Hollybarn Dog Training and Boarding was set up in the West of Ireland and is run by leading Irish Dog Trainer, Animal Behaviourist, and qualified Veterinary Nurse Emma Whelan BSc (Hons) VN, RVN, Dip CAPBT. Emma has over two decades of experience in the Veterinary industry and the Dog Training and behaviour world. Emma qualified from UCD Dublin before going on to study dog training and behaviour in
the UK.
“As a child growing up in Dublin owning my own Chocolate Labrador “Rommel” I realised incredibly early that the only thing I wanted to do when I grew up was to work with animals. After working in the veterinary industry and with animals now for over 20 years my outlook still has not changed. It has been, and continues to be, my passion, my obsession and an incredibly rewarding, enjoyable part of my life.”
Emma has an unwavering passion and love for animals and their wellbeing. She has been involved in canine and animal behaviour, psychology, and training since being a youngster. It is difficult to find anyone as enthusiastic, as dedicated, or as knowledgeable as Emma in the Dog Training and Behaviour World. Emma has earned many academic credits to her name including qualifying as a Dog Trainer, Animal Behaviourist, a Veterinary Nutrition Adviser, and an Advanced Pet Health Counsellor as well as being an advisor to many dog and cat rescue centres and charities both in Ireland and the UK. This combination of skills and dedication has made her one of the most sought after and well-respected Dog Trainers, Animal Behaviourists and Veterinary Nurses in both Ireland and the UK. “Everyone should have the chance to own the dog they’ve always wanted - I help families achieve this every day and that's a cool feeling!”
Emma travels Ireland providing One to One Dog and Puppy Training Sessions right at the heart of where people’s problems are – in peoples own homes. “I ran dog training classes in the past and never felt people really achieved as much as they could. One problematic dog or several different dogs with different learning speeds and people get left behind or get bored. They also tend to run for several weeks and if you miss a week you could miss the part you really wanted. A two-hour session in someone’s home is far more effective and better value for money for the owner and their dog”
For the real problematic dog Emma also provides the option of Residential Training Programs. These run for a minimum of two weeks where your dog lives in Emma’s own home and is trained from dusk until dawn. “I find the intensity of a dog being trained constantly from waking up to going to bed works incredibly well for the dog, especially if this is done in a normal home environment. The satisfaction of returning a dog after two weeks and handing back just what the owner wanted is exhilarating.”
Emma also provides Boarding and Doggy Day Care in her own home so even if you do not have training requirements, you’re holidays are covered. www.hollybarndogtrainingandbehaviour.com