Pawcentric dog training

Pawcentric dog training Reward-based, force-free training based in Great Mongeham near Deal. Covering Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Thanet and all surrounding areas.

Offering groups & 1:1 training options. Qualified, science-based, professional & up-to-date 🐾. 1st class degree in animal science. My dissertation focused on repetitive stress behaviours in captive red squirrels, I went on to present my findings to the zoo itself at there own conference. After completing my degree I then went on to work in rescue kennels for 4 years. Currently working towards bein

g an accredited behaviourist with IMDT. Certified SA (Separation Anxiety) Pro Trainer. Agility competitor at grade 7 (championship level). Won YKC (Young Kennel Club) obedience finals at Crufts 3 years in a row. (As far as I’m aware we are the only competitors in YKC obedience to have achieved this!)
This was all achieved with my anxious, ‘reactive’ dog Kez that I rehomed when she was 18 months old. Passionate about up-to-date science based training. My dog training journey started when I took on a highly people and dog reactive Springer spaniel at the age of 14. Since then I have been on a journey learning as much as I can about the world of dog training and behaviour. I have a particular interest in reactivity and fear-based behaviours as a result of this. When I started out I couldn’t find any trainers or behaviourists that would help me (things have changed since then!) and so I make sure to always be there for all my clients as someone to turn to when things do get tricky. I love my job, and I am always striving to be the best I can be. As a result I have lots of courses and further education ongoing at the moment so that I can always offer the best to my clients.

We started the day yesterday with a fabulous Reconnect walk! Everyone did so well 🥰. If you’d like to join one of the li...
17/10/2025

We started the day yesterday with a fabulous Reconnect walk! Everyone did so well 🥰.

If you’d like to join one of the limited spaces left in our October dates - booking link below! 🐾

https://bookwhen.com/pawcentricpathways

Social interactions for our dogs are SO important & SO valuable. Imagine us being born into a bear-cave 🐻 and growing up...
13/10/2025

Social interactions for our dogs are SO important & SO valuable. Imagine us being born into a bear-cave 🐻 and growing up surrounded by bears providing all our needs. Can you imagine the relief of getting to talk to other humans? To others of the same species who speak the same language? That’s what it’s like for dogs…

There are so many dogs who are isolated from other dogs when they show reactivity. Which is understandable, if they are fearful we don’t want to flood them! But we also don’t want to isolate them either. That doesn’t help.

Just like us - dogs will have friends. Dogs they get on well with and go ‘oh thank god, you understand me!’ and then others where they go ‘you’re weird, I’d rather not be friends, thank you’. And that’s okay - by the way!!! It’s actually completely normal.

You get some dogs who have amazing social skills, and some who just do not. You get some who are confident, and some who take time to relax around other dogs. Throw in hormonal complications too…

It’s complicated!! Just ‘socialising’ your puppy or dog is NOT the answer.

Learning about your dog, tailoring the training to their needs, gradually boosting their confidence in potentially challenging situations, allowing them to be around dogs that benefit them, keeping them away from dogs that may not benefit them… that’s the key. And it takes time!! The faster you rush, the higher the chance of making mistakes, risking trauma and damaging trust.

This is a theme that runs through all of our training - whether that be 1:1’s, training walks, group classes - the value of socially mixing with other dogs in a controlled/ safe way cannot and should not be underestimated. Dogs thrive on the right social connections. Which is why many of my clients from all backgrounds do so well in the Reconnect group walks. They are so powerful and I’ve seen magic happen just by carefully selected, positive social interactions. It’s amazing how much dogs can help each other.

It’s the same for us humans right? We can support & help each other so much. We rely on social connections and they can change a bad day into a good. But… negative social interactions can also turn a good day into a bad.

Dogs & humans - we are both social species. It doesn’t mean we have to love everyone though, it just means we enjoy the right social connections and once we find them - they can help us flourish. 💜🐾

Want to see what our ‘Reconnect’ group walks look like?Today we had a mix of on-lead & off-lead play. A mix of breeds! S...
11/10/2025

Want to see what our ‘Reconnect’ group walks look like?

Today we had a mix of on-lead & off-lead play. A mix of breeds! Some confident dogs and some more worried. All together, helping & supporting each other. It’s always so lovely to see.

With options in Deal, Dover, Thanet & Folkestone - something for everyone.

