Qualified dog behaviourist offering help and support with dog behaviour issues and positive dog training Oxfordshire
My career and volunteering work have enabled me to combine my passion for supporting people with my love of dogs. I have over fifteen years experience in canine welfare, socialisation, training and behaviour, in completing holistic assessments, evaluating information and working in partnership with people, their families and their dogs towards positive outcomes. I am totally committed to positive dog training, kind methods of dog behaviour modification, and tailoring dog behaviour training to the needs of dogs and their human partners.
The four years I spent at National Animal Welfare Trust gave me the chance to work effectively with some challenging canine behaviour and a real interest in making a difference to the quality of life of rescue dogs. Some of our rescue dogs had pronounced anxious, fearful and reactive behaviour around other dogs and people so needed a step by step, kind and gentle desensitization process and positive associations to learn a calmer emotional response and to adapt their behaviour. I latterly worked as a volunteer dog trainer for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Edith was the first pup that I helped to train and socialise, using positive reward-based dog training to increase each pup's confidence, adaptability and responsiveness and to strengthen the dog/human bond. Edith has recently returned to me after around ten years as a hearing dog and is enjoying a well earned retirement with her hearing dog companion Dudley!
I have also volunteered for Medical Detection Dogs for circa nine years, providing day to day dog training, socialisation and assessment of pups to circa eighteen months of age. This involved helping to optimise a pup’s long term development through ensuring positive socialisation and habituation experiences. It also involved the use of kind dog training methods, rewarding desirable behaviour and proofing and generalising this to lots of different situations. A key focus was on building on a pup’s focus and confidence, their self control, and their ability to take the initiative and make positive decisions about their own behaviour. I helped to address a range of behaviour issues – inappropriate elimination, jumping up, chewing, destructive and unruly behaviour, separation anxiety, generalised anxiety and fear issues, vocalisation and more.... I provided early scent training games to help prepare each pup for their future role as a Medication Detection Dog. I’m particularly proud to be a part of a wider team of people that helped these pups achieve their potential and make a life changing difference to the people they support. For example, Jade arrived as an adolescent with some very challenging behaviour. Consistent and kind dog training, and a stronger puppy human bond, helped Jade develop into a fantastic diabetic alert dog, one of three finalists at the Hero Dogs awards several years ago.
My Masters Degree MSc. (ASS) from Green College Oxford included the psychology of animal behaviour. I also have an Honours Degree from the University of London, an Advanced Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour with distinction from Compass Education, a Diploma in Social Work from Oxford University, and am a member of the International Society of Animal Professionals. I have recently taken a course in Advanced Dog Training Instruction with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (A.P.D.T.). I joined the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors in 2020 as a provisional member giving me academic accreditation relevant to dog behaviour at masters degree level. This has enabled me to participate in a range of webinars from some inspiring dog behaviour professionals and organisations worldwide. I am committed to constantly updating my knowledge and skills in dog behaviour and training.
The four years I spent at National Animal Welfare Trust gave me the chance to work effectively with some challenging canine behaviour and a real interest in making a difference to the quality of life of rescue dogs. Some of our rescue dogs had pronounced anxious, fearful and reactive behaviour around other dogs and people so needed a step by step, kind and gentle desensitization process and positive associations to learn a calmer emotional response and to adapt their behaviour. I latterly worked as a volunteer dog trainer for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Edith was the first pup that I helped to train and socialise, using positive reward-based dog training to increase each pup's confidence, adaptability and responsiveness and to strengthen the dog/human bond. Edith has recently returned to me after around ten years as a hearing dog and is enjoying a well earned retirement with her hearing dog companion Dudley!
I have also volunteered for Medical Detection Dogs for circa nine years, providing day to day dog training, socialisation and assessment of pups to circa eighteen months of age. This involved helping to optimise a pup’s long term development through ensuring positive socialisation and habituation experiences. It also involved the use of kind dog training methods, rewarding desirable behaviour and proofing and generalising this to lots of different situations. A key focus was on building on a pup’s focus and confidence, their self control, and their ability to take the initiative and make positive decisions about their own behaviour. I helped to address a range of behaviour issues – inappropriate elimination, jumping up, chewing, destructive and unruly behaviour, separation anxiety, generalised anxiety and fear issues, vocalisation and more.... I provided early scent training games to help prepare each pup for their future role as a Medication Detection Dog. I’m particularly proud to be a part of a wider team of people that helped these pups achieve their potential and make a life changing difference to the people they support. For example, Jade arrived as an adolescent with some very challenging behaviour. Consistent and kind dog training, and a stronger puppy human bond, helped Jade develop into a fantastic diabetic alert dog, one of three finalists at the Hero Dogs awards several years ago.
My Masters Degree MSc. (ASS) from Green College Oxford included the psychology of animal behaviour. I also have an Honours Degree from the University of London, an Advanced Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour with distinction from Compass Education, a Diploma in Social Work from Oxford University, and am a member of the International Society of Animal Professionals. I have recently taken a course in Advanced Dog Training Instruction with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (A.P.D.T.). I joined the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors in 2020 as a provisional member giving me academic accreditation relevant to dog behaviour at masters degree level. This has enabled me to participate in a range of webinars from some inspiring dog behaviour professionals and organisations worldwide. I am committed to constantly updating my knowledge and skills in dog behaviour and training.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Fiona for help with socialisation, training and behaviour issues on fbcaninepotential@gmail.com.