Dog trainer Ashleigh Butler on the joy of teaching dogs and their owners, how the pandemic inspired her to write her first book, and her plans for the future. Andrea McHugh reports.

Ashleigh says her dogs are brilliant and really helped her to get through the pandemic lockdowns.

Image: John Walton, Alamy Stock Photo; www.alamy.com

Ashleigh and Pudsey performing in the parade ring at the Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse in 2012.

“My mum taught me everything I know about dog training.”

It is hard to believe that almost 10 years have passed since Ashleigh Butler and her beloved cross-breed, Pudsey, shot to fame as winners of the hit ITV show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.

Ashleigh was just 16 years old when she auditioned for the show, and each week wowed Simon Cowell and the judges, as well as the general public, with Pudsey’s amazing tricks, before being crowned as champions in 2012.

Much has happened since those heady days, including the sad loss of Pudsey to acute leukaemia, and the tragic loss in 2019 of Ashleigh’s mum, Penny. However, Ashleigh has proved herself to be a resilient and determined young woman, facing and overcoming all challenges, while remaining incredibly grateful that she is able to make a living from dog training, TV and film work, and compete at the highest level of agility.