About Joy Knowles  CCPDT-KA

Joy is CPDT-KA qualified (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed) – which means you and your dog are in safe hands! 

Joy grew up in the rolling hills of Lancashire’s ‘Ribble Valley’ – you’ll probably notice a slight Northern twang!  Joy’s fascination with dogs began with “Boozie,” her first Border Collie (shown top left), and continues with her gorgeous rescue dog “Gerry” (top right).   Both Boozie and Gerry have huge hearts and hold a special place in hers.  So, Joy understands exactly how important your dog is to you. 

Joy graduated with a 2:1 BA Hons degree and then worked in London for 16 years as a Recruiting/HR Manager. In 2014, Joy was lucky enough to be able to change her career completely.  She re-trained to follow her real passion – dogs!  And Joy has been helping people train their dogs and puppies ever since!  Joy’s worked with all sorts of canine behaviour challenges from recall to reactivity and separation issues through to new puppy training.  

Helping you ‘talk dog’!

Dogs don’t come with instructions, they don’t even speak our language. But they are intelligent, willing partners – if we give them clear, consistent messages. Like any partnership, dog training requires understanding and effective communication. My job is to help you ‘talk dog’ so that training becomes a joyful partnership.

You’ll love the results …

Let’s face it – we learn best when we enjoy what we do!  So, to ensure you and your dog have fun training together, I use positive reinforcement.  That means games, rewards and praise.  You’ll have fun training your dog and more importantly, you’ll love the results!

For your peace of mind…

My credentials:

• BA Hons Politics & Psychology (2:1) – 1998
• Office Manager & Recruiting Manager, London 1998 – 2014
• Professional Dog Trainer – 2015 to Present

• CPDT-KA qualified – Certified Professional Dog Trainer 
• PPG  Pet Professional Guild – Full Member
• IAABC, International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants – Supporting Member

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Professional Development:

• • Talk Dog Certificate – Sarah Whitehead 2014
  • Signs Of Pre-emptive Aggression – Sarah Whitehead 2014
  • Certificate in Canine Behaviour – Sarah Whitehead 2014
  • The Trust Technique – James French & Shelley Slingo, 2014
  • Animal Healing Practical Workshop – Liz Whiter, 2014
  • Canine Communication Masterclass – Sarah Whitehead & Stella Bagshaw, 2015
  • APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) – Level 3 Certificate, 2016
  • Tomorrow’s Trainer – Kay Laurence 2015
  • Scent Work Level 1 – Talking Dogs/Pam McKinnon 2015
  • Clicker Expo – 2015
  • Happy Recallers – IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) 2016
  • Play & Recall – Kay Laurence 2016
  • Play Master – Kay Laurence 2017
  • Tracking Workshop – Level 1 & 2 – 2017
  • Canine Aggression & Puppy Play – Chirag Patel Seminar, 2017
  • Canine Separation Anxiety Seminar – Professor Daniel Mills, 2017
  • The Border Collie Workshop – Kay Laurence, 2017
  • Dog Trick Training & Heel Work To Music – Kim Lyddon, 2017
  • Managing & Modifying Canine Behaviour Problems – Chirag Patel 2018
  • Puppy Training Instructors Course, Chirag Patel, Aug 2018
  • Behaviour Clinic, Chirag Patel, Oct 2018
  • Errorless Learning, Dr Susan Friedman, 2019
  • LLA – 8 Week Certified course, Dr Susan Friedman 2019
  • Puppy Instructors Refresher course, Chirag Patel & Sarah Fisher 2019
  • ACE (Animal Centred Education) “Freework & Bodywork” (For Dogs), Sarah Fisher, Tilly Farm 2020
  • ACE (Intermediate level) Freework & Bodywork For Dogs, Sarah Fisher, Tilly Farm 2021

Love learning!

To ensure I give you the most up to date and effective training, I attend regular training myself. Like any other field, dog training is constantly evolving; by honing my skills, I can help you develop yours.

 

Your dog’s in safe hands

• Joyful Dogs is fully insured with Cliverton Insurance.
• Joyful Dogs is a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild and International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants – both are committed to a scientific, ethical and force-free approach to dog training.
• Joy is DBS cleared.
• References available on request.

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