Credentials - dog trainer

• ThinkDog!, Canine Body Language and Facial Expression, 2021
• ThinkDog! L2 Accredited, Canine Training and Behaviour, 2021
• PDTI Member, 2021
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Awareness course (British Assessment Bureau, 2020)
• Signatory to The Registration Council for Dog Training and Behaviour Practitioners, 2019
• Dog Training Instructor course, 6 workshops (Reality Dog Training, 2019)
• Puppy Foundation, Bronze, Silver and Gold of the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme (Reality Dog Training, 2018 - 2019)
• Canine First Aid certificate (Dog First Aid, 2018)
• Grade One, Gun Dog Club (Lead and Listen, 2018)

The photo on the left is of me, Maeve, and my dog, Buster, at the top of Scafell Pike - the highest peak in England! Since I bought him as a 9 week old puppy, we have been on quite a journey of discovery and learning. I discovered that raising a puppy, and training it to be a "good dog", was not a piece of cake. In fact, it was quite lumpy at times and some bits didn't taste very nice! I went through the ups and downs that most pet-parents go through and, thanks to some expert advice and a resilient dog, emerged on the other side with an understanding of how to train dogs using positive, motivational techniques, and how to create happy partnerships between owners and their dogs. In 2018, I started my own dog walking business as the first step towards becoming a dog trainer and a canine behaviourist; and I began volunteering as an Assistant Instructor at a local Kennel Club dog training class. And now, I'm running my own puppy classes in Teddington, helping to train the owners of puppies and adolescent dogs. I also do private work as a canine behaviourist and visit people in their homes, which is especially helpful when they need help with challenging dog behaviour. I have a particular interest in gun dog breeds and I seem to be drawn to dogs that are finding it difficult to live within social constructs. I'm also interested in ethnocynology (or "canine anthropology") and how our relationship with dogs has evolved and is still evolving to adapt to modern society.

The pretty labradoodle in the top photo is Florrie, my first client.