About Dog School
Dog School training classes and programs are specially designed to encourage dogs to build confidence and success as they master new behaviours and skills in a simple, step-by-step process. We use only positive dog training methods, which your entire family can easily practice and embrace.
My passion is in helping people develop a deeper, more meaningful relationships with their dogs. A dog’s basic instincts haven't changed through the millennia and while we can, and often do, expect our dogs to adapt to fit with our lifestyles, it's important that we respect our dogs enough to realise that sometimes we may need to actually adapt ourselves to help them to thrive.
I believe that dogs will give more when they're enjoying learning and I only use positive reinforcement or reward based training methods. I'm constantly learning and expanding my knowledge when it comes to dogs and can promise that I will try any method that is best for the dog in front of me (every dog is different!), and give you all the information and instruction that I possibly can to be able to work with you to create a happy and fulfilled relationship with your dog and to show you how to work as a team.
I know how hard it can be to find a training class that is modern, up to date and fun and when I had my first dog I really struggled and ended up with an old-fashioned trainer that put both me and my dog in situations I wasn't comfortable with. I'll make sure both you and your dog can learn in an environment that's right and give you instruction that is easy to understand as well as being science based, proven techniques that I know will being you the success you are looking for!
MEMBERSHIPS & QUALIFICATIONS
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Máster en Educación Animal: Técnico Experto en Adiestramiento y Conducta Canina (Escuela de Postgrado de Veterinaria)
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BCCSDip. Dog Agility Instructor
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Qualified IMDT Trainer (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers)
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Adv Diploma Applied Animal Behaviour (Distinction)
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Adv Diploma Professional Petcare & Veterinary Practice Assistant (Merit)
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Diploma Canine Behaviour & Training (Merit)
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Diploma Canine Holistic Health & Therapy (Distinction)
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Diploma Canine Nutrition (Distinction)
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Certified Canine Body Language Specialist
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Certified Trick Training Instructor
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Certified Canine First Aider
Adv Diploma in Applied Animal Behaviour (Canine)
Máster en Educación Animal: Técnico Experto en Adiestramiento y Conducta Canina
Fully Qualified Member of the IMDT since 2015
Member of the Pet Professional Guild since 2013
Canine Body Language Specialist
MY STORY...
I'm Karen and I'm the founder of Dog School Nerja.
Dogs are my world and I've always been around them since I was a child. I had my first dog as a teenager - a German Shepherd called Max and have never been without a dog since then, and now live with my 3 dogs - a Spanish rescue dog called Jess and 2 border terriers; Woody and Scout.
I'm originally from Scotland but began my professional career with dogs here in Spain. I volunteered in rescue kennels, fostered dozens of dogs and puppies, and assessed and trained dogs for adoption and rehoming, and set up a Europe-wide adoption network for a local rescue organisation.
I was lucky enough to be selected to attend The Dog's Trust International Training Programme in London in 2013 where I learned from some of the best in the business. Once back in Spain I began to study canine behaviour and attended practical courses in Málaga with The IMDT, and gained qualifications in professional pet care and dog training and behaviour.
I relocated to Scotland at the beginning of 2015 and set up a dog training centre which is now one of the most successful dog training companies in Scotland. Since then I've studied with The IMDT, The Dog Training College, The School of Canine Science and many other respected organisations, and attended seminars and workshops all over the world with some of the most respected canine behaviour experts. I also worked with assistance dogs and trained dogs for the disabled as well as developing a whole new course of classes for dogs from puppy to adulthood that's used by dozens of training schools in the UK.
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I now live in Frigiliana and started the area's only ethical dog training school in 2021. I work with all kinds of breeds with different training needs but love a terrier! I'm also a qualified Trick Dog Instructor have achieved several Champion Trick Dog titles with my border terrier Scout, and I also trained in agility with both Scout and my other border terrier Woody.
I'm proud to have been voted as Best Dog Trainer in the area where I lived for 6 years running, and to win Scottish Dog Trainer of The Year in 2020.
MY TRAINING TEAM!
CORE VALUES
Modern, science based methods
At Dog School we use only modern methods to train based on rewarding your dog for getting it right! This type of training is really easy to master once you learn how. We keep things light and upbeat, always. If you try to dominate or act aggressively toward your dog, they'll develop mistrust, and perhaps even aggression. Yes, you make the rules. But you do so with a gentle hand.
Positive!
Positive training requires patience and restraint to shelter your dog from the inevitable frustrations you might occasionally feel. Dogs crave our attention, but they don’t distinguish between positive and negative attention – praise vs. scolding. That’s why we don’t teach with punishment. The only attention your dog will know is approval – and it will come when he or she performs the desired behaviour.
Fun!
Having a dog as part of you family should be a wonderful and happy experience. I can help you achieve these goals with easy to understand training techniques that both you and your family can enjoy with your dog. Training should be fun and never a chore and together we can make it possible!
Always Remember: Every moment of every day can be an opportunity for your dog to learn!