If you’d like to join you can do a one-off trial at £22 with the option of then joining a membership - pay once and book into as many as you like!

Here’s the October dates. They fill fast! So be quick 🙌💜.

https://bookwhen.com/pawcentricpathways

How puppy class this evening went at Walmer Parish Hall (yes first photo is me having huge cuddles with Springer Spaniel...
10/10/2025

How puppy class this evening went at Walmer Parish Hall (yes first photo is me having huge cuddles with Springer Spaniel Sonny!). What amazing classes, you all did amazing!! 🙌💜

Next classes at Walmer Parish Hall start 14th November - Friday evenings! Bookings already coming in. If you’d like to join - be quick!

https://bookwhen.com/pawcentricdogtraining

Mabel - she has officially graduated from 1:1 training sessions and moved over to our membership option for Reconnect gr...
10/10/2025

Mabel - she has officially graduated from 1:1 training sessions and moved over to our membership option for Reconnect groups (which means she pays once monthly and then books onto as many Reconnects as she likes!). What a story she has!! She is an amazing example of what’s possible when you commit, stay consistent and keep going.

When we first started working with Mabel she was showing reactivity to other dogs. Lots of barking/ lunging at huge distances, wasn’t able to just sniff and enjoy her walks and showing lots of anxiety. We started weekly 1:1 sessions of meeting in different locations, building confidence and using ‘stooge dogs’. Things had to change at times, we had to spend a bit of time at one point just helping her feel safe in different environments.

Her caregivers stayed committed through it all. Even when things stalled and we had to change the plan to push us forwards. The progress was clear to see.

I often get asked by new clients or clients working with me for a while ‘will things ever change?’. The answer is - yes. Keep going. Do not give up. The pieces will all click together, trust the process.

When using stooge dogs initially it was all about Mabel just co-existing with no pressure. She did not want to say hi and actually relaxed more when the other dog completely ignored her and took that pressure off.

As she progressed her confidence grew until one day - very suddenly (as it often is!) it all clicked into place. She initiated play with another dog (Capo the French Bulldog). We were all almost in tears!! What a moment!

That was it after that - her optimism and self- confidence had grown so much that now she could greet other dogs and initiate play. The reactivity changed from fear to frustration - she actively wanted to say hi!

And now she’s in my Reconnect groups greeting ALL the dogs. Wanting to say hi, wanting to play!!! Something that would have felt impossible a year ago.

Don’t give up. Be consistent! I promise it’s worth it. Mabel and her caregivers can now enjoy walks much more and Mabel is making friends! It’s so lovely to see, I am so proud of her and her family. They’ve come so far 💜🐾.

Thought it about time to introduce new team- member Debbie! 🙌Debbie is a fully qualified teacher and she brings all that...
09/10/2025

Thought it about time to introduce new team- member Debbie! 🙌

Debbie is a fully qualified teacher and she brings all that teaching experience to Pawcentric - as a result she is going to be taking the lead on group classes moving forwards. She is currently studying for a masters in psychology - the parallels between dogs and humans are huge so this is really exciting! And also fits perfectly into where Pawcentric is heading with the focus on supporting you guys - the caregiver/ guardian. The human side.

I’m so excited with what Debbie is going to bring to the word of Pawcentric 💜🐾.

Hi, I’m Debbie.
I had my first puppy when I was just a baby and have been surrounded by dogs and puppies ever since. I truly believe that growing up with animals, learning to care for them and train them using positive, kind methods, supports children and their grown-ups in developing empathy, resilience, social skills and emotional wellbeing. And of course, it gives our beloved dogs a safe, loving home to relax into.

Our house is wonderfully chaotic with two teenagers, two cats and now two dogs. It’s a bit like Noah’s Ark, and according to April, I even bring the weather to match. Our lovely Enola joined us as a rescue at five months old, and our newest family member, Zorro, came to us at around a year old, another rescue with the biggest heart.

As a child, I dreamed of working with animals or becoming a teacher. I’ve been lucky enough to do both, spending many years teaching in local primary schools. I’ve gained a wealth of experience working with children and helping them build safe, respectful relationships with dogs. Ensuring both children and dogs feel secure and understood is always a top priority for me.

