​I’ve just started the Pet First Aid Certification with DogNostics Education, but already it’s clear this is a really well-thought-out and practical course.

So far, the focus has been on building a solid foundation — understanding how to assess a pet in an emergency, what first aid actually means (and what it doesn’t), and how staying calm and methodical can make a huge difference when something goes wrong. The course is broken down into short, manageable sections, which makes it easy to take in without feeling overwhelmed.

As the course progresses, it will cover a wide range of common emergency situations, including things like CPR, choking, bleeding and wounds, heat-related illness, poisoning, seizures, and injuries. There’s also guidance on checking vital signs, safely handling and moving an injured animal, and putting together a well-stocked pet first aid kit — all very practical, real-world skills.

The course is self-paced and online, which is perfect for fitting around my work and hectic family life. I’m looking forward to working through the practical sections next and refreshing my skills that could genuinely make a difference in an emergency.

Christmas is a joyful time for families, but it can be overwhelming and even dangerous for dogs if we’re not careful. With changes to routine, extra visitors, festive food, and decorations, it’s important to take a few simple steps to keep your dog safe and comfortable during the holiday season.

Dogs thrive on routine, and Christmas often brings late nights, loud gatherings, rearranged furniture, and unfamiliar faces. These changes can cause stress or anxiety. Signs may include panting, pacing, hiding, yawning, or lip-licking. Make sure your dog has a quiet, familiar space where they can relax away from guests and noise.

Many Christmas foods that are safe for people can be harmful or even toxic to dogs. Common hazards include:

• Chocolate, mince pies, Christmas pudding, and sweets
  
• Grapes, raisins, and sultanas
  
• Onions, garlic, stuffing, and rich or fatty foods
  
• Alcohol and foods containing alcohol
  

Keep food well out of reach, remind guests not to feed your dog from the table, and clear plates and leftovers promptly.

Christmas decorations can be tempting for curious dogs. Tinsel, ribbons, wrapping paper, and small ornaments can cause choking or serious internal blockages if swallowed. Christmas trees may drop needles that irritate paws or stomachs. Seasonal plants such as holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia can be harmful if chewed.
Secure decorations, keep fragile or hazardous items out of reach, and supervise your dog around the tree and presents.

Even during the busy festive period, dogs still need regular exercise, mental stimulation, and quality time. Walks and play help reduce stress and prevent boredom-related behaviours. With doors opening frequently for guests, take extra care to prevent your dog from escaping.

✔ Keep your dog’s routine as normal as possible
✔ Provide a quiet, safe space away from guests
✔ Keep festive food and drink out of reach
✔ Watch out for dangerous decorations and plants
✔ Maintain regular walks and attention

​With a little planning and awareness, you can ensure Christmas is enjoyable, calm, and safe for your dog — letting the whole family enjoy the festive season together. 🎄🐶

Probably my favourite webinar of 2025 - Mike Shikashio on managing aggression between family dogs. Living with dogs that fight under the same roof can create a highly stressful and potentially dangerous environment for both the animals and their guardians. Intra-household dog aggression is complex and emotionally challenging, requiring insight into triggers, relationship dynamics, and effective behaviour-change strategies. In this session Mike discussed his proven intervention plans, presented real case studies, and offered practical solutions to help restore harmony in multi-dog homes. At the end he answered all of my questions directly which was particularly useful.

After ALLOT of research, discussions with colleagues and consideration I have decided to take my next official dog behaviour course. There are so many great courses available (and plenty of not so great / awful ones!) so I have spent this year carefully observing the best route for myself. I have chosen to study with Canine Principles with one of their nationally recognised OFQUAL regulated courses. I'm excited to start this next adventure. Time to head back to studying ! 

Over the past 2 weekends I have attended the very informative and entertaining Dog Law webinars hosted by Trevor Cooper covering topics such as:

• Stray dogs
• Microchipping
• Collar & tag
• Dangerous dogs (incl dogs that are dangerous to people + animals)
• Breed Specific Legislation
• Public Spaces Protection Orders
• Community Protection Notices
• Noise Nuisance
• Duty of Care
• Cruelty
• Buying and selling dogs (+ enforceability of contracts)
• Ownership disputes
• Civil liability for the actions of your dog

I really enjoyed hearing Trevor's personal experience with each of the legal matters discussed and the realities of how each law is enforced.

The summer holidays have been fantastic, making memories with family and friends has been particularly important this year. The next few months are looking even busier and I am fully booked until next year. I can recommend lots of my fantastic dog training peers for those in need of support the next few months.

