Hi I'm Jenny who owns and runs Dogmanics Dog Agility Training. I started instructing when I and three other friends founded Reading Agility Club some eight or so years ago.
Reading is still going strong and I instruct one of the competition standard classes every other Monday. my friend Sheila Szegota shares the instructing with me. I have a great group of handlers at Reading some of which have been with me for quite a long time, and also attend Dogmanics, this is a record I am quite proud of so I must be getting it right most of the time!
I got hooked on agility through another good friend of mine Lin Abbott (who is now an advanced handler with her wonderful sheltie Hattie), she introduced me to it in the early nineties. in those days, I owned a fabulous rescue collie cross called Muffin, but as she was already 6yrs old when I started out with her we didn't have enough time to get to grips with competitions, those we did do, she did well, if I had her now things would be so different.
I then took on another rescue dog called Benson who taught me so much. he is a Spaniel cross so we had quite a few times when he said yes I will run for you today, and other times when he thought blow this, let me find another squirrel to chase! he won me lots of rosettes when he had good days, he is now nearly 14yrs old and has been retired for a few years, he enjoys his swims at my local hydrotherapy pool with another good friend Caroline, who is one of my links on this website... See my hydrotherapy page.
In January 1999 I bought my first Border Collie and very aptly named him Razzamataz, Razz took to agility like a duck to water, so much so that I didn't think I would ever get him round a course. he had an electric speed which is good, but shrieked his way round so much so that he couldn't hear my commands half the time! so control was out of the question.
he still, at nearly 8yrs old, does much the same but as I now have learned that body language speaks louder than words we do have a bit more understanding at times. When that understanding goes well we do achieve some really good clear rounds. Razz won me out of elementary, starters and novice and into senior level. I still wonder how we did it! I do compete with him now and again, but Shiela's husband Jon is his official handler as he can move a lot quicker than me, and Razz so enjoys his runs a lot more. I get more out of watching them than I do running him myself.
In January 2005 I got my second Border collie and named him Deacon, he couldn't be more opposite than Razz. he was a dream to own, right from the start.
I named him Deacon after John Deacon from the fabulous Queen, as his registered name is Laetare Kind of Magic. his breeder chose song titles from Queen for all the litter and to me he is magic.
I took him to his first competition at 18 months of age and we didn't disgrace ourselves at all, he worked so well. there are three trainers I have to thank for his progress, firstly Tash Wise for his puppy training, and since, I have been to Jo Fraser and Maria Stein, who is another of my links on this site.
Deacon on his third competition achieved a 12th place in Novice agility, which was a bit scary as I wanted him to stay in the new grading system which starts next year which will be Novice Graduate.
I started Dogmanics in April 2005 with Lin (mentioned above), Sheila & Jon Szegota without whom I would certainly have been struggling. their help and support have been invaluable. also Derek my husband, and more recently Ian & Debbie, between them they instruct and maintain my equipment and keep the grass cut, and of course all my members most of which have been with me from the start.
I started out with a full set of Premier equipment, and since have invested in much more. Ian has made me some top quality equipment including a further 'A' frame and jumps. In July this year we moved to a new venue which was necessary as we had expanded too much for us to stay in our first one, luckily it was just around the corner so the move went really well, Jon and Ian worked like mad to get the paddock ready, fencing in two rings which I now rent and am able to use at any time, this is thanks to Fiona who is super, and owns the Tidmarsh Stud and welcomed us with open arms.
As I now run the club as a full time occupation, I am in a position to give private lessons during the week which are filling up quickly. I also run a puppy class on a Wednesday evening, this is again thanks to Fiona for offering her ménage which is floodlit. The surface is specially covered so is just right for young dogs. the age I take them from is usually 6 months onwards, as everything is trained at ground level.
teaching them to run over jump poles on the ground, tunnels and training weaves, also, (and this is very important) to build up the "waits". to target toys and or treats, release commands, so they aren't just charging around all the time, they love it! and so do the owners!
When the dog is a year old they can either stay in the same group or move in to one of the main groups with the other beginner classes in the paddock.
This year I attended a Kennel Club judges course which included an exam and passed to become a KC approved judge, I have been asked to judge at a Winter league competition in January 2007. also at two big shows later in the year at the Newbury show ground, one is the Thames AC the other is the Agility Club show. I am looking forward to them as they are two day shows, so on one of the days I can compete with my dogs. I also completed a Course Design workshop which was run by the Agility Club which was great fun and extremely informative. I am also looking forward to taking my KC approved Instructors exam next year. Over the last few years I have been to many training days and have studied different methods and techniques through reading books, watching DVD's etc. which have proved invaluable to me and the running of my club.
CLUB VENUE AND TRAINING TIMES
The venue is The Tidmarsh Stud, Dark Lane, Tidmarsh, Pangbourne, Berks. RG8 6HP.
Contact Jenny Lovegrove, 62 Skilton Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks. RG31 6SA
E-mail dogmanics@talktalk.net
Tel. 0118 9412855. Mob. 07875 378523
TRAINING DAYS/EVENINGS OPENING TIMES
Summer April to end of September
Tuesday evening's 7pm to 9pm. Improvers (this can vary slightly depending on daylight hours)
Wednesday evening's 7pm to 9pm Competition (all levels)
Winter October to end of April
Saturday's 2pm to 4pm Improvers
Sunday's 11am Competition (Grade 3 to 7) 2pm
Improvers. 3pm Novice.
FEES AND PRIVATE LESSONS
Course fees are £28 for an eight week course.
Private lessons are £25.00 per hour, if sharing I charge an extra £5.00
Private lessons are mainly available weekdays during the winter, some weekends and evenings included during summer months only.
SHOWS
I hold an annual club competition which is available to club members only, am considering extra competitions with local agility clubs in the future, if this occurs details will be posted on this website, or any other show we may consider holding.
All other competitions please log in on to:
My clothing range is available on:
Other links for information for other dog training etc are as follows.