About Pauline Gloyens - Dog Trainer

I came to England from Paris when I was 22. I was obsessed with dogs from childhood and my first dog was a Cairn Terrier who lived happily in a 5th floor apartment in the 15th arrondissement. My husband will tell anyone who listens that our children are just dog substitutes.

My Labrador, Lucy, made me want to be a dog trainer. Her behaviour was totally unpredictable and despite numerous training classes and different trainers, she was not learning anything, in fact, she was steadily becoming worse. When the last trainer we saw said we had to consider rehoming her as she was unlikely to improve, I decided it was time for me to try and learn more about dog behaviour in a last ditch attempt to get things back on track. To cut a very long story short, I eventually got a job at a large training and behaviour practice, I studied, I passed my APDT exams. I am still studying and will carry on studying, and hopefully learning, for as long as I work in this field.

Lucy the Labrador is better - slowed a little by age - but still erratic and even now, I make sure I do not expose her to situations which she cannot cope with. We also have a very willing and able Brittany spaniel, Nenette, who works by my side.

During the last 7 years I have seen every type of dog and every type of dog behaviour. My childhood fascination remains but I now understand how a dog thinks, how it behaves and how to work with that knowledge to help train a happy, contented dog.

A happy, contented dog means a happy contented owner and contrary to what we often hear, the process of training should be a pleasure, for you and for your dog.