My interest in dog training and behaviour started in 2006 when I rescued a little terrier cross called Lady - pictured on the right! This little girl came with lots of ‘baggage’ at just 10 months old that many people told me I would never be able to unravel. That was my challenge – I had no intention of giving up on this little girl. So I went to many seminars, workshops, read lots of good books and called on help and advice from many well respected positive reward based dog training / behaviourist friends to help her. I ended up with a little ‘terror’ who was able to enjoy life with us and live happily with our other dog up to the ripe old age of 16!

I have now been training dogs for over 30 years having competed in agility and obedience with a succession of dogs from terriers to lurchers to my current dogs, a Bedlington Terrier called Tweed and a Bedlington x Whippet called Reuben! But more of them later!

My hunger for knowledge on all things ‘dog’, led me down a very interesting and rewarding path to where I am now – running my own dog training business and being able to help others with their puppies and adult dogs. I have achieved many things over this time and constantly attend seminars, workshops and lectures to further my knowledge as part of my ongoing CPD.

I am a current member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers – an organisation that I am passionate about as they promote kind, fair and effective training. I am also very privileged to be on their team of Instructor Assessors who assess applicants for membership of the Association. I also served on the committee from 2008 until 2020.

Behaviour work has become a special interest for me and in 2012 I became involved in the Bedlington Terrier Rescue Foundation, an amazing small breed rescue charity run by the breeder of my two current dogs – now a good friend! So it was of course inevitable I would become involved, bringing my dog training / behavioural knowledge and experience to the table!  I am the volunteer Training and Behaviour Advisor for the charity and as such I interact with many well qualified and experienced behaviourists and well-being specialists around the country who are appointed to work with our adopting and foster families where the dog needs behavioural back up and support. I am also a Trustee for the charity.

I am currently working towards an Advanced Diploma Applied Animal Behaviour (Canine) Level 5 and was excited to be accepted as a member of the Association of INTO Dogs in June 2019 – a regulatory body with a fresh modern approach to positive reward, science based training and behaviour.

As well as running Right Start, in my spare time I am also Chair, Treasurer and one of the Senior Instructors of Sevenoaks & District Dog Training Society, a modern positive reward based training club which has been training dogs for nearly 60 years!