Ellie's Animal Academy

Ellie's Animal Academy Animal behaviour and training - BSc (Hons)
Building Connections, Enriching Journeys, Transforming Hearts and Paws. �
Sharing my passion and journey.

Hi, I’m Ellie 👋🏼I’m the face behind Ellie’s Animal Academy, a dog trainer and pet care provider based in Great Bookham, ...
04/09/2026

Hi, I’m Ellie 👋🏼

I’m the face behind Ellie’s Animal Academy, a dog trainer and pet care provider based in Great Bookham, helping owners raise calm, confident dogs using kind, science based methods that actually work in the real world.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour & Training and I’m an Associate Member (ABT) of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. My work is rooted in understanding the why behind behaviour, not just trying to “fix” what we see on the surface. When you understand your dog properly, everything starts to make a lot more sense.

My approach is simple
Positive. Fear free. Science based.

That means no force, no intimidation, and no quick fixes. Instead, I focus on building clarity, consistency, and communication so your dog can make better choices, not just follow instructions. Whether that’s loose lead walking, recall, or navigating the world calmly, it all comes back to building the right foundations.

Alongside training, I also offer dog walking and pet care, all run with the same structured, welfare first mindset. My walks aren’t just about exercise, they’re about engagement, appropriate freedom, and helping dogs feel settled and fulfilled.

A lot of the dogs I work with aren’t “bad”, they’re just misunderstood, over aroused, or unsure how to cope in certain situations. That’s where I come in, helping you understand what’s going on and giving you a clear plan forward.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by advice, unsure where to start, or like your dog just isn’t “getting it”, you’re not alone.

Based in Great Bookham, covering surrounding areas 📍

Save this so you know where to find me when you’re ready 🐾

Tuesdays with Jade 🐶🐶
02/09/2026

Tuesdays with Jade 🐶🐶

Some cats need a little more than just the basics… and that’s exactly how I approach it 🐾I had the pleasure of looking a...
02/09/2026

Some cats need a little more than just the basics… and that’s exactly how I approach it 🐾

I had the pleasure of looking after Roxy, who made it very clear from the start that she enjoys attention, and lots of it. Making sure she felt settled, engaged, and properly fussed over was just as important as the day to day care.

Cat sitting is never one size fits all. Some cats prefer space, others want interaction, and it’s about reading that properly and responding to it, not forcing anything either way.

“Ellie was amazing. Roxy clearly adored her and she was expertly cared for. She even left the house immaculate.”

Looking after your home comes as part of the service too. You should be able to come back to everything exactly as you left it, along with a happy, relaxed cat.

When a cat like Roxy settles that well, it shows everything is being done right.

It’s too hot to walk today ☀️Hot weather isn’t just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous.Pavements can reach around 50°C a...
01/09/2026

It’s too hot to walk today ☀️

Hot weather isn’t just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous.

Pavements can reach around 50°C and above, which is enough to burn your dog’s paw pads. And it’s not always obvious just from the air temperature.

A simple check:
If you can’t hold your palm on the ground for 20 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.

But it’s not just the ground.

Heat sits close to the surface, so even when the sun starts to go down, the air temperature at your dog’s level can still be very high. That means evening walks aren’t always the safe option people think they are.

If it’s hot:
• Swap the walk for a short toilet break
• Focus on enrichment at home
• Let them rest somewhere cool

Dogs don’t need a walk every single day, but they do need you to make safe decisions for them.

Missing one walk won’t harm your dog. Heatstroke or burnt paws might.

Save this for the next warm day ☀️🐾

Happy bank holiday weekend everyone 🎉x
28/08/2026

Happy bank holiday weekend everyone 🎉x

What temperature actually means for your dog 🐾We often look at the weather and think “that’s fine for a walk”… but for d...
28/08/2026

What temperature actually means for your dog 🐾

We often look at the weather and think “that’s fine for a walk”… but for dogs, it’s not that simple.

