meet your dog trainer, sam
Feeling worn out trying to figure out your pup’s behaviour? It’s totally okay; I get it. I’ve been there. I’m Sam, and my own reactive dogs led me down the path to becoming a qualified dog trainer and specialist in reactive dog behaviour. You might be holding back on inviting friends or family over because of it, or you might dread going out for walks.
My speciality is helping guardians of dogs with big feelings! Those who choose to bark, bite, freeze, or flee. If your dog doesn’t like other dogs, people, cars, or places, I can help.
You know your dog isn’t a bad dog! And you’re not a bad owner, you just need some help and support. You’re in the right place as I know the stress having a difficult dog brings you.
Understanding dogs can be a puzzle; it’s more than just walks and games of fetch. Sometimes, it takes time, patience, dedication, and maybe even teaming up with a vet to crack the code. I’m more than a dog trainer, I work with you to help you achieve a better life with your dog.
I’ve worked with dogs and their humans since 2016 and have studied extensively during that time, gaining a degree in Applied Canine Behaviour and Training. I’m originally from the North West of England, UK, and moved to Riogordo, near Málaga in the South of Spain in 2020. Over the last eight years, I’ve worked with heaps of dogs in the UK, Spain, and beyond. I know how to get results with ethical training methods, using reward-based dog training without the need to inflict pain or punishment. I’m here to help you unravel why your dog does what they do and how you can help them make better choices.
I’m currently a dog mama to six crazy fur babies. Millie and Austin are my original reactive double trouble, and the dogs that I did everything wrong with!
I don’t want people to have to make the same mistakes I did by following the outdated advice of bad TV dog trainers and inaccurate books. After enlisting the help of a clinical animal behaviourist, I realised most of what I knew was wrong! Being the type of person that wants to learn the ins and outs of a paper bag, I then started my mission to learn everything I could about dog behaviour and training, and I’m still learning today!
Millie and Austin are now 15 and loving life.
Next came Luna (the Lunatic), and boy, was that a wake-up call! Luna was a client’s puppy who I ended up fostering after my client realised it was a big mistake getting a working-line Beauceron. Yes, you’ve probably never heard of a Beauceron. Here is the Kennel Club link if you’re interested:
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/pastoral/beauceron/
Millie and Austin are Jack Russell crosses, so I was used to high-energy dogs. Luna, however, was at another level of intensity, and she still is nearly eight years later. She was, however, perfect for me to use to refine my practical skills as a dog trainer, and she got me through tough times when my mum died in May 2019, followed by my dad in March 2020. I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety all my adult life, and my dogs have always been the glue to hold me together.
The evening I came home from the hospital after my dad died, I saw a Beauceron breeder I knew advertising a male Beaucie puppy. It was fate, and we collected Ozzie when we went down to Crufts a week later. His full name is Oswald, named after my dad’s middle name, Derek Oswald Britton.
After moving to Spain with my long-suffering husband Nic, at the end of 2020, we couldn’t help but get involved with the local rescues. We’ve fostered nearly 30 dogs so far and ended up being failed fosters to two dogs.
Trippy is our special needs boy (pic of him above with Luna and Ozzie), a Podenco found wandering the campo (countryside). After many tests, he was found to be having focal seizures, which look like he’s trying to bite invisible flies. We managed to get him stable on a cocktail of medication, and although he needs careful monitoring, he loves his life and is a real snuggle bug.
Stormzy and his sister Sandy were found at 10 days old in a field on their own in the middle of the calima storm, where sand from the Sahara is brought over. Hence his name—he’s not named after the rapper! The pair came to us at eight weeks old. Sandy, now called Sally, has got a new life in Sweden. Unfortunately, Stormzy’s adoption didn’t work out so well, and they returned him after a couple of months. He fit in so well with our gang, so we decided to keep him.
Now you know a bit more about me, but really, I’m here to help you with your dog problems. Think of me as your personal coach and a problem-solver for all your dog-related issues. As a fully accredited and seasoned dog trainer, let’s make life enjoyable for both you and your dog. Together, we’ll strengthen that bond, ensure your dog responds to you with genuine understanding, and make your lives less stressful.