Now, as I study for my Master’s in Psychology, I’m constantly fascinated by the parallels between the canine and human worlds. With both dogs and children, behaviour is a form of communication, and our job as caregivers is to understand the why.
Why can my dog not sit right now? Why is my puppy struggling to settle? Why does my dog bark at others? When we look for the why, we can begin to understand how best to support them.

I’m really excited to continue this journey, working alongside you in group classes, on Taking the Lead training walks, and during Reconnect sessions.

🐾

Yesterday’s Thanet-based Reconnect group walk. A variety of dogs - all of different ages, backgrounds & breeds! Everyone...
07/10/2025

Yesterday’s Thanet-based Reconnect group walk. A variety of dogs - all of different ages, backgrounds & breeds! Everyone did so well.

If you’d like to take a look at my Reconnect options the October list is here: https://bookwhen.com/pawcentricpathways.

If you think you’d like to book on but not sure if suitable for your dog, please just pop me a message!

3/4 of the dogs on today’s group are on my Reconnect Membership - pay once and then book onto as many group walks in the month as you wish! (Minimum of 3 month sign-up required).

Also happening this week:

Life skills class starting this evening - Dover - Lydden village hall, just 1 space left!

Puppy classes - Sat morning - 9am - 5-week course - just a couple of spaces left! Also in Dover!

Just to confuse you - separate booking link for these! https://bookwhen.com/pawcentricdogtraining

As always - any questions let me know! 🐾

Some fun photos from the week! 1:1’s, training walks, Reconnect group walks, puppy classes, agility classes & dog-sits. ...
05/10/2025

Some fun photos from the week! 1:1’s, training walks, Reconnect group walks, puppy classes, agility classes & dog-sits. A week in Pawcentric land 💜🐾.

If you’d like to join the Pawcentric fun please do get in touch. We have various options for everyone - focused on positive, reward-based & force-free training. 💜

Truffle - my favourite Rhodesian Ridgeback in the world 🥰. He’s been doing various training with us since he was a tiny ...
04/10/2025

Truffle - my favourite Rhodesian Ridgeback in the world 🥰. He’s been doing various training with us since he was a tiny puppy - he’s now 5 months old. Whilst his caregivers are away for the weekend Team Pawcentric are on hand to do some 1:1 training with him - which we are also ‘using’ to do a thorough assessment of where he’s at with everything so we can help him move forwards. He did so well today 💜.

Last night was week 1 of our Walmer puppy classes! Everyone did so well. No photos - yet - so instead here is Oreo from ...
04/10/2025

Last night was week 1 of our Walmer puppy classes! Everyone did so well. No photos - yet - so instead here is Oreo from our last life skills group having a go at some easy, fun scent games.

We have spaces in our Saturday morning puppy class - starting next week for a 5-week course at Lydden village hall.

I’ve just released booking for Friday evening puppy class at Walmer Parish Hall - next group starts 14th November!

And a couple of spaces in the life skills group for dogs/ puppies of any age - a follow- on class for puppies or a fun training class for anyone who wants to revisit important life skills!

All available to book via https://bookwhen.com/pawcentricdogtraining

Any questions - please do let me know 💜🐾.

On a rainy day such as today… I’ve spent most of it cuddled up on the sofa with Portuguese Water Dogs Moose & Bobo 💜💜.
03/10/2025

On a rainy day such as today… I’ve spent most of it cuddled up on the sofa with Portuguese Water Dogs Moose & Bobo 💜💜.

Today is Winnie’s 5 year ‘gotcha’ day! In celebration we have new puppy class courses starting today & tomorrow! 🙌Our Do...
03/10/2025

Today is Winnie’s 5 year ‘gotcha’ day! In celebration we have new puppy class courses starting today & tomorrow! 🙌

Our Dover puppy classes starting tomorrow morning are particularly quiet! If anyone is looking to try a small, intimate class this is the one for you. Particularly suitable for puppies who are anxious/ worried or may find a large group overwhelming. Held outdoors on a large, private field where no one disturbs us - perfect for practicing recalls, lead-walking etc. in a safe environment!

Also suitable for older puppies who want to re-visit the basics.

Booking via: https://bookwhen.com/pawcentricdogtraining

Any questions let me know 💜🐾.

Address

Dover
Dover

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pawcentric dog training posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Pawcentric dog training:

Shortcuts

Share

Category