Local dog trainer and her border collie shine at international dog agility competition after taking on the some of the best in the world.

A dog trainer and behaviourist from Yarcombe and her talented border collie have shone at an international agility competition after taking on the best in the world.

Helen Perryman represented Wales with her four-year-old dog Jinx in the World Dog Agility Open Competition in Belgium last week.

“It was our first international event and it was amazing to compete against the best in the world,” says Helen.

They came away with first place in the individual speed stakes and second place in the individual agility contest.

Trainers and dogs from across the world, including England, Wales, Italy, the United States and Australia, competed.

Helen, who grew up in Anglesey, North Wales, before moving to Honiton, was selected to represent the Welsh team with Jinx after the pair wowed the judges during the trial stages.

“I can’t wait to do it again,” added Helen. “Jinx has done extremely well and held her own and didn’t let me down.”

She said: “Just to be picked was enough but to come home with a first and second is more than we ever dreamt of.”

Helen runs Just Dogs South West agility and pet dog training club as a volunteer in Feniton and has been training dogs for more than 20 years.

Helen and Jinx hope to take part in the competition next year, which is being held in Spain.

But, for now, Jinx is having a well-deserved rest from training and will be enjoying nice long walks along the river.

Helen and Jinx have thanked everyone for their support especially those at the club who held a fund-raising quiz to pay for the Eurostar crossing - another first for Jinx.

l It was also a proud occasion for Payhembury dog trainer and behaviourist Sally Jones who helped coach the Italian team to medal winning success – winning a team gold and three individual golds, two silvers and a bronze.

Sally, who runs Dogs R Dogs, said: “It was one of the biggest adrenaline kicks of my life.” In her role as team coach, Sally provided training for the team and acted as a strategist and advisor. She would like to think that she is reversing the football trend of having Italian coaches in England and prefers to think of herself as a Mancini rather than a Capello.