My Journey to finding my passion…
Dogs have always played a large part in my life, from a Dalmatian as a childhood pet, to rescuing, fostering and adopting dogs with my late partner.
One day, I rescued Smithy
We had just lost one of our Boxer rescues and I was grieving.
The dog grapevine led me on the trail to a council estate in Southwark, where there was word of a dog that had been living feral for a year. I drove over and as soon as I stepped out of the car I could see a group of children brandishing sticks, chasing a terrified dog. I yelled for them to stop and the dog startled, looked at me and jumped into my arms.
A resident came out of her house to tell me nobody had ever been able to get near the dog before, let alone touch him.
My partner was furious. We had another dog, my beautiful Springer Spaniel - Geezer.
I asked my partner to meet us in the street, so there was less friction. Smithy was overjoyed at meeting Geezer, playing with him, joyful with him…. It was almost as if he knew he had to impress him, that he had to be his friend.
Geezer was the only canine friend he ever made. He was feral. He had never socialised with other dogs, on meeting any other dogs he would go for the kill. He was traumatised by his life on the streets, and all we could do was give him a protected life, love and safety. My partner soon grew to love him and adored him…. killer instincts and all.
My partner had been sick for a long time,…
I had been with him for almost 28 years and the past 10 of those years he was unwell and I was there for his every need and lost without that purpose in my life
As I had saved Smithy, Smithy saved me. Keeping him safe saw me through the pain.
New life outgrows grief, after years of feeling lost, I knew I wanted to follow some passions and start a new life.
Dogs…. Dogs and cake. My two passions. So, I started a dog walking business….. But Smithy, would Smithy be aggressive with new dogs.
Just like the day he met Geezer and appeared to know that he had to be his friend, miraculously, Smithy accepted new dogs in the home and even, in his own little way, learned how to make friends.
For myself, I knew I wanted more….
So I started looking into becoming a trainer, and then studying canine behaviour. I had never studied, I hardly went to school because of bullying and had led myself to believe that I was stupid.
I have become a qualified IMDT trainer, completed my Level 3 & 4 Canine Behaviour studies and am in the final process of my level 5 studies to become a fully qualified Behaviourist.
I’m studying with the Grisha Stewart Academy as a Diamond Member with techniques (wonderful training) to work with reactive dogs.
I’m studying with The College of Scent-Work to become a City & Guilds qualified instructor, The Dog Trainer School year of scent AND I’m very honoured to be part of the IMDT 2026 Mentorship, being guided by the best people in the business.
The future, a University degree in Canine Behaviour, so I can do a PHD in Anthrozoology.
I am THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD to have this opportunity to pursue a career in something I have a deep passion for. That is ethical training, teaching responsible ownership and making more profound communication with owners and their dogs through the power of play.
It’s never too late.