Gemma Fisher, Dog Training & Behaviour Specialist

Gemma Fisher, Dog Training & Behaviour Specialist Border Collie training & behaviour specialist 🐶 In person 121’s 🇬🇧 & Online Courses available 🌎 I guess you’d say she's a bit of a fan of the breed!

Gemma Fisher is a renowned international trainer who specialises in Border Collies. She has belonged to 7 amazing collies, bred 17 talented collie puppies over two litters, and fostered 3 troubled collies before finding them their forever homes. Not to mention how many collies and their owners she's helped throughout her many years as a dog trainer. Border Collies and their crosses can be amazing

dogs. But they can also be really hard work too! That’s why she helps collie owners how to teach their dog a brilliant recall so they can enjoy walking anywhere without the worry of them overreacting to joggers/ cyclists or other dogs. She started as most people do, in a village hall learning traditional obedience skills. But she found her energy and enthusiasm was better suited to the sport of agility, and there a love affair was born. A life-long learner, Gemma has a wealth of knowledge to share about all things dog-related. She realised early on in her dog training journey that thinking outside the box and learning from other dog sports could only be a good thing. As far as she's concerned, there is no such thing as one size fits all. She works with the dog in front of her, each as unique as the people that bring them to see her. She shares her life with Border Collies, plus one somewhat unorthodox Working Cocker Spaniel. The Border Collies share her love of work and learning. The Cocker reminds her that life should never be taken too seriously. Gemma is a passionate and enthusiastic speaker who brings lots of energy to her workshops and seminars. She is only interested in shaping dog and human behaviour using kind, positive reinforcement based methods. It is her fervent belief that all creatures are capable of great things - if only they can brought to realise it. Helping people and dogs realise that is her definition of a successful seminar. She has a passion for helping dog lovers build better relationships with their dogs so that they can enjoy every moment with them. You will find her online training courses & workshops full to the brim with useful information and ideas to help you solve any dog training problem. Learn more at her website -->>

www.gemmafisher.com

Not every dog needs to come on the holiday 🐾My Vodka is nearly 11 and has never been a fan of car travel. When the rest ...
18/08/2026

Not every dog needs to come on the holiday 🐾

My Vodka is nearly 11 and has never been a fan of car travel. When the rest of the pack went away recently, she stayed home with a friend for a solo mini-break instead - walks, a trip to the pub, thoroughly spoiled.

It was genuinely the better weekend for her. I didn't feel guilty, because I knew exactly which one she'd have chosen.

Different dogs in the same family can need completely different plans. That's not favouritism - that's actually seeing the dog in front of you.

👉 More on what that actually looks like - link in the comments.

Jacqueline's not long back from a week in Rutland with all three dogs - and it wasn't a military operation 🥳"Just coming...
17/08/2026

Jacqueline's not long back from a week in Rutland with all three dogs - and it wasn't a military operation 🥳

"Just coming to the end of a lovely week's holiday in Rutland. All 3 dogs have been great, especially Bertie. I've been able to let him enjoy off lead walks and he's been so good at checking in and recalling. And then flopping in a pub whilst we eat! I won't mention the barking at all the horses that go past the cottage or the cars when we had to walk along narrow country lanes!! I don't want to go home!"

Notice what's in there: off-lead walks, pub lunches - and yes, some barking at horses and cars too.

A bigger life doesn't mean a perfect one.

It means the good bits outweigh the wobbles, and you can still enjoy the trip 🙌

👉 More on what that actually looks like - link in the comments.

Many years ago, my dog Kai and I were heading out for a Boxing Day walk.He was off lead, just a few steps ahead of me, h...
16/08/2026

Many years ago, my dog Kai and I were heading out for a Boxing Day walk.

He was off lead, just a few steps ahead of me, heading for my boyfriend's front door like he always did.

Then he saw a cat - for the first time on that road. And he went for it.

The road was quiet, it being a bank holiday. But not quiet enough. He didn't make it to the other side before a car hit him.

He lost his leg as a result of the accident that day 💔

He recovered, adapted, continued to play a bit of agility on three legs, and lived a long, full, joyful life afterwards.

But I've never forgotten how fast it happened, or how much I'd have given for a do-over of that cold December morning 😔

That's why recall was never a "nice to have" for me after that. It's not a party trick, or something to look impressive with at the park.

