About Me
I have fostered and adopted a number of the dogs I've worked with over the years, including a very bouncy scent-hound who came to me with no recall and a love for running off into the distance whenever the opportunity presented itself; an adorable but equally grumpy Dachshund mix who suffered noise phobias and was reactive towards strangers, and a Podenco cross with separation anxiety. I understand how upsetting, worrying and frustrating behaviour issues can be.
I believe that a compassionate approach that looks at redirecting behaviour, offering your dog choice and reinforcing desirable behaviours through varied forms of reward (including play), helps to strengthen the bond between you and your dog. I am committed to the use of scientifically-proven, force free and reward-based methods, to help you and your dog live happily together.
I am a full training professional with the Pet Professional Guild, an association of force-free pet professionals and a professional member of the Dog Welfare Alliance. I am also a full member of the association of International Canine Behaviourists and a certified animal behaviourist with the International Companion Animal Network
(membership 234). Details of some of my most recent CPD can be found here.
Thank you for taking the time to visit the site and read about what I do. If you feel I might be the right person to help with your dog, I look forward to hearing from you.
I have always been passionate about dogs, and particularly interested in the welfare of dogs in rescue and their training once in a new home. I have volunteered for many years at rescues in Italy and Spain, and recently worked at an English charity as a Rehoming and Welfare Assistant. Through my work with rescued dogs, I have got to know a great many temperaments and personalities, from very shy and anxious dogs, to the big bouncy ones who don't know their own strength. I have experience training for basic obedience, recall and general manners, as well in the behaviour modification of more complex issues, such as separation anxiety, noise phobias and reactivity.
I started studying animal behaviour in 2011, with a Diploma in Animal Behaviour. In 2012 I decided to focus primarily on dog behaviour and behaviour modification and completed the Dog Behaviour Practitioner Diploma with the British College of Canine Studies. In order to complete this course, I had to pass a final practical exam, which involved being assessed whilst holding behavioural consultations. At the end of 2012, I completed the Compass Education and Training Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management (A.DipCBM) with distinction. I have a First-class BSc. (Hons.) degree in Applied Animal Behaviour with the Univerisity of Portsmouth and from 2016-2017, I lived in Barcelona completing a Masters in Animal Law at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.