I’m officially a Distinctive Dog Trainer!

I’m incredibly proud (and very excited!) to share that I’m officially a Distinctive Dog Trainer and of the global ethical Pet Professional Network.

After completing the Distinctive Dog Trainer Coaching and Course and successfully passing all parts of the ethical assessment process, I was awarded the title ‘Distinctive Dog Trainer’. This followed nine months of in-depth learning, reflection, practical application, and plenty of “ah-ha” moments along the way with some of the best pet professionals, from rescue and safety procedures to emotional wellbeing and understanding anxious dogs.

Pet Professional Network | Distinctive Dog Trainer

What me being a Distinctive Dog Trainer means for you

Qualifying through the Distinctive Dog Trainer Academy means I’m a recognised ethical dog trainer who works with kindness, compassion, and empathy at the core of everything I do.

I do not use aversive techniques. I don’t believe in fear, force, or intimidation. Because trust and relationship are the foundation of working with your dog. Training should be something you do with your dog, not to them.

My approach focuses on helping you truly understand your dog:

• What they’re communicating

• Why certain behaviours are showing up

• What’s happening beneath the surface

Rather than masking behaviour with training, we work together to get to the root cause of any issues, challenges, or difficulties you may be experiencing. Kindly. In a way that protects your dog’s emotional wellbeing and strengthens your bond.

Support Without Judgement | Meeting You Where You Are

One of the most important values behind this qualification is providing non-judgemental support.

There’s no “you should have known better” here, because I’ve been a first time pet parent too. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply unsure what your next step should be, I meet you exactly where you are. We work together as a team. Building helpful life skills, confidence, and clarity at a pace that feels right for both of you.

Because good dogs and smart people can hugely benefit from professional support.

Learning From the Best in the Industry

This was a paid, professional qualification, supported by industry experts at the top of their field. The academy is a unique blend of coaching, structured learning, and community support with other ethical professionals, from trainers, to groomers and behaviourists. It’s designed to help trainers like me deliver safe, effective, and compassionate support.

I had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with experts such as:

• Carrie Anne Selwyn

• Colin Spence

• Rachel Spencer

• Tom Candy the king of rescue

And Sarah Jones who I recently met in person from My Anxious Dog #YellowDogs

Through live training, accountability sessions, and specialist “Behavioural Bites” geek-out sessions, we explored ethics, safety, behaviour, and practical frameworks such as the Traffic Light System, all designed to ensure dogs are supported, not pushed.

It was also a real pleasure to network with these professionals and to share my own knowledge and experience within such a supportive, values-driven community. And even help them out!

Training, Diet & Nutrition | Supporting the Whole Dog

One of the things that makes my work different is how I combine training with diet and nutrition knowledge.

Behaviour doesn’t happen in isolation. What your dog eats can directly affect their:

• Focus and learning ability

• Emotional regulation

• Stress and anxiety levels

• Energy and resilience

By supporting your dog from the inside out, we can often achieve faster, more sustainable results, while also laying the foundations for long-term health and wellbeing.

It’s a simple, holistic approach designed to support most dog guardians without overwhelm.

Ready to Work Together? 

If you’re ready to feel calmer, more confident, and more connected with your dog, I’d love to support you.

*1:1 Dog Training Sessions

My bespoke one-to-one sessions are tailored entirely to you and your dog. Focussing on your goals, your challenges, and your everyday life. These sessions are kind, ethical, and built around strengthening trust and communication.

*Walk Your Dog Like A Pro – 3-Session Course

If walks feel stressful or frustrating, my Walk Your Dog Like A Pro workshop helps you build calm, confident walking skills over three structured sessions. So you can all enjoy walks again, together.

*A Holistic Approach for Lasting Results

By combining ethical training with nutrition and wellbeing support, I help you create real change, not just short-term fixes.

Together, we’re not just working on behaviour, we’re building happy, healthy dogs and a lifetime of memories.

If you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch to book a session or learn more about how we can work together.