Small dog advocate. Pack mum. Slightly unhinged in the best way.

I own a pack of 7 dogs! One Cockapoo, two dachshunds, three Chihuahuas and a mix breed. They’re all under 5 years old, and most of them have been rehomed by me due to behaviour issues. You’ll meet them on your sessions as they help other dogs learn how to be a dog.

The reason I set up The Social Dog Trainer is there are SO many dog training businesses out there… but no one seems to specialise in small dogs.

When I first had Marley, I wanted a happy go lucky dog that trusted me and listened to me. I struggled to find a dog trainer that didn’t have a large breed dog, and who didn’t specialise in obedience.

In my spare time (lol) I love to read psychological thrillers and watch crime drama. I also love a cheeky holiday, and drinking Red Bull.

My approach

My training is rooted in dog psychology and behaviour, not labels.

I focus on understanding why a dog is reacting, not just managing the behaviour in the moment. That means looking at emotional state, triggers, learning history, and how stress builds, and then addressing those things clearly and fairly.

I don’t sit strictly in the “force free” category. That doesn’t mean I’m unkind or harsh… quite the opposite. It means I don’t believe in allowing dogs to remain stuck in prolonged stress under the guise of being “gentle”.

Kind training should reduce stress, not stretch it out.

My goal is to help dogs feel calmer, safer, and more confident as quickly and fairly as possible, while also giving owners clarity, structure, and confidence.

Every dog is different, and my approach is always tailored to the individual in front of me. Welfare comes first, but so does honesty, timing, and real world effectiveness.