Darlington dog training school opens in Cockerton

Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson set up her new venture while undergoing gruelling treatment for bowel cancer, but was kept going by her “unshakable passion for helping dogs”.

PawFecter School for Dogs will officially open on Saturday, May 31, following Claire’s “tough and emotional journey” to get to this point.

The Pawfecter dog training school, in Cockerton, will officially open at the end of the month (Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)

The 54-year-old launched the business to give dogs a structured day of enrichment, complete with time dedicated for training, socialisation and rest.  

The Darlington school offers full days (8am – 6pm) or half-days, and Claire hopes to enrol up to six client dogs within the school, alongside four of her own.

Claire started dog training four years ago. Before this, she had owned a cleaning business for more than a decade and during that time it was a big dream of hers to create her own dog training place.

Last October, almost as soon as she decided to pursue this dream, the grandmother-of-three was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Before receiving her official diagnosis, she had been in pain for years from an unrelated illness. Determined to push through her illness, Claire underwent a rigorous 12-week chemotherapy plan which involved taking therapy tablets twice a day for two weeks.

Claire said her cancer diagnosis gave her an overpowering incentive to start her business. But she also acknowledged that sometimes starting her business at the same time as her chemotherapy treatment felt like an uphill battle.

“It’s intense to be honest, it does sort of knock you off your feet,” she said. “You feel sick, you can’t taste anything, you feel tired.

Claire’s cocker spaniel dogs, from left, Indie, Clover, Maisie and Lily (Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)

“And on top of that, I’ve been setting this school up. So I haven’t sat around twiddling my thumbs. I’ve just gotten on with life because I don’t want to sit and feel sorry for myself.”

Her partner of 28 years, Rupe Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson, was diagnosed with cancer in 2010.

She said: “I’ve been through the cancer journey with him and he’s come through the other side and he’s absolutely fine now, so I know that just because you’ve gone through cancer doesn’t mean that’s the end of the road.

“You’ve just got to get up and fight because that’s just how you get through things, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.”

Claire had her last intravenous chemotherapy session on May 9 and is set to take her final tablets today (Friday, May 23), just in time for the start of her business launch next week.

Claire pictured ringing the bell after her last intravenous chemotherapy session on May 9 (Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)

She said: “This new venture is more than just a business move. It represents strength, recovery, and an unshakable passion for helping dogs and their people.

“Over the past year, I’ve undergone cancer surgery and chemotherapy. It’s been a tough and emotional journey – but one that has inspired me to keep pushing forward and finally bring this long-standing dream to life.”

Finding a dog-friendly property for rent proved to be a difficult task, but in February, she managed to find one. Better still, the property is conveniently located next to an independently-run dog groomer’s and a pet shop. 

PawFecter School for Dogs day care set up (Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)

PawFecter School for Dogs will provide the cuddly creatures with engaging training sessions to build their life skills, alongside enrichment games involving scent work and interactive play.

In addition to the day school, Claire also runs group training classes to strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners.

The official opening ceremony will be performed at the school, on West Auckland Road in the Cockerton area of Darlington, by two members of the dog trainer school at 6pm on Saturday, May 31.