Sharon understood that to assist the problematic dogs better, studied a Delta Course. With these qualifications and a passion became Lead Trainer of the behavioural team at Shenton Park Dog Refuge.
10 years of shelter experience with Shenton Park Dog Refuge Sharon led and mentored the training team, staff, volunteers and foster carers. Sharing her knowledge in body language workshops, reactivity/
aggression, dog socialisation, cat and dog meets, impulse control issues, muzzle training, how to train and much more. Areas of her expertise is dog reactivity and aggression and whilst employed at the dogs’ home the task was to help the dogs to learn by changing their association and the goal was to be adopted forever. To assist with this transition from kennel to home writing and implementing ‘behaviour modification program’ templates which assists dogs to learn and progress. Problematic dogs may stem from a number of reasons which is why Puppy socialisation classes are super important. Sharon ran and mentored puppy and reactive classes which were heavily sought after. As Lead Trainer and with the assistance of the training team, priority was dog socialisation which assists the dogs’ ability to cope in a false stressful environment. This helped with their social skills whilst waiting for their forever home. Sharon is now pursuing her own dog training business to continue her passion to help dogs and their owners, particularly rescue dogs. This service is desperately needed to keep dogs in their forever homes as it will help continue their learning on the outside which is very important. This service will provide the owner and their dog a more fulfilled quality of life, and help the owner gain a better understanding of the continuous training that is required for these dogs to succeed in their forever homes is invaluable. This technique strengthens the bond with the owner giving the dog a choice. Like with any habit this needs to be reinforced constantly. Consistency is the key! The owner needs to be committed to training on a daily basis, if this is done the rewards will be immense. Sharon currently lives with her two rescue dogs, Mack and Missy Moo. Both are in continuous training and need daily management. They can be challenging at times and are project dogs for life. They are loved, spoilt and have many quality moments which puts smiles on their faces daily and mine. The business name is dedicated to a shelter dog named Wolfie who helped me rehabilitate many dogs in the refuge by being a decoy dog. He absolutely LOVED dogs and his social skills were amazing! He lived in the moment whilst having the patience to show other dogs how to be a dog. He was at the dog’s home for a long period of time and lived as good a life as a dog can live with restraints of kennel life. Wolfie was in many play groups, walking pairs, group walks and beach outings and dozens of hard dog meet. I can’t remember any dog that he ever gave up on. His signal to me that the dog he was working on was ok was simply this……Wolfie would look at you, then lie down and not budge until you allowed the other dog to approach him. I give thanks to Wolfie every day, you were a great teacher and loved by many, especially me. Unfortunately his life was far too short. RIP fur angel x
