Through my work with Petwatch, I met a wonderful lady called CC Guard, who, in her lifetime to date has had an amazing career with her own dogs & training others. I began assisting in CC’s classes in Midhurst in 2002 & also joined in with Puck my Duck Tolling Retriever. It was through CC & the APDT that I learnt about COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology) tutored by Professor Peter Neville, Sarah Whitehead, Val Strong & Robert Falconer. I feel honoured to be part of such a forward thinking group of Animal Behaviour Consultants. I am a COAPE Practitioner & hold my Level 5 in Behaviour & Training. I have been assessed by the APDT & have met a high standard of teaching skills & understanding. Education & CPD are very important. I am a VSPDT - Victoria Stilwell Professional Dog Trainer
A CBATI - Certified Behaviour Adjustment Training Instructor. It is integral to everything I do. Grisha Stewart is one of our very best. grishastewart.com
I am a Dog Yoga Instructor - Jo-Rosie Haffenden (part of Canine Science Team)
Diploma in Canine Applied Zoopharmacognosy -Caroline Ingraham. I have just completed the first stage of my City & Guilds Qualification with UKCSD (2020)
My Qualifications to date are:
Canine Management at Brinsbury College - 1996
Dog Grooming at Brinsbury College -
Think Dog!’ - SW
Think Dog Advanced!’ - SW
Think Dog Practical Course - SW
Training for the Future-an Intermediate Award in Puppy Class Instruction - SW
Advanced Diploma in Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour & Training DipCABT – COAPE
Level 5 Behaviour & Training - COAPE
Advanced Pharmacology – COAPE
Clicker Certification-CAP 1 & CAP 2 Distinction - Kay Lawrence at Wagmore Barn
I have attended Seminars including Jean Donaldson - 2005, Dr Ian Dunbar - 2007, Lisa Clifton Bumpass-Biology of Aggression - 2008, Kay Lawrence - Puppy Seminar 2008, Puppy Culture, Clicker Expo (quite a few!), Magical 'Woof' - 4/5 day Conference with my lovely colleague & friend Chirag Patel. So many day w/shops & weekend w/shops for annual CPD. New concepts, theories & handling techniques are often changing or another idea added to the pot! Behaviour & Training go together like Ying & Yang & I never stop learning & I will always know which course I am challenging next! All the training that I do is based on kind & unpressured learning for the animal & the handler/caregiver. With a definite understanding of the specific learners ability & skill set & how they are feeling about the whole learning process in the immediate moment. Self Management/Emotional skills & Life Skills are pretty crucial to a life of equilibrium. Marker Training for the puppies & dogs that I work with allows clear, very precise learning. Allowing the handler to communicate to the dog or other animal very clearly & accurately, marking a movement or helping to shape a desired behaviour at a pace that they are able to cope with. A training marker says ‘Yes’ to a dog & ‘Yes’ is paired with Happy Emotions & Happy Emotions release Happy chemicals in the brain that create a confident & very happy canine. Its a clear line of communication. Training is a game for a dog, they do not know what we wish to achieve, they just have fun! Connection & Communication is the key x
