About Me
I am the founder of KSK9 Dog Training and Behaviour, with nearly two decades of hands on experience working with dogs across a wide range of breeds, temperaments and behavioural presentations.
I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Canine Management and Behaviour and am currently progressing toward my Level 5. Formal study has strengthened my ability to analyse behaviour critically and apply evidence informed understanding to real world cases. I am also certified in Pet First Aid for Pet Professionals (Level 3 VTQ).
My journey with dogs began long before I made it my profession. I was raised around working Border Collies, where structure, boundaries and communication were simply part of daily life. From an early age, I became aware of how sensitive and perceptive dogs are, and how deeply their behaviour reflects environment and relationships. Even as a young child I was fascinated by training and behaviour, and by the age of five I already knew I wanted to work with dogs.
In 2010, I rehomed my own Border Collie, Flynt, through Border Collie Rescue in Yorkshire, having grown up around the breed. What began as adoption developed into a relationship with the charity’s founders, and I later assisted with home visits where possible, supporting their rehoming process and gaining insight into behavioural assessment and responsible placement. I continue to hold great respect for their work and hope to remain involved wherever I can.
Some of my early practical experience also came from working within busy boarding kennels, where I was responsible for the daily care and management of many different dogs. Environments like this quickly teach you how to read canine body language, recognise stress signals and manage dogs safely in close quarters.
I also spent three years contributing to the development of assistance dogs through Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. During that time I worked closely alongside one of the charity’s trainers, who provided guidance in the early stages of my career. Being immersed in that structured environment reinforced the importance of consistency, neutrality and strong early foundations.
Since then, I have worked with a wide variety of dogs and situations. Some cases have been complex, others have simply needed a few small adjustments, but every dog and owner brings something different to the process.
What continues to stand out most to me is the dedication people have to their dogs. I feel incredibly fortunate to work with clients who care deeply about improving their dogs’ wellbeing, and I never take lightly the trust placed in me when I am invited to support that relationship. Being part of that journey is what makes this work so rewarding.
Chief
Chief is my three-year-old Border Collie. I adopted him at six months old, and he has been part of KSK9 ever since.
He was renamed after Master Chief from the Halo games — a name that felt fitting for his solid presence and steady character.
He is bright, intuitive and highly social. He loves people, enjoys the company of other dogs and has that classic collie instinct to observe and assess what is happening around him.
He thrives when he has space to think and move, and like many driven working breeds he can still show a little lead frustration in certain environments — something we continue to work through with structure and consistency.
Chief has supported demonstrations in puppy classes and has helped show owners what calm, structured interaction looks like once foundations are in place. When working alongside more troubled or uncertain dogs, he often carries himself with a steady, reassuring presence. He also features throughout my training materials, with many of the illustrations in the training packages based on him.
In many ways, he reminds me of one of my childhood dogs, Sam — another solid Border Collie who had a quiet confidence about him. That same steadiness is something I have seen develop in Chief, particularly when he is helping other dogs navigate new situations.
At home, he is affectionate and loyal — usually found curled up with his cat companion, Gunner. He is part of the everyday work, both behind the scenes and out in the field.
Follow Chief’s training journey on Instagram.
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