Lisa has been passionate about animals all her life. Growing up in Cyprus there were plenty of stray animals that needed help, from cats and dogs to chickens, rabbits and donkeys. Think the Durrells and that was pretty much Lisa's early experience with animals.
Lisa has owned and trained dogs for many years and strongly believes in ethical, reward based training. She has experience re-homing and rehabilitating dogs with severe behaviour problems such as separation anxiety, people aggression and resource guarding.
Lisa has been studying canine behaviour and training for many years but really became interested in working as a dog trainer when encountering problems with her own dog who developed reactivity issues at a young age. Lisa feels she has learnt more from working with her own dogs than any book or course could have taught her.
With a passion for agility training and dog sports in general, Lisa has trained her dogs to a high level in both aglity and gundog work.
Lisa has also volunteered at local dog shelters to gain further experience handling different breeds and temperaments.
In addition to training dogs, Lisa has also clicker trained a Welsh Highland Pony, called Stinky, to do tricks and appeared on ITV’s 'Teach My Pet To Do That' in September 2017.
Since tragically losing her young Working Cocker Spaniel, Gimli, in August 2022, Lisa dedicates a lot of her time supporting people with spaniels and also volunteers and fosters for Spaniel Aid UK.
She now shares her home with a Ruby Rue, Chocolate Labrador and Henry, Working Cocker Spaniel. Both dogs were rehomed due to behavioural issues.
Lisa's accreditations include:
Gemma has always loved dogs, but growing up with asthmatics in the house, she was never able to have her own. As a teenager she spent her time fundraising for animal charities and volunteered at a RSPCA centre just to be able to be with dogs!
Gemma is an IMDT qualified trainer and has been working with Lisa since 2021. She has strong beliefs in ethical, reward-based training methods, understanding that results improve dramatically with a good, positive relationship between owner and dog.
Her passion for training began upon getting her first puppy - a working cocker spaniel - just before lockdown. Realising she would have to train him herself, she started to invest in qualifications. This ignited a passion for dog training, a desire to help others have a deeper, happier relationship with their dogs and a special interest in puppies.
She now has two working cockers, Forrest and Devon and trains them in fun gundog work, scent training and general life skills. Devon has had some reactivity issues and well as handling problems and this has given Gemma hands-on experience with these struggles.
As well running Lisa's puppy classes, Gemma also assists Lisa's life skills and fun gundog classes.
* IMDT trainer with distinction
* The Puppy Lab - School of Canine Science
* Pro Dog Trainer & Geek Behaviour programmes
