Juniper Indigo
Someone to help you build a happy, lifelong relationship
Dogs have changed my life. After years of struggling with my mental health at university, I found a reason to get out of bed and a friend who never judged me. It happened when I began walking a dog for a neighbour.
Buddy and I had the kind of relationship that new dog-carers dream about: we went on adventures together and spent hours snuggling on the sofa.
These days I’m lucky to share my life with Hattie, my best friend in the whole world. Our friendship brings me so much joy, especially on the days when I still struggle.
Between them, Buddy and Hattie set me on a path of canine discovery and gave me another good reason to get out of bed: to help people like you train your dog so you too can enjoy an awesomely happy relationship with your best friend.
It’s all about building a relationship
The best relationships in life are built on trust. It’s the same with your dog; it’s what makes the pair of you a team ready to face life together. Your role in that team is to teach your dog the skills to manage everything the human world throws at them.
Years of reading and research have taught me that your dog has to enjoy their training; they need to be an active and willing partner. This is why I focus on rewarding your dog for desirable behaviours while giving them the space to make choices and communicate how they feel. It’s a warm and caring partnership approach that empowers your dog, builds their confidence and strengthens your relationship with them.
No two dogs or training sessions are alike
How your dog feels (both physically and emotionally) affects how they behave and how easily they learn. These feelings vary from dog to dog and from day to day – just as they do in humans. So I’ll help you understand how your dog is feeling and what you can do to improve their wellbeing. It’s so much easier to help your dog succeed and achieve your training goals together when you understand why they struggle with some activities and thrive with others.
If you want your dog to become your best friend, you have to build your friendship on love, trust and fun; not on confusion, pain and fear.
Immersion in the world of dogs
Since deciding to become a dog trainer, I’ve immersed myself in the subject. I’ve spent six years reading and researching, taking courses, participating in webinars, broadening my knowledge, refining my skills. I also volunteered for three years with the Dogs Trust at their training classes. That gave me practical, hands-on experience working with senior trainers and a chance to see how they put theory into practice.
If you and your dog are to live happily together, it’s my duty to be well-informed, adaptable and sympathetic. In short, to be the expert you can trust.
Qualifications and other training
Formal training courses and qualifications:
Currently studying: Canine Welfare, Training and Behaviour (Level 4) - The Dogenius Institute
Distinction in Canine Behaviour and Psychology (Level 3) – Compass Education
Certified Trick Dog Instructor – Do More With Your Dog
Puppy Lab – School of Canine Science (puppy development, socialisation and training)
30 Days of Canine Science – School of Canine Science (the science of how dogs learn and how to use that knowledge to train dogs)
Canine First Aid
I’ve also attended and participated in numerous specialist webinars on topics such as:
Dog body language and communication
Teaching training exercises like loose-lead walking and recall
Dog adolescence, puberty and neutering
How to use play in training
Keeping children safe around dogs
Laws around dogs