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About Us
Katie is the founder of Active Dog Behaviour and holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Animal Science, Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Plymouth, awarded in 2011. After graduating, Katie returned home to Guernsey, where she worked in a local veterinary practice and qualified as an Animal Nursing Assistant.
With a lifelong fascination with animal behaviour, and a particular passion for dogs, Katie continued to build her knowledge by attending numerous canine behaviour and training courses, seminars, and workshops in the UK. In 2016, she gained her professional dog training qualification through the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT).
While working privately as a dog trainer on the Island, Katie also took on a role within a veterinary practice, working specifically in canine rehabilitation, where she qualified in Canine Hydrotherapy in 2017. Her career then took her to the UK, where she worked as part of the rehabilitation team at a Specialist Orthopaedic and Neurology Referral Centre, further expanding her experience with dogs recovering from injury and surgery.
Katie has been back in Guernsey since 2020, bringing with her a wealth of experience in canine behaviour, training, and rehabilitation.
Active Dog Behaviour offers private training for puppies and adult dogs, alongside behaviour modification consultations, using modern, science-based, force-free training methods.
Katie specialises in puppy training and development, helping owners truly understand how their puppy learns, grows, and experiences the world. Building a strong foundation during these early stages is key to creating confident, well-adjusted dogs and preventing behaviour problems later in life.
In addition to one-to-one training, we offer a range of classes, including outdoor puppy adventure classes and outdoor adolescent classes. Training in real-life environments allows puppies and adolescent dogs to learn around the distractions they will encounter day to day, helping to build reliable, long-term skills beyond the limits of a church hall or indoor setting.
We also offer pet gundog training, recognising how important it is for dogs to have breed-specific outlets. Providing appropriate mental and physical stimulation helps dogs feel fulfilled, content, and better suited to life as family pets in busy households. Pet gundog training is available through both classes and private sessions.
Meet Sarah
Sarah holds a First Class BSc (Honours) degree in Animal Science (Behaviour and Welfare) from the University of Plymouth. She has hands-on experience training and working with many different animals and breeds of dogs, through placement training for film work (using positive reinforcement), working with rehoming animals (dogs and cats) and teaching dog training classes. Sarah’s professional development includes study with the School of Canine Science (Puppy Lab, Scentwork, and ongoing study of the Behaviour Bible), Sarah Whitehead’s Training for the Future (Intermediate Award in Running Puppy Classes) and Think Cat: Homing in on the Highly Specialised Yet Enigmatic Nature of the Pet Cat, and the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers 4 Day Practical Instructors Course. Together, this training has strengthened her understanding of behaviour, learning theory and ethical training methods across species.
Sarah grew up with Golden Retrievers, followed by a Collie X and now has Evie, a 12 year old Newfoundland X Labrador, who her family rehomed at six months old. Evie is an anxious dog who has had issues with resource guarding and reactivity. She has taught Sarah a lot!
Sarah finds all animal behaviour fascinating and loves helping people to understand their dogs and use that knowledge to build a strong, happy and loving relationship with them.
Our Training Philosophy
At Active Dog Behaviour, we use science-based, force-free training that focuses on understanding why a dog behaves the way they do, rather than simply suppressing behaviour. Our approach is grounded in learning theory, current canine behaviour science, and welfare-focused practices.
We believe effective training should be fair, clear, and kind. By using positive reinforcement and evidence-based techniques, we help dogs learn in a way that builds confidence, supports emotional wellbeing, and strengthens the bond between dog and owner.
Force-free training means we do not use pain, fear, intimidation, or coercive tools. Instead, we focus on teaching dogs what to do, setting them up for success, and supporting owners with practical skills they can apply in real-life situations.
At Active Dog Behaviour, our goal is to support both dogs and owners with practical, science-based, force-free training that fits real life.
Continued Professional Development - Courses and Seminars
IMDT:
-Dog Trainer Certificate
-Separation Anxiety in person Seminar
-Canine Body Language in Person Seminar
-Pet Gundog Seminar
School Of Canine Science:
-Voluntary Vet Behaviour in person Seminar (practical training included)
-Psychopharmacology in person Seminar
-Dog To Human Aggression in Person Seminar
-Puppy Lab Course
-Scent for 6 Course
-Pet Gundog Short Course
Other Courses
-LLA Course - In Depth Behaviour Analysis with Susan Friedman
-Puppy Culture - 2 day Seminar with Jane Killion
-2 Day Intensive Interactive Canine
Behaviour and Training Clinic on Fear
- Related Behaviour and Aggression
-ClickerExpo 3 day Seminar
-Tackling Inherited Orthopaedic Problems in Dogs - Seminar at Surrey Vet University
-2 Day Vet Fest Seminar Surrey
- Training For The Future: Puppy Instructor Course with Sarah Whitehead