I’m looking forward to attend the upcoming webinars presented by Trevor Cooper next month! With over 30 years of experience in dog law, Trevor brings a rare combination of legal expertise and a genuine passion for animals. The webinar, titled What Every Dog Owner Needs to Know, will cover a wide range of crucial topics for both dog owners and professionals. Trevor will discuss legal issues like collar and tag requirements, the complexities surrounding dangerous dogs (including those that are a risk to people and animals) and the controversial breed-specific legislation especially in relation to breeds like the XL Bully. Other key topics include public spaces protection orders, community protection notices and handling noise nuisance that many dog owners face. The webinar will also address the duty of care dog owners have, issues of cruelty and the legalities of buying and selling dogs, including the enforceability of contracts. Additionally it will touch on ownership disputes, civil liability for your dog’s actions, the renters’ rights bill and the growing concern of pet theft. With Trevor’s extensive background including his work with Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs' & Cats' Home, it’s bound to be an informative and valuable experience.

iI have completed practical first aid training and while on maternity leave decided to update my first aid theory. I've always liked ProTrainings.uk for this but since my last course with them I have to say their content has improved allot and I enjoyed watching their many videos and quiz followed by the end test. It is always great to brush up on our skills and their advanced level 3 course was perfect. With 7hours of independently verified CPD on a long list of topics I managed to fit training around caring for my 5month old baby plus my older children.
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I am likely to remain off work for many months due to pregnancy  / heath complications. Please feel free to message me for recommendations of dog trainers and behaviourists that may have availability instead. While on leave I hope to complete some refresher courses, start my next level of Dog Behaviour and Psychology course and revamp my website and resources. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy 2023 x

Well covid-19 will be the decider as to when we can get back to training. I am going to be starting 1-2-1 zoom sessions for new clients in the next few months. These will be available at a discounted rate to start with. As soon as lockdown lifts there will be a couple of slots available for private 1-2-1 socially distanced outdoor training sessions.

Myself and my family have recently recovered from covid. Thankfully we are all well and had only minor symptoms. Sadly as a family we have known 8 who have lost their lives so far to covid and another 2 extremely unwell that are in our prayers. I now know more people who have / have had covid than who haven't caught it.

During these tricky times, our dogs are keeping us entertained and enjoying us being home more. Libby is missing Kaiser terribly, as we all are, but she is still relatively cheerful. I am taking some further online courses provided by the American Kennel Club Canine College. The courses cover subjects such as genetics, breeding (I have no interest in becoming a breeder b- it's just a good topic to understand when working with dog behaviour), whelping, anatomy and health issues. This website is going through some well overdue updates, the help sheets are being redone and some new features will be added in the next few months.

Last night I lost the most amazing companion I've ever loved. Kaiser didn't eat his dinner (very unusual) and seemed quiet. We rushed him to the vets, expecting a bad diagnosis (gut feeling). We weren't prepared for just how bad it would be. Kaiser had cancer, a huge tumor in his abdomen the size of a football. Being a big, deep chested dog, it was hidden except slight bloating. Internally the damage was catastrophic. His vital organs were crushed and he was starting to bleed internally. He had been his happy, crazy self entirely before skipping his meal. He had biopsies a year ago for possible cancerous growths on his stomach (came back all clear) and we thought we were in the clear. Sometimes dogs are suffering or unwell and show no signs. Kaiser had been on a strong dose of CBD since Akiva passed away and his arthritis was getting bad so he may have been in allot less pain than if he'd not had CBD. We'll never know.

I made the heartbreaking, but right choice to end his suffering. He was in increasing pain despite morphine and my 10year old 'baby boy' was unhappy. I cuddled him as the vet helped him on his way. I will never get over the loss of my boy but I am blessed with 10years of brilliant memories that I am so grateful for. For now I am finding comfort in watching his many, many videos and photos. It's hard to believe he is gone. My daughter is almost 4 and it's her first loss that she can try to understand. She is dealing with it well and the innocence of her many questions is helping me to come to terms with never seeing him again. Libby is sad, she looks for him and has been quieter. We are supporting her the best we can.

After further deterioration, our vet referred Libby to a neurology specialist at Davies. Covid means that we could only send evidence via videos, photos and our vet's report. The specialist believes she may have idiopathic peripheral vestibular disease. She does not need any treatment currently and will be under our close eye for a few weeks to rule out ​a stroke, middle ear disease, or a cancerous disease. An inflammatory disease would be less likely in her age.

