What gets me out of bed every day
and how a banker ended up training lions and polar bears
I believe there's always a reason for behaviour, otherwise why do it? It's fascinating, both human and animal behaviour, and I really love unravelling those head scratching moments when you think "what is going on here?".​
OK, so apologies for the life story but I hope it'll show just how passionate I am about what I do and the efforts I have taken to get here.
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Having worked in Banking for 20 years, dealing with executive management, I learnt many skills around communication and effective transfer of information. I now use these skills in creating infographics and "how to" guides for dog owners to refer back to. This extends the impact of what is a relatively short time with me in person. They are also useful to show to other family members, who were unable to attend a particular session.
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Canine Qualifications: Obviously I get out of bed every day because I love animals. After all, at the end of 2009 I left a well paid career in Banking to pursue a lifelong ambition to work with animals. I've been studying and working with them ever since. In 2018, I achieved a distinction in the level 5 Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management. The ADipCBM, a recognised programme under the regulatory body The Animal Behaviour & Training Council, provided me with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out Canine Behaviour consultations. I am now pursuing certification with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist. It's a two step process, of which I passed the first step in January 2023 which was an assessment of my knowledge and understanding of animal behaviour. The next step will include practical assessments and reviews of past cases.
Out of all the behavioural cases I have treated, I get the greatest satisfaction from helping owners with reactive dogs. As these dogs are often anxious and fearful, emotions I've struggled with in the past, it is so rewarding to see their confidence grow and actually start to enjoy interactions. In 2022, I achieved certification as a Canine Reactivity Specialist with the Dog Training College and successfully completed the world renowned aggression expert and the past president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Michael Shikashio's Aggression in Dogs Master Course
Pet Professional Guild: As a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild in the UK, I am committed to using kind, fair and effective rewards-based methods, based upon up to date research. I do not use force, intimidation, prong or choke collars, rattle bottles, spray or shock collars, shouting or physical punishment. This does not mean I’ll allow unwanted behaviour, but I’ll teach alternatives or rearrange the dog’s environment rather than using verbal or physical punishment.
Training Lions and Polar Bears? In 2017, I had the pleasure of appreciating first hand just how effective force-free training is when training animals at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster with the most wonderful and well regarded experts in training and behaviour, Chirag Patel and Dr. Susan Friedman. We trained lions, rhinos, polar bears and African wild dogs to offer voluntary husbandry behaviours using positive reinforcement. It was eye-opening. I mean, you certainly couldn't force these animals to offer these types of behaviours! I went on to spend that winter studying with the author of my favourite book "Animal Training 101" by Dr. Jenifer A. Zeligs, the world renowned expert in animal training and behaviour.
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