I’ve always loved dogs & when I was a keen 15 year old I volunteered at a local breeding kennels.  When I left school I went to work there full time and was the kennel manager by the time I was 18.  I had a passion for training from day one and was like a human sponge, absorbing every bit of information I could.

The kennels offered a boarding service where the dog could be trained whilst in boarding.  They had a permanent trainer that they used for this and she became the person that I thought I would look up to.  However, the more I watched her, the more I felt uncomfortable with her techniques.  But it wasn’t until I began working full time at the kennels that I really saw the full extent of this woman’s methods. 

This so called role model used every barbaric trick in the book to get the dog to do what she asked. The problem was, she got results, which is what the owners saw. What they didn’t see was that the dogs were completely terrified of her. The final straw came when I saw her training a Labrador to heel using a choke chain.  She had the chain so far up the dog’s neck that it was actually over one of his ears and literally choking him.  The dog was dancing on his toes just to try and loosen the chain.  I marched straight down to the owner of the kennels and made her watch.  Needless to say, she was fired on the spot and the role of trainer was handed over to me. 

I knew that I didn’t want to train dogs using those techniques and just knew that there had to be another way. From that day on I tried and tested different kind techniques.  Some of them worked, some of them didn’t, but the end result was my own unique style that neither harmed, upset or frightened the dog.   Over the years my methods have evolved to keep up with new training tools and ideas but the basic theory has always remained the same.  Positive, reward based fun.

My qualifications came about when I was 22 and couldn’t afford to live on a kennel maid’s wage anymore (even kennel manager’s get paid peanuts!).  First I took an Instructor’s Certificate, which I passed with a credit.  This qualification allows me to teach YOU to teach your dog.  My second qualification was an Advanced Canine Psychology Course, which I passed with a distinction.

My hands on experience combined with my qualifications means I’m a trainer, behaviourist and instructor all rolled into one; a boast that not many dog trainers are lucky enough to have.  So remember, the age or breed of a dog, whilst having a small effect, does not make them un-trainable or unchangeable.  Whether its behaviour problems, obedience training or just good old fashioned manners, they just need the right technique and motivation using with them.  Trust me, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!

K9 Solutions offers an across the board service, from behaviour problems, to training packages, instructing, puppy advice, group training classes, dog walking service, and more.