My story
Rescuing Oreo seven years ago has been life changing in a beautiful way. He was a 4 months old puppy, full of ticks and fleas, with a tummy so bloated he could hardly walk, and he had been locked up in a stable during the most critical stage of his life.
So far he has been my biggest challenge and invaluable mentor. I am sure I would not have been on this path had it not been for his difficult puppyhood (and perhaps genes) that resulted in his anxious demeanour.
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When he developed a severe fear of other dogs I set up D&B Doggy Daycare so that he had a safe environment to run free and socialise with his favourite friends. From then on I studied, got qualified as a dog trainer and now I am helping other rescue dog parents prepare their pups for whatever life challenges come their way.
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Qualifications
Education:
Art conservation, BA, Technical Educational Institute of Athens, Greece, 2006-2010
History of Design, MA, Royal College of Art/Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK, 2014-2016
Certificates:
Professional Daycare and Boarding, Level 3, OFQUAL, 20/10/2019
Principles of Dog training and Behaviour, Level 3, IMDT, 7/7/2019
Career as a dog trainer, 28-29/4/2018
Practical Instructor, 28-31/5/2018
First Aid Certificate, 20/12/2016
Workshops:
The consultation and follow up report, IMDT 2-3/6/2018
The perfect puppy foundations, IMDT, 9/6/2018
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Courses:
Dealing with the boogeyman- helping fearful reactive and stressed dogs, Amy Cook, FDSA
Management for reactive dogs, Amy Cook, FDSA
Relationship building through play, Denise Fenzi, FDSA
Finding five- training for a busy world, Chrissi Schranz, FDSA
Naled it! Nail trimming, Deborah Jones, FDSA
Seven days to a more confident dog, Julie Daniels, FDSA
Transforming triggers into cues, Kathy Sdao, FDSA
How to house train your dog, Deborah Jones, FDSA
Crate training dogs: happy crating for life, Sarah Stremming, FDSA
Before Baby! Setting the stage for a new baby in the family, Tania Lanfer, FDSA
After Baby! Promoting safe parallel play and coexistence, Tania Lanfer, FDSA
The Fenzi Method: Cutting Corners to Loose Leash Walking!, Denise Fenzi, FDSA
Denise Fenzi’s Circle Method for Basic Reactivity and Over Arousal, ​Denise Fenzi, FDSA
Ethological Contributions to Behavior Problems in Dogs, Kim Brophey, FDSA
Strategies for Training the Atypical Dog - Part 1: Concepts and Overview, Sharon Carroll, FDSA
Strategies for Training the Atypical Dog - Part 2: Specific Examples / Case Studies, Sharon Carroll, FDSA
Working with dogs that lack enthusiasm, Sharon Carroll, FDSA
Perfect Patterns: How to use patterns to build your puppy’s confidence, Sara Brueske, FDSA
Behavior Modification: Practical solutions for behavior issues, Sharon Carroll, FDSA
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Conferences:
Lemonade Conference 2020
The empowered dog training Conference 2020
Lemonade Conference 2021
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Memberships:
Member of IMDT since 5/10/2018
PPN (Pet professional network)
PIF (Pet Industry Federation)