Gemma Fisher, Dog Training & Behaviour Specialist

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Gemma Fisher, Dog Training & Behaviour Specialist

Border Collie training & behaviour specialist 🐶 In person 121’s 🇬🇧 & Online Courses available 🌎 I guess you’d say she's a bit of a fan of the breed!

Gemma Fisher is a renowned international trainer who specialises in Border Collies. She has belonged to 7 amazing collies, bred 17 talented collie puppies over two litters, and fostered 3 troubled collies before finding them their forever homes. Not to mention how many collies and their owners she's helped throughout her many years as a dog trainer. Border Collies and their crosses can be amazing

dogs. But they can also be really hard work too! That’s why she helps collie owners how to teach their dog a brilliant recall so they can enjoy walking anywhere without the worry of them overreacting to joggers/ cyclists or other dogs. She started as most people do, in a village hall learning traditional obedience skills. But she found her energy and enthusiasm was better suited to the sport of agility, and there a love affair was born. A life-long learner, Gemma has a wealth of knowledge to share about all things dog-related. She realised early on in her dog training journey that thinking outside the box and learning from other dog sports could only be a good thing. As far as she's concerned, there is no such thing as one size fits all. She works with the dog in front of her, each as unique as the people that bring them to see her. She shares her life with Border Collies, plus one somewhat unorthodox Working Cocker Spaniel. The Border Collies share her love of work and learning. The Cocker reminds her that life should never be taken too seriously. Gemma is a passionate and enthusiastic speaker who brings lots of energy to her workshops and seminars. She is only interested in shaping dog and human behaviour using kind, positive reinforcement based methods. It is her fervent belief that all creatures are capable of great things - if only they can brought to realise it. Helping people and dogs realise that is her definition of a successful seminar. She has a passion for helping dog lovers build better relationships with their dogs so that they can enjoy every moment with them. You will find her online training courses & workshops full to the brim with useful information and ideas to help you solve any dog training problem. Learn more at her website -->>

www.gemmafisher.com

22/08/2025

☀️ Summer Holidays & Self-Employment ☀️

When you’re self-employed, summer holidays can be a mixed bag.

I chose this life so I could prioritise time with my family - and I’m grateful for that every single day (plus, my job is awesome 🐾).

But here’s the truth… work that isn’t done during “normal” hours still needs to be done sometime.

💬 A reminder for anyone else feeling a bit overwhelmed right now:
❤️ Feelings don’t last forever - this too shall pass.
🤝 Reaching out for help lets the people who love you, show you.
🔄 Overwhelm often means something needs to change.
🪜 Small changes might not feel like much, but lots of little steps add up to big shifts.

Today I’m focusing on feeling grateful for summertime - because “back to school” will be here before we know it.

And if your Border Collie is part of the reason you’re feeling overwhelmed… you’re going to like what I’ve got planned for September 👀

Pop a pic of your little monkey in the comments to give me a smile 🐶📸

17/08/2025

🌿✨ Slowing Down (…sort of!) ✨🌿

Today marks the start of my two weeks of annual leave - which for me means…

A mix of family time, dog walks, gardening and probably sneaking in the odd bit of Collie Culture behind the scenes because, well, I can’t help myself 😅🐾

Being self-employed means I can take this time with my family (which I’m so grateful for) …

But it also means the work doesn’t magically disappear.

It just gets shuffled around, usually with a collie or two “helping” me along the way.

This summer has been busy - workshops, Club Q&As, our Recall Accelerator launch - and it feels like the right moment to catch my breath before we dive into September’s big challenge (you’re going to LOVE it 👀).

So today’s plan?

A long walk, a proper Sunday lunch, and hopefully a snooze in the sun with the dogs.

💬 Tell me - what’s your perfect slow Sunday with your collie?

16/08/2025

🐾 Ever feel like your Collie just can’t switch off? 😩

Whether it’s:

📦 Barking at every delivery
🚶 Zoomies at the sight of the lead
👀 Watching every single thing that moves outside the window

…hyper-vigilance can leave both you and your dog frazzled.

Here’s the thing: it’s not about “fixing” your Collie’s big feelings. It’s about giving them the tools to settle and find calm when the world feels overwhelming.

