Meet the Team

Sara

I’m Sara, and dogs have always been a central part of my life. What began as dog walking gradually grew into a deeper curiosity about behaviour, communication and the emotional lives of dogs.

Before working with dogs, I trained and worked as a learning disabilities nurse. That experience continues to shape my approach today — particularly in understanding non-verbal communication, recognising individual needs, and meeting both humans and dogs with patience, empathy and without judgement.

I hold a Canine Coaching Accredited Diploma with Canine Principles, I am a full professional member of the IMDT, and I am also a Predation Substitute Training Instructor, having trained under Simone Mueller. Ongoing learning remains an important part of my work, allowing me to continue evolving and refining my approach.

I understand that living with a dog isn’t always straightforward. There can be moments that feel frustrating, confusing or overwhelming — and you won’t be judged here. My role is to support you with honesty, compassion and practical guidance.

As a force-free trainer, I work in a way that prioritises emotional wellbeing, using a holistic approach that considers both human and canine experience. The focus is always on building trust, understanding and a relationship that feels safe for both ends of the lead.

I am fully insured, DBS checked and trained in canine first aid.

Mabel

Mabel joined my family at 11 months old, having never lived in a home environment before. Her early experiences shaped how she saw the world, and although she can appear bold, she has taught me how easily confidence can be used to mask underlying worry.

Living alongside Mabel has deepened my understanding of canine emotions and the importance of creating safety before expecting learning. She has shown me that when a dog feels secure, they are far more able to engage, adapt and thrive.

Mabel enjoys the company of other dogs and, although she’s a little older now, still loves the occasional game of chase. As part of the Confidence Crew, she supports other dogs with socialisation on walks.

 

 

Teddy

Teddy joined my family at 11 months old and was already on his third home. Like many dogs, his behaviour — chewing and digging — was simply a reflection of unmet needs rather than something to be “fixed”.

Through Teddy, I learned the importance of understanding breed traits and providing appropriate outlets, particularly for dogs with strong instincts to sniff, explore and hunt. With the right support and environment, he quickly settled and found his place.

Teddy also challenged me in different ways, particularly around confidence. Supporting him meant adapting my approach, learning to build his belief in himself as well as his skills.

Now, he thrives on learning and enjoys new challenges. As part of the Confidence Crew, he demonstrates reliable recall even in more distracting environments, and helps maintain balance during group interactions with his calm, social nature.

 

Frank

Frank is my ‘step dog’ — a German Shepherd who came into my life and quietly reshaped how I understand reactivity.

He’s a brilliant dog in so many ways, but he doesn’t find the world as easy as Mabel and Teddy do. Seeing other dogs can be hard for him, not because he’s “bad” or “difficult”, but because he doesn’t always know how to respond. And that uncertainty can spill over.

Frank has taught me that reactivity isn’t something you rush, fix, or override. It asks you to slow down, to notice the small changes, to respond rather than react. It’s taught me to look earlier, listen more closely, and meet the dog in front of me — not the dog I might wish they were.

He’s also given me a much deeper understanding of what it feels like to live with a reactive dog. The constant awareness, the planning, the moments that don’t go to plan, and the quiet wins that mean everything.

Frank’s world has grown hugely over time. He has dogs he trusts, places he can go, and a life that feels safer and more predictable to him. But he’s still a work in progress — and that’s okay. He doesn’t need to be anything other than who he is.

He might not be part of the “confidence crew”, but he is very much part of the family and ‘brother’ to Mabel and Teddy. And he’s taught me just as much — if not more — about patience, empathy, and what true support really looks like.