With over 30 years of hands-on experience in dog care, dog training, and canine behaviour, my journey began at the age of 14 in a local rescue centre and continued at a boarding kennels, where I gained early experience with dogs of all breeds, temperaments, and behavioural challenges. I later established my own dog walking and dog daycare services, supporting owners with practical, real-world dog training and behaviour management.
As I specialised in canine behaviour support, I delivered Good Citizen Dog Scheme training classes and provided structured behavioural guidance. Over the years, I have fostered more than 350 rescue dogs through Many Tears Animal Rescue and British Dalmatian Welfare, gaining extensive experience with reactive, fearful, and high-risk dogs.
One of the most meaningful chapters of my journey was shared with my dog Odie, who has now crossed the rainbow bridge. We appeared together on the Channel 4 programme Superstar Dogs, reaching the finals, and in 2014, Odie was featured on the front cover of the programme’s promotional material alongside another dog and John Barrowman. His work reflected the strength of the bond between dog and handler, built on trust, understanding, and calm, ethical dog training.
Odie’s influence continues to shape the way I work with dogs and their owners today, ensuring my approach to dog behaviour management is safe, structured, and grounded in real-life scenarios.
Today, my life remains centered around dogs. I spend every day caring for and working alongside my own seven dogs, continuing to provide professional dog training, in-home behaviour support, and practical guidance for owners, always prioritising calm, ethical, and safety-led dog behaviour management.
My dogs aren’t just pets—they’re my partners in training. They help with behavioural sessions, boost confidence in nervous dogs, teach manners to over-excited dogs, and make every walk more enjoyable. Each one plays an important role in helping me run Sensible Dogs.
Echo
Echo is a Working X Show Cocker Spaniel who joined me at 4 months old. His previous owners were concerned about his resource guarding, which made them feel he could be a risk to them and their grandchildren, and asked me to take him in to keep him safe.
As a balanced trainer, I combined calm management and clear guidance to help Echo feel secure. Now he’s a cheeky, energetic, and confident member of our group, thriving under consistent, ethical handling.
Shep
Shep is a 13-year-old Collie x Lurcher who came to me at 6 months old after a very challenging start. He had displayed fear-based aggression, and another trainer had even advised that he should be put to sleep. His previous owners struggled to manage him safely, but under my balanced, safety-led approach, Shep has become confident and secure. He loves swimming, catching frisbee`s mid-air, and living life at his own pace.
Ottie
Ottie is a 2-year-old Golden Retriever from a working home. Full of energy, she’s always on the move and thrives when she’s busy. She adores Chester and loves being part of our lively household.
Chester
Chester is a 3-year-old Golden Retriever who came from a terrible breeder and joined us from a working farm. He has had significant health challenges and has been under the care of Langford Vets in Bristol. Chester now thrives as a confident, happy dog and assists in all my training sessions, helping other dogs learn. He shares a special bond with Ottie—they are completely in love and inseparable.
Rudi
Rudi is a Saluki X who joined us from a local kennel at 8 months old. He has a very high prey drive—before he joined our household, he would chase deer for up to an hour! Now e-collar trained, Rudi enjoys running freely in the forest and relaxing at home afterwards.
Forest
Forest is a big Cocker Spaniel we took on at 5 months old. His previous owners struggled with his separation anxiety and felt he was too much for them. Now 6, he’s lovable, a little silly, and full of energy—always ready for a squeaky ball, swimming, or playing with the cats (and stealing food whenever he can!).
.jpg?etag=%2249c63-66746004%22&sourceContentType=image%2Fjpeg&ignoreAspectRatio&resize=275%2B367&extract=0%2B0%2B275%2B275&quality=85)
Willow
Willow is a 6-year-old Husky x Collie who came from Romania as a puppy. After a brief first home, she joined us and quickly settled in. She has faced serious challenges, including attacks from other dogs, and can be reactive toward dogs with similar energy.
With e-collar training and careful management, she listens reliably and thrives. Willow lives life to the max every day and will try anything at least once.
