graeme Bennett who runs our Hoopers courses.
Your name?
Graeme Bennett (Donny)
What's your background in Hoopers?
I’ve done agility with my boy Shady for 7 years, but he really struggles with his jumping, so we started doing Hoopers. We have now been doing Hoopers for 2.5 years and he loves it! We have done a few competitions, but really enjoy just working on our bond and developing our skills.
Can you share a memorable moment from your dog agility career?
My boy is quite reactive to other dogs, especially when there is agility or hoopers going on. I never thought I’d be able to get him to compete and concentrate in a ring with other dogs and handlers around, but after lots of work we did it! Our first competition was such a great achievement for us, and to see him win some of his classes was a bonus.
How did you come to be working with Pinkfox?
Me and my boy came to do a few agility sessions with Pinkfox, and I enquired to see if we could do Hoopers.
Who’s your canine partner-in-crime?
My boy is called Shady, 8 years old border collie. He comes from a working line so is very driven and independent, which comes in really handy when we come to do Hoopers, where there are lots of times where he has to work on his own away from me. Plus, I can’t always keep up with him!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newcomers in Hoopers?
Enjoy the journey and don’t rush! Agility and Hoopers are a brilliant way of building that bond with your dog, not just in agility itself, but working together as a whole.
If you and your dog could compete anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Tough one. At the risk of being boring… anywhere, as long as Shady was with me, but there has to be a good pub nearby.
What’s your favourite part about being a dog trainer?
I love seeing the dog’s learning journey, and how they grow with their handlers. Watching handlers learn about their dogs, and helping them see their dog’s potential, but also giving the handlers the confidence to work with their dogs.
Finally, where does Donny come from?
I’m from Doncaster originally and my football buddies called me that and it stuck.
Graeme is running our current Hoopers course, and future courses are planned for later in the year. Keep an eye on our Events page for upcoming courses.