01/12/2025
The 1st of December marks ONE YEAR of running my own business!
What a year it has been. It was definitely a tricky start — being self-employed means building everything from scratch — but I was incredibly lucky to already have the support of so many lovely people who’ve trusted me with their dogs over the years, especially during my time with Dogs be Dogs
I thought this would be a perfect moment to tell you a little more about myself, so you can get to know the person behind the walks!
I first came to the UK in 2004, and finally moved here in 2007. It was hard at first, but I fell completely in love with the little villages that looked as if they were auditioning for a role in *The Holiday*.
I never imagined working with dogs was even an option. I always felt I needed a “real” job, so I spent years working in a pre-school, and somewhere along the way had two kids of my own. Then, in 2015, our family welcomed Bianca — a Romanian rescue — into our lives. (That was also the moment I realised: I am the grown-up now. If I want a dog, I can actually decide that!)
If I tell you it took me three years of constant questioning — “What have I done?” — would you believe me?
Bianca wasn’t the problem. She was just being herself. I was the one who didn’t understand. I naively thought a dog would feel grateful for being adopted. It wasn’t until a friend said to me:
“Imagine how hard it must be for Bianca. One day she’s running with her friends, doing whatever she wants… and the next she’s suddenly in a house with no dogs and people who don’t even speak her language.”
That was my big Aha! (and wow, I’ve been so clueless) moment.
From then on, I threw myself into learning. I discovered positive reinforcement and force-free training. I learned that anyone can call themselves a “trainer" without proper education or assessment — and I decided I wanted to do it the right way.
Around that time, in 2017, I also started my very first dog-walking business. It was small, simple, and very much fuelled by enthusiasm rather than experience, but I absolutely loved it. I ran it right up until 2020, when lockdown hit and, like so many others, I had to close it down.
During second lockdown, I worked as a 1-to-1 TA supporting autistic children — a role that taught me a lot about compassion and different ways of communication.
I recently was diagnosed with ADHD, which explains why I was never able to work in the office environment 😉
It definitely helps me to understand each dog as an individual.
It took years, but I volunteered as a trainer’s assistant, completed a Puppy Training course and assessment with The IMDT, and recently finished my Level 4 Dog Training Course with The International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour - ISCP — with a distinction! I’m now preparing for my theory and practical assessments.
Yes, I’m a dog walker — and maybe that’s what I’ll remain. But regardless of the job title, I believe I owe it to every dog in my care to keep learning, growing, and becoming the best I can be.
