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The Dog Coach

CERTIFIED DOG TRAINER AND BEHAVIOURIST

About

As a dog behaviourist and trainer living in France for the past twenty years, dogs have always been the central focus of my life.

Over the years, I have lived and worked alongside German Shepherds, Cairn Terriers, Labradors and Golden Retrievers. I became actively involved in their training through local dog training clubs and, in my younger years, in England under the guidance of a former police dog handler. These formative experiences shaped my understanding of canine behaviour and of the human–dog relationship — built on clarity, consistency and trust.

Since 2010, my voluntary work with the association Les Chats du Mercantour has significantly influenced my professional approach. As a foster carer and adoption coordinator, I have supported numerous dogs with varied and sometimes complex backgrounds. I have also guided their adopters through behavioural and training challenges, developing an approach that is individual, practical and respectful of both the dog’s pace and the dynamics of each partnership.

This extensive hands-on experience led me to formalise my qualifications, allowing me to support dogs and their owners with professionalism and insight.

Today, I specialise in puppy socialisation and environmental exposure — a crucial stage in developing a confident, emotionally stable and well-balanced adult dog. I also work with adolescent and adult dogs, tailoring my approach to each dog’s temperament, history and living environment.

My own dogs — retired or career-changed guide dogs — play an integral role in my work. True “teachers”, they take part in the day-care setting and provide puppies with an exceptional model of calm communication and appropriate social behaviour.

a brown and white dog sitting on top of a white floor

My Philosophy

I am convinced that dogs learn best through clarity, consistency, and positive reinforcement. By rewarding desired behaviors and setting clear and fair boundaries, we build confident dogs who understand what is expected of them.

Positive does not mean permissive: a calm and firm framework is essential, but never through fear or the use of aversive tools, which can harm the relationship between the dog and its human and encourage the emergence of other behavioral issues.

An essential part of my role is to act as a true interpreter between you and your dog: helping you understand what their behavior is expressing and guiding you on how to respond in a clear and appropriate way. When communication improves, behavior naturally evolves.

Whether I am supporting a puppy in building strong foundations or helping an adult dog facing behavioral challenges, my approach is practical, based on up-to-date knowledge, and tailored to each individual. Education should strengthen the relationship you share, developing trust, reliability, and a lasting partnership.