Meet the Team

Dr. Sally

Teaching Advisor/Training Instructor

Sally has been a University lecturer in Southampton for nearly 30 years.  During her career she specialised in the more educational and pastoral sides of the role, demonstrated by consistent positive feedback and numerous awards and positions of authority. As well as two Vice Chancellors Teaching Awards, she was awarded many student-voted Excellence in Teaching Awards for academic and pastoral support and feedback, sometimes involving taking her dogs into the university. These include the award for the lecturer offering the best academic support across the whole of the University of Southampton.

More recently Sally has taken a break from university teaching to combine her extensive educational experience, with her life-long love of dogs. Growing up, helping her mum breed Yorkies as family pets, she has never been without a dog or dogs. Dogs have been aside her in the ups and especially downs of life. Currently she has an older dog Jake, plus Bella (a beagle cross) and her son Billy (home bred) who are all active participants at the NDTA.

Sally’s role in the Train the Trainer course, as well as providing both 4 and 2 leg volunteers, is particularly focused on the student learning and teaching side.  With extensive field teaching, as well as lecturing and small group experience to adult learners, the course will be adapted according to the backgrounds of participants.  Practical tips and advice will be embedded within some basic theory about how we learn, remember and think.  You will work through what makes an effective teacher (dog trainer) and apply these skills in the field in order to build your confidence, clarity and knowledge.  As with the dog side of the course, on-going support will be available.

Tracey

Senior Training Instructor

Hi I’m Tracey, I live in Southampton with my husband Kevin and our 3 gorgeous dogs. Tilly is staffy cross, Nevis is Jack Russell who proves that any dog can be a ‘gundog’, achieving his grade 1 & 2 Pet Gundog certificates, and Max is is a Lurcher/Collie cross.

I first came across AA Dog Training (now The National Dog Training Academy) in January 2015 when looking for puppy classes to take Max to and was so impressed on my 1st visit that I decided to sign him up for the puppy course. We haven’t looked back.

I decided one day that with all the fun and enjoyment we all get going along to classes that I wanted to give something back, so I approached Sandra and asked her if I could become a volunteer. To my delight she welcomed me on board.

I learned so much as a volunteer, being welcomed into the team and when an opportunity came up to become a trainee instructor I jumped at the chance. With further training and the teams mentoring, I became a fully qualified National Dog Training Instructor in the summer of 2017.

Since then I have progressed to be a Senior Instructor and the Team Leader. To me, this is the best job in the world and I’ve never been so happy in my workplace.

As all the team I continue to update my knowledge and skills with reading, attending seminars, conferences and our own team training sessions.

Bobby

Training Instructor

Hi, I’m Bobby.

I’m a very happy, cheerful person, married with two amazing New Zealand Huntaway dogs. I love animals and have spent many years in the milk industry. Over the past couple of years I decided it was time to make a change and start doing something I love. I enjoyed my previous job but being a dog trainer is amazing.

I have been a customer with The National Dog Training Academy for many years and love the classes so I decided to take the Train the Trainer programme. I carried out many hours of voluntary work, progressing my training and improving my teaching skills. Being a dog trainer is a much harder job than many imagine.

I’m now very happy doing something I love, spending time with great people, helping them to get the best out of their dog. I love being part of such a great team and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in the past few years, to the extent where I’m now trusted to train some of the newer members of staff.

Kim

Training Instructor

Hi, I’m Kim.

I’ve been a customer with The National Dog Training Academy for many years with my lovely Jack Russell, Rosie. Sadly I lost my older Jack Russell, called Jack, in 2020.

I love the classes and being around dogs, so even though I can’t afford to give up my full time job, I decided to take the Train the Trainer programme so I could spend more time on weekends helping and teaching in classes. It’s the best way I can think of to spend my Sunday mornings.

Over the past couple of years I have learned so much and gained so much confidence, working to the level where I now take classes as a fully fledged instructor. I’m so proud of my achievement. Being a dog trainer can be challenging and scary at times but as with everything, confidence comes with experience. All the time I spent as a volunteer, watching and learning paid off. I still volunteer in some classes to continue my learning in new areas of dog training.

Claire

Training Instructor

Claire is one of my longest standing customers. Claire started training with The National Dog Training Academy when we were AA Dog Training, with her rescue Greyhound, Mally. Since then Claire has been coming along to training with all her of her dogs, Gintee, Max (both rescues) and now puppy springer spaniel Sam.

Claire’s family Carl (husband) and Elliott (son) have all been involved with us too. Elliott now brings Sam along to pet gundog classes.

Claire is a nurse and loves being around people and dogs, so a couple of years ago she came along to do the Train the Trainer programme and when she has free time supports classes.

Jenni

Instructor

We are delighted that Jenni chose to join us. Jenni completed her Dog Trainer Certificate course with us in February 2022. Jenni spent many hours working alongside Sandra, Head of the Academy and Tracey, Senior Instructor, to add to her knowledge and learning.

Jenni now runs our Copythorne venue for us, with all her skills in basic training and the more specialised pet gundog training. In 2022 Jenni completed her Bronze Instructor training with UK Sniffer Dogs, so she is now responsible for all of our UK Sniffer Dog training too.

Jenni lives with her partner Tom and two amazing dogs. Jenni is also a great cani x fan, running with her dogs.

We hope Jenni will stay with us for a very long time to come sharing her superb creative skills as well as the being a fun member of the team.

Chris

Support Worker

We feel so lucky to have Chris supporting us. Chris came to us about 8 years ago, with his puppy Maisie. He has stayed with us ever since, now joining us for 2 classes each week, since getting his pup Bramble.

Chris lives with his lovely wife Theresa and 2 adult children.

Since Chris took early retirement in 2022, he has been supporting us in many ways. He is a fantastic groundsman, looking after our field for us, but he’s also gives very valuable input into classes.

All instructors attend classes with their own dogs but it’s great to have someone who can be more objective about what it feels like to be a customer.