My journey into dog training has recently come full circle! A few years ago, I started volunteering at A Different Dog (I was a full-time primary school teacher, part-time for now), having faced multiple challenges with my own dog, Tala, in helping her I fell in love with dog training. This led me to VSA- I became a VSA graduate (with distinction) and was mentored at the company and now I proudly own it.

At A Different Dog, understanding both ends of the lead is paramount- my aim is to support guardians and their dogs on their journey, to build confidence where needed and develop a better understanding of dog body language- a key aspect of training. Plus, with my background in teaching I love to involve the whole family and encourage participation from children, in a safe manner. I take a lot of pride in seeing the development of potential future trainers.

I offer classes to dogs of all ages- after all learning doesn’t stop once dogs have grown up. The Puppy classes start with a mix of basic and key skills that are need for day-to-day life, these are built on in themed Teens/Adult classes with more focus on developing handler training skills plus further life skills for the dogs. My one-to-ones vary in duration and focus on a more tailored approach giving the guardians what they want and what the dogs’ need. These services are often provided in the home or in various locations depending on the training need presented. 

Recently, I developed a keen interest in dog physiology and gait analysis and the role that pain can play in behaviour- to that end, I am on route to become a certified practitioner to work in this field supporting guardians, dogs and vets with an in-depth analysis of the dog in motion and it’s posture- then presenting the evidence to the guardian and even supporting them at the vets if needed.

I never wish to stop learning; I am always looking at ways I can learn more so I can support my guardians and their dogs as much as possible (plus I love learning). Training is rarely linear and offering a kind, empathetic and non-judgmental approach is of the utmost importance to me.