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Head Trainer & Founder he/him | BSc
If you're here, you might be wondering: 'what made you want to be a dog trainer?'. It started years ago with our family Schnauzer who was reactive, misunderstood, and a bite risk. I didn’t know how to help him back then, but those early experiences stuck with me. Fast forward to getting our first dog as adults - a German Shepherd, my dream breed. Like a lot of first-time working dog owners, I thought I wanted a companion for hikes and pub trips. What I didn’t realise was that I’d signed up for 38 kilos of untapped instinct, frustration, and need. Thankfully, my partner Sarah set me straight. If we were going to own a working breed, we had to work him. That was the start of everything.
Obie threw everything at us: reactivity, over-arousal, all the “what the hell do we do now?” moments. We got it wrong before we got it right. We worked with more trainers than I can count. But every misstep taught me more - not just about dogs, but about people, patience, and the power of proper fulfilment. I couldn't be prouder that Obie’s now that dream dog. He’s my partner in everything and a constant reminder of just how much is possible when we stop fighting instincts and start working with them. That’s what I bring to my clients: lived experience, honest support, and training that meets dogs where they are, not where we wish they were.
I’ve been a qualified field guide in Southern Africa, face-to-face with some of the world’s most unpredictable animals.My academic background is in primate social behaviour, which gave me a real appreciation for how animals communicate, navigate pressure, and maintain social order - all of which feeds directly into how I train dogs today. These days, you’ll find me buried in all the dog sports that channel what dogs are built for. That’s where they light up. That’s where the real change starts. I live for the moment a handler sees their “just a pet dog” smash it in a sport they never thought was possible. With our own dogs, we’ve tried more sports than I can count just to figure out what truly fulfilled them - and that’s exactly what I want to help you do, too.
Outside of training? I’m usually out adventuring with the dogs, fostering for rescues, geeking out over dog training podcasts, or sitting in the pub with a cold pint of Bass - headphones still in!
Meet The Team
Hi, I'm Ryan!
Ophelia
What are our qualifications?
Our Core Pillars
Training
We focus on practical, breed-aware training that builds real-life skills and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Every step is grounded in understanding your dog’s needs and how they naturally learn.
Support
You're never left to figure things out alone - we offer ongoing guidance, feedback, and tailored advice to help you stay on track and feel confident in your progress.
Community
Connection is key. Our clients become part of a supportive, like-minded community where you can learn, share, and grow together with others on the same journey.
Our approach is tailored to the dog in front of us - their instincts, their history, their quirks - and to you as their handler. We look at what actually drives your dog and build training that works with it, not against it. We specialise in breed fulfilment through sport, structure, and real-world problem-solving. That means giving dogs proper outlets for their instincts, and giving you the tools to guide them through it with confidence.
We build lasting behaviour through clarity, motivation, and reward - not pressure or punishment. But we also look at the full picture: your dog’s physical health, stress levels, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing all matter. If those needs aren’t met, the training won’t stick.
At the core of everything is partnership - not perfection. We’ll help you advocate for your dog, understand what they’re telling you, and build a relationship that makes life together easier, clearer, and a hell of a lot more fun.
Our Training Philosophy
What breeds have we worked with?
