From corgi’s to rottweilers!
Our logo has a corgi, Dalmatian and German Shepherd along with a heart. This encompasses our values that all dogs, big or small can learn through the use of kind, modern methods that are not rooted in fear or pain. We do not discriminate on a dog’s breed. While of course, some dogs have traits that are specific to their breed, it is a dogs environment genes and learning experience that can bring about their behaviour.

Yes. Some dogs may have special needs such as fear of sounds and certain sights so this will need to be taken into account when choosing the service.

I recommend anyone in your dogs family attends for consistency. The more the merrier!

St Albans and Harpenden. There is some petrol costs for areas further afield. We can work with anyone in the UK via our online service.

Here is a great description of the difference between training and behaviour from the book Stress and pheromonatherapy in small animal clinical behaviour / Daniel Mills, Maya Braem, Helen Zulch ‘The fundamental difference between training and behaviour therapy is that the latter is focused on altering the emotional responses of the individual while the former focuses on behaviour first and foremost. Therefore, training is appropriate where we
simply wish to encourage an animal to respond in a specific way to a specific cue, but behaviour therapy is necessary when we wish to control and change the animal’s reactivity.’ Training does not need a vet referral but we will ask questions about your dogs physical health as we don’t want to inadvertently exacerbate any pain if we suggest certain training techniques.

I would pass anything on that is out of my scope and all cases need to be taken upon vet referral to rule out any overt clinical pain.

One to one sessions may be the best option for this as group sessions are busy. If you have complete hearing loss, I can recommend a trainer who can help.

I use positive reinforcement and negative punishment. Positive reinforcement training has been shown to motivate animals to participate in training (Innes et al., 2008; Kogan et al., 2007) and secure the correct response (Innes et al., 2008). Food will be used as positive reinforcement and if the desired behaviour is not provided negative punishment will be utilised and the reinforcement will be withheld (so we simply do not deliver the treat. I d not used methods that are coercive or based on fear or force.

Great question!
Here are a list of my qualifications. I invest thousands of pounds and hundreds of hours studying with the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Vet studies. This is a prestigious university and the course is run by vets and behaviourists.
Here are my qualifications:
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (ongoing).
Professional Development Programme in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
Canine Coaching Diploma.
I have also shadowed different cases with behaviourists in person and online.

I am a candidate member of the Federation of Animal Behaviour clinicians an independent agency so you can speak to them if you are concerned about my conduct.

They have a strict application procedure and are an ABTC (Animal Behaviour Training Counsel) member.
As a member I follow a code of conduct. You can read that here: https://fabclinicians.org/code-of-conduct/

1. You book in a call with me and we have a good talk about what you and your dog are experiencing. During the 20 minute call I understand more about the behaviours your dog is showing and what you want to change. This is an enquiry call to find out more about the services you may like - that may be training or behaviour.

2. I send you the details about the package that I recommend.

3. If you decide to go ahead we begin! I work with you to resolve the issues or reduce them significantly. It's my goal to give you relief, peace and mind and help your dog feel happier and be safer.

During the consultation over the phone/zoom I take history and ask you questions about the challenges you’re facing with your dog. This may include pulling on the lead, barking, not coming back when called and picking up items.

Yes, I can visit you. Please note that depending on the area there may be petrol and time costs of £1 per mile each way (if you're 5 miles out of St Albans for example).

I am a coach so I guide you and teach you training skills that you complete with your dog. I will ask you if your dog has any allergies/ injuries/ worries around people – and the same for you!
I explain motivations for behaviour and things that you and your family may inadvertently be doing to reinforce the behaviour. This isn’t a blame/shame game! I am here to support and guide you and it’s a two way street. If you’re unsure why you’d use a particular technique or feel that you would not use it as it’s not right for your dog , I would love for you to tell me so we can make a plan together.
I will set up a Whatsapp group so that you can contact me between sessions.

After the first session I will send you three techniques to focus on then send a follow up report with videos and text within 72 hours.

Treats (that are right for your dog but I suggest little bits of cheese, chicken, hot dog), a toy, your dogs harness, and their lead.

They are not right for you if:

• You don’t have time to practice the training.
• You don’t communicate with family members what needs to be done and
everyone does different things.
• You are expecting training to work with out management (taking steps to make changes in the environment so your dog does not have the chance to practice a behaviour). For example, if you have had one session on learning to leave items then you leave a chicken on the side for your dog to grab it’s going to result in one thing – your dog enjoying a tasty dinner!
• You don’t set yourself up for success and leave treats around that you can take hold of to reward your dog for good behaviour

This is based on some really old research involving wolves.
9
It is not relevant to dog behaviour and families.
Dogs fair much better in co-operative relationships – fighting can be costly and cause injury. They will try and avoid it as much as possible.
Dominance is a by product of relationships rather than an inherent personality trait. If a dog learns that pushing ahead gets them where they want to go faster and they are able to do this (i.e if we walk behind them and don’t stop) then they will repeat this behaviour.

• Sessions with me.
• Follow up report.
• Sheets to monitor progress.
• A private Facebook group.
• A private whatsapp group – I’m in your pocket!
• A special gift!
• A framed certificate
• Training treats – unless your dog is on a special diet.

We can start as soon as you welcome your puppy into your heart and home or even before so you can set up their home and purchase the right equipment and choose the right breed. Lots of people get in touch about sleeping and how to help a puppy during those early nights, toilet training and how to stop shark teeth from ripping clothes!

Puppies miraculous brains are forming and habits and behaviour can easily become engrained.. practice makes perfect. By investing in training now, it means that you start things off on the right foot/paw(!). You can use the skills through yours and your puppy’s life. There is a plethora of information on the internet and it can be confusing and overwhelming to know what to do. My studies at University mean that I can provide you with the most up to date information.

Our one to one sessions provide bespoke individualised training and focus on what is important for you and your family and dog. The classes are a curriculum based session which you follow without individual focus on a specific problem.
I am available in between sessions for you to contact. A written report is created for you.

Yes of course if you are looking for help with recall, lead training and other basic training services.

With the correct training and treatment you can see results very quickly. However,behaviour can be dependent on a number of factors including genetics and mental health so changes may take time. I'm here to help and support you.