On 16 November, 2023, the organisers of the South West Tourism Awards announced their 2023 winners. These admirable businesses are the latest to demonstrate excellence in the tourism industry. Winners include Seaton Tramway, Raceworld Karting, and Devon Dogs.
Devon Dogs has won a Silver Experience of the Year Award for its Naughty But Nice Retreats. The Experience of the Year Award recognises businesses that offer memorable activities involving a high level of user participation.
The Naughty But Nice Retreats welcome dogs and their owners to an immersive training experience at Bowerland Cottages. This state-of-the-art training site in Devon is full of luxuries for both dogs and their owners.
Dogs use the 70-metre Astroturf arena and heated pool with a water treadmill, staying with their owners in a rustic countryside cottage. Some of these cottages come with hot tubs, and each boasts a scenic location amidst beautiful gardens and lakes.
The South West Tourism Awards judging process
An independent panel of industry leaders and previous winners judges the South West Tourism Awards. These judges assess each business’ award entry and online presence, including their website, social media, and reviews.
They also examine each business’ commitment to accessible, inclusive, ethical, responsible, and sustainable tourism. On top of this, judges visit some of the businesses, often unannounced, to get a first-hand impression of the experiences they offer.
Devon Dogs’ Award-Winning Naughty But Nice Retreats
Devon Dogs supports dogs who find it difficult to manage particular situations, people, or other dogs. These are often the dogs who lack confidence but appear confident to others because they bark or lunge.
These dogs may be unpredictable when out and about, with owners worrying about how they will behave. As a result, owners may avoid putting their dogs in some situations.
Devon Dogs created the Naughty But Nice Retreats to help these dogs reprogramme their responses to difficult stimuli. The retreats teach owners how to train their dogs effectively so they can overcome challenges like:
- Running to other dogs.
- Stopping during a walk and not wanting to carry on.
- Barking at noises.
- Pacing and watching for what might happen.
- Barking when on a lead, lunging, and growling.
- Jumping at strangers.
- Chasing people or animals.
- Not wanting to get into a vehicle and/or travel.
Devon Dogs’ experienced trainers encourage dogs to overcome these challenges in different environments. Dog owners become more familiar with their dog’s body language and try out several training strategies. They introduce their dogs to exciting games and motivate them using appropriate rewards. Dogs can play these games both at home and out and about. Training also involves working with Devon Dogs’ team of calm, confident dogs.
Rather than following the same advice, each dog owner receives personalised support for their dog’s individual needs. When they’ve finished their week-long retreat, all participants go home with a training plan to keep their progress up.
Learn more about Devon Dogs’ Naughty But Nice Retreats.
About Lauren Langman, Devon Dogs’ Owner
Lauren Langman is the training expert behind Devon Dogs and Bowerland Cottages. Her concept-focused dog training strategies centre on engaging games. She shows dog owners how to keep training fun and positive, offering rewards to celebrate good behaviour instead of withdrawing from or punishing dogs.
Lauren has always loved dogs. While studying at university, she ran weekend training sessions. Since then, she has developed revolutionary training programmes that dog owners worldwide benefit from. She secured the Bowerland Cottages training site on the television show Relocation Relocation. Now, her expert team offers several training retreats at this site.
Apart from the Naughty But Nice Retreat, these programmes include the Gundog, Games Extravaganza, Fitness and Tricks, Being a Better Dog Trainer, Scent Focused, New Year, Christmas Is Heaven in Devon, Obedience, Heelwork to Music, Adventure, Agility, and Super Spaniel Retreats.
Devon Dogs and Bowerland Cottages aside, Lauren Langman is an experienced, top agility competition winner. She has written four books that offer innovative advice on how to train dogs. She is also the co-founder of A-OK9, an all-natural dog supplement dog company that provides a holistic approach to your dog’s overall wellness with top-quality sourced ingredients. In addition, she co-hosts the Sexier Than a Squirrel Podcast, where she interviews experts about effective dog training techniques.
