Welcome to
'The Dog Lady'
"Offering 121 training from experienced hands"
Hi, My name is Vickie and I am a married mum of 2. Adding to the chaos, we also live with 2 dogs and a semi feral Cat!
I have always had a love of animals and have been involved with training and instructing for nearly 30years. Having lived with dogs since age 15 I have found them absolutely fascinating to be around and work with. Each one that has come into my life has taught me something new, not least the two I currently have!
I am very much a 'people person' too and gain great satisfaction in helping owners get the best from their dogs.
My approach to training is to use positive reinforcement methods and will adapt the reward depending on what switches your dog on, (what DO you use if your dog is not food motivated?!).
I believe in redirecting unwanted behaviours rather than just ignoring them but all the while watching what body language is being displayed by the dog and adjusting our signals to let that flow of communication happen between us.
A little more about me...
After leaving school I went on to complete a National Diploma in Animal Care at The Cambridgeshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture in Milton. During that time I learnt a little about animal behaviour which I instantly linked with my love of dogs!
Once I completed the course I went on to work at the college before applying for a job at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People where I started as a Kennel Hand and then went on to become a trainer. I learnt so much about different breed types and using positive techniques such as clicker training and pairing hand signals with verbal cues in the 18months I was there.
I made some great friends but for various reasons I returned to Cambridge in 2001 and undertook a variety of roles in a couple of Veterinary Practices in the area. During this time I ran early socialisation puppy classes at those practices and completed a certificate in Puppy Class Instruction with the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE).
Over the years I've also completed a Veterinary Care Assistant, Level 2 qualification, updated on Canine First Aid and completed an online course in Canine Facial Expression and Body Language Communication with the 'Think Dog! co'. I also continued to help out and instruct at the local dog training club, CCEG, in Impington, which I also now own and run since the previous owner retired in 2020.
In my everyday life I continue to work with dogs and owners, observing behaviour and interactions between them and, through various mediums, carry on learning and consolidating info on behaviour, body language and how we can communicate effectively in order to give our dogs the best start in living with us and enriching their lives.
And finally....
The influences to my approach to training are from well known trainers such as Gwen Bailey, Sarah Whitehead, Claire Arrowsmith and Victoria Stillwell to name a few and have read books by John Rogerson, Bruce Fogle, Ian Dunbar, Peter Neville and David Appleby. I also keep up with thoughts and information from 'Absolute Dogs'.
I regularly discuss current thoughts and theories with other dog training friends and I will always be happy to talk through any thoughts that you may have regarding your approach to training.
As well as reading, watching, being hands on with and learning through various courses, I have also been mentored by a great trainer who not only believed in me from the start but has become a great friend and guide over the years. If you are reading this, I can not thank you enough.
During a particularly difficult time in 2016, I decided to leave my job as a Veterinary Practice Manager and finally took the plunge to offer 121 help to owners with new pups and adolescent dogs. I started 'The Dog Lady' in early 2017 and have never looked back!
These days I find myself also helping owners with older dogs that are looking to polish up a few training needs or adding enrichment but ultimately my passion lies with helping owners with their new additions and offering support and training during those tough teenage months!