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.
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.
A selection of the seminars, courses and certifications behind every session.
Dog Trainer Certificate · Separation Anxiety · Canine Body Language · Pet Gundog seminars.
Puppy Lab · Scentwork · Psychopharmacology · Dog-to-Human Aggression · Pet Gundog.
Susan Friedman's LLA · Puppy Culture with Jane Killion · ClickerExpo · Vet-school orthopaedic seminars.
