Jo Williams (MSc, DipCAB, APDT UK) Clinical Animal Behaviourist
I have been training dogs for over 25 years. I live with my husband Jon and 2 dogs; Cuba a Miniature American Shepherd and Hallie an American Shepherd. My previous dog Morgan, Red and White Setter, taught me valuable lessons about training gun dogs and how their noses can get them into trouble! I’ve had 2 Border Collies and a Cocker Spaniel. I compete in Hoopers, Scentwork, Rally and we also love doing trick training. I am a qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and have a Masters (MSc) in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Newcastle University in 2017. I started my animal education with a diploma in animal behaviour with COAPE in 2000 (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology). This gave me a fantastic theoretical knowledge of animal behaviour, so I then needed to get some hands on experience. Training with Scallywags School for Dogs provided me with this. Starting as a classroom assistant and progressing on to take my own classes and behavioural cases. I have also worked with The Blue Cross re-homing centre, working with their rescue dogs looking for new homes. I started Paws4teaching in 2014 and love working with and supporting people with their dog training and behaviour needs. I became a full member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) in 2007 because I believe that dog trainers should work to a code of practice and only use ‘Kind, Fair and Effective’ training. I have recently become a full member of PACT as I love their aim of working ethically and sustainability within the dog training industry. I am an accredited Instructor with Canine Hoopers UK , Scentwork UK , Dog Parkour UK , UK Sniffer Dogs and NNA I do not use any invasive, coercive or punitive equipment or methods. Training must be fun for the dog and owner. Building a good, positive relationship is the most effective way you can have a happy and contented dog. The field of dog training is continuing to develop and change, and I make sure I am up to date by attending courses and conferences as often as I can. |
Elaine Fenton
I have always had a love of animals and now that I am retired I can now spend more time working with them. I live with my husband and 2 border collies, Nell and Tye. Nell (the mainly black one) I got as a puppy and Tye (mainly white one) I have recently rescued from The Dogs Trust. Both of my dogs love playing with their toys and Nell and I take part in agility. I have also owned Golden Retrievers. Nell helps as a stooge dog when Jo is working with more complex behavioural cases. I assist with the Cheddon Fitzpaine training classes and I am aiming to become a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers when I have gained enough knowledge and experience. |
Annie Hodge
My name is Annie, I completed my BSc Hons in applied animal management in 2012 before working in a veterinary practice for four years. I've been assisting and training with Paws4Teaching since 2017. I'm a level 2 Canine Hoopers World instructor since 2021. And I hope to continue my professional dog training journey by becoming accredited with the IMDT next. I've always loved dogs, but my passion for dog training really took off with my second dog, Bruce. He had a lot of phobias, was people and dog reactive, chased cats, and was hyperactive, and everything was exacerbated by an injury which did cause him lifelong pain. This is how I met Jo, as we worked through the challenges, I needed Bruce to be able to cope with, and I realised I would need to change our lifestyle to one that suited the dog that Bruce was and adjust my own expectations. Living with him taught me not only a whole host of skills to address problem behaviours, but also to have more empathy for other dog owners facing their own challenges. My family now includes my two Labradors, Ember and Trinket. Ember is high drive, even for a working Labrador! She loves to learn new skills and is a joy to train. Trinket is much more laid back and is maturing into the most perfect pet dog |
Charlotte Stacey (MISAP Beh)
My name is Charlotte. After a successful career with the Ministry of Defence I have followed my heart and returned to working with animals. Having shared my life and home with rescue dogs of all breeds and sizes I know the benefits as well as the challenges this can present but the decision to adopt a feisty little beagle called Hollie is what really set me on my journey to learn more about animal behaviour and helped me to truly understand the importance of good training. It was during a brief dog free period that I began volunteering for Dogs for Good, first as a puppy boarder and then, when I had some tales to tell, as a registered speaker. A few years later I discovered Service Dogs UK, an assistance dog charity pairing military and emergency services diagnosed with PTSD with rescue dogs and I am proud to work as a trainer for their South West hub. As part of my role I liaise closely with The Dogs Trust and assess dogs of all breeds and sizes for suitability as an assistance dog, often arriving home to my bemused partner with yet another dog in the back of the car! Dogs successfully rescued, trained and accredited include a pomsky, numerous spaniels and even some lurchers, along with the more ‘traditional’ labradors and ever popular ‘doodles and ‘poos. Variety is certainly the spice of life and I’ve not assessed one yet that has failed the Public Access Test. However that same can’t be said for the fabulous dog I share my life with; Ty, a yellow Labrador, was supposed to be an assistance dog on the Dogs For Good autism programme but during lockdown it was decided the working life was not for him so he joined my family as a pet and I’m sure he truly believes we are actually his assistants! |