Understanding the Family Dog
If you live alone or in a busy home, your dog is one of the family. I can help you train your dog to fit in with your family
I was that child who used to collect dog books and begged for a dog. I never got over it. I’m now lucky enough to work with dogs but I’m finding I also love working with people.
Professional Accreditation
I train using modern, reward-based methods based on the science of Learning Theory. I will help you to understand how your dog learns and how you can use that knowledge to train your dog and build a great relationship.
I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (member number 01409), which means I’ve passed their assessment and agree to abide by their code of conduct. The APDT was established in 1995 to “promote training skills that promote the welfare of dogs and improve the competence of owners” and they aim to offer pet dog owners a guarantee of quality when looking for a trainer. Find out more at: apdt.co.uk.
Individual Appraoch
After years of teaching training classes, I'm convinced that one to one training is the best way to help you to get the best out of your dog. Training is tailored to your needs and we work at your dog's pace.
About Me
I’ve had my own dogs for 25 years and lived with five puppies during that time so I know how it feels to live day to day with a puppy, and worse – an adolescent! I studied dog training in 2007 while working in a very different job. I then spent several years helping in puppy and adult classes to get hands-on experience with numerous dogs and their owners. in 2012 I started using that experience to work one to one with puppy owners on a small scale, finding clients purely through personal recommendations. In 2017 I joined Dogs Trust Dog School Edinburgh as their Senior Coach, teaching classes for puppies, adolescent and adult dogs. Since then I have built my one to one training business,
I know not everyone wants to be a dog geek; maybe you just want to enjoy having a dog as a member of your family. And that’s where my passion really lies; I love helping people to understand their dogs and enjoy them. My experience with my own dogs, as a one to one trainer and as a class teacher means that I really do understand the family dog. People often say to me “it’s me who needs trained, not the dog”, and they’re right! I can help you learn how to train your dog by giving you clear, specific training exercises to practice. I know how busy modern life can be so I will also help you understand how to fit training into your day to day life.
Training to Meet Your Needs
Puppy Training
A Bit of 'Fine Tuning'?
Puppy Training
I love working with puppies! Not just because they are cute but because I really believe that prevention is better (easier!) than cure when it comes to those ‘problem behaviours’ we sometimes see in adult dogs.
I really enjoy helping people see some of the amazing things their puppy is capable of learning. Then I can show them how to turn their puppy into an adult dog that’s a pleasure to live with. Over the years, I have worked with many people and their puppies and learned so much about how every puppy is different, and how none of them conform to what the puppy books say!
I can help you get your puppy off to the best start with a block of tailored lessons in your home.
Working one to one means we can start as soon as you like, to cover all the basics such as biting and toilet training. And don't worry about missing out on socialisation - we cover that too!
Adolescents
A Bit of 'Fine Tuning'?
Puppy Training
Maybe you sailed through the puppy stage and training seemed like a breeze. Then one day you had an adolescent dog and everything was forgotten; no one told you that dogs become teenagers too!
Perhaps you just want to build on what you have learned so far and keep practising. Or maybe you just need to improve on one or two behaviours? Whatever your training needs for your adolescent, I can help.
A Bit of 'Fine Tuning'?
A Bit of 'Fine Tuning'?
A Bit of 'Fine Tuning'?
Perhaps your dog has a wonderful recall but pulls on the lead? Or he walks nicely by your side but plays very rough and won’t release a toy? If you need to work on only one or two behaviours with your adult dog, then booking a few one to one training sessions could be the answer. This allows you to choose the few things you really want to develop and to work at your dog’s pace.
Often the things we see as 'problem' behaviours in a human world are normal dog behaviours.. Let me show you how to teach your dog to choose alternative behaviours.