Junior Trainer Southampton

Sophie is a dedicated and experienced dog trainer, bringing over six years of expertise in dog training classes, daycare, and assistance dog training. She is a qualified instructor through the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT), holds a Diploma in Animal Management, and is a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild, advocating for force-free, positive training methods.

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Tailored Residential Training

Sophie offers residential training in her peaceful, dog-free & child-free home, creating an ideal environment for focused learning. She specialises in working with small to medium sized dogs and is able to work with both puppies, and adult dogs with behavioural issues. With access to her young nieces and nephews, she also provides valuable opportunities for training around children, ensuring well-rounded socialisation.

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Assistance Dog Training & Customised Programs

With experience in training assistance dogs, Sophie understands the importance of tailoring programs to meet the specific needs of each handler and their dog. Whether training for medical alert, psychiatric support, mobility assistance, or public access skills, she ensures that training is structured to help dogs build confidence, reliability, and the ability to perform their essential tasks.

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Diverse Training Environments

Based near the New Forest, Sophie has access to:
🌲 Woodland walks for natural recall training
🐴 Wild donkeys, horses, cows, and pigs for distraction-proofing
🏖 Beaches for confidence-building and off-lead skills
🏙 Urban areas for real-world exposure and public access training

Positive Training Philosophy

As a passionate advocate for reward-based training, Sophie tailors her methods to suit each dog’s individual needs. She uses:
✅ Treats, toys, and games to make learning fun and engaging
✅ Praise and reinforcement to build confidence and trust
✅ A customised approach to ensure a positive and stress-free experience

Continued Professional Development

Committed to staying at the forefront of modern dog training, Sophie regularly attends seminars and courses led by top trainers and behaviourists worldwide, ensuring she applies the latest research and best practices to her training.

With her experience, knowledge, and passion, Sophie is dedicated to helping pet and assistance dogs reach their full potential, supporting both dogs and their owners in achieving their training goals in a fun, effective, and ethical way.