Creating a better life for you and your dog with…
The Canine & Co Classroom
Qualified Reward-Based Dog Training & Behaviour Support in Sidcup, Bexley & South East London & surrounding areas.
Helping dogs and their people understand each other through ethical, force-free training.
My approach
I believe that understanding your dog is the foundation of good training and lasting behaviour change.
I use reward-based, force-free methods that put your dog's welfare and emotional wellbeing first. Rather than simply trying to stop a behaviour, I want to understand why it's happening, what your dog is communicating and what we can do to help them feel safe, confident and able to cope.
I support puppies, adolescent dogs, adults, seniors, and rescue dogs with everyday training, confidence-building, reactivity, fear, frustration, enrichment, and other behaviour challenges.
I also offer Scentwork, allowing dogs to use their incredible noses while building confidence, focus, enrichment and connection with their people.
Let me help you on your journey in creating a happier, more harmonious life with your dog, one that respects their needs and celebrates their individuality.
Based in Sidcup and covering:
SIDCUP
BEXLEY
BLACKFEN
CHISLEHURST
PETTS WOOD
BROMLEY
ELTHAM
ORPINGTON
GODSTONE
NUTFIELD
BLETCHINGLEY
MERTSHAM
How can I help you and your dog?
Whether you're looking to teach new skills, better understand your dog's behaviour, support them through challenges, or explore the world of Scentwork, you're in the right place
My training focuses on building confidence, strengthening your relationship, and helping you and your dog enjoy learning together as a team through fun, reward-based training that works with your dog’s natural abilities.
I offer support with…
Puppy training & life skills
Adolescent dog support
Everyday training
Recall
Loose lead walking
Focus & engagement
Confidence building
Reactivity
Fear & anxiety
Frustration
Rescue & newly adopted dogs
Enrichment
Scentwork
Behaviour Support
My goal isn't simply to make a behaviour disappear.
It's to understand what your dog needs, teach useful skills and help you both feel more confident navigating everyday life.
Qualified & professionally registered
ABTC Registered Animal Behaviour Technician (ABT)
APBC Registered Practitioner
PACT Professional Accreditation
I work within the professional codes of conduct of these organisations and will refer to appropriate veterinary, Clinical Animal Behaviourist or Veterinary Behaviourist support when a case requires additional expertise.
Why Choose Me?
Choosing someone to support you and your dog is personal.
You are inviting somebody into your life, your routines, your worries and your hopes for your dog. You deserve to feel listened to, supported and never judged.
I believe good training starts with understanding.
Rather than simply trying to stop a behaviour, I look at why the behaviour may be happening, what your dog is communicating and what we can do to help.
My training is:
Reward-based
Using reinforcement to teach skills and build behaviours we want to see more of.
Force-free
No fear, pain, intimidation or punishment-based training.
Welfare-focused
Considering your dog's emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as their environment, needs and individual personality.
Individualised
Because every dog, caregiver and household is different. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Practical
Training should work in real life, not just in a training session.
I work with you rather than judging you. My aim is to help you understand your dog, feel more confident and create a happier life together.
Services
Puppy Support
Helping you and your puppy navigate those exciting, exhausting and sometimes confusing early months.
Support can include settling into the home, socialisation, handling, recall, lead walking, appropriate play, enrichment, confidence building and learning how puppies communicate.
Training Support
Practical, reward-based training designed around you and your dog.
Whether you're working on everyday life skills, recall, loose lead walking, focus, engagement or simply want to build a stronger relationship with your dog, we'll work at a pace that suits you both.
Scentwork
Let your dog do what they were born to do: use their nose.
Scentwork provides mental stimulation, enrichment and an opportunity for dogs to work with their incredible sense of smell.
It can help build confidence, encourage focus, strengthen your relationship and provide an enjoyable outlet for natural behaviours. Available as one-to-one sessions and group classes.
Behaviour Support
Behaviour is communication.
If your dog is barking, lunging, reacting, struggling with fear, becoming overwhelmed or finding everyday situations difficult, I can help you understand what may be contributing to their behaviour and develop practical ways to support them.
Behaviour support is always tailored to the individual dog and their family.
Sidcup
Bexley
Chislehurst
Petts Wood
Godstone
Nutfield
Bletchingley
Orpington
Bromley
Eltham
Merstham
Blackfen
Sidcup Bexley Chislehurst Petts Wood Godstone Nutfield Bletchingley Orpington Bromley Eltham Merstham Blackfen
Hello, I'm Sarah...
I've always had a deep love for dogs and animals, but it was my own dog, Ted, who changed the direction of my life.
Ted is my beautiful French Bulldog, and when I first brought him home I had no idea what journey we were going to take together.
