bespoke behaviours
Individual Dog Training
Hello and Welcome from Zoe and Deefer!
Thank you for visiting us! I expect you have found us because you are seeking an experienced trainer to make life, connection and communication with your furry companion just that bit easier!
All behavioural support and training that I offer is bespoke to your individual dog. The foundations will be achieved based on your dog informing us of their reality and working with their emotional response.​
My training follows consistent rules of positivity, giving dogs choices and never ever putting them in situations invoking additional anxiety, fear or any physical discomfort.
There is no one size fits all approach. We are all different, our dogs are all
different.
​​Working in this way allows us to respect each dog as an individual and to develop their trust, optimism and confidence. I will help you to understand your furry friend and their specific reality, to advocate for them, and to work together as a strong team with an incredible bond!
Our Story...
Like many others, I fell into the world of dog training almost by accident. I adopted my rescue dog; Deefer, having visions of the hours of walks in sunny meadows, frolicking on beaches and relaxed family days out we would have together. However, I quickly learned that my new furry friend was a super frightened, complex creature who would require a huge amount of support, patience and understanding to enable him to live life to the fullest extent that he could.
When he arrived, Deefer could not be left alone. He would pace, bark and howl like a wolf. The neighbours didn't love us!
With time, patience and a consistent programme to make him feel safe when alone, we gradually moved past the separation issues. He will still choose to follow me around the house if I am home, but he doesn't stress if I am in another room and he can also be left completely alone for hours with no anxiety whatsoever.
Deefer's overwhelming issue is that he is terrified of offlead and unfamiliar dogs which results in him perceiving a threat that is (in my opinion, not his!) out of context.
The commitment to helping my dog to cope a little better with the outside world required that I threw myself into learning about the world of positive, kind and gentle dog training and canine behaviour so that I could provide the encouragement and opportunities for him to flourish.
Deefer has taught me more than I could ever imagine and I can never repay him for the changes to my life that he has brought. Deefer inspired me to change careers and work with dogs full time. It is the most rewarding job that I can imagine, supporting owners and their dogs to communicate better, to understand each other and to move forwards positively as a team.
I qualified with distinction in a Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour, I have trained hundreds of dogs for a leading local dog training company and I am a fully qualified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer from the Julie Naismith academy.
Along the way, I have learned to re-frame my perception of my furry nemesis! I have examined my initial expectations of Deef against the realistic goals with the fresh understanding that he is an individual. Why should I expect that he be like some other dogs? He is who he is, so I need to adjust our world a little to allow him to make the most of it.
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Deefer has moved in my view from being the biggest pain in my butt to my mentor (although we still have those 'butt' moments!). I can help you to re-frame that relationship with your dog, to understand each other, recognise when they are struggling and how you can work together for a more harmonious relationship.
Qualifications
I am currently studying the ISCP Advanced Diploma (Level 6) in Canine Behaviour to qualify as a Behaviourist. ​
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I am also committed to staying up to date with my knowledge and skills and invested in 1:1 professional mentoring with internationally renowned leading behaviourist, expert advisor for Canine Arthritis and behaviour consultant for Pet Remedy, Andrew Hale.
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Completed qualifications and certifications:
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Advanced Diploma (Level 5) in Applied Animal Behaviour - Distinction
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Diploma (Level 3) in Foundations of Canine Behaviour Management - Distinction
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Certificate in Advanced Canine Body Language
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Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer - Julie Naismith
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Certificate in Professional Dog Walking and Sitting
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Canine Health and First Aid
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Approved Canine Reactive Behaviour Expert
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Canine Trauma and Rescue Expert
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Easy Walks With You Reactive Dog
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Canine Enrichment