Lorna Templeton
I have always loved animals, especially dogs and horses. I got my first dog when I was 12; a lovely Labrador cross German Shepherd, who lived to the grand age of 17. I worked in boarding kennels where the lady bred and showed German Shepherds. This is where my love of that breed came from. Along with my parents, we bred and showed this fantastic breed for over 30 years, taking our home-bred boy, Brodie, to Crufts.
As well as dogs, I am passionate about horses. I have two; a Highland cross Arab, called Connon, who I bred and is 27 years old, and Frankie who is 12 years old and a pure bred Black Arab. I competed with Connon at endurance riding. We were picked for the Scottish team and did a 2-day 80km distance ride in the Wicklow hills in Ireland. We did many kilometres together and my proudest moment was finishing 2nd at the Scottish Championships where we did a 2-day, 180km (100 miles) ride. Connon is now happily retired and enjoys a quiet life.
I came to Tail-Talk in 2016 with my Labrador puppy, Sam. The training methods were totally new to me, all positive reinforcement training, which I soon found came with many benefits and was fun to do. We worked our way through all the classes. Later, Sam went on to help many dogs and their guardians. I then did some courses online and started helping Susan at the classes in 2018. I continued my studies and did many more courses. I then went to Edinburgh and completed my assessment with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT). In 2022, I became a qualified dog trainer.
To pursue my career at Tail Talk, I gave up my job of nearly 40 years as a confectioner in Ashers bakery in 2024. I wanted to follow my dream of helping dogs and their guardians, which I am very passionate about. Sadly, I lost Sam to cancer in 2024, which was devastating. It helps to know he left a long legacy from all the dogs and owners he helped with their own journey. I now have a super Labrador called Kol. I am working hard with him and learning even more as we work through his training.
I believe it is important to continue my professional development, and with IMDT I have already successfully completed courses and seminars covering behaviour, recall and loose lead, impulse control, exercise and canine body language. I completed a 2-day course on having a career as a dog trainer, as well as a Practical Instructors 4-day course. Always striving to increase my knowledge and understanding to help more dogs, I passed my Reactive Coach, Level 1 course with the Dog Trainer School. I am currently working on Level 2.
