A PET lover who self-taught himself how to improve his dog’s behaviour skills while recovering from a serious illness has started a new business to help other owners in the same shoes as he once was.
Nathan Wanklin has been a very busy man in recent weeks after he set up the brand new Dog House training organisation in Malvern at the start of the year.
And in its first few weeks, the business has started really well with Nathan’s daily tasks including helping owners’ dogs cope with their fears of going into cars, people wearing reflecting uniforms such as postmen and teaching them basic commands.
In 1992 Nathan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and to help keep him company at a worrying time he took a rescue dog – a springer spaniel called Ringo – under his wing.
As soon as Ringo was delivered into Nathan’s Malvern home he would tuck himself up behind the toilet in the bathroom everytime the door knocked because he was scared.
But after persevering and looking after him, Nathan made Ringo become a different dog who would go straight to him when called. He even, in a wonderful turnaround, started barking at the door when it was knocked.
After Ringo passed away, Nathan decided to bring another pet into his life, this time a springer pup called Tobi who proved a nightmare at first – eating parts of his lounge as well as the flooring and cupboard doors of his kitchen.
Something had to give for a frustrated Nathan who then did his research and after months of persistence managed to walk him in a different way and saw him improve in a number of ways.
Tobi’s improvements inspired Nathan to further his training skills even more and he has recently enrolled on a nationally recognised dog behaviour and training course to add academic muscle to his many years of experience.
As well as having a base in the town, Nathan is also happy to travel to help his clients out.
Speaking to The Observer, Nathan said he was loving life as a dog trainer and was glad he was helping putting smiles on people’s faces.
“Both of my dogs bred a passion within me to do this,” he said.
“It all started when I had Ringo.
“I was very poorly and was going to be off work for a couple months – it was the ideal time to make a new friend.
“I left my job in July last year and began preparing for the launch of my Dog House.
“We have a total of 21 flurry customers already in just a week and we are still growing fast.
“I have enjoyed it so much and have no regrets about leaving the job I had.
“To see people I’ve been able to help have a smile on their face makes me feel proud and I’m hoping it can continue.
“I, and most importantly the dogs, are enjoying every minute of it.”
“I just want to push on now and make this something I can take a wage for.”
A percentage of the profits made will go to the Dogs Trust charity and Nathan also plans to donate some of his ‘wage’ money to Diabetes UK.
Visit www.the-dog-house.info or www.facebook.com/thedoghousemalvern for more information.