Air temperature is a guide, not a rule. What really matters is how that temperature affects your dog in that moment.

Cold weather can impact:
• Smaller or short coated dogs
• Older dogs with joint stiffness
• Paw health on frosty or icy ground

As it warms up:
• Dogs fatigue faster
• Heat builds closer to the ground (right where they are)
• Recovery takes longer, even after the walk has ended

Once you move into the 20°C+ range, it’s no longer business as usual.

That’s where small changes make a big difference:
• Shorter, slower walks
• More sniffing, less distance
• Regular rest and shade
• Carrying water and managing intake properly

And at higher temperatures, choosing not to walk at all is often the safest option.

Your dog relies on you to make that call.

This isn’t about restricting them, it’s about adjusting to what they need so they can stay safe, comfortable, and able to cope.

Save this so you’ve always got a quick reference to go back to 🐾

Consistency makes all the difference, especially when visits become part of your dog’s routine 🐾I’ve been supporting Edd...
26/08/2026

Consistency makes all the difference, especially when visits become part of your dog’s routine 🐾

I’ve been supporting Eddie with regular evening drop ins over the past year, alongside a training walk, making sure he’s not just let out and fed, but properly engaged and settled each time.

Over time, that familiarity builds. Knowing the routine, understanding what he needs, and keeping things calm and predictable means he can fully relax during visits.

“Ellie fed and played with Eddie as well as taking him out for a toilet break and he was totally happy and relaxed during her visits. She kept us really well informed during each visit via WhatsApp updates. I would totally recommend Ellie and we will be using her again.”

Those updates aren’t just a nice extra, they’re part of the service. You should always know how your dog is doing while you’re away.

Long term support like this isn’t just about care, it’s about building trust, consistency, and making sure your dog feels comfortable every single time.

Heatstroke isn’t something to wait and see ⚠️🐾Once a dog or cat starts to struggle in the heat, things can escalate quic...
25/08/2026

Heatstroke isn’t something to wait and see ⚠️🐾

Once a dog or cat starts to struggle in the heat, things can escalate quickly.

Knowing what to do in that moment can make a real difference.

First, get them out of the heat immediately. Shade, indoors, or somewhere with airflow.

From there, start cooling straight away.

Current first aid guidance supports rapid cooling. Acting quickly is far more important than overthinking the exact method.

Use water over the body and focus on:
• The belly
• Paws
• Under the legs
• Areas with less fur

Cool water is ideal, but the priority is bringing body temperature down quickly.

Increase airflow where you can, a fan or breeze will help that cooling process.

Offer small amounts of water, but don’t let them gulp large amounts all at once.

And importantly, don’t stop cooling when you leave. Continue on the way to the vet.

Even if they seem to improve, heatstroke is always an emergency.

The earlier you act, the better the outcome.

Save this so you know what to do if you ever need it ⚠️🐾

Little moments like thisThere’s something about when a cat is this relaxed.Completely soft, upside down, fully settled i...
21/08/2026

Little moments like this

There’s something about when a cat is this relaxed.

Completely soft, upside down, fully settled into the moment without any hesitation. No tension, no holding back, just comfortable enough to be exactly as they are.

It’s easy to look at this and just see something cute, but this level of comfort doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s built over time.

Through consistency in how you interact with them.
Through respecting when they want space and when they want contact.
Through learning their preferences, rather than assuming them.

Cats don’t rush into this kind of relaxation. They choose it.

And not every cat will show it in the same way, or as often. Some are more reserved, some take longer, some keep things subtle.

Which is what makes these moments stand out when they do happen.

It’s not about doing anything special in that exact second, it’s everything that’s come before it.

The quiet, everyday interactions that tell them they’re safe.

And when they feel that, you see it.

Not just in moments like this, but in how they move, how they settle, and how they choose to be around you.

Just a small moment, but a really good one.

Address

Great Bookham

Telephone

+447724978743

Website

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