Here I am back in East Yorkshire after working ‘down south’ as a teacher for over 3 decades! I grew up in North Hull where I started dog training by luring a dog off the street and encouraging them to jump over broomsticks - long before agility was on my radar! Since then, I’ve maintained an interest in animal behaviour while building my teaching career as a head of biology, head of psychology and head of 6th form. I also ran puppy classes through the recognised Puppy School network and ran a small dog training business specialising in dog behaviour problems including aggression, separation anxiety, fears and dog reactivity.

I have plugged away at gaining qualifications in canine behaviour. The most recent being a Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Edinburgh vet school. I’m actually still studying there, working towards an MSc thesis on how exercise can influence dogs’ emotions and behaviours. I also teach dog trainers and dog behaviourists to degree level at The DoGenius Institute.

I’m a full member of International Canine Behaviourists (ICB) and a Certified Animal Behaviourist (CAB) with them. The dog behaviour sector is as yet and unregulated, but things are changing so I recently joined APBC as a provisional Clinical Animal Behaviourist* and intend to progress to full member in summer 2025.

Practicing as a behaviourist doesn’t depend purely on years of experience; an academic understanding of clinical animal behaviour is vital. I pride myself on being very experienced and very well qualified - while being bang up to date with my learning.

*Provisional members have demonstrated that they have the appropriate level of Knowledge and Understanding for the professional role of Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB). They are now gaining the practical experience necessary to be assessed as a CAB and therefore become a Full member of the APBC. The APBC supports its Provisional members undertaking behaviour consultations.