About Me

About me

Animals, dogs in particular have always been a huge passion of mine. Since I was young, I have always had great compassion and empathy for animals, from when I was 6 years old and I learnt about the food chain at school, I then chose to be vegetarian, to then later in life turning vegan because I didn’t want to support the harm of animals in any way.

Having owned and been around dogs all my life, I’ve always shared a very special bond with dogs and enjoyed both learning about and taking care of them; having grown up with our first family dog, Cairn Terrier Lucy, to then owning Mia, another Cairn Terrier…. I know, what were we thinking!?

I then rescued Boo, my Old Tyme English Bulldog, from 8 years of continuous breeding, living in an outdoor confinement with little social interaction or having any of her welfare needs met. We began to form our unconditional bond as she learnt to trust humans again and we spent the best 4 years, exploring so many of life’s beautiful places and sights, giving her the life she deserved. Alongside Boo, we had our French Bulldog puppy, Monty, who taught me all the beautiful, and not so wonderful stages of puppyhood and the challenges which come along with raising a puppy!

How fur babies began…

The place I was always at my happiest was in a field, with my dogs, connecting on a deeper level, enjoying each other’s company and the bond we shared. Alexandra’s fur babies was established in 2018, when I first began walking dogs professionally, I love getting to know each dog I care for, working with a variety of breeds, temperaments, play styles and personalities and falling in love with each of their little quirks. This lead me to desire a deeper understanding of how dogs think, learn and what influences their behaviour.

About my learning…

I began studying canine behaviour at Derby College, with ‘Introduction to Dog Training’. I then enrolled onto a 3 year Diploma in Canine Care, Welfare and Behaviour. The more experience I gained from working with dogs and my studies, the greater my passion for wanting to help dogs grew, I enjoy learning from other trainers and behaviourist, who also practice ethical and kind training methods. 

I discovered the organisation IMDT ( Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) who teach force free training methods, and with whom I have completed several courses, covering a range of canine behaviours and an intensive 4 Day Practical Instructor Course. 

I have always had a strong interest in canine communication and body language, having completed a Canine Body Language Course, and becoming a Certified Canine Body Language Specialist through The Dog Training College, I specialise in assessing and understanding canine body language and signals, and how they communicate their emotions through behaviours and subtle body movements and signals. As I was completing ‘Working as a Dog Behaviour Professional’ and further IMDTB (Institure of Modern Dog Trainer and Behaviourists) courses, continually learning new skills and how to deal with complex canine behaviours. I continue CPD studies through NICE- national institute canine ethics, who also. advocate for ethical force free methods of training and behaviour modification techniques, and ensure all their members are only practicing these methods.

My passion and motivation to learn all I can about dogs continues and my drive for wanting to help dogs how I can help them and their owners with behavioural issues, I am currently working through Level 4 in canine management, and will then go onto complete Level 5 and Level 6 which will qualify me as a Canine Behaviourist. I will continue my studies to ensure my methods are up to date and backed up by ethical scientific studies and research. 

Alexandra