Handler Profile - Ann and Stuart Harmes

Ann Harmes

Ann actually began training in Agility before Stuart with her first dog Mostly Moss - having started their introduction to dog training in Obedience. Moss took them to the dizzy heights of Advanced and won the NCDL and Crufts Singles titles before his career was cut short by injury. Noggin the Nog was Ann's second dog - who needs no introduction!

However, Noggin was soon to be taken on by Stuart upon the arrival of our daughter Nia. Ann now competes at Championship level with her own dog Noonoonog with a good degree of success!

Both Stuart and Ann compliment each other's handling and training styles, with Ann's more technical and analytical approach, and Stuarts’ motivational and positive handling strategies providing a unique winning combination!

Here’s what some of our students had to say:

"Stuart Harmes is quite unique as a trainer, his motivational style both as a handler and coach are so refreshing it has given me and my dog so much confidence and I am amazed at what we have now achieved since attending the training day’ thankyou!"

Ann has provided individualised training in the UK for the past 15 years, offering bespoke training days, seminars as far afield as South Africa, specialising in an individualised approach to training.

"I have been training with Ann Harmes at Camddwr for the last 5 years, her patience towards me as handler has helped me learn, and my confidence grow! Her attention to detail, and her problem solving ability make her one of the best in my view"

Camddwr Canine

Is situated in the most idyllic countryside set amongst rolling Clwydian hills and surrounded by the most amazing dog walking country.

Our Facilities: We provide quality facilities, the most up to date equipment including low contacts, rubber contact surfaces, training weaves wall and well… We train on a 20X40m purpose built sand school during the winter months and then on a larger immaculately kept flat grassed area during the Summer.

1/1 Tuition: Ann specialises in a truly individualised approach to training. This encompasses an analytical approach to the assessment of the dog and handler. To ensure that each partnership identify key areas of strength and weakness, a ‘tool box’ approach utilising many different handling styles and systems is used. Problem solving is key to this planned approach - setting achievable aims and actions for future work. We are happy to take young dogs for Pre Agility foundation work at 9 months of age.  Beginners are welcome once the dog has reached 12 months …competing dogs are taken from elementary level through to Advanced level. Our control and key contact training methods are very effective and we only use tried and tested methods that we believe to be achievable for both dog and handler. We believe in motivational training and handling and use a variety of re-inforcers and rewards such as toys, treats, target training and clicker work. At Camddwr we promote only positive reward based training and no harsh handling or training methods are endorsed or accepted during any of our training sessions. Lessons are generally 1 hour duration although we are most happy to discuss individual needs and will also train small groups by arrangement.

Training Evenings: Stuart runs training evenings during the summer and these are very popular and based upon motivational work and handling skill and techniques. These are limited to small groups of handlers and dogs.

Training Events: Camddwr Cainine will be hosting a programme of training events during the winter months, These will include some guest trainers and venues will vary according to the needs/size of the groups. More details will appear on the site shortly. If you would like more detail or would like to register your interest then please contact us.

Club Invitations: We are available to attend as guest trainers for clubs. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Fees: Please contact us to discuss costs

We have a new Retail Store here at Camddwr, alongside our bespoke Canine Hydrotherapy Facilities - we run regular therapy days with our visiting Canine Therapist Gail Baker who specialises in developing programmes for fitness and recovery in Sporting dogs, Why not ring to arrange a visit!

Camddwr Farm, Llanarmon Yn Ial, CH74QX.
Phone: 01824 780522
Visit us at www.camddwrcanine.co.uk

"The Harmes' agility dogs are all fed on CSJ Command Performance and Working Herbs and their performance and condition is a huge part of their success!"

UPDATE December 2013

Asked for an update, Ann told CSJ in December 2013 that their kennel now consists of 6 Collies and 1 Poodle.

Their most memorable success is “Winning Crufts and other major finals” and they have also been proud to “Compete at the World Agility Open for team Wales for the last 3 years.”

Ann added that they are now running their Canine Hydrotherapy pool at Camddwr, a training school and a busy online store plus trade stand that is very active throughout the year.

 Ann and Stuart sell CSJ products and say, “Dogs continue to look great and run fast.”