My Story

Shandy, our mixed breed died on Christmas Day 1992

​

The following August I visited The National Canine Defence League (now Dogs Trust) looking for the first dog I would own as an adult.  It was there I started on what has become a long journey and my current career.

Cam came with problems, at around 6 months old he’d been found wandering the streets and had a leg problem. He’d had no training, didn’t know sit, how to walk on the lead or any of the things a dog needs to know to live in a family.  He was scared of everything. Most of all he had a big problem with men; aggressive behaviour was his way of keeping those he didn’t know at bay.  But underneath he was terrified.

 

I’d grew up in the Woodhouse era, choke chains and rolled up paper were the only ways I knew. But when you have a dog that screams in fear then runs and hides when you pick up a newspaper to read or a lead to go for a walk you need to look at alternatives.

 

Modern Force Free training was in its infancy and the local dog warden was offering classes using reward based training; she was studying and working with Robin Walker, John Fisher and Peter Neville.  This is how I discovered science based training.

 

I was able to book on straight away and joined in the new wave of training using groundbreaking teaching for both dogs and their owners as Karen Pryor was introducing Clicker Training to the dog world.  By the end of the 7 week course the training bug had bitten. I carried on to the next level and shortly after started to help run the lower level classes before taking responsibility for my own group of dogs and owners.  I also helped with some one to one aggression cases, with Kendal Shepherd and the dog warden, using myself and my dog as stooges.

 

I have attended many in person seminars, practical workshops and conferences and have the ISCP Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour (Degree level) as well as other qualifications in dog training and behaviour.   My dissertation was in the differentials in dog behaviour.

I am a member of various professional bodies, including INTODogs, ICAN (International Companion Animal Network), PPG (Pet Professional Guild) among others, as such I have to undergo a minimum of 40 hours a year of CPD and have montors such as Sarah Whitehead and Sarah Fisher.  I mentor peple wanting to become dog trainers or behaviourists, give talks, support unemployed people into employment and college students in their studies through work experience placements .

As a behaviourist I think that my strongest attribute lies in being able to look at things from the dog’s point of view and enabling guardians to understand why their dog may be behaving in a certain way that is not compatible with what they require from the dog and how to change the dog’s, and their own, behaviour to make life harmonious for the family.  I work on both vet and self referal basis.

I currently live with four Border Collies and have bred 2 litters.  My dogs are not just my companions but also work mates, they help with confidence giving for dogs who aren't sure, and with people who have dog phobia.   We also compete, having been to Crufts numerous times,  they also hold Kennel Club Good Citizen's certificates at various levels.