Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about you and your dogs?
I’m Karen Maher, my company is called Maher & Hound Dog Training. I’m an IMDTB accredited Dog Behaviourist. I have 6 dogs. 2 Working Cocker Spaniels, Bonzo age 4 and Keith age 4 months, a ShihTzu, Mr Humphreys age 14 and 3 rescue dogs from Cyprus, Terriers Dolly age 13 and Melvin age 9 and Fred the Hound age 10.
What made you decide to start Maher and Hound? Is there a story behind the name?
The Hound in Maher & Hound is after Fred, my Hound, my greatest teacher. I’d always wanted to work with dogs, but I originally worked in London in Fashion PR for many years. I eventually swapped careers when I found out my favourite Aunt had terminal cancer, it was one of those ‘life’s too short’ moments. I resigned from my job in PR the same day I found out my Aunt was dying and decided to study to help dogs instead.
What type of services do you offer as a trainer?
I’m a behaviourist primarily. I work across many behaviour cases each day from Resource Guarding to Anxiety to Aggression / Reactivity to prey drive. I also have a Global Online Training Platform ‘Bonzo’s Happy Gundog Club’ with around 650-700 paying members worldwide focusing on meeting a dog’s needs, key training skills and enrichment.
We love seeing Bonzo and Keith together! Was it difficult adding a new member into your busy lifestyle?
Thank you, they are so much fun together. Keith is Bonzo’s nephew. To be honest adding another member was fairly easy as Keith comes from a very good breeder (Folkvang dogs - the same one as Bonzo) and she puts so much work in to the breeding and puppies, breeding for temperament and health primarily, she does a lot with them. Bonzo has been a brilliant guide and Uncle, Keith copies him a lot.
What would you say is Bonzo's favourite Paws@Brooklyn product?
Bonzo loves so many of them. The Speedy Dummy Balls, the Rabbit Balls and the half fur half canvas dummies in particular.
We'd like to congratulate you on your incredible achievement in extending your knowledge and expertise to overseas clients. What made you decide to set up Bonzo and Keith's training clubs?
Thank you. My business was fully booked up to 2-3 months ahead and I wanted to help more dogs, rather than have people wait, so if they need training help they can join Bonzo’s Happy Gundog Club fairly quickly.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to add?
Just a really big thank you to Paws@Brooklyn for supporting my business for so many years now, i'm very grateful.
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