✨ Top tip for today: start with a settle space at home.

A comfy bed, a chew, and a calm routine of rewarding them for choosing to rest.

Those little moments of calm add up - and become the foundation for more peaceful walks and visitors later on.

💬 Tell me - where does your Collie struggle most to settle?

Around the house? In the car? On walks?

I’m gathering stories ready for something big coming in September 👀

15/08/2025

🐾💬 Live Today: Collie Q&A - Real Problems, Real Solutions! 💬🐾

Today at 1pm inside my free Gemma Fisher BorderCollie Training Facebook group, I’ll be tackling some big real-life challenges from Collie owners, including:

🚪 Door drama & home chaos - jumping, barking, and even attacking the vacuum or brush when they appear

🕊 Unexpected triggers - two Collies going wild at the sound of pigeons’ wings

🐄 Fear meets fight mode - helping a severe rescue Collie cope after a frightening first encounter with a group of cows

If you’ve ever thought “what on earth do I do in this situation?” - you’re going to want to catch today’s live.

📅 How to get your question answered:

1️⃣ Make sure you’re in the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fixatedtofocusedcollierecallchallenge

2️⃣ Add your question to this week’s Q&A thread (link below):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fixatedtofocusedcollierecallchallenge/posts/1089069832651120/

See you today at 1pm - let’s turn those challenges into wins! 🙌

14/08/2025

🐾🚪 Does Your Collie Lose the Plot When Visitors Arrive? 🚪🐾

Some collies greet visitors like they’re long-lost friends.

Others… well, it’s more doorbell dash, barking frenzy, and zero chill.

If your collie is in the second camp, here’s the thing:

Over-arousal around visitors isn’t just “bad manners” - it’s your dog struggling to cope with a big change in their environment.

💡 Here’s where to start:

1️⃣ Give your collie a safe, calm space away from the door.
2️⃣ Practise short, positive training sessions to build up their tolerance.
3️⃣ Focus on rewarding calm behaviour before they reach boiling point.

With the right approach, you can swap chaos for calm, so both you and your guests can actually relax.

📖 Read my full blog for a step-by-step plan:

https://www.gemmafisher.com/if-youre-serious-about-stopping-your-dogs-overreaction-to-visitors-read-this/

Is your collie more ‘quiet welcome’ or ‘doorbell dash’? Tell me below! ⬇️

12/08/2025

🧠✨ Collie Culture Club Power Hour is Happening! ✨🧠

Right now inside Collie Culture Club, we’re deep-diving into real-life Collie challenges on Zoom.

Breaking down tricky case studies, asking the right questions, and helping members think like trainers.

It’s one of my favourite sessions each month because it’s not just about my advice - it’s about members learning to problem-solve confidently for their Collie’s unique needs.

Can’t wait to share some of the lightbulb moments from today with you soon! 💡🐾

11/08/2025

🌿 What Does Your Collie Have in Common with My Garden? 🐾

Over the weekend, I fell down a rabbit hole of garden design software.

Fun… until I realised the version I had was only 2D.

I couldn’t walk through it, couldn’t see how it would really feel.

What I actually wanted?

A pro who’d been there before. Someone who could stop me making costly mistakes and help me see the whole picture.

And that’s exactly why people come to me about their Border Collie.

Yes, you can go it alone…

But an expert can save you months (or years!) of trial and error, and guide you towards a calmer, happier life with your Collie.

If your Collie’s behaviour feels like my half-finished garden plan, here’s your first step:

👉 Book a free Discovery Call: https://tidycal.com/gemma3/enquiry-call20250218164034

Let’s map out a plan that actually works - so you can enjoy life with your Collie without getting stuck in the weeds 🌱

What’s the one thing you’d redesign about your Collie’s behaviour right now? Tell me below 👇

10/08/2025

🌱 Sunday Reflection: Little Wins Add Up 🌱

As another week wraps up, I’m reminded that building a calmer, more settled Collie isn’t about one big breakthrough - but a series of tiny wins, day after day.

Maybe it was a moment of calm after visitors left…
A quiet “settle” after a busy walk…
Or even just catching your Collie thinking before reacting.

If you had one of those moments this week, celebrate it - you’re making progress, even if it feels small.

