A. With a BSc (Hons) Zoology, focusing on animal behaviour, physiology and genetics, and a wealth of experience from training my own dogs and many fosters to overcome problematic behaviours including dog reactivity, car chasing, severe separation anxiety, and redirection from over arousal to name a few, means not only can I problem solve many behaviours, I can empathise and understand the stresses and safety concerns caused by problematic behaviours in everyday life.
Working at a general pet dog obedience training centre, training and rehoming a vast number of fosters to the Police, HMP, Security & sport homes, alongside sport training for my own dogs in Scentwork, Mantrailing, Working Trials, and now Mondioring with my two Malinois, means I have a great range of experience of training many behaviours in a variety of dogs, with tried and tested methods. The vast experience I have gained both in qualifications and hands on experience training dogs, as well as teaching overseas has given me a unique skill set to help you and your dog meet your training goals, whatever they may be!
A. I always knew I would work with animals in some way when I settled into a career path, and probably should have guessed it would be focused on dogs. I grew up with terriers and spaniels in the family, and spent many years working with animals, from stable assistant to kennel hand, shadowing trainers, and volunteering at rescue kennels, so dog training and behaviour became the natural path to take, following my passion.
Post university, I spent many years travelling and exploring the world, whilst teaching overseas. I came back to the UK due to a serious accident which left me with PTSD. This became a key moment in being where I am today. I rehomed a brindle staffy, Bella, who gave me a reason to get up every day and gave me Ghost (my heart dog). I took them for lots of walks for miles each day, did small bits of training but soon realised we needed some serious training due to their increased reactivity towards other dogs and Ghost’s severe separation anxiety, which had become more apparent as she aged.
This is where the real story begins; I approached multiple trainers and didn’t get the help I needed and felt like I was given a one size fits all method on more than one occasion. Alongside training my own dogs, I shadowed local trainers & behaviourists in exchange for free training, attended workshops and seminars countrywide, and began teaching puppy classes, obedience and agility foundations moving from dog walking & boarding, into full-time training.
A. I currently have six dogs – Bella, brindle Staffy, who is Ghost the white Staffy’s mum, Blitz my OAP German Shepherd, Joker my male Malinois, Envy my young female Malinois and Stanley, my rescue Sprocker. I often have a foster or two in, usually Malinois or herders with problematic behaviours that need addressing.
A. Relevant Qualifications (not limited to)
- BSc (Hons) Zoology and I began my MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour & Training in Sept 2020 (postponed currently until I have enough time to dedicate to finishing it).
- I have completed my NASDU L4 Explosives Detection Dog Handler course in July 2021
- I passed my NASDU L2 Security Dog Handler course in February 2022
- Currently enrolled in The School of Canine Science Behaviour Bible Course (hopefully to be accredited!)
- APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) Member
- Scentwork UK Instructor, Judge and Trials Manager
- Dogfit Certified Canicross Instructor
- National Nosework Association ORT Test Assessor
- Mantrailing UK Certified Instructor
- Licensed home boarding establishment
- plus lots more CPD undertaken each year
A. I formed Revolution K9 in March 2021, after several years of working for other training companies as an instructor, I decided that I wanted to grow my own brand, with an ethos of training the dog in front of you rather than a one size fits all method. That’s not to say, there isn’t a place for that type of training as many pet dogs bred for purpose suit that framework. However when you specialise in nose work, and see all kinds of breeds and work ethics / motivation levels, and specialise in more severe behavioural cases, and genetically driven, strong dogs like the herders and Malinois, you need to be able to adapt your methods, and often quickly, to ensure you get the desired results from your training, in a safe and ethical way.
A. I choose to focus primarily on Residential Dog Training, Online Coaching, Behaviour (reactivity & aggression), Scentwork, Mantrailing & Tracking but that doesn’t stop me providing training to dogs and handlers from all backgrounds. A few social sport sessions also pop up on the calendar such as Toss & Fetch league, as Revolution K9 run the Bedfordshire Disc Dog Team. Other offered training includes, but isn’t limited to, 1:1 training for all handler and dog abilities & behaviours, environmental training, ad-hoc classes and drop-in sessions for you to train your own behaviours that you need, around other dogs and likeminded people. I have found nose work to be an extremely beneficial addition to behavioural modification amongst my own dogs, and previous clients, giving dog’s a task to do with a natural ability of theirs.
A. As a trainer and behaviourist, I follow LIMA principles, and will always use the most positive route available for training, through play, food, and other rewards. I believe that a key component of building a long lasting and solid relationship with your dog, comes through play and understanding the appropriate reinforcement for your own dog. Build strong foundations, and you can achieve anything, but most importantly, train the dog in front of you.
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