I live in Siston with my 2 teenage children, 3 Bull Terriers, rescue cat and hamster. I have nearly 10 years experience working with dogs, having been self taught from owning my first dog over 20 years ago.  All that experience has gone a long way to shaping the kind of trainer I am today; when I originally went to volunteer at a dog training club I was horrified by the brutal methods used on the dogs, choke and shock collars were used with alarming regularity with no regard for the dog or the owners. I vowed to become better informed about the profession and met my mentor Steven Fryer (RIP) several years ago. He taught me how to use my own intuition, instincts and body language to train a dog without using food or implements. I then went on to study for the formal qualifications I now have but I am still saddened by the amount of “behaviourists” out there who have little basic knowledge or understanding of how dogs really behave and the trainers still using barbaric tools and methods and the lack of modern courses available which don’t teach outdated methods within the material.

For this reason I have joined a number of organisations to further educate myself as well as my clients and I continue to learn as much as I can. I am fully qualified both as a trainer, psychologist and a behaviourist. I belong to the Academy of Dog Training and Behaviour (ADTB) as a Gold Level Instructor, Sherwood Foundation Therapists Register, and am a proud associate member of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE) founded by Turid Rugaas.  I’m also a fully qualified Canine First Aid Instructor (CFRI #12) and hold courses throughout the year. Clicker Training workshops are also offered periodically so check the News page for details. I’m studying my 3rd diploma and attend seminars and workshops when I can such as Ttouch with Sarah Fisher.

I write behaviour articles for Bull Terrier Monthly and have recently been invited to speak at events, shows and have helped film a DVD due to be released this year. I also helped a lady overcome Cynophobia (fear of dogs) using my dogs as teaching dogs. My bullies also help me teach socialisation to client’s dogs and help me perform assessments. They are fully insured, as am I. You may be able to claim my fees back from your pet insurer if covered. Vet referrals may be necessary so don’t be surprised if I ask you to do this, sometimes we need to rule out medical complications causing or exacerbating behaviour. I have been a guest speaker at Bath Dog & Cats Home Shrink Think Tank and I’m working on my first book!  I am also currently mentoring a student dog trainer.

Previously I have coached gymnastics, worked in customer service, civil service, finance and hospitality sectors and was a school governor for 6 years. I also run an award winning pet-sitting company Very PETicular Petcare!

Due to demand I may not be able to see you immediately but I will do my best to see and your family as soon as possible. I’m happy to work on referral from vets, rescue centres, other trainers & behaviourists and I encourage clients to stay in touch to let me know how well they are doing with their dog or puppies training, feedback is always welcomed. I offer LIFETIME support via email or telephone. If I can’t help I may suggest an alternative trainer.

Client Testimonials:

“The training was very thorough, I’m really grateful for all the advice then and since, Meg clearly worships the ground you walk on and I’m doing my best to recommend you to as many people as I can” - Rebecca and Meg the Bull Terrier “Bob has improved so much with your help Katie, thank you” - Nick & Tracy and Bob the deaf Dalmatian “I am very grateful to Katie for helping me and putting me on the right track with Teddies’ training, being a blind dog I thought she would be difficult but in actual fact she thrived from the first ‘click’ and wanted to do more! I am continuing with the training and she is becoming more easy and confident in herself and proud too. She loves the clicker and the treats!” - Jilly and Teddie the blind Bichon Frisee