My story

ā€œI realised that dog training is more than just teaching commandsā€”itā€™s about building a relationship with your dog, thatā€™s rooted in trust, understanding, and joyā€.ā€
— Sara, P

My story

Hey, Iā€™m Sara. My journey into the world of dog training began with my own dog Lenny, a Cavapoochon. From the moment I brought him home, I loved every minute of walking, bonding, and training him. Those early experiences sparked my passion for understanding dogs on a deeper level. I enjoyed not just the companionship, but the connection that grew through training and spending time with him.

Inspired by this bond, I decided to take my love for dogs a step further. I became a Certified Dog Walker, and soon after, my interest in dog behaviour started to grow. This curiosity led me to study canine behaviour with the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) where I earned my OCN Level 3 Certificate in Learning, Motivation, and Reinforcement. Along the way, I also attended practical courses, gaining hands-on experience that fueled my desire to help other dog owners.

Through these experiences, I realised that dog training is more than just teaching commandsā€”it's about building a relationship thatā€™s rooted in trust, understanding, and joy. Thatā€™s what led me to become a dog trainer. I focus exclusively on positive training methods, ensuring your dog learns in a fun, encouraging environment that strengthens the bond between you both.

My training ethics.

Being a dog owner today can sometimes feel overwhelming, with pressure to do everything "right." At Doodle Doggies, I believe in creating a judgment-free space where you and your dog can grow and learn together. Our sessions are designed to support you and your family, no matter where you are on your training journey.

Modern, Science-Based Training

At Doodle Doggies, I am committed to using modern, ethical training methods that are rooted in science. I proudly embrace force-free techniques that focus on positive reinforcementā€”rewarding the behaviours we want to see rather than punishing those we donā€™t. This approach is not only effective but also strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

You may have heard that to train your dog, you need to be the ā€œalphaā€ or the ā€œpack leader,ā€ exerting dominance to get results. But we now know, thanks to modern science, that this isn't true. The old ideas of pack structure, once believed to exist in wolves, have been debunked. In reality, wolves operate more like human families, where leadership shifts naturally over time. And for domestic dogs, any remnants of a "pack mentality" have been long bred out. Dogs have been selectively bred to work alongside humans, making them extraordinary learners and incredibly attuned to our emotionsā€”better at reading human feelings than even chimps!

Ethical & Humane Training

Modern dog training recognises that behaviours like aggression or reactivity often stem from deeper issues such as fear, anxiety, or confusion. Instead of using punishment, which can often worsen these problems, I focus on uncovering the root cause of these behaviours and work through them with patience and care. This ensures that you're not just masking issues with quick fixes, but are instead working towards lasting, positive change for you and your dog.

At Doodle Doggies, I believe that training should be fun, rewarding, and stress-free for both you and your dog. My goal is to strengthen the bond between you while addressing behavioural challenges in a humane and thoughtful way. Together, weā€™ll bring out the best in your doodle!

What my clients say about meā€¦

  • ā€œThank you Sara for helping get our 8wk puppy on the right track. You have been really great at advising on how to best crate and toilet train him, and your regular check ins have made me feel comfortable on seeking further guidance as needed. Iā€™d highly recommend Sara to anyone looking for a kind and patient trainer for their puppy..ā€

    Jo, D. Borehamwood, Herts

  • "Sara was recommended to me via another happy customer who saw I was struggling to settle my new puppy. She has looked at us as individuals and has explored finding the best methods to help us within our lifestyle. What works for one puppy does not necessarily work for another and is prepared to think out of the box to find solutions (in our case, separation anxiety). Sara is warm, practical, and knowledgeable and clearly has a love of dogs. I thoroughly recommend Sara".

    Jacqueline, K. Finchley, London

  • "A real game-changer! Sara was amazing, patient and kind. Our Stanley actually now listens to us - no more pulling on the lead!! Thank you".

    David, E. Temple Fortune, London