About Me

Who am I?

My name is Paula Jones, and i am passionate about helping dogs and humans live a life in harmony together. By day i am specialist Project Manager with a dream of giving that up and moving into Dog Behaviour full time.

I currently have 2 dogs of my own, a Sprocker and a Cockerpoo , although over the years i have had GSDs, a Springer, and a Brittany. All of my dogs have been rescues, and needless to say things have not always been smooth!

These challenges have helped show me the need for understanding my dogs, amending the way I behave to support them. I have made many mistakes with my training in the past which led me to further education and a want to understand what good dog training looks like.

Why Dog Behaviour?

Did you know anyone can set up as a training or behaviourist? They can do this with no training, no qualifications, and give advice to you about your dog. Ways of training have changed in a huge way over the years, and what you often see on TV may not be the right way of doing it!

I have fallen foul of people like this before, really good intentions but the advice was detrimental to the dogs mentally and physically. I do not want to be that person. I am training via the ISCP in Canine Behaviour and Psychology to ensure i have the right base of knowledge and experience of the latest thinking on the best ways of training.

Why are Dogs are so Incredible?

Dogs are quite amazing creatures. They live alongside multiple other species happily. Humans choose what they eat, where they sleep, who they socialise with, when and where they walk and toilet. Through all this we expect them to be happy regardless of the access to all of the above, and if the life they live is what they want.

They rarely complain but when they do we should listen to them. All dogs show signs of when they are unhappy, we just may not see them. That is where I can help, a new set of eyes trained in what to look for.

Dogs can use highly visible or audible signs to convey their feelings, or they may use subtle signs that humans find hard to see. Every sign is not either good or bad, they are not exclusive. A wagging tail for example can mean happiness and excitement, or it can mean they are feeling anxious and unhappy. Looking at all the body language in the contact of the situation, and the sounds the dog is making, help us understand what the dog may be feeling.

Can we make life better for them?

Yes of course we can! Instead of thinking about how they need to change to fit in, how about we think about what we can do to help them fit in? Instead of telling them what to do and expecting them to do it, how about teaching them what we want from them?

All dogs can learn, young and old, all breeds. Some dogs will pick things up easier than others. Some will have different skills they are good at than others. This is exactly the same as you and me.

By treating them as individuals with thoughts and feelings, trying to understand what may be the motivations behind the behaviour, and what we may have inadvertently taught them, we can start to guide them onto the right track to harmonious living with us.

Step one starts here with the fact you are even here and reading this. By working with your dog and not against them you can move forward as a team.

Why choose me?

When you are dealing with a living animal, loving them is not enough. I am 75% of my way through the ISCP Canine Behaviour Diploma, have completed the Helping Dogs with Separation Anxiety Behaviours, and will be completing the Pet Bereavement Counselling Course.

I am a force free behaviourist which means i will not use any methods that are deemed aversive to the dog, physically or emotionally. Think of it as: if you would not do it to your kids, then do not do it to your dog. Smacking is not ok. Choking is not ok. Do kids learn if you scream at them, or if you teach them the way something should be done?

If you are looking for a quick fix with no homework then you may be disappointed. Training your dog and changing their behaviours take time and effort, it cannot be changed overnight. I can provide the methods and the tools, but you have to put them into place and apply them consistently for as long as needed.

With time i can help you build a better, more sustainable relationship with your dog. Helping you get you and your dog on the right track is my primary goal.