My Qualifications and Experience
- MSc Clinical Animal behaviour from Lincoln University
- Bsc Hons Animal Behaviour and Welfare (First Class)
- APBC Full Member Clinical Animal Behaviourist
- Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist
- Certificate in Post compulsory education and training (Cert Ed). 20 years of teaching experience means I understand the human end of the lead too! I can guide and support you in gaining the skills and confidence you need to work with your dog after our time together ends.
- 5 years working in dog rescue working with a huge variety of breeds as well as very varied training and behaviour needs before starting Dog Know How.
- 20+ years of training my own dogs
- Canicross Coach and Run leader – specialising in introducing reactive dogs to canicross.
- Ba Hons Applied Business Management
- Inspirational Animal Studies Student of the Year 2020
- Certificate in canine first aid
Reactive dog training – What people are saying:
Paula
I booked a behaviour assessment for my female Labrador with Gemma, not knowing what to expect. The experience was really rewarding and positive and very informative. Great advice and a behaviour plan were provided by Gemma and the follow up emails were supportive. I’ve joined a calmer dog class with Gemma in a week or two and I’m really looking forward to further progress for me and my Mika. Thank you!
Davina
I can not recommend Dog Know How and Gemma highly enough. I have worked with her for issues with my anxious reactive rescue Belgian shepherd. The calm pace of the class gradually helped increase his confidence and his interaction with other dogs. It also increased my confidence in managing his behaviour in situations beyond our control. 5 star review
Myles
We booked a session with Gemma to help with our reactive border collie. She has given us some fantastic tools to use to help him become much more comfortable on the lead and although we have a long way to go, we can already see improvements after just a few days! We love the reward based approach and feel like Gemma is just as invested as us in teaching our boy how to be calm on the lead! I would highly recommend her services.
CJ
Gemma is amazing as a dog trainer. We have a reactive 18 month old German shepherd. She’s everyone’s best friend off lead but on lead is a different matter.
Gemma has helped us through socialisation on lead walks with other dogs and Calmer Class where we can get used to being around other dogs on lead in a safe environment.
Our dog has come so far it’s amazing and Gemma has helped my confidence in dealing with her reactivity too.
Cannot recommend highly enough.
Silvia
For the last 9 months, Gemma has been helping me to train and manage my adopted 5-year-old Jack Russell Terrier. Though I had read lots of books on dog behaviour, I turned to her for hands-on guidance which has been invaluable!
Gemma shares her extensive knowledge and experience with great enthusiasm and is methodical yet flexible in her approach. She has helped me read my dog’s body language, giving useful feedback on my interaction with him and many other hints and tips. She also involved her own dogs in training set-ups to help with dog-dog socialization.
Gemma’s patience and positive outlook are great assets when dealing with a reactive dog and rookie owner (both as impatient as each other ;-)). There’s more work to be done and I’m looking forward to doing it with Gemma’s cheerful support. Highly recommended!
Louise
Our little boy started classes here about 8 weeks ago, Gemma did an assessment on him and immediately tailored a programme to his needs. Classes are fun and engaging and we look forward to going. Scamp is making progress and we are seeing a change already. Gemma is so knowledgeable and really cares
Puppy Training
Gemma is an absolute star. She’s been helping me with my crazy border collie puppy for a few months now and the improvement in him has been huge. She had the patience of a saint and has never given up on Loki (or me when I’ve been in despair!) The techniques she uses are so positive and my puppy loves when she comes to see him. Gemma truly loves dogs and will bend over backwards to help them and their owners to be the best doggies possible! She’s always been on hand when I’ve had questions and the fact she has her own border collies shows, as she understands them so well! Gemma will tailor the training plan to your situation so you have better chance at success which is so helpful. I’ll be forever grateful for the difference Gemma has made to our lives and highly recommend her.