Wagging Tails Dog Training in Blo Norton celebrates milestone for business

A Norfolk dog training business owner is celebrating a decade of helping owners and their four-legged friends.

Wagging Tails Dog Training, run by Swiss-born founder Vera Marney, was founded 20 years ago in South London but became her full-time passion when she moved to Blo’ Norton in 2014.

Starting out with two classes and some one-to-one training, the business has grown to 14 weekly classes in the village hall and another three in Wretham, near Thetford.

The trainer said: “My training experience started at 14, when I joined my first dog club, the Kynologische Gersellscharft Winterthur.

“After finishing a law degree at Zurich University, I came to London and completed two post-graduate diplomas in law.

“After a few years, my passion for animals took over and I started my dog training business part-time, while working in the city full-time.”

Ms Marney took a degree in canine behaviour and training at Bishop Burton College and now, with a team of three assistant trainers, she helps dogs and owners have better relationships.

As the owner of four dogs herself, she said: “I feel dog’s and people’s brains are really similar, so my approach is not only to train the dog and its behaviour, but to also explain to the owner why the dog is doing what it is doing.

“People find it a huge relief when it is explained to them and I feel that helps to build a better bond between the two – about 80 per cent of my work is training people to help them train their dog.”

Ms Marney said she was very lucky to have a job that she loves and to have some amazing clients.

She added: “Dog training is very inclusive. I have clients from every walk of life who want better lives with their dogs. I love to be able to help them and see their progress.

“I want to thank everyone and tell them that I appreciate the fact they continue to support me in what I do.

“My newer clients have come from recommendations ... what better compliment can you have than that?”