Stafford Handling Training Day For Young Kennel Club Members

Forty Young Kennel Club (YKC) members are to be given a unique opportunity to boost their canine training skills by attending two special handling training days at the Birmingham National Dog Show on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May.

Taking place at the Pavilion at the Stafford Showground, the training days will be split into advanced members and members who are less experienced; with ten novice and ten advanced sessions being held on both days. The training days will offer members the opportunity to train their dogs in handling with experienced, senior YKC members Charlotte-Louise Page and Kyle Adams.

Charlotte has been showing dogs for the past twelve years. Her achievements include winning UK Junior Handler of The Year in 2010 and representing the UK in the International Junior Handling competition in 2011. Charlotte also won the YKC Handling Utility and Toy Semi-Finals at Crufts four times, the YKC Stakes Semi-Finals at Crufts six times, the YKC Stakes Finals at Crufts Overall twice and the Shaun McAlpine Outstanding Young Person of The Year award in 2016.

Kyle has been competing in handling for the past ten years. His top awards were winning the 17-24 years Gundog YKC Handling day in 2012, YKC Handler of the Year at Crufts in 2014 and Runner up YKC Handler of the Year in 2016. Kyle made up his first Pointer Champion in 2016.

Throughout the day, YKC members will be able to find out more about ring etiquette, showmanship presentation, basic control and pattern work and points of the dog. The day will end with a fun competition. The day is open to all members aged 6-24 years whether they are novice or experienced in both handling and the show ring.

Gerald King, YKC Chairman, said: “Our handling training days at the Birmingham National Dog Show are always extremely popular. They are a fantastic way for our young members to develop and improve their handling skills at any level, plus the sessions are a great way to make lifelong friends and form an even stronger bond with their dogs. Many thanks to Charlotte-Louise Page and Kyle Adams for taking the time to help develop the handling skills of our young members, we hope that everyone who attends enjoys the day.”

The session for beginners on Saturday 6th May is currently full, members may email the office to be added to the waiting list. Places are still available in the other sessions on both days but members are urged to apply as soon as possible as places go quickly. The day’s training costs £20 per YKC member, and members under 18 years old need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who will not be charged to attend. All applicants will be informed by email if they have secured a place.  

To find out more and to fill in an application form, please speak to the YKC team.