FAQs
What does Unleash Your Life do differently than others in your field?
I am always happy to explain methods and the reasons for them in detail, I will teach you how to have an amazing relationship with your dog, including how to read their body language, down to subtle clues!
I also offer support outside of sessions so you're never left struggling until our next session
I am happy to work with dogs of all breeds, ages, histories and abilities! I am also happy to work with owners who are less experienced, including parents, offering games and solutions for dog-child interactions!
Most importantly, I will tailor your training to your learning style, if you're more of a visual learner, I can offer video demonstrations, if you're an auditory learner, I can record our zoom call for you to listen back to, if you're an instruction based learner, I can send detailed written instructions, it's all part of trying to help you in the best way that suits you!
What is your training methodology?
I am a force free trainer.
This means that I use methods that are the most ethical and kind to your dog that are the least likely to do harm physically or emotionally, this involves positive reinforcement and other force-free methods that are designed to improve their optimism and confidence in daily life!
I do not condone or allow positive punishment or negative reinforcement methods or tools in my training, as these methods will likely harm their confidence, and create negative associations with new things!
If you would like to see evidence of my science-based methods, feel free to check my Instagram, facebook page or tiktok (all listed at the top of the page)
I am a Pet Professional guild British Isles member, this means that I have been checked out and passed their tests to prove that I use force free methods, and have agreed to terms that mean I will always train and do my best never to make your dog uncomfortable, intimidated or threatened.
Are you insured?
Yes! I have insurance with Pet Business Insurance and documents can be provided upon request, this includes public liability insurance, and some cover for your dog when under my handling or care!
Would classes or 1-2-1 sessions be better for me?
To tell you the truth, classes are not a good option for many dogs, especially puppies or dogs with behavioural issues. Dogs learn behaviours in specific contexts and aren't very good at generalising them to others, and trying to teach behaviours in a super distracting environment like a class full of other dogs in a room or park full of distractions is likely to create more issues than it solves!
If your dog has anxiety or aggression issues, classes are an especially bad idea, as it's filling them in a room full of their triggers while increasing their stress levels, it's like someone being afraid of spiders and being told to have a nap in a box full of them!
It's much easier to teach behaviours in a low-distraction, controlled environment like the home or your garden first, and slowly add in duration, distance and distractions at your dog's pace! This is easily done with the aid of a qualified professional trainer!
How will I remember everything?
Every session, you can expect a follow-up email with paperwork with picture guides and easy instructions on what the methods are, how to do them and how long for, I can also send video explanations and other methods of learning if requested!
Why can't you give a guarantee on training or how long it will take?
Dog training is not a quick fix, any trainer who tells you otherwise is being misleading, and unethical.
Just like if you want to lose 20 lbs at the gym, so you go to a personal trainer, they won't promise you can lose that weight in one session, because it takes time, it takes determination and hard work!
You've probably heard the phrase:
You get out what you put in.
This is absolutely true for dog training, I can't fix a behaviour problem in one session if the homework and follow-up training isn't followed!
Behaviour patterns can be created over several years, and as it is in humans, it takes time to rewire brains to do something else instead, please consider this when training your dogs!
But what about the trainers who look like they've solved the dog's barking with a neck jerk or a prong collar?
That instant cure may look like a miracle, but there is often fallout from the use of punishment—it only suppresses behaviour, rather than addressing the underlying problem. And, the owner may not get the same results when attempting to do what the trainer did; people have been known to be bitten that way. Besides, do you really want to treat your dog harshly, and potentially even lose his trust? Of course not.