17/06/2025
Hi everyone! Since I’ve got some lovely new followers, I thought I’d finally share how I ended up as a dog trainer — something I’ve never actually done before!
I’m Julie, and I’ve always been animal-obsessed. I started out in earlier employment in the equine world as a Veterinary Nurse and then became a Yard Manager at an Agricultural College. My dog training journey really kicked off when I met Talia at Wood Green Animal Shelter — a very loud, not-so-confident German Shepherd who completely stole my heart.
Back then, most training advice was all about punishment and corrections, which didn’t sit right with me. So, I immersed myself into studying kinder, more supportive methods — and Talia blossomed. She truly changed my life and sparked this 20+ year adventure in dog training and behaviour. Since then, I’ve shared my life with more amazing, sometimes challenging, dogs — Sashi, another troubled GSD, Dipstick, a very clever 14-year-old JRT cross, and Bear, my big sensitive fluffball.
Then, 10 years ago, a life-changing diagnosis had me flat on my back in a hospital bed, wondering how I could still keep animals in my life. I gave myself a goal: to attend an IMDT workshop on dog aggression at the Royal Vet College — and walk in there, not roll. I made it, with walking aids, not a wheelchair.
That workshop lit a spark, and I realised I could still work with dogs. These days, I might not manage full-time hours, but I help clients near and far, in-person and on Zoom, with everything from puppy training to aggression issues.
A decade later, helping people to understand and train their wonderful dogs kindly and ethically is what makes my heart sing. I love it even more when they share their successes with me. Long may it continue!
If you would like a trainer (that trained her husky cross to walk nicely on the lead when she uses walking aids) to help you with your dog, please do get in touch.
Throwback pic of me and my heart dog Talia. 🥰
