ABOUT

SJWORKINGDOGS is a small but renowned dog training centre supplying expert tuition with all breeds .
Specialist training providers for working breeds and difficult/problem dogs. Our mantra is that a fully trained dog should be just at home under the table in a village pub after a long walk as he is at the front of a beating line , sat at the peg on a grand driven shoot or at the back of a pigeon hide.

All this is accomplished by working on the focus and communication between dog and handler.
Entry into the shooting world for a novice handler can be a daunting experience. With a lifetime of experience organising sport at the highest level we are ideally suited to offer training courses/ lessons so you can go forward with confidence with your dog(s) on shoots of all sizes and types.

Nicky & I launched Strummerjoe Kennels and began building our line of Strummerjoe Spaniels soon after we met.
I am a lifelong gamekeeper and dog trainer, who has been training professionally for over 30 years. Dogs are both my passion and my vocation, I never get tired of resolving problems and issues for other handlers to enable them to have the same bond with their dogs as I have with mine.
In my opinion a house without a dog isn’t a home.

From a very young age , Nicky’s life revolved around horses. She began riding at the age of three and, when old enough , spent all her spare time either riding or helping out at various local stables and riding schools.
This eventually led to a career working in point to point, polo, and event yards as well as competing with her own horses whilst raising a young family at the same time.

At the age of 40 this career came to an abrupt end when Nicky suffered a serious riding accident whilst out on exercise at work. She fell from a young horse onto the road sustaining horrific leg injuries requiring complicated surgery at Stoke Mandeville hospital and a period of intensive rehab. This culminated in her being advised not to ride again.
Following this news and with our blossoming relationship, it seemed perfectly natural for Nicky to put her energy and animal skills into a joint venture combining training, working and breeding quality dogs. More details regarding the history of this venture can be found on the “OUR DOGS” pages.

Nicky has gone on to become a skilled breeder and trainer , with her own line of Labradors ( “Templarjoe”) which she works on our own and many other local shoots. She also assists with training the guarding breeds even at one stage working towards her SIA security dog handlers badge. Unfortunately, one of the requirements for passing the course was to be able to lift and carry your dog a short distance before putting it in your vehicle. Seeing as Nicky was 5 ft 4”, weighing 8.5 stone and her dog “Sid” came up to her waist and weighed ……8.5 stone this was obviously an issue !!!

In 2011 we decided to search for a suitable setting to further our dream of working together alongside our dogs. We finally settled where we are today in our family farmhouse home situated on an ancient estate in the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds.
More information regarding our home and training base can be found on the”TRAINING SERVICES “ page.