A Midlands-based dog trainer specialising in spaniels is celebrating five years in business this year with a client base that stretches around the world.
Hannah Antrobus’s business Pawsitively Pawsome Pups is based in Warwickshire but, thanks to the power of the internet, now has clients in a number of countries worldwide including Australia, Singapore and the US.
In five years, Hannah has trained over 250 dogs in person and, following the huge rise in popularity of the spaniel breed during the lockdowns, started helping owners online as well, supporting over 300 customers around the world via her Spaniel Inner Circle membership scheme.
During the pandemic she was on video calls for up to 30 hours a week, and she estimates she has spent around 10,000 hours training spaniels via Zoom. Last year had her work recognised with two Prestige awards, for Best Online Training and Best in Specialist Dog Training in Central England.
Hannah said: “Studies show that just four in 10 small businesses are trading after five years, so I’m really proud to have reached this milestone and for the business to be growing.
“Running a small business is hard. You work long hours, have to learn about accounts, marketing and social media but it’s rewarding too. I’ve become friends with clients and even been invited to weddings. I think my business has been a success because I listen to what people need and want and am relatable and honest about what life is really like as a spaniel owner.”
Hannah’s business grew out of her own experiences as a dog owner. She said: “My own dog Kobie had behavioural problems, he would bark at other dogs and people and had separation anxiety so I wanted to learn how to help him.
“I feel so fortunate to have been able to work with dogs and families all over the world. It’s so humbling to connect with people in places like America and Australia when this business started with me on my phone at the kitchen table as I’d wanted to help my own dog.”
