About Your Trainer

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I'm Sandra, the person behind Lothian Dog Training.

I've been around dogs for as long as I can remember, but my real learning journey began when Bear, my rescue German Shepherd, came into my life.

He taught me that living with a dog isn't always as straightforward as following a training plan. Sometimes you need to understand why something is happening before you can work out what to do about it.

That way of thinking has stayed with me ever since.

I'm a qualified and accredited dog trainer with a Diploma in Canine Behaviour and Training, and I've been working professionally with dogs for over 11 years. I'm a full member of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) and the International Society of Animal Professionals (ISAP), and I hold a number of additional qualifications and certifications across dog training, behaviour, scent work and mantrailing.

I've also volunteered with and consulted for large-breed dog rescues in Scotland, helping to train and assess dogs and support decisions around their suitability for rehoming. That experience has given me a pretty good appreciation of just how individual every dog can be.

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How I work

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My approach is kind, practical and evidence-based.

But more importantly, I don't believe in trying to squeeze every dog into the same mould.

Your dog isn't a problem to be fixed. They're an individual with their own personality, experiences, needs and ways of communicating.

Whether I'm working with a dog who struggles around other dogs, gets overwhelmed easily, can't switch off, or simply needs help learning the skills to navigate everyday life, I'm interested in understanding what's going on underneath the behaviour.

And it's not just about training the dog.

I want you to understand your dog too — so you can recognise what's happening, know what to do, and feel more confident when things don't go quite to plan.

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A little bit more about me

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I share my home with two rescue dogs — Vinnie, a German Shepherd, and Kelty, an English Cocker Spaniel.

I'm particularly fond of herding breeds and gundogs, and I'm slightly obsessed with nose work. Scent-based activities can be incredibly useful for building focus, confidence and connection, and I often incorporate them into my work with dogs who are sensitive, overwhelmed or a little too enthusiastic about life.

I'm also a Mantrailing Global certified instructor, and one of the things I love most about mantrailing and scent work is watching a dog discover that they can do something — sometimes when they haven't been very sure of themselves elsewhere.

I'm committed to continuing my own learning too. Dog training and behaviour are constantly developing, so I regularly attend workshops, seminars and further education to keep my knowledge up to date.

My friends and clients tend to describe me as focused, direct, generous and kind.

I'll happily take that.

Because ultimately, I want you and your dog to feel like you're on the same team.

Understanding the dog, not just training the dog.

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