Not being allowed a dog until the age of 11 I grew up trying to train my cats and rabbits to do tricks.  The neighbours, friends and family dogs also had their turn.  My first dog, a Great Dane crossed with a border collie, was from the Animal Welfare Trust in Watford.  Back in those days training was very much by compulsion which I learnt early on wasn't going to work with a dog that weighed the same as me. 

After school I went to Bolton University where they offered Pschology courses that included animal behaviour.  I graduated from Bolton with a honours degree in Psychology in 1997 and then took on a "normal" job.  In 2007, fed up of the office job, I retrained as a animal nutrionist and started my own mobile petshop.  At this time I met, and went on to train with, the behaviourist Helen Green who was ahead of her time in force-free training. At the same time I took up Dog Agility with my working cocker spaniel Freddie.  Since then I have had 3 agility dogs (and one cheerleader) and have competed at Champ level.  I have also dabbled in hoopers, heel work to music, flyball, gun dog work and scentwork. 

Over the years I have been owned by a great dane x collie, a working Border Collie, a miniature schnazer and various spaniels. I currently share my life with two rescue spaniels.  

I started 'ARY Dog Training after moving to Worthing in late 2020, prior to this I had been running classes for other training clubs. I also provide training advice to fosterers and new owners for a rehoming organisation, Spaniel Assist.

Having owned and been around dogs (and animals in general) all my life I wanted to learn more. This lead me to studying a Degree in Zoology majoring in Animal Behaviour and Physiology at the University of Canterbury (New Zealand). More recently I have continued this learning with CPD courses from the IMDT, The School of Canine Science and Galen Myotherapy. I am also a qualified Dog Groomer having completed the iPet L3 Diploma in Dog Grooming and Salon Management.

For the last 25 years I have worked in education which has included working for a large animal rescue to support the professional development of humans within rescue organisations around the world.

I am passionate about supporting puppies/dogs and their humans develop the best relationships possible and to live happy and healthy lives. My approach to training (and dog grooming) is always to use fear free, reward based training methods which are scientifically backed. I do not use or advocate any aversive or dominance based methods to achieve results.

My belief is that training and owning a dog should be fun and result in you having a deep bond and understanding of each other.