Meet the Pack: The 5 Dogs Who Taught Me Everything
Most trainers enter the industry because of a single "problem" dog. They learn to navigate a specific issue and then decide to teach others how to do the same. My path was a little different.
Dogs have been my world since I was two years old. I grew up alongside my first best friend, but it wasn't until Loki entered my life that I realized dog training could be a career. However, as I dove into the mechanics of it, I hit a turning point: training is the "how," but behaviour is the "why." I realized I didn't just want to teach dogs to perform; I wanted to understand what they were thinking.
My passion eventually expanded to cats during my time in boarding and rescue. Even though my own dogs aren't exactly feline-friendly, working with rescues sparked a fascination with cat behaviour that I carry into my work today.
I’d love for you to meet the pack that taught me everything I know.
Koda | 11-year-old Border Collie
The Namesake: His name is Native American for "Friend," and he lives up to it every day. Koda came from an unwanted farm litter at eight weeks old. Despite his heritage, he’d much rather be curled up on the sofa than working a field. He is "selectively brilliant"—we tried agility once, and he performed the trick perfectly. Then, he looked at me as if to say, "I’ve shown you I can do it; there’s no need to do it again."
Loki | 11-year-old Border Collie
The Sensitive Soul: Loki is your classic pointy-eared, nervous collie. When he arrived at eight weeks, the world—especially traffic—was terrifying to him. After a lot of dedicated counter-conditioning, he’s no longer afraid. In fact, he now spends his days happily racing tractors and quad bikes along the property line (the local farmers love the competition!). Ironically, despite being a farm dog, his first year in a housing estate left him permanently terrified of sheep!
Mazikeen (Maze) | 9-year-old Patterdale Terrier
The "Too Much" Dog: I met Maze while doing work experience at a local rescue. At just ten months old, she had already been through three homes. Everyone said she was "too much," and even an agility trainer turned her down for having too much energy. The day I brought her home, she curled up on the sofa and went to sleep. While her previous owners couldn't keep her in fenced gardens, she now stays within our seven acres by choice. She just needed to feel like she belonged.
Moriarty (Arty) | 7-year-old Spaniel Mix
The Mastermind: Arty was sold as a "purebred Cocker Spaniel" to an elderly couple who quickly realized he was more than they could handle. He joined us at ten weeks and just kept growing! A DNA test eventually revealed a mix of Springer, Cocker, and Field Spaniel. Arty has "cloth ears"—he hears exactly what he wants to hear—and is expert at manipulating situations to get exactly what he wants.
Odin | 5-year-old Romanian Rescue
The Miracle: Odin is a beautiful mix of breeds as is usually the case with a Romanian rescue. If a dog could be neurodivergent, it would be Odin. He lives with a litany of challenges: he’s mostly blind, has ear, joint, and heart issues, and suffers from seizures. We started pain management when he was only six months old, simply hoping to keep him comfortable for whatever time he had left. Every morning when we walk downstairs and see him waiting to greet us, we are reminded of how resilient dogs can be.
My pack has been my greatest set of teachers. From navigating Loki’s deep-seated fears to managing Odin’s complex physical and neurological needs, I’ve learned that there is no "one size fits all" approach to behaviour. Whether you are struggling with a "too much" dog like Maze or a "selectively deaf" genius like Arty, I understand the frustration—and the hope—that comes with a challenging companion.
I’m here to help you move past the "how" of basic commands and dive into the "why" of your dog's behavior. Together, we can build a relationship based on understanding, trust, and a little bit of patience.
Do you feel like your dog is "too much" or struggling to fit into your world? I’d love to hear your story.
