Hello!

 

I am Nicky! 

​

Here is a little bit about me...

 

​​

After achieving a City & Guilds National Certificate in Animal Care, I began my career working for the RSPCA as an Animal Collections Officer

 

After several years I left Hampshire and moved to Gloucestershire where​​ I began work as a kennel person for the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency, going to the Defence Animal Centre (DAC) for training.

​​​​

Working with these dogs day in/day out, fuelled my fascination in canine behaviour. After 4 years I became a Dog Handler, returning back to the DAC for further training.

​​

On return to unit, it was my responsibility to progress with my dogs' basic training, working on obedience, agility, pick up and indication (similar to mantrailing), and detaining a suspected criminal (manwork)

​​​

A year later I trained to be on the receiving end of manwork!

​​​​

During my time as a Dog Handler, I took it upon myself to enrol with Bishop Burton College, affiliated with Hull University, to achieve a Foundation Degree in Canine Behaviour & Training.  Within this time, I gained experience at Guide Dogs, and also trained my English Springer Spaniel Bracken, to Grade Three Hunter Retriever within the Gundog Club. 

​​

Other experience gained during my degree include assistance work, learning about alternative therapies, and carrying out a dog first aid course. 

​​

During this busy period, my work dog Max, was due retirement, so after a few settle in sessions at home, he made the transition from work dog to pet dog!

He really enjoyed the freedom of our farm!

​​​

Whilst finishing my degree, I took on a new work dog called Ben and implemented positive training with him straight away.

My bond with him was like nothing I had experienced before.  He was one amazing dog!

​​​

​​​​In 2017, I founded Contented Canines Training & Behaviour

 

​​​​​Since then, ​​I have become accredited with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, an Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer, and am a fully qualified UK Snifferdog Instructor in Scentwork (Bronze, Silver and Gold!) and a Bronze level Tracking Instructor. 

​

If you want to find out about how our classes work, please click

​​​​​