Changing the world, and paying taxes

I really do want to change the world, one relationship at a time.

And Well Connected Canine getting bigger is one way that I can help more people and more dogs.

It’s been a super exciting year already with a new venue, new classes and some new trainers joining the team too. We’re running practical interviews for class assistants this week (eleven of you want to help!) and you’ll see more new products in the class shop.

But as a larger company we have more responsibilities and that now includes being VAT registered.

Sadly the tax system isn’t very well designed for little businesses like us that provide services to people like you. We’re absorbing the increases in tax as much as we can, but sometimes our prices will have to go up.

I firmly believe that awesome relationships are built on honest communication, and careful support.

That’s as true for you and your dogs, as it is for my amazing team of trainers and behaviourists.

I don’t pay your dogs, or my dogs peanuts, and I don’t pay my lovely staff peanuts either.

I want everyone who works with you and me to feel rested, be able to take holidays, and give you their absolute best in every session.

So, some of our classes and workshops may cost a little more thanks largely to the government.

As a socialist at heart, I’m okay with paying tax. And I’m really excited that we’re big enough to need to pay VAT even though it stings a bit!

Thank you so much for trusting us with your dogs’ education and development. And thank you for helping to make WCC a bigger, happier company.

Classes are one of the things that have had to go up in cost. You know we keep the numbers really low (4-6 dogs attending) and we like to have at least one trainer plus an assistant for the sessions. We want you to get personalised attention, targeted feedback and see steady progress!

If you are interested in booking onto the Summer block of classes starting in July, go here:



If you are an experienced handler attending one of the Progressions classes at the moment but might miss sessions when you are on holiday, you can ask Laura about Pay As You Go (for the advanced classes only).

With slightly tender bruises (thanks to Laird + head collisions), less sleep than is ideal (emergency spey for Freya) but excited for the future

Morag

Here's how the bruises were looking earlier this week!

Recruiting for Scentworkers in Yorkshire – can you help?

Team Well Connected Canine were busy this weekend at The North East Dog Festival doing taster Talking Dogs Scentwork sessions. Between us (Clare, Sian and Morag, with Fi manning the stand) we ran an amazing 42 taster sessions.

That’s over 40 new teams who learned to love Scentwork with their dog plus everyone who took leaflets, came to my talks in the education tent or watched our amazing demos in the main ring!  All the money we raised will be donated to Jerry Green Dog Rescue (£84).

Terrifyingly, 2018 isn’t that far away and I’m trying to firm up our calendar of events. Scentwork is such a great way to have fun with your dog, and it’s an easy sport to try even at a busy show or event.

Our aim to get out and about more to local events around York and North Yorkshire. The Scentwork sessions are always popular and a great way to raise funds for local charities too.

I’d love to hear your suggestions for events that we can take our Scentwork demos and have-a-go sessions to next year – charity dog events, village shows, anything where there might be a bored dog just begging to be turned into a super sleuth! We only charge a small fee for each session, and it’s all donated back to charity.

Send me your ideas by commenting, or emailing me on morag@wellconnectedcanine.co.uk

Have a great week and try not to get blown away!

Morag and the collie girls

PS Clare and I can confidently report that my tent does fit 2 people and 5 dogs into it, in fact I think we could squeeze in another dog if we tried….