Get to Know Me
My name is Steven, and I have been working with and studying dogs for over 15 years.
My journey with dogs began through fostering for a dog rescue. One of the first dogs I took on had experienced a great deal of trauma and came with a number of behavioural challenges. I wanted to understand how I could help her, so I began taking courses and learning as much as I could about dog training and behaviour.
As we worked together, we built a strong bond and, with patience, consistency and the right approach, I watched her confidence grow. That experience changed the way I looked at dogs and started what has become a lifelong passion for understanding them.
A couple of years later, I took on another foster dog who would test me to my absolute limit — a Romanian street dog who was almost feral. Although I was already a qualified dog trainer, this dog presented challenges that went far beyond basic training. He suffered from severe fear-based aggression and needed a much deeper behavioural approach.
With the support of experienced behaviour professionals affiliated with the rescue, I learned an enormous amount from working with him. It took time, patience, consistency and plenty of setbacks, but eventually we were able to help him reach a point where he could be placed in a suitable home.
That experience was a turning point for me. I realised that training a dog isn't simply about teaching commands. If we want to understand why a dog behaves the way he does, we first need to understand the factors influencing that behaviour.
From there, I began studying dog psychology and behaviour in much greater depth and eventually qualified in both areas. Over the years I have worked with a wide variety of dogs, breeds, temperaments and behavioural challenges, while continuing to study new research and develop my understanding.
My own dogs have also played a huge part in that journey. Living and working with dogs every day — particularly working breeds and Rottweilers — has taught me things that no textbook can. Every dog is an individual, and there is rarely a single approach that works for every dog.
My approach is therefore based on understanding the individual dog in front of me. Before we can change a behaviour, we need to understand what is driving it. Once we identify the underlying factors, we can begin to build a training plan that is practical, consistent and achievable for both dog and owner.
I believe training should improve the relationship between a dog and his handler, not make life more complicated.
Having a dog shouldn't feel like a constant battle. My aim is to give owners the knowledge, understanding and practical tools they need to communicate more effectively with their dogs and enjoy living and working together.
I'm still learning today, and I don't think that should ever stop. The more dogs I work with, the more I realise there is always something new to learn from them.