Hi, I’m Anna-Lee!

Dogs have been part of my life from the very beginning.

I was born into a home with two Dobermans, spent weekends surrounded by another pair of high-energy Dobermans at my mum’s workplace, and later fell completely in love with a Dachshund we rehomed called Rolex, a little dog with an incredible ability to know exactly when someone needed quiet company.

Today I share my home with Stanley, our Border Terrier cross who keeps me constantly learning about arousal, regulation and real-life dog training, a senior rescue tabby cat, and a revolving cast of rescue foster dogs through a local dog rescue.

Part of my professional background includes working within NHS mental health services.
That experience, together with my interest in neuroscience, behaviour and learning, has had a lasting influence on how I understand behaviour, both in people and in dogs.

Whether I’m working with people or dogs, I’ve always been fascinated by one question:

Why does behaviour happen?

Because when we understand the why, creating lasting change becomes so much easier.

Ethical. Science-Led. No BS.

There was a point in my life after a health diagnosis where I realised I wanted to build something meaningful and grounded in evidence.

Not trends.
Not outdated training myths.
Not flashy social media videos.

Real education, Real science, Real-world results.

That decision led me to invest heavily in professional qualifications, mentorship and continuing education because dogs deserve trainers who understand behaviour, learning and welfare, not just obedience.

Professional Training & Education

Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT):
• 2 Day Career as a Dog Trainer
• Canine Body Language
• Loose Lead Walking Masterclass
• Breed & Predatory Motor Patterns
• Practical Instructor Course (Ofqual Level 3)
• Thoughtful Enrichment
• Building Behaviour Chains

Victoria Stilwell Academy (VSA)
• Professional Dog Trainer Course (Ofqual Level 5)
• Fundamentals of Dog Training & Behaviour
• Building Your Dog’s Confidence

The Whole Hound Academy (previously Avon Dog Services)
• Advanced Training & Behaviour Programme & Shadowing
• Behaviour & Training Day (Reinforcement)
• Behaviour & Training Day (Impulse Control & Stimulus Control)

I’m also:
A home foster carer for rescue dogs with Poppy’s Pals Rescue
Canine First Aid trained
DBS checked
Fully insured
Registered under the Dorset Dogs Professional Dog Walker Charter

Through ongoing mentorship with Adam Daines from The Whole Hound Academy (formerly Avon Dog Services and known for Channel 4’s Bad Dog Academy), I’ve continued developing my practical training skills, timing, coaching and understanding of canine behaviour.

Learning never stops.

Neither should good dog training.

Experience Beyond Qualifications

Courses gave me knowledge.
Dogs gave me understanding.

Every week I work hands-on with dogs of different breeds, ages, personalities and life experiences in real-world environments.

Adventure-based dog training sessions have given me the opportunity to observe how dogs communicate, solve problems, regulate themselves, build confidence and learn from the world around them.
Alongside that, fostering rescue dogs has become one of my greatest teachers.
Every foster arrives with a different history, different emotions and different challenges.

Living with rescue dogs as they settle into home life has taught me how behaviour changes when dogs are given time, understanding, consistency and the right support.

Those experiences continually shape how I train.

Not through assumptions.
Through observation, curiosity, experience.

And a genuine desire to understand what each individual dog needs.

How I Train Dogs

No gimmicks.
No dominance.
No alpha theory.
No intimidation.
No fear.
No shock collars.
No prong collars.
No magic fixes.

Dogs learn best when they feel safe, understand what’s expected of them and are rewarded for making good choices.

That’s why everything I do is built around ethical, reward-based training methods supported by modern behavioural science.

Needs, Not Naughtiness

Many behaviour problems aren’t acts of defiance or domination.

They’re communication.
Dogs don’t wake up wanting to make life difficult.
Behaviour is often the result of unmet needs, frustration, confusion, fear, over-arousal or simply not knowing a better way.

When we understand what’s driving behaviour, we can change it without force.

When the dog’s needs are met, behaviour often changes naturally.

Not because we’ve suppressed it.
Because we’ve understood it.

Why I Train the Way I Do

Like many owners, I once believed that more exercise was the answer.

Then Stanley arrived.
He was bright, energetic and incredibly switched on, but no matter how much exercise he had, switching off seemed impossible.

Looking back, he didn’t need another walk.

He needed help learning how to regulate himself.

That experience completely changed the way I think about dog training.

Today I’m just as interested in helping dogs learn how to relax, think clearly and make good decisions as I am teaching recall or loose lead walking.

Because real-life dog training isn’t just about what happens when your dog is moving.

It’s about how they cope with everyday life.

How I Work

Whether we’re working together through one-to-one dog training or Adventure-Based Dog Training sessions, the goal is always the same:

To build skills that last.
Not just in the training session.
But at home, on walks, in cafés, around other dogs, around visitors.
In everyday life.

Together we’ll help your dog learn to:

Think before reacting
Build confidence
Regulate their emotions
Solve problems
Explore safely
Develop appropriate social skills
Channel natural instincts in healthy ways

So you don’t just have a well-trained dog.

You have a dog that’s easier to live with.

I’m a Good Fit If You…

You want more than “just a walk.”
You want practical training that works in the real world.
You care about your dog’s emotional wellbeing.
You have a nervous, anxious or high-energy dog.
You’re looking for ethical, reward-based training supported by science rather than outdated myths.
You want to understand your dog, not simply control them.

I’m probably not the right trainer if you’re looking for:

✘ Quick fixes
✘ Harsh methods
✘ Someone to simply tire your dog out
✘ Dominance-based training
✘ An ego-driven social media trainer

Ready to Start?

Whether you’re looking for one-to-one dog training or want to find out more about Adventure-Based Dog Training, I’d love to hear about your dog.

Let’s find the approach that’s right for both of you.