Meet Sandra
Hi, I’m Sandra.
I never set out to become a dog trainer.
In fact, the dog that started all this spent a fair amount of time making me wonder what on earth I’d let myself in for!
That dog was Rolo.
A Flat-coated Retriever who arrived in my life full of enthusiasm, energy and absolutely no intention of doing what I asked.
I’d never even heard the term gundog.
I just knew I needed help.
Eventually I found someone who didn’t just tell me what to do…
They helped me understand why Rolo behaved the way he did.
That completely changed the way I looked at dogs.
It also changed my life.
Eventually I found someone who didn’t just tell me what to do…
They helped me understand why Rolo behaved the way he did.
That completely changed the way I looked at dogs.
Then along came Doris.
Doris was a rescue Great Dane who was deaf and partially sighted.
She couldn’t rely on hearing.
She couldn’t always rely on seeing.
She taught me to slow down, communicate more clearly and really think about what I was asking a dog to do.
She challenged me in completely different ways and made me a much better trainer.
Even though she’s no longer with us, I still find myself thinking,
“What would Doris need from me in this situation?”
Both Rolo and Doris shaped the way I teach today.
Today (2026), after sixteen years and hundreds of dogs later, I’m still just as fascinated by them.
I love watching the moment when an owner suddenly says,
“Oh… now I get it!”
That’s the best bit.
Not teaching a sit.
Not a perfect recall.
Watching somebody understand their dog for the first time.
At home life is still keeping me on my toes.
Tommy, our Great Dane, reminds me every day that giant dogs can still behave like overgrown puppies.
And Jack, my young Flat-coated Retriever, has done a wonderful job of reminding me that puppies haven’t got any easier since Rolo!
(Thanks, Jack. 😂)
Both of them keep me honest.
Because however long you’ve been training dogs…
Dogs have an amazing habit of reminding you there’s always something new to learn.
That’s probably why I still love this job so much.
No two dogs are the same.
No two owners are the same.
And no two days are ever the same.
Find out about the Teachers Behind The NDTA.
Sandra in 30 seconds
Favourite breed:
Flat-coated Retriever (although don’t tell Tommy…)
Favourite activity:
Watching dogs discover what they’re capable of.
Weakness:
Thinking, “I wonder what would happen if… and disappearing down rabbit holes”
Favourite phrase:
Helping People Understand Dogs.
Hidden talent:
Finding ever more inventive places to hide sausages.
