My name is Hazel Shimmin. I am a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, a Kennel Club Accredited Dog Trainer and have an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, with decades of experience. I’m passionate about my work with dogs and improving the lives of the people and dogs I work with. I use positive, evidence based methods and actively study and research into dog-related subjects to ensure I remain up to date.
My dog, Duke, and I on a walk
Hazel Shimmin: Summary
I am an experienced dog trainer and behaviourist:
- ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) and Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors
- MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare
- Accredited Instructor with the Kennel Club (Companion Dog) (KCAI(CD)
- Certified Fear Free Professional Trainer
- Owned and trained dogs in competitive obedience, agility and working trials for over 45 years
- Over 20 years experience working professionally as a dog trainer and behaviourist
- Kennel Club Assessor for their national instructors qualification – KCAI
- Kennel Club Good Citizens Dog Scheme Examiner for Bronze, Silver and Gold
- PGCE, FHEA and 10 years lecturing canine specific subjects at a land based college
- BHS Instructor and Stable Manager
Clinical Animal Behaviourist
The Assocaition of Pet Beahviour Counsellors (APBC) is one of the longest and most respected professional orgiansations for Animal Beahviourists. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) sets and maintains the standards for animal training and behaviuor and recognises orgnaisations whose members meet these standards through assessment of knowldge and practical skills and follow their Code of Practice.
Most insurance companies accept this qualification, which means clients should be able to claim for behaviour consults through their Dog Insurance policy.
Kennel Club Accredited Instructor
The Kennel Club Accredited Instructors scheme is by City and Guilds. This qualification was in three parts:
- Knowledge of dogs
- Practical handling of dogs
- Instructing dog owners
This qualification covers a broad area of dog related subjects including training, beahviour, instructing, welfare and law.
For more information about Kennel Club qualifications and the Kennel Club Code of Practice, see Kennel Club Accreditation.
MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare
I undertook a MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Newcastle University and received a Distinction. I took the behaviour route and specialised in dogs. My dissertation studied the development of behaviour problems, particularly in adolescent dogs.
In addition, the course covered:
- Canine Ethology
- Learning Theory
- Canine Health and Behaviour
- Canine Law
- Neural and Endocrine Mediates of Behaviour
- Canine Welfare Science
- Canine Clinical Behaviour Procedures
Certified Fear Free Trainer
Fear Free nsures that only methods and techniques that protect the emotional welfare of the dog are used, both in training and during veterinary visits.
Lecturing and Instructing Work
I worked in a land-based college for 19 years as a lecturer and manager.
During that time, I:
- Established a range of canine courses
- Taught:
- Practical training classes for companion dogs
- All levels of the Kennel Club Good Citizens Awards
- Canine Agility
- Many other subjects, including Equine Studies
- Undertook behaviour consultations
- Wrote, validated and taught:
- Level 3 Canine Studies courses
- FdSc / BSc in Canine Behaviour and Training
This work enabled me to share my passion for dogs with a wide variety of owners and students and gave me the opportunity to work with many dogs from all sorts of backgrounds. The combination of both practical hands on training and behaviour work and delivering higher level theoretical lectures enabled me to further enhance my experience and knowledge.
Contact
If you would like to discuss dog training or need dog behaviour advice, please Email me.
