My business is providing positive pet training solutions.

Animal Behaviourist Shropshire

Has your dog or cat’s behaviour created pandemonium in your home?
I’ll restore peace with practical, proven techniques.

Education Matters

Animal training is an unregulated industry—no required certifications, licenses, or education. So, how do you trust me, a pet behaviourist, to guide you out of turmoil into tranquility? I hold myself to a higher standard because I value your trust.That’s why I completed my MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour at Lincoln University and earned an internationally recognised credential from Reading University as a Certified Professional Coach. Revel in your pet’s remarkable change with well-founded training techniques I’ve derived from veterinary behavioural experts and Henley Business School.

Experience You Can Trust

You deserve guidance from a dog and cat behaviourist and trainer who combines the latest animal behaviour modification methods with successful, hands-on experience to help resolve your pet’s troublesome behaviours.

That’s why I spent years designing practical pet training solutions for my clients at Blue Cross Hospital, Vet4 Pets Veterinary Practice, and Lincoln University’s Animal Behaviour Clinic.

I love creating the perfect training programme—unique to every family and pet—that easily fits into your busy schedule. Enjoy the best from your dog or cat with my customised solutions.

Helping Pets & People

It’s my mission to make your life better with the power of positive pet training.

That’s why I’ve developed my animal husbandry and training skills for the past 16 years by completing an internationally recognised natural horsemanship training course, rehabilitating rescue dogs for Stokenchurch Dog Rescue, and caring for dogs and cats via my walking and pet sitting business, Walks and Purrs.

I’ll ease the burden and stress caused by your fighting felines, howling hound, or peeing puppy. With my support, you’ll delight in your pet’s behaviour.

Guiding Principle

My hot-blooded, highly-strung horse aptly named Highflyer unseated me so often I had head-to-toe bruises. With every new behaviour I compassionately and humanely taught Highflyer, my edgy mare blossomed into a people-loving, confident companion.

That’s why I only use gentle, positive training methods while providing effective dog, puppy, cat, or kitten behavioural solutions.

Experience the freedom that comes from sharing life with an animal who happily makes good choices while retaining the fun personality you fell in love with — just like I do with my Highflyer.

My Secret for Your Success

Before I found my life’s calling as a pet behaviourist, I was a customer relations specialist where I listened to my clients’ needs—the first step in resolving any behavioural issue.

That’s why I’ll listen to your dog or cat concerns before providing an honest assessment and straightforward solutions, improving your pet’s behaviour—and your quality of life.

If you’re losing sleep worrying about dog or cat conundrums, I’ll provide relief. Tell me your pet troubles and I’ll create a personalized training plan to restore calm to your home.

Animal Behaviourist Shropshire

Credentials at a Glance

Experience

  • Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant, International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants
  • Stokenchurch Dog Rescue – Behaviour and Rehabilitation Consultant
  • Vets4Pets, Maidenhead – Behaviour Specialist
  • The Animal Behaviour Clinic, Lincoln University – Assistant Behaviourist
  • Blue Cross Hospital, Grimsby – Volunteer Behaviour Consultant
  • Walks and Purrs – Owner, Walker, and Pet Sitter

Education

  • MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour, Lincoln University
  • Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour accredited
  • Life Skills for Puppies Trainer
  • Certificate in Professional Coaching, Henley Business School
  • Parelli Natural Horsemanship – Level Three Graduate

Publications

  • The British Veterinary Behaviour Association – Master’s Thesis
  • Journal of Behavioural Processes, 15 March 2017 – Facial correlates of emotional behaviour in domestic cat (Felis catus)

Affiliations

  • IAABC – International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants
  • BVBA – British Veterinary Behaviour Association

2024 Events

  • The ‘Lemonade Conference’ – IAABC and FENZI Dog Sports Academy.
  • Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors Veterinary Behaviour conference
  • Crufts 2024
  • ‘Dogs with Big Feelings’, Conference. Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
    Dog Behaviourist Shropshire

    Allow me to guide you through training success. Give me a ring.

    Dog Behaviourist Shropshire

    Allow me to guide you through training success. Give me a ring.

    My lovely clients agree.

    My puppy Mabel and I have just completed a Puppy Life Skills course with Valerie which has been excellent. My puppy has learned so much on the course and so have I! Valerie is patient, encouraging and supportive – she is very happy to discuss any concerns you have with your dog or answer questions about training – it’s obvious she is very knowledgeable and an experienced dog behaviourist/trainer. Highly recommended! Thank you Valerie.

    Sarah and Mabel

    A few months ago we got a rescue kitten to keep our other cat company! The introductions did not go well and the fur literally flew! Valerie helped us to understand how cats interact, and how to go about reintroducing the two cats to one another. She gave us strategies to help the older cat accept the kitten into her territory. Valerie’s knowledge, humour and empathy turned what was a nightmare situation into a happy two cat-household.

