About Me
The Expert In Your Corner
Hi, I’m Jo
I’ve been running ProgDog Puppy & Dog Training across Leicestershire and Rutland for over 10 years. I have to pinch myself that it’s real sometimes as it felt so scary back then to take the leap!
If you ask me why I got into dog training, the short answer is that I’ve always been obsessed with dogs. But honestly? It’s just as much about people. Seeing people feeling unsure of where to begin, stressed, embarrassed or at their wit's end with their dog broke my heart and I wanted to help change that.
Whilst ProgDog Puppy & Dog Training has been successfully running for 10 years, I’ve actually worked with dogs and people much longer than this. I’ve years of volunteering in rescue centres, training dogs for veterinary procedures, working for a national assistance dog training charity and even working behind the scenes as a dog trainer for TV shows. Crucially, I also bring a background in people-centred and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) counselling. I have worked with dogs of all kinds of breeds, all shapes and sizes and all with different learning needs and styles. I have rehomed, fostered and rehabilitated many dogs too.
But that’s not all…
Since starting ProgDog, I’ve worked hands-on with hundreds and hundreds of dogs, puppies and their owners across Leicestershire and Rutland, as well as across the world through live online training. Keeping track of different time zones always keeps me on my toes!
I’m not just a dog trainer who only loves dogs. I genuinely love working with people too, which is especially handy given that so much of dog training is about training and supporting you. My clients often tell me how much they look forward to our training sessions. There is never ever any judgment here. At the end of the day, I’m just a dog owner too, looking for a lovely life with my dog, just like you.
Before launching ProgDog Puppy & Dog Training, I spent 2 years formally studying dog behaviour to ensure I knew as much as I could for my clients. It doesn’t end there though, I believe quality training requires relentless learning which is why I continuously train alongside industry leaders to bring my clients the most effective, modern dog training methods around. My expertise and qualifications come from top international institutions, including Sarah Whitehead’s Clever Dog Company and the renowned School of Canine Science. I’m a certified Puppy Lab Instructor, Assistance Dog Instructor, Trick Training Instructor and Real Dog Yoga Instructor for fearful and reactive dogs. On top of that, Maggie and I worked together to qualify me as a World Scent Dog Association Instructor and Competition Judge for my scentwork clients. I continually attend courses to ensure my knowledge remains as relevant and up to date for my clients as it possibly can be.
The real ‘CEO’
I’ve been so lucky to have owned and fostered lots of different dogs in the past of all kinds of breeds. My current little sidekick is Maggie, my 10 year old Golden Retriever x Labrador who we rescued at 2 years old. She is my true dog of a lifetime and the love of my life, but she didn’t come that way. She was a very tricky dog to begin with. Complex PTSD, an extreme scavenger (ate a t-shirt she found before we rescued her and nearly killed herself!) and the most dog and wildlife distracted dog I have ever met (seriously). I really, really had my work cut out with her. If you feel like you’ve got your work cut out with your dog, I promise you, I’ve felt all the things you’re feeling!
Fast forward 8 years and Mags is my idea of the perfect dog. I can take her anywhere at any time, she can be off lead everywhere we go if it’s appropriate, she can equally walk beautifully on lead wherever that’s required. She is a training demo dog and has helped teach many, many puppy and adult dog clients of mine to this day. She is trained in all assistance dog tasks as my demo dog for assistance dog training, she’s incredible as my demo dog for my scentwork clients and she adores learning a trick or two; her repertoire currently stands at 67 tricks and counting. We train together a few times a week, learning new things all the time to keep her mind ticking over and healthy, as well as because we both just love training and spending quality time together! Every bit of hard work training her to become the dog I dreamed of was worth every single second.
I’m here to help
My approach is built on expertise, experience, empathy and modern science. There will never be any judgment about where things stand for you today; just clear, practical step-by-step plans that actually fit into your real life. I don’t use force, fear, intimidation or electric shock/prong collars to train your dog(s). Training should be something both you and your dog genuinely look forward to.
If you’re feeling a bit stuck, need a holding hand or just want to talk through what’s going on with your dog, I’d love to help. Pop over to my Get In Touch page for a chat.
