Joanne Perrott - FounderJOANNE PERROTT – FOUNDER 

 

I’m writing this blog after what has been one of my saddest and happiest days as the Founder of the LWDG.

Yesterday I was sent so many emails by members in response to an email I sent to our community… The replies were full of the stories of ladies who were too scared to ask for help with their working dog anymore.

After what can only be described as terror stories, where other women or men, or even ‘trainers’ had belittled them, these women have lost their self-confidence to a point where they felt that the shooting community isn’t a nice place to be. I can’t share their replies, but I wanted to share the email they responded to.

Whilst the replies contained horrific encounters these ladies had endured, all of them ended with huge appreciation and thanks for the ladies they had found in the LWDG, ladies who support them and encourage them.

We have a mantra that there is no such thing as a stupid question. So please, if you’re struggling, know we are here to help! And if you are reading this right now, and KNOW of someone who needs to read it, please send it to them so they know they are not alone!

To whoever reads this and needs to hear this right now…

Let us not beat around the bush. As some of you may know, I’m not a gun dog trainer. In fact, the Ladies Working Dog Group was created because I wanted to find support in learning how to train my dog as I was a totally pants newbie lol!

I’ve learnt a lot over the 5 years, but I still wouldn’t class myself as an expert, However, with the community, we have created I don’t feel I need to be an expert in order to help others.

In creating the LWDG, we have a community that helps ladies to become more confident and competent female working dog handlers, whilst also helping them build their self-confidence.

Today, I will be sharing why your voice in our community is important. If you’re a silent stalker right now (yeah, we see you lol!) we want to encourage you to get involved in our mission to help ladies laugh and learn throughout their dog training journey. We don’t want any poor lonely ladies trying to train a working dog alone with no help or support…

Yeah, I admit, that was slightly overdramatic! But I’m tugging on your heartstrings a bit, as I want you to feel your voice can, and should contribute to our community conversation.

Whether you have been a member for a day, or since the beginning, what you have to say matters to us. We are all learning from one another daily.

The thing is, dog handling is NOT suitable for everyone. It’s bloody hard that’s the truth.

But I know of so many ladies who were really interested in dogs and wanted to learn… but they never got anywhere because they did not feel like they should ask a question, or make a comment, they didn’t think they would ‘fit in’.

They were so put off by the attacks people undergo when asking ‘stupid questions’ in life, or on social media, that they decided that they didn’t want any part of it… and to be honest I don’t blame them.

Right at the start a met one or two ‘gentlemen’ who were quite vocal in their thoughts I shouldn’t be out working dogs…Had I not found all of you, I would have probably given up too.

After talking to dozens of our most successful customers, I have distilled the 3 main reasons why anyone would want to be part of our community. And it’s not what you imagine!

In fact, the reasons were so amazing we decided they should be part of our agreement with you.

We promise to always provide:

1. We will provide you with a safe, ladies-only community to ask questions about anything working dog related. No question will be silly and no negative criticism will be given to you.

2. We will support your learning journey by providing monthly learning videos created by experts in our field to help you grow your dog handling skills and your self-confidence, and by giving you access to a community of supportive, like-minded women.

3. We will provide you with resources and events to help you have fun and find friendships with other LWDG Members.

What about you? Do any of these resonate with you?

I want you to get real clear on your reason(s) behind why you want to be part of the LWDG. Let us not talk about superficial reasons. I want you to dig deep to truly figure out what you want to gain.

You may realise at the end of the day that our community isn’t for you, and that’s okay. But if you realise that the LWDG is something you are interested in being part of, we are here to walk this journey with you!

So let me know… what’s your personal WHY for wanting to be part of the LWDG?

Why are YOU interested in dog training? Why would YOU like to achieve results?

I truly don’t think that it’s a coincidence that you are here. Hit reply and let me know…

Much Love,

Jo xx

 

A tiny request: If you liked this post, please share this?

I know most people don’t share because they feel that communities don’t need their “tiny” social share. But here’s the truth…

I built this society piece by piece, one small share at a time. Then others joined, and they shared too and will continue to do so. So thank you so much for your support, our readers.

A share from you would seriously help a lot with the growth of this community.

Some great suggestions:
– Pin it!
– Share it to your personal profile + Facebook group
– Tweet it!

It won’t take more than 10 seconds of your time. The share buttons are right here. Sharing is caring as they say, so lets show the ladies out there working dogs that we do care and we are here for them.