How we've helped Game On Dogs

Skills Hub case study

Business overview

Launceston's Game On Dogs sees its work focus on a dog’s emotional response in real life situations. 

I will definitely now have a mix of online and face-to-face, and the past few months have really pushed me to get out to the online world, something that I had never previously done and something that has given me the chance to market my business beyond Cornwall.

Debbie Herron

How we helped

With over 35 years experience in the dog training caper, Debbie Herron has built her business on the back of a constant desire to never stop learning. When COVID-19 struck and Debbie’s business, Game On Dogs, was forced to temporarily shut its doors, Debbie got on the front foot and approached the Skills Hub for assistance in dealing with this new way of working.

“We had to completely stop our work when COVID hit. We have an indoor venue and an outdoor venue, and while I did start small groups in our outdoor venue at the start of July I contacted the Skills Hub as I really needed help with re-opening after the break,” she said.

Game On Dogs and its training program recognises that a dog’s behaviour is driven by emotion, so the focus is to change the dog’s emotional response in real life situations.

“It’s still a new concept, as we train the emotion behind a dog’s behaviour. We try and play games that help with the anxiety and frustration, instead of the dog simply barking,” Debbie said.

With her work traditionally relying heavily on face-to-face interaction with her clients and their pets, Debbie has pivoted to using the online world to share her training tips and courses.

“We’ve gone online and are doing a lot of dog training via Zoom. We have videos up as well, so clients go online and watch the videos and if they have any questions they are contacting us to discuss this further via Zoom. Clients have really come on board with the online training as they realise they can train their dog in their own lounge room,” she said.

Debbie remains upbeat about the future, and can see her business expanding beyond the boundaries of Cornwall thanks to her use of digital platforms.

“I will definitely now have a mix of online and face-to-face, and the past few months have really pushed me to get out to the online world, something that I had never previously done and something that has given me the chance to market my business beyond Cornwall,” she said.

With the Skills Hub assisting Debbie to improve her website and digital skills, as well the legalities of opening up her business and having it COVID-safe, she couldn’t be more complimentary of the service she received.

“I was speaking with somebody the other day and they were struggling with something, so I said straight away that they need to go and speak with the Skills Hub,” Debbie said.

Game On Dogs

 

 

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The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub from October 2017 - June 2023 was part funded by the European Social Fund and match funded by Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. The project  received £2,885,993 of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.

Business name Game On Dogs
Website https://www.gameondogs.co.uk/
Contact number 07925 958977
Contact email [email protected]
Game On Dogs
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I was speaking with somebody the other day and they were struggling with something, so I said straight away that they need to go and speak with the Skills Hub.