Doherty Dog Training

02/09/2026

Did you know I'm ABTC and IMDTB accredited?

What does that mean, I hear you say?

👩🏼‍🎓 Well, it means I've met the high standards of knowledge and understanding to pass their extensive assessment process. It's not easy, involves both theory and practical assessments, so I just don't talk the talk, I walk the walk too 😉

📖 I consistently meet the 30hours of continued learning EVERY year. So it's not just 1 and done, or "I've been this for X years". Trainers and behaviourists should always learn more to effectively adapt to your dog AND you!

👩🏼‍⚕️ I work solely on vet referral for behaviour clients. Health and behaviour are very closely linked so I will also ask you many questions related to your dogs health in an effort to find a holistic approach to their behaviour. It's not a 1 size fits all!

🗂️ As an accredited Clinical Animal Behaviourist, some insurance policies include our services! So be sure to check your policy to see if it fits!

🆘 I'll be honest with you if I feel out of my depth or if I don't think I can help. I wont stop there though, I'll direct you to someone that can help!

💙 But most of all it shows grit, determination, a love for dogs and a genuine want to make every dog and their human's lives better. It's not an easy assessment process, and it takes a lot of time, perseverance and resilience to pass (tears and money too 😅) to know you're in the best hands.

If you're looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate trainer/behaviourist, look no further, get in touch

20/07/2026

💤 Sleeping on the bed 💤

This might not seem like much. It might be your day-to-day or may even be undesirable for you. For us it's huge 💙

Skout struggled to settle with noises, our cat and generally wanting to spend prolonged time with us.

What changed?
Was it more training?
Was it meds?
Was it more exercise?
Was it giving her a "job"?

For Skout:
Slowing things down 🐢 - the world is too fast and noisy for her, so walks every day actually made things so much worse as she couldn't catch a break. I also reduced my expectations!

Management 🐕‍🦺 - baby gates and crates when needed. Skout loves her crate, it's her safe space to hide from noises. But we also use it if we feel she's too interested with Ada, our cat. We use long-lines and keep her on-lead where we know she's not going to respond. AND when we can, we keep walks quiet and predictable, increasing difficulty gradually.

Medication 💊 - she is over-aroused by life (not what you're thinking 😉 good and bad stress) which meant she struggles to stay in "thinking brain" and so learning in certain situations become difficult. She also displayed many anxious behaviours so we worked with our vets and physio to rule out medical causes and came up with a plan and to review as needed.

Teaching her new skills 👩🏼‍🎓 - new skills help build confidence in dogs! Our time doing scentwork with nosezoneni has been invaluable in getting Skout to SLOW DOWN, think and get her using her nose (which is a naturally relaxing behaviour). We also use "find it," (sniff for treats) "touch," (boop my hand) and "in" (between our legs) depending on the situation on walks!

Having FUN 🎉 - training isn't all boring! We remembered to have fun, do things we both enjoyed together. Zoomies, toy play, started hoopers for fun, tracking, and just being silly together 💙

These tips won't suit every dog or household. It started from us just wanting her to walk nicely on the lead. So if you're struggling with your dogs behaviour, remember to look at the WHOLE picture.

Got a dog who struggles to settle? Get in touch now to start your journey 💃🏼

25/06/2026

On hot days like this, no way we're going walkies!!

I know I rant on about it but is one of the best ways to tire out our dogs especially on hot days like these!!

Sniffing has endless benefits for your dog
🐕 Encourages natural behaviour
🐕 Promotes calm
🐕 Gives dogs a job to do
🐕 Works body at a slow pace (for those busy or elderly dogs)
🐕 Tires dogs out (takes 1/3 of their brain to process smells 😱)
🐕 Builds confidence in nervous dogs
🐕 Builds teamwork between you and your pup

To name but a few!!

If you've got a busy furball that you're struggling to tire out or simply want some fun together, get in touch to start your scentwork journey 💃🏼

12/06/2026

Progress is progress 💃🏼

Traffic and noise are big stressors for Skout who couldn't respond to anything and can either bolt or pull like a steam train to avoid

Here we're walking along a busy road at lunch time which we typically avoid. On the whole, she's pretty responsive

We see a dog close by which is also incredibly exciting for her so the fact she responded to anything at all with the lab is a HUGE win 🐕

With the dog, "come" was clearly not exciting enough for her so I switched up with our fun cue of "ready" and "find it" which did the trick

Is this walk perfect: definitely not
Is she relaxed: no but I don't expect that
Is she pulling: at times but also loose times
Is she engaged: yes, with me AND sniffing!!
Does this happen every walk: no, but also some walks are even better!!

