Hi I'm Angela, dog trainer and enthusiast and founder of Greatest K9. My fascination with dogs started long before I was able to have my own one, bringing me to work with dogs wherever and whenever I could, as well as continuously study canine behaviour. I started dog walking and working with dogs at a young age, as an RSPCA volunteer and later on as a professional dog walker. After setting up my own retail business I was working as a dog walker and dog sitter dealing with many different breeds as well as helping friends and family with their dog issues.
One key element I find when working with dogs is that most issues can be solved or do not establish themselves if we focus on the small habits on a daily basis. 'Bad' behaviour is often the manifestation of losing sight of the basics. You cannot truly obedience train a problem behaviour out of a dog without being their leader first and in many cases understanding your dog's breed tendencies. Happy dog owners have 3 key parts; trust, respect and loyalty. In that order. You have to let a dog understand and get to know you, to trust you and then respect you and then be loyal to you. In my experience, consistency of daily rituals, structure, balance and accountability along with rewarding behaviours we like, create a well balanced and sociable canine friend. Dogs can understand what you want them to do, but they can't understand what you don't want them to do. The truth is, dogs really need the structure and they will love you for it.
When you train a dog you are teaching them three things;
1 - You teach them your language: Connecting words to actions.
2 - You teach them the rules of your environment: How to live in our human world and display appropriate behaviours such as toileting outside of the house, not jumping up etc.
3 - Who is in charge? Who controls the resources? Who should your dog listen to? I certainly don't mean this in an 'alpha' type role, but quite simply your dog has to know who to look up to and who's guidance and rules to follow and trust.
I continue to educate myself on dogs, the industry and training and I find that by working on your relationship with your dog first, many other things fall into place and problem behaviours disappear. I am a fully insured ADTB approved dog trainer. I have been awarded with the titles of "Dog Trainer of the Year 2021/22", "Dog Training Company Of The Year 23/24" by the South West England Prestige Awards and "Dog Trainer of the Year 2023 - Bristol & Somerset" by the Southern Enterprise Awards. I have also been a 'ThreeBestRated' dog trainer for several consecutive years. Additionally, I serve as a canine behaviourist for the Greyhound Trust South West.
In my personal life, I have a working line Belgian Malinois, which I am training for the sport of PSA encompassing obedience and protection. I also have a Rhodesian Ridgeback, who has successfully completed the Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen scheme. My qualifications include the completion of the ADTB dog instructor training course and the Sirius® Dog Training Academy, founded by the renowned dog behaviourist and trainer, Dr. Ian Dunbar. Moreover, I hold a full membership in The Dog Welfare Alliance as an Accredited Professional Dog Trainer and in the Pet Professional Guild as a Canine Training Professional (membership number 51572964).
I am also a mum of two with a busy household and a full understanding of the restrictions everyday life brings on the spare time we have. Which is why my training is not only based on cooperation but is also simple and realistic for a modern busy life!
I look forward to meeting you and your dog. You've come to the right place, so let's get started.
The best place to find out more about the results of my training is by going to the reviews section.
One key element I find when working with dogs is that most issues can be solved or do not establish themselves if we focus on the small habits on a daily basis. 'Bad' behaviour is often the manifestation of losing sight of the basics. You cannot truly obedience train a problem behaviour out of a dog without being their leader first and in many cases understanding your dog's breed tendencies. Happy dog owners have 3 key parts; trust, respect and loyalty. In that order. You have to let a dog understand and get to know you, to trust you and then respect you and then be loyal to you. In my experience, consistency of daily rituals, structure, balance and accountability along with rewarding behaviours we like, create a well balanced and sociable canine friend. Dogs can understand what you want them to do, but they can't understand what you don't want them to do. The truth is, dogs really need the structure and they will love you for it.
When you train a dog you are teaching them three things;
1 - You teach them your language: Connecting words to actions.
2 - You teach them the rules of your environment: How to live in our human world and display appropriate behaviours such as toileting outside of the house, not jumping up etc.
3 - Who is in charge? Who controls the resources? Who should your dog listen to? I certainly don't mean this in an 'alpha' type role, but quite simply your dog has to know who to look up to and who's guidance and rules to follow and trust.
I continue to educate myself on dogs, the industry and training and I find that by working on your relationship with your dog first, many other things fall into place and problem behaviours disappear. I am a fully insured ADTB approved dog trainer. I have been awarded with the titles of "Dog Trainer of the Year 2021/22", "Dog Training Company Of The Year 23/24" by the South West England Prestige Awards and "Dog Trainer of the Year 2023 - Bristol & Somerset" by the Southern Enterprise Awards. I have also been a 'ThreeBestRated' dog trainer for several consecutive years. Additionally, I serve as a canine behaviourist for the Greyhound Trust South West.
In my personal life, I have a working line Belgian Malinois, which I am training for the sport of PSA encompassing obedience and protection. I also have a Rhodesian Ridgeback, who has successfully completed the Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen scheme. My qualifications include the completion of the ADTB dog instructor training course and the Sirius® Dog Training Academy, founded by the renowned dog behaviourist and trainer, Dr. Ian Dunbar. Moreover, I hold a full membership in The Dog Welfare Alliance as an Accredited Professional Dog Trainer and in the Pet Professional Guild as a Canine Training Professional (membership number 51572964).
I am also a mum of two with a busy household and a full understanding of the restrictions everyday life brings on the spare time we have. Which is why my training is not only based on cooperation but is also simple and realistic for a modern busy life!
I look forward to meeting you and your dog. You've come to the right place, so let's get started.
The best place to find out more about the results of my training is by going to the reviews section.
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