My Journey: From Fearing Dogs to Behaviourist

How I Became a Behaviourist

I used to be scared of dogs growing up. It was a genuine fear until a rescue cat changed my perspective on what it means to care for an animal. That shift in mindset eventually led me to quit my part-time roles and commit fully to working with dogs during the pandemic.

I trained under Shirin Merchant, a mentor whose methods formed the foundation of my work. Learning dog behaviour felt like discovering a secret language—I realized that most so-called 'problems' are simply misunderstandings between us and our pets. My certification as a canine trainer is just the start; the real work happens in the daily, messy, beautiful reality of living and working with dogs.

My Philosophy

I believe in letting dogs be dogs. We often expect them to fit into our human schedules and spaces, but my goal is to help you meet them halfway. My approach involves:

• Moving beyond commands: Teaching 'sit' and 'stay' is easy, but understanding why a dog barks, lunges, or feels anxious takes patience.
• Evidence-based guidance: I lean on research and science-backed methods rather than outdated dominance theories.
• Building a bridge: I act as a mediator. When you understand your dog's body language—the ear twitches, the tail position, the stress signals—the relationship changes from one of control to one of cooperation.

Whether you are dealing with a reactive Indie or a puppy struggling with separation anxiety, my mission is to give you the tools to be your dog's best advocate. I am here to learn with you, support you, and make the process of raising a happy, confident dog a little less overwhelming.