Until further notice I will only be available for current clients via phone or email. Wishing everybody good health and happiness. Hopefully this virus will pass soon and we can get back to training 1-2-1

Akiva has been shown extra love over her last few weeks. She's had visitors from throughout her life come to say their goodbyes. Today she gained her wings in the comfort of her home with her family holding her close. Pain relief was no longer enough and we would never let her suffer. Thank you Akiva for the many years of companionship, love and fun. You have been the most gentle and sweet dog I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I hope you have fun with Angel in heaven until we meet again X

We are devastated to say our worst fears have been confirmed. Akiva has cancer in her leg. It cannot be operated on and even if they did, it would be allot of pain for maybe only a couple months extra life at best. We have decided to look into the best palliative care. We will let her guide us until she is not longer comfortable. For now we will cherish every day with her.

My second child is now a week old. I get asked allot about maternity leave. I have had to take extra maternity leave (as I did when I had my daughter) as I suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy for many months (EXTREME sickness, I've been in hospital many times because of it). I don't have a nanny so all childcare for my 2 children completely falls on me. Occasionally family can baby sit or my husband can spare some time between his busy work schedule for me to go out to clients. My life has changed tremendously since having my children and it took a while to adjust. Pregnancy isn't a magical 'glowing' time for me - it's basically 9months of me being horrendously unwell, fainting episodes and awful back pain )from an old ice skating injury) that leaves me unable to walk at times. Having my healthy happy kids at the end make it all worthwhile.

So when will I be back? I'm not sure yet. I plan to take a few months out and will slowly contact clients when I feel baby is ready for me to leave him with his grandmother. I'm in no rush. I can be contacted by email or phone for current clients but I am not taking on new clients currently. I can recommend local trusted and experienced force free trainers on request.

Thank you all for your messages, we are all doing well and enjoying being a mum of 2!

With age, my dogs have started to sadly loose their eyesight and hearing. at this time of year, fireworks are a big problem for our household. Due to their senses being less sharp, some of the old dogs struggle with the unpredictable and unsettling loud bangs and sudden flashes of light in the sky. In their younger days, the dogs were completely unfazed by the noise. While walking my rottweilers on lead in Tottenham, North London one year, a couple of fireworks were set off on the other side of a garden fence fence (about 2meters from us) and it caught me totally off guard (it was February!). I let out a little shriek and my dogs just calmly stood there watching the fireworks. This summed up their attitude to fireworks for many years. As working security dogs, I'd built up allot of training to desensitise them to loud noises and to remain calm in stressful situations. As animals however, there is always a certain amount of unpredictability.

To help my dogs from a young age we'd do regular noisy training.
 - Walking my noisy main roads while on lead
 - Exposing them to police sirens, fire engines etc
 - Encouraging them to explore anything they were inquisitive / unsure about
 - Banging pots and pans (starting quietly and building up)
 - Playing noise CDs of fireworks / thunder / babies crying from puppyhood
 - Teaching an EMERGENCY RECALL

When the dogs became old and their fear of fireworks was inevitable we...
 - Closed the curtains at home earlier during firework season
 - Kept the dogs on lead on all walks
 - Made sure all ID tags and microchips were up to date
 - Never attached the dog lead to their ID collar (in a panic, collars can come off with the ID)
 - Brought forward their routines so they weren't going out for their last toilet late at night
 - Added natural calmers to their food (CBD is something we have been using for Kaiser's arthritis and also calms him for stressful events)
 - Put the TV on all evening
 - Put the radio on all day with either reggae, classical or a talk station
 - Made dens for each dog to retreat to if they wished (under the dinning table for the rottweilers)
 - Encouraged relaxing activities such as kongs, safe chews and searching games

MOST IMPORTANTLY - IT IS GOOD TO COMFORT A SCARED DOG if they want to be comforted. It used to be said that you shouldn't give a dog attention for being afraid, like you're somehow validating their excuse to be scared. Instead - imagine you're terrified of spiders. Being comforted might not make the spider go away but being comforted (in the right way) will not make you more afraid of the spider. If anything you'll appreciate the distraction and reassurance.

I hope all of your dogs are having a stress free time but if not, and you need some advice - please get i touch.

Thank you to everyone for their patience. I am returning to work 3 days a week for now. I currently have a really bad cold and keep losing my voice so I'm trying to complete phone call assessments when possible. Unfortunately, I'm struggling to keep up with every single email, phone call, voicemail, text, Facebook message and online submission, I apologise to those that are getting left out but along with myself and my daughter being unwell it's a crazy house!  I look forward to doing more events and meeting new dogs and owners this year :-)