What’s your Collie’s “little win” from this week?

Share below so we can all cheer each other on! 👇

And if you’re feeling stuck or want to get ahead, keep an eye out - something big is coming in September for all our sensitive, big-feeling Collies…

Here’s to a gentle start to the week ahead!

Gemma x

09/08/2025

🎉🐾 It’s Spoil Your Dog Day! 🐾🎉

Today’s the perfect excuse (not that we ever need one!) to celebrate our Collies and everything they bring to our lives.

How do you really spoil your Collie?

Is it with treats, toys, beach trips, or maybe a long, slow cuddle after a walk?

Share your favourite way to spoil your Collie below - or even better, post a photo! 📸

Sometimes, the best way to spoil our sensitive dogs is by helping them feel safe, calm, and understood.

A quiet space, a relaxing routine, or even a simple “settle” practice can make a huge difference to their happiness.

Happy Spoil Your Dog Day!

How are you celebrating your Collie today? 👇

08/08/2025

🌟 It’s Q&A Friday! 🌟

I’ll be live today answering your questions on settling, over-arousal, and how to help Collies manage those big feelings - all inside the Gemma Fisher BorderCollie Training group.

Whether your Collie struggles to calm down after walks, gets overwhelmed by visitors, or just finds summer a bit much - you’re in the right place!

If you’ve added your question to this week’s Thursday post in the group, keep an eye out for your answer today.

Missed the thread? You can still join us and learn from today’s Q&A - there’s always a nugget of wisdom for everyone!

👉 Not in the group yet?

Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fixatedtofocusedcollierecallchallenge

Here’s to building calm, confident Collies - one question at a time.

How will you help your Collie settle this weekend? Let me know below! 👇

07/08/2025

🏠 Is your Collie struggling to settle or getting over-excited with visitors this summer? 🌞

With all the extra activity - guests, summer holidays, and outdoor adventures - it’s no wonder so many Collies find it hard to switch off!

If your dog goes into “overdrive” when someone arrives (barking, bouncing, struggling to settle), don't worry it's not just your Collie!

But you can absolutely help them learn calm - step by step.

✨ Where to start:

• Lower the excitement level. Ask visitors to keep greetings quiet - no eye contact, no fuss, just calm arrival.
• Have a calm spot ready. Set up a mat, bed, or crate where your Collie can choose to relax. Reward any calm moment!
• Practice the “settle” cue. Guide your Collie to their spot and reward even the smallest sign of calm.

Tiny wins really do add up!

🔗 Want a step-by-step plan?

Read my full blog post:

https://www.gemmafisher.com/if-youre-serious-about-stopping-your-dogs-overreaction-to-visitors-read-this/

Got a question about over-arousal, settling, or visitor chaos?

To have your question answered in tomorrow’s free Q&A, add it to this Thursday’s question thread in the Facebook group:

👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/fixatedtofocusedcollierecallchallenge/posts/1089068312651272/

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http://www.gemmafisher.com/

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Gemma Fisher is a renowned international dog trainer with over 20 years of experience with many different breeds. She started as most people do, in a village hall learning traditional obedience skills. But she found her energy and enthusiasm was better suited to the sport of agility, and there a love affair was born.

A life-long learner, Gemma has a wealth of knowledge to share about all things dog-related. She realised early on in her dog training journey that thinking outside the box and learning from other dog sports could only be a good thing. As far as she's concerned, there is no such thing as one size fits all. She works with the dog in front of her, each as unique as the people that bring them to see her.

She shares her life with Border Collies, plus one somewhat unorthodox Working Cocker Spaniel. The Border Collies share her love of work and learning. The Cocker reminds her that life should never be taken too seriously.

Gemma is a passionate and enthusiastic speaker who brings lots of energy to her workshops and seminars. She is only interested in shaping dog and human behaviour using kind, positive reinforcement based methods. It is her fervent belief that all creatures are capable of great things - if only they can brought to realise it. Helping people and dogs realise that is her definition of a successful seminar. Join her FREE training group to keep in touch and pick up lots of inspiring tips and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fisherfix/ She has a passion for helping dog lovers build better relationships with their dogs so that they can enjoy every moment with them.