A reminder to revel in the small wins when working with any kind of behaviour problem and remember where you started 💪🏼

[Black and tan dog walking on a lead on a footpath, returning to handler when called and cued "come" until seeing an owner and brown lab in front, didn't respond to "come" but did to "ready, find it"]

05/06/2026

Seeing as I've been off grid for a while I thought I'd do a blurb on what makes up Doherty Dog Training

🐕 Rescue born and bred
Over 8 years ago I started my dog training journey as a kennel staff member before swiftly moving up to a Behaviour and Training Advisor. Now I'm a Clinical Animal Behaviourist for 1 of the UKs largest dog charities

🎓 Education to match
With an undergrad in Biochemistry and a Masters in Animal Behaviour, I happily get into the nitty gritty of why dogs behave the way they do

📖 Continuous learning
I'm an accredited Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the ABTC and behaviourist with IMDT, aligning with their high standards of knowledge and experience, and exceed their learning expectations each year

🐕‍🦺 United Canine Scent Sport Instructor
As of this year I'm a scentwork instructor. This was an amazing opportunity to gain knowledge on all the benefits and wonders of scentwork and how it can help all our dogs

🐶🐱 Currently owned by a dog and a cat
My life has been enriched meeting someone who came along with these 2 floofs. They're constantly making me think and improve as a caregiver but also making me enjoy all there is to having pets 💙

22/05/2026

We've had a chaotic week and managed to miss National Rescue Dog Day! I want to celebrate every rescued soul and the people who gave them the love they deserved. Rescue dogs don’t just enter our homes — they change our hearts forever. They may arrive with uncertain pasts, but they teach us resilience, loyalty, and the joy found in second chances. Loving them is easy; they become family in the quiet moments and losing them is one of the hardest goodbyes we ever face, because the love of a rescue dog leaves paw prints on our hearts that never fade. Yesterday does and should celebrate those amazing dogs that fill our lives and hearts with unmeasurable love 💙

27/04/2026

What a great day yesterday! Sun shining and dogs sniffing, what more could you ask for? Thanks The Nose Zone, United Canine Scent Sport and Canine Ability Dog Training for having us along with M.T.N Dog Services & Paws To Go

25/04/2026

Mount Stewart - National Trust
Pet Nose Day is nearly here!🐾🐩

📅Sun 26 April 10am to 5pm
📍Mount Stewart

🐶Enter your pup in the Fun Dog Show judged by , entries are £3 per class and includes Best Rescue, Hariest Bestie, Handsomest Boy and more!

Meet local animal charities and learn about their valuable work and we also have loads of brilliant local pet retailers joining us including Silverwing Salon and Finnesiam.
The Backyard Photography Company
4Tails
Murphy & Bailey
Lost and Found Pets North Down/Ards & Surrounding Areas/ Rescue & Rehoming

💷Please bring cash, just in case the wifi isn't wifiing. The nearest cashpoints to Mount Stewart are in Newtownards and Grey Abbey.

We can't wait to see you and your best dog friend!

Normal admission applies, NT members free entry.

19/04/2026

What an amazing week learning all about Scent Detection! Met some more incredible trainers, learnt SO MUCH 🤯 and had loads of fun on the way! Watch this space for more sniffing fun to come!!

Huge congratulations to all of our brand new UCS Detection Instructors 🎉🐾
What a week it has been, and honestly what a journey over the past few months. Watching each of you grow, develop, question, adapt, and support one another has been incredible. This hasn’t just been about learning how to teach detection, it’s been about building confidence, understanding dogs on a deeper level, and stepping into your role as thoughtful, skilled instructors.
We loved coaching every single one of you. The effort, the openness to learning, and the way you’ve backed each other throughout has been exactly what UCS is all about. You should be seriously proud of what you’ve achieved,
This is just the beginning… and we can’t wait to see what you go on to build.
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If you’re thinking about starting your own detection journey, whether for your own dog or to become an instructor, drop a comment below or send us a message 📩