dog and black women sitting on bench in front of castle

WHO IS TRAINING SENS?

It all begins with THAT ONE SPECIAL DOG WHO TURNS YOUR LIFE UPSIDE DOWN.

Training Sens is a platform inspired by the relationship formed between my staffy mix (Sinsemilla Crow a.k.a. Sensi) and me (Chi).

I rehomed Sensi when he was 3.5 years (née 2016) and at that time, he did not respond consistently to his name, was severely dog-reactive, and clearly had no formal training. I realised very quickly that in order to meet his needs, I’d really have to buckle down and learn more about dog training and canine behaviour. In the process of learning how to help him manage the challenges he faces as a high-drive/reactive pup, and also create a foundation for him that would enable us to live a full and adventurous life, I discovered that I enjoyed dog training and more so, handler coaching, which is more explicitly what I do. Sensi and I have now helped other dogs and their handlers by showing them how clear communication based on trust, understanding, and evidence-based approaches can be a game changer.

I know how tough it can be to navigate the vast amount of misinformation and highly-opinionated ideologies/practices in the dog training industry. My goal is to break it all down in a way that empowers you to decide how best to make informed decisions for your dog.

I work to create a space whereby we keep an open mind, continuously improve through questioning everything with kindness, and use candor to provide feedback. This ensures I do what works best for the dog and handler in front of me.

how is sensi now?

brown dog resting in yellow armchair

Sensi has made an immense amount of progress with his fear-based dog reactivity since we started our journey together.

He is quite an adventure dog and regularly travels on public transportation, goes for hikes & mountain scrambles, competes in canicross, and can bikejor in the city.

He can identify and respond to over 60 unique words and phrases, many of which have hand signals to accompany them.

If you’re interested in continuing to see Sensi progress on his journey, follow him on our socials!

MY guiding principles

CANDOR IS KINDNESS

Creating strong communication feedback loops is so incredibly important. Sometimes messages are heard to receive but they should always come from a constructive and non-judgemental place. I strive to make sure you’ll always know where we stand and convey information in a way that embodies the values we care about.

Continuous Learning

Every experience you have with your dog will be an opportunity to learn something new. Here, we care more about the lessons and outcomes than numerical outputs when defining what success will look like for you and your dog.

GO SLOW BUT GO

This programme will teach you how to be a better handler, as opposed to retraining your dog, which should happen naturally. You are the one whom you’d dog will be living with day in and day out, so you are the one who needs to be empowered and consistent in order to make progress. if you want to see sustainable results, you need to be ready to commit to your plan.

growth over perfection

If you’ve spent any time at all working with dogs, you’ll know that improvement is non-linear. Everyone’s journey is different and goes at a different pace. Setting realistic expectations for you and your dog is really important to creating the resilient mindset necessary to achieve your shared success as dog and handler. All this to say, it takes the time it takes to get to where you’re going.

COMFORT WITH DISCOMFORT

It’s important to keep in mind that while change can be uncomfortable can challenging, ultimately, we are working to improve the relationship you have with your dog. This means we need to say the things that need to be said even if they’re hard to say or hard to hear. Have fun and lean into the experiences as they come...that is how we grow!

FIT MATTERS. DO WHAT WORKS.

If I don’t know the answers, I will work with you to find them. I am dedicated to working towards the success we define together. In turn, I expect that you will show up in the same way. Finding the right fit with your coach is so important. If you find you want a new approach, you should do so, regardless of whether it means continuing your journey with Training Sens or elsewhere. X

AN OPEN-MINDED TRAINING philosophy

At Training Sens, I apply an open-minded approach based in LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) training philosophy, which prioritises the well-being of dogs while addressing their behaviour. This process begins by thoroughly assessing and meeting each dog's fundamental needs, ensuring both their mental and physical health is optimally maintained. From that point, I craft an active management strategy to proactively prevent undesirable behaviours, coupled with positive reinforcement techniques to guide the dog toward desired behaviours. Central to my training philosophy are what I refer to as "default behaviours." Instead of constantly issuing obedience commands, I aim to instil positive habits through consistent reinforcement, teaching dogs to respond contextually. For example, we train them to naturally choose a "down" position when relaxing on the couch or to check in periodically during off-leash hikes, even without direct cues.

In cases involving reactivity and aggression, our approach blends management techniques to avoid triggering situations with gradual exposure below the dog's threshold and the introduction of alternative behaviours, ultimately aiming for the dog to coexist comfortably with their triggers without constant direction.

Often utilising Jerri Scherff’s “Daily Method”, I take a holistic view of training, considering the needs of both dogs and their handlers. My commitment is to support you without judgment, recognising that your dog's behaviour is not a reflection of your character. I collaborate with you to design lifestyle adjustments that align with your daily routines. Whether you struggle to find time for training, experience frustration, or feel overwhelmed, our training plans encompass coping strategies and mental well-being support for the human side of the leash as well.