Hey Folks!

Welcome back to Dog Trainers UnPACT! In this episode, Steve sits down with Charis Vincent, founder of Charismatic Pets in Warminster, Wiltshire. Charis shares her fascinating path from studying commercial dance in London and human psychology to opening a massive canine hub offering over 25 classes a week, an independent pet shop, and specialised dog sports.

Steve and Charis explore how human psychology is the secret key to better dog welfare, the lessons learned from living with her heart dog Staffy, Jasmine, and the financial and practical realities of running a daycare versus a dedicated training centre. They also discuss managing high-drive breeds using outlet sports like slatmills and wall climbs, handling imposter syndrome by focusing on doing a great job, and the importance of taking time to celebrate your own achievements.

Charis Facts:

Charis Vincent (CAB, ATI) is a canine behaviour and training specialist based in Warminster, Wiltshire, running a busy training centre and independent pet shop. Fully accredited with the APBC, PACT, and APDT under the ABTC, Charis assesses for the APBC and ABTC. Her centre hosts over 25 weekly classes ranging from puppy foundation and co-operative care to Hoopers, scentwork, parkour, and high-drive outlet sports.

Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Charismatic Pets: charismaticpets.co.uk
• PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers): pact-dogs.com (Check out the January CTIC intake!)
• DogX 2026 Conference: dogxconference.com (Get your tickets now!)
• APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors): apbc.org.uk
• NNA (National Nosework Association): nationalnoseworkassociation.org.uk

In this episode of Dog Trainers UnPACT, Steve sits down with fellow trainer Steve Bligh-Williams, founder of The Proud Dog. Steve shares his transition from a 14-year career in the media industry to becoming a PACT ATI and studying to be a Canine Behaviour Technician.

They explore how his rescue Lurcher, Sam, opened his eyes to the reality of pain-related behaviour, fear reactivity, and independent dog personalities. Steve and Steve also dive into crucial topics like male mental health and loneliness in the industry, why owner well-being matters just as much as dog behaviour, how to gamify training with play, and how a bit of tech automation can save hours of admin. What's not to love?

Steve Facts:

Steve Bligh-Williams is a PACT and ABTC accredited Animal Training Instructor and aspiring Canine Behaviour Technician based in Surrey. After 14 years working in media, burnout led him to change paths, inspired by his scruffy rescue lurcher, Sam. Through his business, The Proud Dog, Steve offers 1:1 training services with a focus on empathy for both dogs and their guardians.

Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Proud Dog: theprouddog.co.uk | Instagram: @the_proud_dog
• PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers): pact-dogs.com (Check out the January CTIC intake!)
• DogX 2026 Conference: dogxconference.com (Get your tickets now!)
• Recommended Reading: Canine Play Behavior: The Science of Dogs at Play - Mechtild Käufer
• Mental Health Awareness: Boys Get Sad Too

In this episode of Dog Trainers UnPACT, Steve sits down with Zaynab Bukhari, founder of Dogs on Track. Zaynab shares her journey from childhood bird watching and a passion for wolves to becoming a PACT ATI, scent work specialist, and assistance dog advocate.

Steve and Zaynab dive into her experiences navigating the dog training world as a Muslim Pakistani woman, tackling cultural misconceptions surrounding dogs, and addressing the barriers still present in the industry today. They also explore why scent work and tracking are so transformative, why active listening and 'therapy skills' are essential for dog trainers, and the importance of giving dog guardians time and empathy.

Zaynab Facts:
Zaynab Bukhari is the founder of Dogs on Track and an ABTC-registered Animal Training Instructor through PACT. She is currently completing her Level 5 Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour and is a qualified Detection Dog Handler with the UK College of Scent Dogs. Zaynab specialises in scent work, behaviour, and helping schools introduce therapy dogs, whilst advocating for greater diversity and inclusion across the canine industry.

Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Dogs on Track: dogsontrack.co.uk | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogs_on_track/
• PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers): pact-dogs.com (Check out the January CTIC intake!)
• DogX 2026 Conference: dogxconference.com (Get your tickets now!)
• UK College of Scent Dogs: ukcsd.com
• Recommended App: Merlin Bird ID

Hey Folks :)

In this episode, Steve sits down with Berni Black—RVN, PACT-accredited Animal Training Instructor, and force-free trainer. Berni shares her journey from dreaming of a career in the emergency services to finding her true calling in veterinary nursing and canine behaviour.

