Good Choice Dog Training

About Me

My name is Clare, and I have always been a lover of dogs.

As a child I remember asking my parents if we could have a dog, and eventually we had our first puppy, Chloe who was a rescue. We were told she was a Golden Retriever but she grew up to look more like a Bearded Collie! Since then there have always been dogs in my family.

Sasha was my first dog as an adult, and also a rescue, her existence began when a male German Shepherd managed to get into the garden of a female Border Collie and the rest was history! She was a lovely mix of the two breeds and very smart. This was also where I discovered the bond you could have with a dog, and she was my best friend.

After Sasha there was a dog spaced hole in my life for a few years, but I decided to close that gap.

Here enters Stanley! My current Golden Retriever and what a character he is, so funny, smart and loving. I totally adore him, but as a pup he was quite a challenge!

Whilst training him I found myself wanting and needing to understand more and more about dog training and behaviour so that I could give him the best life.

I started by booking one to one sessions with a local trainer, after this we attended puppy classes and teenage classes. I was so proud of him as he completed the sessions with flying colours. But we still had to work through problems during his adolescence.

My trainer subsequently became my first mentor, and helped me feed my need for information and practical experience, whilst I studied and completed my dog training qualifications. I started by spectating at the classes, to focus more on the teaching aspect than the participation, I progressed to assisting and eventually running the classes myself.

I subsequently started my own business and began offering in person 121’s and training walks whilst continuing to run the classes for some months alongside my full time job.

Having experienced difficult adolescent behaviour and behavioural problems first hand, I found I was able to relate to other owners struggles and the emotions felt at this time, being able to reassure them and help them overcome these hurdles.

Stan was and still is a complex character, and I am his advocate. I have him to thank for this journey I have taken, and we have a very special bond.

Stan is now my demo dog and you will see him feature on my instagram regularly, he also has his own Instagram account.

In August 2022 I started to practicing what I teach in terms of puppy training, as Stanley’s mum had another litter in June 2022, and we decided to do it all again! We brought Stanley’s little brother Vinnie home at 8 weeks old, so be sure to follow little Vinnie’s journey through puppy hood and adolescence, with real life tips and demos on my social media accounts.

After spending 16 years in my career as a Police Officer, my decision to retrain and initially volunteer as a dog trainer was so rewarding, it was more of a social activity or hobby than a job, as I enjoyed it so much.

I continued to grow my own business and develop my knowledge with the support of my mentor Craig Oglivie, and subsequently passed an assessment to be registered as an accredited dog trainer, with the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants.

I eventually left the police to be a full time dog trainer, and the excitement of my journey continues, as I fulfil my desire to help dogs and their owners live their best lives together, by helping dogs make good choices!