Meet the Dogaholics Team
Jade Brooks - Co Owner
Jade started out Dogaholics Dog Walking in June 2018 with the help of another walker within Wittering, she had experience with dogs of many shapes and sizes and owned a rescue Alsatian x Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tibetan Mastiff at the time. The Alsatian was dog aggressive and at 40kg required a lot of patience and training.
After realising there was a need for a walker willing to take larger and reactive breeds Jade began to work with reactive and challenging dogs, (this would include aggression to cars, people, dogs, anything needed).
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What dogs do you currently own?
Tibetan Mastiff
Rottweiller x Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Bulldog
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Qualifications: Canine First Aid , IMDT Canine Aggression and Rehabilitation, Level 3 Canine Psychology, Level 3 Canine Behaviour Management
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Currently Studying: Canine Behaviour to Level 4, 5, 6
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Future plans: Finish Level 6 so she can become a certified Clinical Canine Behaviourist and help more dogs with behaviour based issues, then continue to complete KAD course and become qualified to help Kids Around Dogs. Eventually she would love to offer free behaviour work with kennels
Wayne Downs - Co Owner
Wayne joined Dogaholics in July 2018 as a contractor, finally becoming a Co-owner in July 2019. Wayne has previously owned a wide range of dog's from different backgrounds including adoptions from home break downs, Animal Shelters, Home rescues etc.
Wayne joined Dogaholics as the need for more walkers arose and more dogs were being rescued with behavioural challenges or lack of training and the owners being unable to see where the next step was.
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What dogs do you currently own?
Old English Mastiff
Spanish Podenco
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Qualifications: Canine First Aid , Level 3 Canine Psychology, IMDT Intensive Dog Training, IMDT 1 Day Canine Aggression and Rehabilitation, Puppy Training Diploma
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Currently Studying: IMDT varying courses
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Future plans: Complete and continue ongoing training through IMDT, to help with any training needs that may arise, focusing mainly on puppies but expanding further to adolescent dogs and more.
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Dani De Cono - Supervisor
I started working for Dogaholics end of October 2022. I love working for Dogaholics because I love and adore all dogs. My experience is having my first pup border collie cross Labrador when I was 18. We did agility courses and had some good adventures together. I'm now a rescue Husky mum that had abandonment and trust issues.She's now a happy 8 year old pup. I worked in kennels for a year where my exposure to different breeds helped me learn how to adapt to their different personality so that I can provide the best possible care. My aim is to do some courses with Dogaholics to better my knowledge to help me be a better dog walker. My dream goal is to open doghome boarding.
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What dogs do you currently own?
Husky
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Qualification: Canine Behaviour Training Diploma, Canine first Aid
I’ve always said I’m more of a dog person than a people person which is why I love working for Dogaholics so much. From a 15 minute stay & play to an hours walk, I enjoy it all! I have two fur babies myself: a 12 year old Jack Russel called Ruby and a 6 year old rescue poodle mix pup called Roger. Roger was 10 months old when I took him home with me so he had quite a few bad traits already engrained in him from his traumatic start to life. I’ve loved training him and seeing how far he’s come now is amazing.
Jenny Smith
I began my adventure with Dogaholics in may 2023, I had been looking for a while to find a job where I wouldn’t be stuck inside all day and I finally found it! Getting to stay active and spend time with beautiful dogs, who could say no to that! I’ve been around dogs my entire life and genuinely feel at my happiest when there’s a dog involved. I’ve also gained experience with dog-sitting previously. Since I started at Dogaholics I’ve learned an incredible amount from Jade, Wayne and all the walkers and going forwards I would love to continue learning and earn some of my own qualifications. I don’t currently have my own dog but that’s one of the best things about working with dogs, I’ll never be short of dogs to give my attention to. I genuinely love coming to work everyday and seeing the wagging tails and happy faces of your four legged friends!
Lauren Polkey
I started working for Dogaholics in November of 2023. I grew up with dogs (a Labrador and a Golden Retriever Akita cross) but I currently don’t have my own, so when I saw Jade and Wayne advertising for another walker to join their team I absolutely jumped at the chance. A walk isn’t the same without a dog so working for Dogaholics means I get to enjoy the fresh air whilst spending time with all the lovely doggies. Thanks to Jade and Wayne I’ve learnt so much about dog behaviour, it’s fascinating and being able to help enrich the lives of our four legged friends is extremely fulfilling.