Following a dog attack, Ted became reactive and found the world around him overwhelming. It was heartbreaking at times, and I remember feeling lost and unsure how best to help him.
What I did know was that I wanted to support him without using fear, pain or punishment.
That led me into the world of ethical, force-free training and introduced me to some wonderful professionals who helped us enormously.
Through patience, learning and a lot of love, Ted and I built a relationship based on trust and understanding.
He isn't "fixed", because he was never broken.
Ted taught me to look beyond the behaviour and listen to what the dog is communicating.
He taught me about patience, empathy, observation and the importance of seeing the world from a dog's perspective.
Most importantly, he taught me that progress doesn't have to mean perfection.
Today, Ted is still sensitive, and that's okay. He loves Scentwork, meeting his doggy friends, visiting coffee shops when treats are available and, of course, a good cuddle on the sofa.
My experience with Ted is a huge part of why I do what I do.
I understand how difficult it can be to live with a dog who struggles. I understand the worry about walks, the feeling of being judged, the constant management and wondering whether you're doing the right thing.
That's why I want my clients to feel supported, not judged.
Every dog deserves to be understood.
Every person deserves to feel supported.
And every journey deserves to be supported.
Today, I offer Training, Behaviour Support, and Scentwork coaching rooted in compassion and backed by credentials I’m proud of. I hold professional accreditation with:
PACT-Professional Association of Canine Trainers both ATI & ABT, and I am a registered practitioner with ABTC-Animal Behaviour and Training Council and APBC-Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.
This can give you assurance that I’m qualified, experienced, and committed to kind, ethical, and welfare-focused methods. When you work with me, you can relax knowing your dog is in compassionate, capable hands.
I also follow the strict codes of conduct set by these professional organisations. This means, when needed, I may refer you to a Veterinary Behaviourist or Clinical Animal Behaviourist to ensure you and your dog get the most appropriate support.
& this is Ted.
Listening to our dogs and advocating for their needs is paramount.
What my clients say…
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![A black and white Australian Shepherd dog lying on green grass in a backyard with plants and a white wall in the background.]()
“We completed Sarah's course which we loved, the workshops are always fun and innovative .”
Sarah, Teresa & Lochy
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![A black and white puppy holding a torn purple and white snack bag in its mouth, sitting outdoors on dirt and grass.]()
“Stanley has some behavioural problems, the Scentwork course has really helped him focus”
Tina & Stanley
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![A small black and tan dog standing on a fallen tree trunk in a grassy park, with trees and a pavilion in the background.]()
“Sarah's an excellent instructor, our dog needs space so definitely for reactive dogs too..”
Caroline, Michael & Apollo
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![Small black and tan Pomeranian dog sitting on a floral bedspread.]()
“Sarah's knowledge & expertise were amazing and she's fabulous with humans too!.”
Gill & Winnie
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![Black Labrador retriever lying on grass in a garden with green plants and a wooden fence in the background.]()
"Finding Sarah is a game changer, she understands more challenging behaviour aspects"
Charlotte, Steve & Pepper
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![A brown and white English Springer Spaniel dog sitting on grass outdoors, wearing an orange harness, with greenery in the background.]()
"Sarah sees the world from the dog's point of view, which creates a safe environment to learn."
Jenny & Ben
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![A happy dog with a black and white coat standing in a lush forest among green grass and purple wildflowers.]()
"Sarah helped us through puppy & adolescent training, she is patient & understanding"
Angela & Cooper
With years of hands-on experience, I’ve worked with a wide range of breeds and temperaments, from high-energy working dogs to more sensitive companion breeds. I’ve helped with everything from basic training and Scentwork to behaviour issues like reactivity, fear, and aggression. My approach is rooted in positive reinforcement, focusing on building trust and clear communication between dogs and their humans. Every dog is different, so I tailor each plan to suit their individual needs and personality. I also believe Scentwork can have a positive impact on your relationship and your dogs well-being.
Sometimes behaviour can be influenced by pain, illness, medication, genetics, stress or other factors. Where appropriate, I work alongside your veterinary team and other qualified behaviour professionals to help make sure your dog receives the right support.
My role is not to replace veterinary or clinical behavioural care. It's to work as part of a team, gather useful information, support behaviour modification and help you navigate the process.
Contact Us
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HOURS OF BUSINESS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 9AM TO 5PM
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Affiliated with The Muzzle Movement
Dogs who wear muzzles are good dogs too, with responsible caregivers, please get in touch for 10% discount code!
Proud to promote tug-e-nuff toys
Using toys in training can have great benefits to fulfil canine needs, please get in touch for 10% discount code!
Making life better for you and your dog.
Location
Kent
South East
Surrey
Contact
caninencoclassroom@yahoo.com
07958465360