A Darlington dog trainer who opened her own school during cancer treatment is moving away after closing her business.
Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson launched PawFecter School for Dogs on West Auckland Road on May 31, 2025, before announcing she was leaving the North East after 30 years.
But the 54-year-old said PawFecter was not ending and promised to return to Darlington for one-to-one sessions with existing clients.
PawFecter School for Dogs (Image: PawFecter Dog Training)
In an update, Claire said: "As Rupert and I prepare to leave the North East after 30 years, I wanted to take a moment to talk about what this means for PawFecter Dog Training and, more importantly, for all of you who have been part of this journey with me."
She added: "Closing the doors to the School for Dogs was an incredibly emotional moment, but it was never the end of PawFecter. It was the beginning of a new chapter, one that allows me to take a step back, slow down a little and focus on continuing to learn, develop and deepen my knowledge of canine behaviour."
Claire launched the school to fulfil her long-held ambition to work with dogs after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Claire Devere-Whiteway, owner of Pawfecter dog training school in Darlington (Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)
The centre gave dogs structured days of training, socialisation and rest, while helping owners with puppies, adolescent dogs, behavioural problems and reactivity.
After celebrating the school’s first anniversary, Claire confirmed it would close on August 31, ending the premises’ short run.
She continued offering training and behavioural support through mobile sessions and now plans to grow PawFecter in Somerset and the South West.
She said: "For my existing clients and followers in the North East, I am not disappearing! I intend to return to the Darlington area every so often, to offer 1-2-1 training sessions and continue supporting the wonderful families who have been part of PawFecter."
A training centre for dogs (Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)
Looking ahead to her move, Claire added: "For those of you in Somerset and the South West, this is an opportunity to build something new. I'm looking forward to meeting new dogs and their humans, supporting families with training and behaviour challenges, and developing PawFecter in a new area."
Her training will continue to focus on understanding behaviour and rewarding good choices.
"One thing that will never change is my belief that dogs are not naughty, that behaviour always has a reason, and that understanding our dogs is the key to helping them," she said.
"My commitment to kind, force-free, reward-based training and supporting both ends of the lead remains at the heart of everything I do."
Claire admitted the move was uncertain but said it would help her deepen her knowledge and support more dogs and owners.
She said: "This move is exciting, daunting and, if I'm honest, utterly terrifying at times! But I truly believe that taking this step will allow me to grow, continue my education, become even more knowledgeable in the field I love and offer even better support to the dogs and families I work with."
Pawfecter dog training school in Darlington (Image: Claire Devere-Whiteway-Wilkinson)
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She thanked the community for its support and urged clients to follow PawFecter’s next chapter.
Claire added: "This isn't goodbye. It's a new chapter, a new adventure and an opportunity for PawFecter to grow in ways I may not even have imagined yet."
Before opening, Claire underwent cancer surgery and a 12-week chemotherapy course, completing her final intravenous treatment on May 9, 2025.