Qualifications.

To ensure the safety and mental well-being of the dogs, I keep up to date with reputable courses in dog training, behaviour and canine first aid. Please see below list of completed qualifications and courses. All physical certificates can be produced as requested.


The Consultation And Follow-Up

(IMDT - 2025)

This in-depth course about Training and Behaviour Consultations

- The complete process
- Initial contacts
- Vet referrals; communication and relationships
- What do you need to know, and when?
- Gathering history
- Analysis and research
- Maintaining the feedback loop
- Targeting the important information
- What to do prior, during and after the consultation
- Follow-up report writing
- Continued support packages
- Fees

Principles of Dog Training & Behaviour

(IMDT - OCN Level III Qualification - 2024/5)

  • Development of dog training

  • Problems with dog training methods

  • Principles and objectives

  • Legislation

  • Learning theories

  • Assumptions and unconscious beliefs

  • Dynamics of communication

  • Communication

  • Mechanisms

  • Learn to earn

  • Dogs body language

  • Building bonds

  • Welcoming a new puppy

  • Socialisation and habitualisation

  • Developmental deadlines

  • Canine adolescence

  • House training

  • Positive and negative reinforcement

  • Clicker training

  • Stress


Perfect Puppy

(IMDT - 2024/5)

The building blocks to a happy family life.

  • perfect foundations, stages and senses

  • ​the common pitfalls

  • important first exercises

  • common new owner issues

  • why puppies end up in rescue & how to avoid

  • helping the nervous puppy

  • when is is play, when is it aggression?

  • home visits

  • 121s

  • group classes

  • puppy parties

Learning, Motivation & Reinforcement

(IMDT OCN Level III Qualification - 2024)

  • How dogs were domesticated and how human intervention could have affected their behaviour

  • How this development drives the way we work with dogs and how we can use this as part of any training or behaviour modification plan

  • The development of puppies including, weaning, socialisation, early learning and the potential effect on future behaviour

  • Operant Conditioning, (in detail) how it works and how this can be applied to teaching our dogs successfully

  • Pitfalls and safety issues in training dogs

  • Classical Conditioning, the basics, as well as more complex approaches to behaviour problems that you may encounter

  • Conditioned Emotional Responses in behaviour modification, how to create and maintain these properly and thus increase the dogs mental wellbeing and physiological health

  • The owner, their behaviour and beliefs and how this effects the learning environment

  • The environment and its effects on learning in dogs and owners

  • How this all relates to ‘real life’ case studies

Practical Instructor Course

(IMDT 2024)

A hands-on course for teaching and practical coaching skills for group classes, 1.2.1s and practical elements of behaviour modification.

Coaching exercises
Group class exercises for beginners to advanced
How to 'teach' -  not just steward
Observational skills
Class planning, layout and dynamics
Structuring the class
Applying solid learning theory to practical classes
Teaching real people with real dogs
Practical teaching & hands-on skills for all dog training

Loose Lead Masters

(IMDT 2024)

The benefits of loose lead walking, and the benefits of pulling!

  • The elements affecting success

  • Understand the unique and individual motivators for both owner and dog

  • The 121 conversation and plan

  • What does the lead mean to the dog?  What do we want it to mean?

  • Breaking down training

  • Intelligent and profitable reward placement 

  • 5  winning training techniques and exercises for successful loose lead walking

  • Measuring learning ; if it’s measurable it’s manageable

  • Life rewards and long terms goals 

Career as a Dog Trainer

(IMDT 2023)

  • the science of how dogs learn

  • exploring body language

  • group class planning & dynamics

  • principles of canine behaviour

  • building a one to one consultation

  • behaviour modification & rehabilitation

The Exercises

(IMDT 2022)

Presented by Steve Mann, well known dog trainer and founder of IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers).

This was a valuable course focusing on the importance of games in training and demonstrated some fun activities to keep dogs interested. The course also introduced some scenting exercises.

I am able to practice some of these on my walks (my favourite is the “baby bird” exercise) and I provide informational videos on Harbour Tails Social Media.

Fundamentals of Dog Training & Behaviour

(VSA 2021)

I completed this course with the “Victoria Stilwell Accademy” .
Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer.

Studying her course, I learned more about:

  • The philosophies, methods, and understandings which define a progressive, science-based approach to dog training.

  • The canine senses, brain and cognition.

  • How dogs communicate and ways to more clearly ‘read’ your dog.

  • Keys to successful training and an enriching experience for your dog.

  • How to tackle challenging behaviours.

Canine First Aid

In late 2021 I renwed my canine first aid course in Wareham with Allwinds Dog First Aid. It was an informative day packed full of practical elements taught by Amanda, a qualified veterinary nurse.

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

(UK Rural Skills 2020)

This course is comprised of the following modules:

  • Running a Dog Walking / Pet Sitting Business

  • Animal Law and Regulations

  • Breeds

  • Animal Healthcare

  • Canine and Feline First Aid

  • Nutrition, a Healthy Diet and Grooming