    Claude, Clive and the Sinclair Family

    Valerie’s support and guidance has been invaluable, giving me the  coping mechanisms I need for my two beautiful, but very different, sausage dogs. The behaviour consultation gave a good starting block and provided a greater understanding of ‘why?’ and pointers on how to handle difficult situations. The mini group sessions (both Grumps and Growlers and Hooligan Hounds) are great as you meet some lovely people/dogs and get to try out the techniques first hand. I feel confident about managing potentially difficult situations and walks are now a much more pleasant experience – and the dogs just love her. Thank you.

    Louise, Rosie and Margot

     

    My whippet puppy Scout and I have just completed the puppy life skills training.
    Valerie is calm, helpful and very knowledgeable. We both thoroughly enjoyed our training and completed the course with us both having learned a lot.
    Would highly recommend.
    Lisa and Scout

    Valerie worked with us and Bailey and helped us understand why he behaved as he did, and also helped us to see things from his point of view. She was so kind and patient with Bailey and taught us ways to help Bailey cope with the outside world. Valerie’s knowledge, empathy and practical solutions have turned our walks from daily nightmares to enjoyable outings which are fun for Bailey and a million times less stressful for us!

    Bailey and the Connor Family

    Thank you for all your help, you have done an amazing job, and if it wasn’t for you Nelson would’ve been rehomed.

    Chelsea Young

    Our dogs had developed some intractable bad habits, and Valerie gave us a completely different approach to tackle them. The dogs adored her and eagerly awaited every session. They have responded surprisingly quickly and have now turned a corner. We now have the confidence to continue reinforcing the new regime.

    Esther Peacock

    Having one dog that ran off and chased deer and one that had become aggressive towards other dogs turned walks into something that I dreaded. Valerie has been a life saver, understanding, encouraging and very practical, not just giving the theory, but coming out on walks to help me put her amazingly effective advice into practice. I would wholeheartedly recommend Valerie to anyone wanting help with their dog’s behaviour.

    Sue Buys

    Working with Valerie gave me so much confidence as a first-time dog owner. She listened to everything I had to say about what we were looking to gain from the one 2 one sessions and based our training around it as well as adding in training she believed to be useful to us. I fully recommend the Animal Behaviour Business and I can’t thank Valerie enough for the well-behaved puppy we are left with.

    Lizzi Hewer-Connelly

    We absolutely recommend Valerie if you and your pet are need of some coaching and support. I lacked confidence as a first time pet owner – good to read books but putting puppy skills into practice is a different matter altogether. Valerie patiently (and with great humour) helped us to understand our Vizsla better giving us great tips and techniques to bring about better behaviours (in all of us!) A big thumbs up for and thank-you to Valerie; we think you’re fab:-)

    Debbie & Timm

    Valerie is wonderful. We find her approach perfect for our four very individual rescue dogs. She has come into our home and without judgment or criticism she has delivered professional and clear guidance enabling us to stop tearing our hair out and become confident dog owners. We look forward to our sessions and truly enjoy Valerie’s professional teaching style and likeable nature. Our dogs love her too!

    Betsy, Roxie, Jerry, Franky, Lexie and Joe Sparks

    The support we received from Valerie while training Bailey was invaluable. Bailey was a rescue dog with a difficult start in life – he had a few bad experiences in his previous home and when we got him he was terrified of pretty much everything! We were at our wit’s end as Bailey couldn’t even step outside the house without becoming extremely stressed and frightened.

    Another Happy Customer

    Just completed the Grumps & Growlers course with my Border Terrier. So beneficial for me as much as my dog. Great being able to learn and practice skills in a controlled environment with people who understand the issues. Valerie is very positive and calm and gave helpful course notes each week. Would definitely recommend.

    Rachel and Ghillie

    She manages to tread a fine line about being realistic regarding goals, and what can be achieved, with positivity that makes improvement seem possible. We have really valued her input, and have seen improvements already, both in our knowledge of how to deal with our dog’s behaviour, and the behaviour shown by our dog. We thoroughly recommend the Animal Behaviour Business!

    Sarah, Rob and Choccy Simmons

    Thank you so much for showing us effective training techniques that have proved just perfect for training Toby our Cocker Spaniel pup. Toby is now far better behaved, calmer and easier to control with your amazing 1:1 tutoring. The weeks’ stay has been invaluable for us all. The course was perfectly balanced and fun! The Studio flat is pristine, peaceful and a total delight. Thank you again.

     

    Wendy, Kevin, Toby and Muffin

    Valerie is flexible with appointments, and is very easy to deal with. The advice she offered was in-depth, comprehensive, and really well tailored to our needs, whilst also being simple, understandable and effective.

    A Happy Customer

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