Rotorua dog trainer has dream of being a shepherd

Rotorua woman Chelsea Marriner with five of her trained dogs (from left) Shift, Flash, Spy, Quest...
Rotorua woman Chelsea Marriner with five of her trained dogs (from left) Shift, Flash, Spy, Quest, and Bree at the Southern Field Days in Waimumu yesterday.
Flash shows off her dance moves. Photos by Helena de Reus.
Flash shows off her dance moves. Photos by Helena de Reus.

Rotorua woman Chelsea Marriner's life has gone to the dogs, and she would have it no other way.

The 22-year-old, who owns 10 dogs and has her own dog training business, was at the Southern Field Days near Gore this week.

She has been training dogs for nearly 15 years, holding her first demonstration with heading dog Brodi when she was 8 years old.

Her dogs are all bred as farm dogs, and take two and a-half years to train from a puppy to a ''good standard.''

While her ''ultimate dream'' was to be a shepherd, she loved training her dogs and teaching others how to train their canine companions.

''They would rather work stock than do anything else.''

''They are really smart, and quick to learn. They are full of energy, and get quite excited when performing.''

Miss Marriner jumped at the opportunity to take part in Southern Field Days, performing under her ''Dogmatic'' banner.

Her trip south had only increased her desire to take up shepherding, she told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.

''Driving down here we passed all the beautiful open spaces ... the farmland.''

At the last national agility competitions, Miss Marriner ran seven dogs, which made for a busy day, she said.

''I'd rather be in a rush than doing nothing.''

The second-oldest of her dogs, Quest (11), became national agility grand champion before he recently retired from competitions.

And the key to well-trained dogs?

''Consistency and exercise. If you are consistent, and keep them exercised, they are happy.''

Miss Marriner and her dogs will be performing at Dunedin schools over the next month, and will also be at the Upper Clutha and Southland A&P Shows.

- helena.dereus@odt.co.nz

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