They discuss:

• The power of taking things slow in both veterinary and training settings.
• How to use non-verbal cues to coach dog owners effectively.
• Practical tips for cooperative care and reducing stress during vet visits.
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and using video playback as a tool for progress.
• Why celebrating small wins makes all the difference for handlers and their dogs.

Berni Facts:

Berni is an RVN, a qualified Animal Training Instructor, and a passionate advocate for helping dogs and their humans thrive together. Alongside her work at Three Rivers Vets—where she runs puppy socialisation clinics and works her magic with cooperative care—she is studying with PACT as she progresses into canine behaviour. She also runs Black Dog Training, offering force-free, science-based one-to-one training. At home, she lives with her three dogs: Styx, Luna, and Rhea.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Black Dog Training
• Three Rivers Vets (Beckles branch)
• PACT Main Website: pact-dogs.com
• DogX 2026 Conference Tickets & Info: dogxconference.com

Welcome back peeps! In this episode, Steve sits down with his very close friend, Rachael Doe. Rachael shares her journey from library-book-obsessed dog lover to taking over Goodall Dog Training, and how a team of incredible shadowies kept her business thriving while she bravely fought stage four ovarian cancer. Steve and Rachael break down why practical shadowing is vital for up-and-coming trainers, the art of client coaching, why behaviour change takes time, and why you should never judge a client's "concentration face"!

Rachael facts:

Rachael owns Goodall Dog Training and is a PACT-qualified Animal Training Instructor with the ABTC, a qualified IMDT Dog Trainer, and a UK Sniffer Dogs accredited Bronze instructor. Currently undertaking her Level 5 in canine behaviour, Rachael specialises in providing kind, ethical, and practical training tailored to busy lives.

Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Goodall Dog Training: goodalldogtraining.com | Instagram & Facebook: @goodalldogtraining
• PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers): pact-dogs.com (Check out the January CTIC intake!)
• DogX 2026 Conference: dogxconference.com (Get your tickets now!)
• Dog Training Advice and Support (Facebook Group): Search on Facebook
• UK Sniffer Dogs: uksnifferdogs.com
• Recommended Tool: Airtable

In this episode of Dog Trainers UnPACT, Steve sits down with Clinical Animal Behaviourist Danielle Beck (MSc) for a deeply insightful and honest conversation about animal behaviour, trauma-informed practice, and the reality of navigating complex cases.

Danielle shares her journey from childhood dreams of marine mammal training to working with complex behaviour cases and assistance dogs. Together, Steve and Danielle discuss the importance of navigating the 'shades of grey' in dog training, how the 'Meerkat Method' gives clients an empathetic lens to understand arousal and stress, and the emotional weight of behavioural euthanasia.

Dani Facts:

Danielle Beck is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (MSc) with over 20 years of experience in the animal training and behaviour field. Danielle is the founder of Control The Meerkat, where her work focuses heavily on self-regulation, neuroscience, trauma, and helping nervous systems feel safe—pioneering an approach that treats complex behavioural issues from the inside out rather than through external control.

Beyond her clinical practice working with complex cases and assistance dog teams, Danielle plays a major role in shaping industry standards across the UK and internationally. She is a Director and full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), a registered instructor and faculty member with the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT), and an assessor for the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC). As an international speaker, lecturer, and mentor to pet professionals since 2020, Danielle brings deep expertise and a refreshingly empathetic, science-based perspective to understanding animal behaviour.

Key Takeaways & Topics Covered:

• From SeaWorld to Science: How early inspirations evolved into ethical, welfare-focused practice.
• Living in the Grey: Moving past dogma and meeting guardians where they are without shame.
• The Meerkat Method: Using neuroscience and relatable storytelling to help clients understand nervous system regulation and arousal.
• The "Business Card Dog" Myth: Why a trainer's dog doesn't define their skill, and the importance of giving dogs agency.
• Taboo Topics in Dog Training: An honest discussion on behavioural euthanasia, grief, and protecting a dog's memory.
• Imposter Syndrome & Mentorship: The power of collaboration over competition in the pet industry.

Recommended Books Mentioned in the Episode:

• The Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters
• The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
• Don't Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor
• Coercion and Its Fallout by Murray Sidman

Important Links & Resources:

• Danielle Beck / Control The Meerkat: controlthemeerkat.com
• PACT Main Website: pact-dogs.com
• DogX 2026 Conference Tickets & Info: dogxconference.com

Hey Folks! In this episode, Steve sits down with Certified Dog Trainer and friend Martina Luisetti, founder of ULI Dog Training. Martina shares her incredible journey from working as a high-flying celebrity makeup artist to finding her true calling in behavioural science through her beloved shelter dog, Uli.

