I have always loved the idea of working with animals, particularly dogs.  From a young age I was always bringing something or other home whether a stray cat or an injured hedgehog.  I knew all the dogs in my neighbourhood by name! A few years ago, I decided to look into studying canine training on a serious level.  Having started off with a sound basic certificate to gain knowledge and insight, I then progressed to getting an officially recognised and accredited dog training qualification. I continue to study this field as I feel you can never learn enough and I need to keep up to date!  I’m also a dog owner, and I understand the many benefits, but also the difficulties & frustrations that owners can come across when we invite dogs into our lives. In a past life, having obtained my BA Hons degree in Cork, I obtained my Higher Diploma in Education as a Secondary School teacher in Irish, Geography and Maths. I also have a Masters in Regional and Urban Planning and a Diploma in Environment Science and Social Policy.  I enjoy working with people as much as pets. This qualification enables me to teach the pet dog owner properly as much as the dog training qualification allows me to correctly work with the dog.

 

I started volunteering with Munster Lost and Found Pet Helpline rescue back in 2012 and I continue to provide training support, behaviour modification, advice and support in house and to new adoptive parents when requested.

 

I am a mother of two young girls, and both were born when I already had a dog, so I have first

hand experience  preparing the dog for the new arrival;  introducing new babies to dogs and

also managing children and animals. 

 

​About my own dogs

I have had rescue puppies, and rescued older dogs and growing up I had pure-bred cocker

spaniels.  I've had the full range over the years and enjoy all breeds!

 

​My current dog is a Saluki/Greyhound called Fiadh. I adopted her from the CSPCA mid 2024.

They think she was about a year old when she came in.  Fiadh is a loveable rogue who definitely

does not wait for opportunities to present themselves, she creates them! Adopting a slightly older

dog and a sighthound is a new experience for me but I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge!

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Before Fiadh, I adopted Piper who was a collie/lab/boxer cross. She was found dumped with

her siblings in cardboard box in a ditch on an August Bank Holiday weekend. Being separated

from their Mum so early presents its own challenges for puppies along with being abandoned in

a box.  I fostered Piper and her siblings immediately and had to hand syringe feed her.

Obviously I fell in love with her and she became a permanent member of my household! We had

almost 10 great years with the most fabulous dog who was my shadow.  In the early part of 2024,

Piper suddenly went off her food. Following x-rays, CTs and bloods, it was discovered that she

was riddled with cancer (lung, blood, brain) and I had to let my beautiful girl go.  I remember her

everyday.

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Oscar came before Piper. A stunning gordon setter/collie cross. My handsome boy helped me

gain my dog training qualifications! He loved leaves and sticks - even if they were mini trees! This

lively cheeky chap enjoyed life to the full and never  ceased to put a smile on my face.

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Professional Qualifications

I am a fully qualified Canine Behaviour and Training Technician.  Click the logos for full details of this course, qualification and accreditation. As a CBTT, I am bound by a code of practice which was created in accordance with the following mission statement:  Canine Behaviour & Training Technicians will practice promoting welfare friendly interactions with all animals. A qualified CBTT will provide services that nurture the human-canine relationship and promote professionalism, respect and knowledge within the canine training and behaviour industries. Below is a list of my qualifications.​​

• Canine Behaviour Training Technician -  AniEd (OCN Accredited). 2014 

          In order to main the use of the title CBTT, I have committed to undertake annual

          Continuing Professional Development. This means that I must demonstrate that I have

          successfully participated in continued learning every year. Not only does this mean that I am

         constantly improving my knowledge and skill set, but I am also keeping right up to date with

         advances in training techniques. Just some of the many CPD courses I have undertaken to date include: 

• Breeds and meeting behavioural needs

• Domestic Dogs and Predatory Behaviour

• Sound Sensitivities

• Behavioural Health

• Complementary and Alternative Therapies

• Assistance Dogs

• Neutering and Behaviour

• Secondary Reinforcement

• Stress and its Impacts

• Damaging Stress

• Beyond The Food Bowl: Enrichment

• Why dogs love to chase

• Dogs who steal and chew

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I am a member of the JoRosie Haffenden Academy.  This membership allows me access to

several series of detailed and scientifically based courses and lecture series along with workshops

and demonstrations etc. Content is regularly updated. Please click on the logo which will bring you

to the JRH Academy for more information and a look at contents and ethos.

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• Train the Dog Trainer – Fetac Level – Dog Training Ireland. 2012

• Certified Canine First Responder (First Aid Training). Obtain annually from 2015 to date.

• Certificate in Dog Emotion & Cognition (Duke University). 2015

• Certificate in Dog Behaviour and Psychology (JD Campus, London). 2016

• Certificate in Puppy Training (JD Campus, London). 2016

• Certificate in Pet Adoption (Holly & Hugo, accredited by ICOES) 2016

• Certificate in Veterinary Assistance (JD Campus, London)  2017

• Certificate in Dog Training and Behaviour. (International Open Academy) 2024

• ​Loose-Lead Masterclass (IMDT) 2025

• 7-day Canine Cognition and Emotion Course (School of Canine Science) 2025

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Insurance

I am fully insured with Pet Business Insurance IE Direct to undertake dog training in

private and public places. I hold public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

I can produce the insurance documentation should you wish to view or you can click on

the company logo here for general information about Pet Business Insurance. I ensure

this is always in place and is renewed annually.  have been Garda vetted so you can be

sure you and your pet are in safe hands.

 

 

Experience

I have been providing  private one to one sessions, assessments in rescue and vet clinic

since setting up Best Paw Forward having qualified. I worked with Munster Lost & Found since

2012 to assess, rehabilitate, reunite and re-home dogs. I also spent a year and a half volunteering

every Tuesday delivering puppy classes at Hop Island, Cork, on behalf of Irish Search Dogs. I

have my own girl Fiadh, a young saluki/greyhound whom I work, play with and train with every day!

I really cant get enough of dogs so I grab any opportunity to spend time with her, my friends' dogs and

enjoy meeting new dogs and their owners when out and about.

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Seminars & Workshops

I  am a firm believer that you can't know enough (or know it al!).  In order to maintain my own skills and to be up to date with the latest scientifically based positive methods and research, I regularly attend

dog training related workshops, seminars and complete dog training and behaviour courses.  

• Noise Phobias  with Else Verbeek of Amazing Animal Minds 2025

• "Click to Calm: Healing the Reactive/Aggressive Dog" and "How To Teach a Reactive Dog Class" with Emma Parsons KPA CTP, APDT, CDBC.  2 Day Seminar, October 2016

• Canine Aggression & Rehabilitation with Steve Mann, Institute of Modern Dog Trainers. August 2015.

• Full day seminar “What Makes Your Dog Tick” presented by Professor Ray Coppinger. June 2015

• Fun and Inspiring Training - Nando Brown 2014

• CPDT-KA Living and Learning with Animals with Dr. Susan Friedman Ph.D. 2014

• Life Skills for Puppies – Helen Zulch.  2014

• Continuous workshops: Canine Self-Control / Resource Guarding / Canine Aggression / Canine Emotionality / Client Issues/ Loose-lead Walking/Recall/ Puppies – AniEd.  2014 & 2015