About

Accredited and qualified Canine Behaviourist and Dog Trainer

About me

I use kind force-free ethical methods, providing dog guardians with effective management and skills. I undertake veterinary referrals as the cost of the service can often be claimed through the owner's pet insurance. I am an INTODogs certified Canine Behaviourist and Dog Trainer, a Fear Free Practitioner and a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild.

I do not use cruel, aversive or harsh methods. I believe in relationship-centred training and being aware of what the dog is saying to us through their body language. We must always consider the welfare and emotional needs of the individual dog. With this in mind, I do not support the use of aversives such as squirting water, citronella spray collars, anti-bark collars, choke chains, prong collars, gentle leaders or slip leads etc.

I fully support the new law that will come into force on 1 February 2024 banning the use of shock collars. It is often claimed that electric shock collars are effective in preventing dogs from chasing livestock. However, research demonstrates that the use of an electronic collar does not create a greater deterrent, nor does it result in better learning outcomes.

I also reject the philosophy some organisations support, framed as Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) hierarchies of method selection because it still allows behaviour practitioners and trainers to employ aversive methods when less aversive or intrusive methods have not worked. There is no place for aversive training in behaviour modification, training, or any interactions with animals. There are no exceptions to this standard, even for dogs with aggressive behaviours. There is no place for the use of punishment or aversives in interactions with animals.

No Pain, No Force, No Fear, No coercion

I have worked with dogs for over 30 years and have a great deal of experience with all breeds. I am also a co-author of four books about dog behaviour and have delivered a number of seminars and practical weekends.

I am co-director of Without Worry Canine Education for dog guardians/professionals and behaviourist for several dog rescues. I take behaviour referrals from vet practices in the area.

Learning and CPD

Level 6 qualification in Canine Behaviour Management with distinction
Diploma in Canine Behaviour
Certificate of Dog Training
Certificate of Canine Behaviour Problems
Higher certificate in Cynology
Diploma in Canine Aggression, with distinction
Diploma in Canine Hydrotherapy
Canine Scent detection
Raw dog food nutrition specialist
Animal Behaviour and Welfare Level 4
Diploma in Evolution
Diploma in early puppy development
Fear-free professional accreditation
TTouch bodywork
CMA canine psychologist
Fear Free Practitioner exam

I have worked as an external behaviourist for Dog's Trust and I work with a number of different rescues including:

German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund

Terrier SOS

Stokenchurch dog rescue

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue, Wisbech

Dog's Trust

Bedlington Terrier - appointed behaviourist for this area

Brunos Animal Haven

RSPCA East Lincolnshire

Mail

Some of our feedback

“I have had great behaviourist advice from Lisa Hird. It’s helped me and helped Nellie. As we live so far away a zoom call was the only way”.

J & Nellie

***

“Lisa is amazing and the only behaviourist I would recommend to people”.

Natalie

***

“Lisa is amazing, I try to see her once a month but it's not always possible as she isn't that close to me, not miles away but a good 20 miles, however I would travel twice the distance or further to get the right advice.

I have sent her videos, cried, got frustrated sent her long desperate messages if I've had a bad experience, and she always responds and makes me feel better. Tilly adores her and I'm sure she would happily move in with her. I swear she looks at me with despair saying, "look stupid, that's how you do it" 😂 Lisa always gives me confidence and self belief, and that's what helps me when I'm feeling so useless”.

Fran & Tilly

***

“We and Hettie cannot thank you enough for all your amazing advice. You have transformed our lives”.

Wendy & Hettie

***

“Have to say Lisa, best training class I’ve been to. Tilda got home chilled and didn’t go bonkers over Teddy 😊”

Veronica & Tilda

***

“Maxwell made 2 friends today! The first they were both on the lead! But Max let it come say hello, they sniffed and even walked together about 100 yards 😊 the other they were both off and me and the owner stood chatting as they ran around and played 😊 we may have had a few issues in between, but the best start and end to our walk today? So proud of my boy”!!

Charlotte and Maxwell

***

“Someone’s tired! Thank you so much for a helpful training session. Rodney absolutely loved it and we learnt so much in a such a short space of time. Your training approach is exactly as we’d hoped. He has been sleeping since you left. Only waking up to move into his bed. Your advice and suggestions are practical and easy for us to apply. Thank you.”

Carla & Rodney

***

“Izzy really enjoyed herself tonight, thank you. I’m looking forward to getting her to use her nose more”.

Sharon and Izzy

***

“Big thanks Lisa for the help with Martha and Doli the French Bulldogs. Putting all the tips you gave us in motion and it seems to be working. Thanks again, we will stay in touch and keep you up to date with the progress”.

Rob, Martha and Doli

***

“Happy Birthday Poppy! 3 today – wow a grown up at last 😉 Big thanks to Lisa at the Dog Behaviour clinic for her patience supporting us through our anxieties. Poppy has grown into a lovely dog – a complete change to the scared puppy that came to us 2 years ago. Just need to work on the no teeth policy and be a little less eager greeting people. Also need to work on the seeing other dog issue but we’ll save that for another time”.

Rebecca and Poppadom

***

“AMAZING!! is all I can say......

I'll tell you a story to explain. I have Mabel a 1 yr old lurcher, Mabel is a happy soul active, rugged and very clever. Unfortunately Mabel has a dark past, she was dreadfully mistreated, starved and beaten by her previous owners and at the age of 4 months was put in a bin bag with her litter mates and thrown out of a van. She battled through gradually recovering, and eventually we had the privilege of rehoming this amazing little being.

We attended Lisa's puppy life skills class last year when Mabel was about 9 months old and it was fantastic Mabel was a wild child to say the least! It wasn't conventional training as id attended in the past, sit stay lie down etc. She learnt manners and we learnt methods to help Mabel develop polite behaviour and confidence. The transformation in her was amazing and I would definitely recommend the classes to anyone. Shortly after we tried to have Mabel neutered unfortunately a heart problem was revealed which delayed getting her neutered and caused a lot of vet visits and tests. She then came into season and this caused Mabel to flip, she suddenly became uncontrollable on the lead around people and other dogs, I tried everything I could think of but it was like her mind was blown.

We tried to get her neutered again, this time she was so anxious she had a fit. All this time the reactivity with other dogs was

getting progressively worse. Eventually in January we managed to get her neutered and now recovered I decided we needed to tackle the lead issues particularly the reactivity. I got back in touch with Lisa for a one to one session. Lisa and her student were amazing working in the house with Mabel and then going for a walk. They worked out she was scared of people and showing frustration towards other dogs, she also showed fear when we came across a van - thinking about her past it seems obvious now

The progress we made was fab and with continuous work from me I really hope Mabel will get to be the confident happy chappy she deserves to be. Without the Dog Behaviour Clinic we wouldn't have got this far, sit stay and lie down was never going to be enough for Mabel, and to be honest I'm not sure it's enough for any dog. I am an absolute convert, invaluable techniques learnt and a new beginning for my little furry friend “😍😍😍😀😀

Claire & Mabel

***

Accreditation

Sadly the dog behaviour and training industry is largely unregulated, leaving dog owners confused as to who is qualified and who isn't.

Always ask before engaging a behaviourist:

What "tools" do you use?
How will you train my dog?
What happens when my dog does not respond the way you want him to?

Aversive tools, coercion and punishment are not necessary and have no place in dog training/behaviour. If the person you are going to employ mentions shock collars, citronella or water sprays, head halti's etc please look for someone else who does not use force or coercion.

You can also check to see if they are accredited. Check the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter website for membership organisations