I can help you and your dog to have a fulfilling and enjoyable life together!

I believe that every dog deserves a loving home and every owner deserves the joy of a well-behaved and happy companion. With years of experience, a genuine love of dogs and a deep understanding of canine behaviour, I have the expertise to guide you and your dog towards meeting your dog owning vision.

I'm committed to providing compassionate, effective and ethical training solutions tailored to meet your needs as well as creating a safe and enjoyable learning environment for both you and your dog.

SARAH-JANE

I’m Sarah-Jane: the face behind Barker & Hound

It’s lovely to meet you!

I live in East Hampshire with my dog Rebel and when I’m not walking, feeding or snuggling on the sofa with him, I spend my time working with dogs and their humans (like you) build meaningful, fun and enriching lives together.

I've been a professional dog trainer for many years and love what I do. I have a deep understanding of canine behaviour and have the expertise to guide you towards meeting your dog owning vision.

“Really positive impact”

Sarah-Jane is an incredibly supportive and knowledgeable trainer who has introduced me to fun, interactive techniques to improve my girl's relaxation and confidence. As a result, she is much calmer and I've seen a considerable reduction in her reactivity, and I think this has all had a really positive impact on my bond with Poppy. Thanks so much!!

– Helen (with Poppy)

I approach dog training with…

A compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental approach

I have been where you are and know how exhausting and frustrating behaviour struggles can be. I am dedicated to helping you move to where you want to be with your dog, not to judge you as an owner. I will work in partnership with you to relieve the emotional stress and frustration at both ends of the lead.

Skills, experience and knowledge

You’ve had enough of hearing all the conflicting advice - you want to work with a properly qualified and experienced professional, who you can trust. Delivering the best and most up-to-date information on dog training and behaviour is extremely important to me and I therefore regularly attend seminars, conferences and workshops led by respected industry professionals.

A desire to build a partnership between me, you and your dog

Seeing a relationship between dog and owner flourish is why I do what I do! All of my packages include ongoing support and feedback in order to help you both succeed.

Our work together will be…

Personalised

I take a bespoke approach to help you understand your unique dog and achieve your individual vision of life with a canine companion.

When you work with me you won’t get a one size fits all solution. I take into account your dog's personality and breed characteristics to create a tailored training plan that will help them fulfil their potential.

Fun

Yes - fun! Dog training shouldn’t be a chore!

I aim to deliver professional expertise through games-based training, so that it’s an enjoyable and enriching experience for both you and your dog.

Empowering

You want to work with someone who really gets how you are feeling and has the education and experience to enable you to achieve your goals with confidence.

I will support you to build a confident, positive partnership with your dog through science-based, kind, ethical, and effective training methods.

How I got here

I've always been fascinated by the unique bond between humans and dogs. My first canine-related role was as a kennel hand at a sighthound rescue centre. When I took my first dog home (a retired racing greyhound, called Cedric) I was faced with several training and behaviour struggles.

A dog with no recall, pulling on lead and jumping up at anyone and anything wasn't quite the vision I had in mind as a new dog owner! In fact, I found it utterly exhausting and frustrating having a ‘problem’ dog.

Searching for training solutions on the internet, I found an array of bewildering (and often contradictory) advice which left me feeling overwhelmed and not knowing what to do for the best. Some of the “advice” also didn't sit right with me . This conflict was what inspired me to start studying dogs - how they learn and why they behave the way they do. I started offering my support to other dog owners who, like you, loved their dogs and wanted to have a great relationship with them instead of feeling frustrated by them. And I guess you could say the rest is history!

If you are currently feeling overwhelmed – I am here for you and I would love to work with you.

Click on a button below to find out more about how I can help you.

If you are ready to transform your relationship with your dog and begin your journey of growth and connection, I am here to help.

Together we can address any challenges, enhance your dog's skills and strengthen the bond between you.

Take the first step by clicking below to get in touch and let's help your dog reach their potential, together.

Access Free Resources

I believe in empowering dog owners with knowledge and resources to support you on your journey.

Check out some of my most popular blog posts:

The S-Word: what socialisation is (and isn’t)

How to get puppy socialisation right.

Easy Dog enrichment ideas for those rainy days

Keep your dog entertained and fulfilled.

The best places to walk your dog in Hampshire

Get ready to enjoy walkies with your dog!

Got questions?

I’ve got answers

  • I have successfully completed the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Pet Dog Training Foundation, and Part Two Instructor’s courses.

    I am also a certified concept trainer and am currently studying for my Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour which is an ABTC accredited course.

    I am proud to be a trusted therapy dog trainer with Therapy Dog Training UK and pride myself on being a member of several ethical training organisations.

    I am insured, canine first aid trained and hold an enhanced DBS check.

    I am a student member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), which means you can be sure I will adhere to strict ethical and professional standards.

  • The significance of establishing trust and a strong connection with your dog should not be underestimated. Scientific research has unequivocally demonstrated that relying on outdated concepts such as "the pack leader," "dominance," and other aversive dog training methods is not just detrimental to your relationship but can also result in enduring psychological harm to your dog. Instead of effectively addressing the root causes of their issues, these methods merely suppress undesired behaviours without teaching your dog the desired alternative behaviours.

    I identify as a positive reinforcement practitioner so you can be assured that the use of fear and intimidation have no place in my approach. Achieving meaningful behaviour modification demands a dedicated investment of time, compassion, and patience but the results speak for themselves. I use the most up to date, science based training methods that have your dog’s welfare at heart.