Ingrid Grayling: New chapter for Bovey Tracey dog trainer after 35 years in the fields

A Bovey Tracey dog trainer and behaviourist with more than three decades of experience has agreed a book deal, with her first training manual set to be published later this year.

Ingrid Grayling, who now lives and works in South Devon, has signed with Pegasus Publishing House following years of developing her own approach to dog training. 

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Her work has attracted a wide range of clients, from high-profile owners such as Martin Clunes, to hundreds of different families and dog owners across the country.

Ms Grayling has worked as a professional dog trainer for more than 35 years, previously running a boarding kennel and dog training school in Cumbria before relocating to Devon in 2016.

Ingrid spoke to The Moorlander about her background, the book and what comes next.

“Dogs have been at the centre of my life and work for as long as I can remember” she said. 

“Over the years, I have always dreamed of writing a book to support and complement my training methods beyond in-person sessions.”

The book has been developed over several years and is intended as a practical, easy-to-follow training manual, based on her experience working with hundreds of dogs and their owners.

“I wanted something that people could refer back to after training sessions had finished, or use on its own,” she said. “That dream is now becoming a reality.”

ABOVE: The behaviourist’s first training manual is due to be published later this year (Image: Ingrid Grayling)

Early readers have responded positively after reviewing draft versions of the book.

“I shared it with a handful of good clients, and the feedback has been really encouraging,” Ms Grayling said. 

“They found it easy to follow, clearly laid out and said it explained the training methods simply and effectively.”

She added that readers particularly liked the hand-drawn illustrations, which are designed to clearly demonstrate techniques and exercises.

The book is currently in production and is due to be released this summer. 

Ms Grayling plans to promote it while attending several country shows, including Chagford Show and Christow Show, where she will be exhibiting and selling copies.

The book will also be available through local independent bookshops and online retailers, including Amazon, with further details to be confirmed by the publisher.

At present, Ms Grayling says she has no immediate plans for further books.

“Let’s see how the first one goes,” she said. “You never know.”

Ms Grayling runs dog training courses from two locations in South Devon, in the Teign Valley 

and Yealmpton, and more information about her work and the book will be published on her website over the coming months.