Steve and Martina explore applied behaviour analysis (ABA), using space and predictability in training, ethical considerations around negative reinforcement, and how to navigate imposter syndrome in the dog training industry.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Martina's transition from makeup artistry to dog training.
• The shelter dog, Uli, who sparked a passion for positive reinforcement.
• Using ABA and functional assessments as a clear, gentle coaching tool for dog guardians.
• Thinking outside the box: How Martina used distance as a reinforcer to help her cat, Mozzie.
• Why professionals need to have open, nuanced conversations.
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and the power of supportive trainer communities.

Martina Facts:

Martina is a Certified Dog Trainer and the founder of ULI Dog Training, working with dogs and their families across Leigh-on-Sea, London and St Albans.

Passionate about helping both dogs and their humans thrive, Martina specialises in puppy development, adolescent dogs, reactivity, and supporting dogs who find the world overwhelming. Her passion is rooted in behavioural science, with a strong focus on understanding why behaviour happens rather than simply trying to stop it.

Believing that every behaviour serves a purpose, Martina helps owners build confidence, communication and trust through compassionate, evidence-based training that considers both the dog's emotional wellbeing and the human end of the lead.

When she's not working with clients, she's kept on her toes by her rescue cat, Darlene, who is Martina's muse and owner, really.

• Website: https://www.ulidogtraining.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulidogtraining
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ulidogtraining

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Jim Mackie's Crocodile Video: An incredible look at environmental control and reinforcement protocols in action.
• Behaviour Works (Dr Susan Friedman): Free resources and protocols at https://www.behaviourworks.org

PACT & Event Links:

• PACT Main Website: https://www.pact-dogs.com
• DogX 2026 Conference Tickets: Get your tickets at https://www.dogxconference.com

In this episode, Steve sits down with the incredibly inspiring Dee Watts, a PACT student and trainer who is breaking down barriers, challenging industry norms, and redefining the world of dog training. From childhood barn owls to criminal profiling, and overcoming a life-altering functional neurological disorder (FND) diagnosis, Dee’s journey is nothing short of a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and profound communication with Dogs.

What We Covered in This Episode:

• Show & Tell with a Twist: Dee shares her earliest animal memories, which include growing up with a dad obsessed with birds, two resident barn owls (Mika and Stomper), and a pet snake that sparked her lifelong fascination with predatory behaviour.
• From Crime Scene to Canine Behaviour: Dee explains how graduating with a first-class degree in Crime and Investigation crosses over beautifully into dog training—turns out analysing nature vs. nurture and solving criminal minds isn't too different from unpacking dog behaviour!
• Understanding FND: Dee talks about living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), how it impacted her university journey, and what it truly means when the brain and nervous system's signals misfire.
• Oreo the Accidental Assistance Dog: How a tiny, fluffy Pomeranian named Oreo completely changed Dee’s life.
• The Myth of the "Easy" Social Media Fix: Dee and Steve unpack why the dog training world needs a serious reality check when it comes to accessibility. They discuss how general advice can actually hinder certain handlers, and why we must take ore time to look at the individual handler's emotional and physical well-being alongside the dog's.
• Filling the Gap in the Market: Dee’s mission to become an accredited behaviourist and fill a gap that's much needed.

In Dees' words: "Don’t let other people’s limits limit you."

Useful Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Read Dee's Story: Check out Dee's inspiring guest feature on the PACT Lunches blog over at pact-dogs.com/blog/my-journey.
• Follow Dion & Oreo: Keep up with Dee's journey and watch her masterclass in deep communication over on TikTok at @a.pom.with.a.purpose_.
• Work with Dion: Visit Dee's website to stay tuned for her upcoming training services at oreoswaydogtraining.com (currently under construction but coming soon!).
• Danielle Beck (Control the Meerkat): Shout out to Dee’s incredible mentor and friend, Danielle Beck. Check out her game-changing work at controlthemeerkat.com.
• Start Your Journey: Ready to dive into the world of dog training with a community that actually builds you up? Find out more about PACT and start your dog trainer journey at pact-dogs.com.
• Get Your Tickets: Don't miss out on the biggest event in the dog training calendar! Grab your tickets to the DogX Conference at dogxconference.com.