A Darlington dog trainer who realised a long-standing dream by opening her own school as she underwent cancer treatment has announced it will close its doors after a year.
Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson launched PawFecter School for Dogs on West Auckland Road, Darlington, on May 31, 2025, following what she described as a “tough and emotional journey”.
The 54-year-old had set up the venture while undergoing treatment for bowel cancer, but said her “unshakable passion for helping dogs” kept her going.
Claire Devere-Whiteway, owner of Pawfecter dog training school in Darlington
(Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)
The school was created to give dogs a structured day of enrichment, with dedicated time for training, socialisation and rest.
Claire and PawFecter recently celebrated the school’s first year. The centre has helped with puppy training, adolescent dogs, behaviour support and reactivity training since opening.
But now, after just over a year in business, Claire has confirmed PawFecter School for Dogs will close on August 31.
In an emotional update, she said: “After a lot of thought, emotion and some very difficult decisions, I can now confirm that PawFecter School for Dogs will officially close its doors on August 31.”
PawFecter School for Dogs
(Image: PawFecter Dog Training)
“This is incredibly emotional for me.
“The school has been such a huge part of my life. It has been the place where so many puppies took their first steps, where nervous dogs found confidence, where families learned to understand their dogs and where I have met so many incredible people.”
The grandmother-of-three had begun dog training four years before opening PawFecter, but was diagnosed with cancer just as she decided to pursue her ambition.
Despite the physical and emotional challenges, she went ahead with the school and opened its doors last year.
Now, while the physical school is closing, Claire has made clear she is not giving up on the work she loves.
PawFecter School for Dogs
(Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)
She said: “But PawFecter is so much more than the school.
“It is the relationships I’ve built, the dogs I’ve had the privilege of helping, the families I’ve supported and, most importantly, the work I am so passionate about.
“So while the physical school is closing, I’m not walking away from the work I love.”
Claire already has puppy classes planned for September,and she will wrk as a mobile trainer throughout September, continuing to offer one-to-one training and behaviour support by travelling to clients.
Claire said there were “more changes to come”, although she was not yet ready to reveal what they would be.
“There is definitely a new chapter ahead,” she said, “but at the moment I’m taking things month by month while I work through everything and allow things to fall into place naturally.
“I want to say the biggest thank you to every person who has supported PawFecter over the years, and especially my school for dogs. It has for sure been one of the most amazing achievements i have been able to experience.
“You have all played a part in my journey.”
Pawfecter dog training school in Darlington
(Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)
“Closing the school is the end of something very special, and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t incredibly hard.
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“But it is also the beginning of something new. I don’t know exactly what that looks like yet.
“And, for once, I’m learning that it’s okay not to have all the answers.”
"This isn’t goodbye. It’s simply the closing of one chapter.”
Claire added she now has a “permanent reminder” of the project with a tattoo of the Pawfecter logo.