It's the thing that works when there's no time to think, only to react.

That morning taught me that the hard way. I've spent every year since trying to make sure other people don't have to learn a similar painful lesson.

If your dog's recall currently feels "good enough for now" - I'd gently ask: good enough for the day it really counts?

15/08/2026

📞 On hold with your Border Collie 🤪

We've all been there 🙄

Tag the friend whose dog put them on hold today.

Steve's been putting the "smallest version" principle into practice since a webinar I did for the Club recently - and it...
14/08/2026

Steve's been putting the "smallest version" principle into practice since a webinar I did for the Club recently - and it's already changing his walks.

"Cows in field going diagonally across to find water - we stayed approx 10m from gate. Interested but could disengage without prompt and can offer behaviours. Watched her disengage about 5 times, rewarded her each time... Second cat was a similar thing - it got bored of waiting for us! I think with both of these, there was quite a lot of distance which clearly helped."

Notice what Steve did: he didn't test Orla's recall against a cow at two metres.

He found the distance where she could still think, and built from there.

He also caught himself pushing too far too soon - and owned it. That's not a setback. That's exactly the kind of information testing is supposed to give you.

What's your dog's PhD level distraction?

Tell us below, and grab the guide to start working your collie through the collie school education system 👇

What level is your dog's recall actually being tested each walk? 🐾Swipe to find out →
13/08/2026

What level is your dog's recall actually being tested each walk? 🐾

Swipe to find out →

12/08/2026

What's your dog's level 10 distraction? 🐾

🐿️ For some it's a squirrel.

🦮 For others it's another dog, 🎾 a ball thrower, 🚴 a cyclist, or 🐑 a sheep that shoots off at speed.

Whatever it is, that's not where you start testing.

You start at level 1 - the easy version - and work your way up.

Full framework, levels laid out - link in the comments.

11/08/2026

One good recall doesn't mean the behaviour is finished 🐾

Your dog nailing a quiet-living-room recall is really good place to start.

But it's just not the same test as a recall away from a squirrel, three dogs and a football in the park 🐿️🐩🐕🐕‍🦺⚽

Stop making every walk a difficult exam.

Test at the level your dog's actually ready for - then build up from there.

Have a read of this blog post for a full framework for figuring out where your dog's really at:

>> https://www.gemmafisher.com/do-you-have-a-phd-level-recall/

Melanie's been testing Sasha's recall around squirrels - not hoping, actually testing - and here's what she found:"50% s...
10/08/2026

Melanie's been testing Sasha's recall around squirrels - not hoping, actually testing - and here's what she found:

"50% success with squirrels - one made a quick dash for the other side of the fence, she chased but came back straight away (she realised it was useless!). The second ran a short distance then up a tree to sit and gloat from the squirrel feeding box, she sat without any prompting, she did stare but could look away then turned straight back."

50% isn't a fail mark. It's data.

Melanie now knows exactly where Sasha's at with a fast-moving squirrel versus one that's gone still and taunting from a tree - two different tests, two different results.

That's the whole point of testing properly: it tells you what to build next, not whether you've failed.

👉 Want to learn how to test your dog's recall properly instead of guessing?

Full breakdown - link in the comments.

This Sunday's rescue spotlight 🐾Meet Rover and Shep - brothers, about two years old, both looking for a fresh start with...
09/08/2026

This Sunday's rescue spotlight 🐾

Meet Rover and Shep - brothers, about two years old, both looking for a fresh start with Morgan's Dog Rescue.

They came in together and have kept each other company since, but here's the thing: they're each looking for a home of their own, not a home for the pair of them.

Both are happy, lively, typical young Collies - friendly, confident, full of potential, and keen to learn. Neither has had much training yet, so they'll need someone collie-experienced who's ready to put the work in and help them grow into sensible, settled adult dogs.

A few things to know before you enquire:

🐾 Both need a collie-experienced rural home
🐾 Not suitable for homes with young children
🐾 Not cat tested
🐾 Fine with dogs they've met at the rescue, though both are excitable on the lead

They've started their vaccinations and are neutered. Whichever one catches your eye, they're ready to start their next chapter.

Full details and how to apply are in the comments 👇

And if this is meant to be your story, drop me a DM - I'd love to offer a little support as you both find your feet together.

Address

A5/A483
Oswestry
SY11 4JA

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