Welcome to Best Paw Forward! My name is Mary Doyle and I am a qualified Canine Behaviour Training Technician.

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!

 

Its now almost 20 years since 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. 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.

 

Other Qualifications and Experience

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.

 

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Family Life

I am a mother to 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. I know first hand how busy life can be and adding a dog to the mix can be challenging! I am here to support you and your family to make having a dog in your household fulfilling.

 

​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.