Why work with Kirstie 

There are trainers who know the theory. There are trainers who have lived it. Kirstie is one of the rare few who brings both, and who has the warmth and patience to make you feel like you've finally found someone who actually gets it. She has walked in your shoes. The dread before every walk. The shame when your dog lunges. The confusion about what's happening. The exhaustion of scanning ahead, crossing the road, turning back. 

 

She didn't read about any of that; she felt it herself with her own reactive dogs. What she built from that experience, combined with years of dedicated training and study, is a way of working that is both grounded in science and completely human. 

 

Most clients find that things begin to shift in ways they hadn't expected, not just in their dog's behaviour, but in how they feel as a person. People are now living normal lives with their dogs, socialising, enjoying holidays, family picnics and even helping others as part of her Superheroes Reactivity Support Programme team. 

 

How she trains 

 

Kirstie ethos is simple: Build you and your dog's bond and expand your world. 

 

Kirstie doesn't arrive at a session with a formula. She arrives ready to get to know your dog, and you. Drawing on her BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and her advanced training in games-based force-free methodology, she reads what your dog needs in that moment rather than applying a one-size-fits-all plan. 

 

Some sessions focus on building the foundations, such as calmness, confidence and impulse control. Fun, simple games based training to give your dog the skills needed to handle the world around them and manage themselves in the world. 

 

Others take you out into the real world, building your confidence and showing you how to handle situations right where the problems happen. All of this while helping you understand your dog's emotional state in a way that finally makes sense of everything you've been struggling with. 

 

The games-based approach means training is something you and your dog can actually enjoy together, rather than something to endure. 

 

Helper dogs

 

Kirstie has a pool of calm, friendly and polite helper dogs available to accompany your dog and guide them around the big wide world. Showing them the ropes, acting as a “buddy” to explore with, practice their social skills and take the lead in having social interactions with any off lead dogs we may encounter, whilst your dog makes space if they need to. All walks are on lead and safely managed. 

 

Once your dog learns there is a beautiful, big wide world to explore, other dogs become much less important, exciting or scary. 

 

What that means for you

 

You won't be made to feel like you've failed, that you've left it too late, or that your dog is a lost cause. Kirstie has heard those fears from almost every client she has ever worked with, and she will tell you, as she has told all of them, that they aren't true. You won't be handed a programme designed for someone else's dog and left to get on with it. 

 

Every plan is built around your dog, your walking routes, your life, and where you actually are right now, not where a textbook says you should be. You won't be dropped at the end of a session with no one to turn to. 

 

Near 24/7 support

 

Kirstie is available via WhatsApp when you need her. When you need someone to support you through a challenging situation, when you need clarity on what to do and when you need someone to celebrate the successes with. Kirstie will get back to you as soon as she can with real, human advice and a listening ear. 

 

What you also get

 

The Superheroes Support Programme gives you ongoing access to training support, a community of people who genuinely understand the journey, and a space to keep progressing at the pace that's right for your dog. You will be met without judgement on any day, including the bad ones. Whatever you bring to a session, whether that's progress, a setback, a crisis, or simply a week where everything felt impossible, it will be received calmly and worked with honestly. 
 

Credentials 

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Animal Welfare and Behaviour BSc Hons

Institute of Modern Dog Trainers Level 3 Learning, Motivation and Reinforcement

Institute of Modern Dog Trainers Level 4 Behaviour Consultations and Functions of Behaviour

Dog Training College Puppy Training Specialist

Dog Training College Scent work Specialist

Dog Training College Reactivity Specialist

Dog Training College Body Language Specialist

 

Next steps 

 

The first step is a free initial conversation with Kirstie to talk through where you are and whether this is the right fit. No pressure, no commitment, just an honest conversation about your dog and what's possible.