Qualifications

Learning & Development 

Always learning. Always evolving. 🐾

One of the most important things I've learned throughout my career is that dog training isn't something you ever finish learning.

When I first began studying dog behaviour and training, much of my education came through organisations and trainers working primarily within force-free and positive reinforcement approaches.

That education gave me a valuable foundation.

It taught me about reinforcement, canine body language, emotion, behaviour, welfare and the importance of understanding why a dog behaves the way they do rather than simply looking at the behaviour itself.

But as my practical experience grew and I began working with more dogs — particularly dogs presenting with more complex behaviours — my thinking began to evolve.

Becoming a More Open-Minded Trainer 

The more dogs I worked with, the more I realised that I didn't want to restrict myself to one training philosophy.

Force-free training had given me useful knowledge and skills, many of which remain part of how I train today.

But I no longer felt it was the whole answer for me.

I wanted to understand more.

I wanted to learn different ways of communicating with dogs, understand the appropriate use of pressure and consequences alongside reinforcement, explore the importance of structure and boundaries, and develop a much deeper understanding of relationship, motivation and play.

Most importantly, I wanted to be able to look at the individual dog standing in front of me without first deciding which training “camp” they had to fit into.

That journey has led me towards the balanced, relationship-based approach I use today.

And it's still evolving.

Learning From Different Trainers

I've deliberately chosen to learn from trainers with different experiences, methods and perspectives.

I don't need to agree with everything somebody does to learn something valuable from them.

For me, that's an important part of becoming a better trainer.

If I only ever surround myself with people who train exactly as I do, I'm only going to reinforce what I already know.

I want my thinking challenged.

I want to ask questions.

I want to see different dogs worked in different ways.

And then I can take that knowledge, combine it with my own experience and decide what is appropriate for the individual dog I'm working with.

Learning Through Mentorship

One of the biggest influences on my development has been completing a six-month mentorship programme with Jack Tutty.

Working with Jack broadened my understanding of more challenging dogs and, in particular, completely developed the way I think about play, motivation, engagement and relationship.

Play is now a huge part of how I work.

Not simply because it's fun, but because of what it can tell us about a dog and what it can build between dog and owner.

Engagement, confidence, communication, impulse control and co-operation can all be developed through the right kind of play.

Expanding My Understanding of Aggression

More recently, I've spent considerable time shadowing Pam at Impackt Behaviour, whose work specialises in aggression cases.

Being able to observe and learn around more complex dogs has further developed my understanding of aggression, behaviour and handling, while giving me additional ways of thinking about and working through challenging cases.

Every trainer I work alongside adds another piece to the puzzle.

Not necessarily another “method” to copy — but another perspective to consider.

I Don't Want to Stop Evolving

My training today looks different from my training when I first started Dugs Paws.

I hope I can say exactly the same thing years from now.

Because if I'm still training in precisely the same way, using precisely the same knowledge and never questioning anything I believe, then I haven't continued developing.

Dog training isn't about choosing a side and defending it forever.

For me, it's about remaining curious, thoughtful and open-minded, while always considering the welfare and individual needs of the dog in front of me.

I will continue attending workshops.

I will continue learning from other trainers.

I will continue shadowing people who know more than I do in particular areas.

I will continue questioning my own methods.

And I will continue changing when experience and better knowledge give me a reason to.

Not because I don't know what I believe.

Because that's how I become a better trainer.

And ultimately, every bit of knowledge I gain has one purpose:

To help more dogs and their owners live better lives together. 🐾

I am also canine first-aid trained and fully insured, giving owners additional peace of mind when their dogs are in my care.