Kellie
Founder & Head Coach, MSc
Animals have always been a part of my life. I grew up on a small holding, with a family run pet shop, which was often the home to many abandoned or stray pets. I worked for almost a decade on a rare breeds farm, that also brought animals into the community to facilitate interaction and education. Here, I also worked in animal assisted therapy.
I moved to Edinburgh in 2015 to complete my Master of Science degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare. I was awarded the MSc with Distinction from the University of Edinburgh. As such, I am an alumni of The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies – a world leader in veterinary and animal behaviour education. I have also trained with leading expert Michael Shikashio to complete the Aggression in Dogs Master Course.
I commit to staying up to date with my knowledge on dog behaviour through attending conferences, seminars and connecting with animal behaviour professionals. I have committed to continued professional development through maintaining full membership with the Grisha Stewart Academy.
I have lived with and trained lots of different dogs including German shepherds, Landseers (Newfies), collies, spaniels, retrievers, poodles, terriers and a wide range of rescue and mixed breed dogs. However, I haven’t stood in your shoes. I don’t know what it’s like to own your dog.
From my experience, dogs are as unique as people. My work is based on the latest research in dog behaviour and psychological theory, including effective assessments and interventions to change behaviour. These interventions include cognitive behavioural approaches, – how your dog might think and feel; Solution-focussed practice – looking at your interactions and how your behaviour might impact on your dog; and attachment theory – building the bond and trust to help your relationship thrive.
I take a holistic view of your dog’s behaviour, considering environment, nutrition and breed tendencies in all my assessments. All my clients start with a one-off in-person session. This is so that you can ensure that I am the right person to complement your dog guardianship philosophy and meet your dog’s specific needs.
If you’ve recently welcomed a young puppy into your life, count on me to assist you in navigating the challenges that come your way and prevent the development of undesirable habits. My goal is to ensure that you feel confident and capable of raising your dog in a nurturing environment. So that your relationship aligns with what you envisioned when you first brought your canine companion home.
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Letʼs start the journey to a happy relationship with your dog today!