Over my life I have lived with a variety of amazing pets, currently sharing my home and garden with ponies, chickens, rabbits, guineas, cats and dogs. Dogs have always been my biggest passion though. Following a career as a dispensing optician I decided to retrain and follow my dream to work with dogs. In 2012 I studied and qualified as a City and Guilds dog groomer and in June 2021 I set up the dog grooming salon Hempstead Hounds (based in Hempstead and then Wimbish). I enjoyed grooming and the salon was successful, growing to a team of 5 and grooming a large variety of dogs and breeds each week. During this time, I became interested in canine body language and communication between humans and dogs. I began studying in 2018 joining the Dog Training College (DTC) attending webinars in the evenings and attending practical courses with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT). I am now a full member of the IMDT, having passed their theoretical and practical assessments with a distinction. I have attended numerous college courses, webinars and masterclasses, including, obtaining the following further qualifications:

• IMDT 4 day practical instructor course in November 2018;
• IMDT canine body language course in February 2019;
• IMDT canine first aid course in March 2019;
• Ofqual Level 2 award in canine care and behaviour in October 2019;
• IMDTB course in resource guarding in January 2020.

In August 2020, following the sale of Hempstead Hounds, I enrolled into the Compass Level 5 Advanced Diploma on Canine Behaviour. I have completed the first two modules covering learning theory and genetics. In the meantime, I have also completed the following courses:

• IMDT 2 day career as a dog trainer in November 2020;
• IMDT perfect puppy course in December 2020;
• ACE Freework Course, based on canine enrichment, dog observations and dog massage between March 2021 – May 2021; and
• Level 3 OCN Principles of Dog Training and Behaviour in May 2021.

I am also a volunteer with the Cinnamon Trust (November 2020 – present) and volunteer with the Animal Rescue Charity (ARC) walking and spending time with the nervous dogs. I started working for Nosey Barker dog trainers in Harlow in March 2021. Conducting adventure training walks, dealing with general dog behaviour issues and good manners in outside settings and working at puppy training classes.
All my training is based on positive training methods building a strong connection between you and your dog.
Sarah’s Canine Connections is my new venture using everything I have learnt over the last 9 years of working with dogs and studying. All my training is based on fun, positive training methods building a strong connection between you and your dog.
I will be offering one to one consultations, puppy visits and individual dog walks incorporating training. I am also lucky to know many highly skilled local dog trainers, dog walkers, dog boarders and groomers to which I can work with and/or refer to. Please get in touch to discuss individual requirements.