Dog behaviour expert on BBC radio Solent
I am Denise Nuttall M.Res (Master's degree in Research Science - with distinction - Dog Cognition and Forensic Psychology), B.Sc (Hons) Applied Animal Behaviour; Dip CABT (Coape) and the founder of Paws In Hand Dog Training and Behaviour®. I started life living on a farm. When I moved on from an investment banking career, people thought it was a dramatic change. In fact, the weirdest thing was that I was a banker in the first place. I always wanted to be a vet! 
Early on I started out helping friends with their problem pooches. Increasingly it became obvious to me that life was going to be about helping people to live happy lives with their dogs and I became a dog behaviourist! I completed the Advanced Diploma of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training run by the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology in 2004 (www.capbt.org ) and it was like removing a blindfold!
Then I applied to become a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. The APDT promotes rewards based training and prohibits the use of punishment. In order to become a member trainers are physically assessed to ensure that they meet the prescribed standards. I was pleased to be accepted in 2005 and my membership number was MAPDTUK00963. I have subsequently joined The Canine Training & Behaviour Society and left the APDT. As time passes, organisations change. As a member of TCBTS, I am registered as an accredited Animal Training Instructor on the ABTC (the regulator for the industry).
Since engaging in academic study and with the experience of helping to train in excess of 10,000 dogs over the years, most training and behaviour problems are very clear to me and in most cases I can help people to very quickly restore the equilibrium in their household. Some more complex problems will take longer. Whilst I was working in investment banking I learned how to communicate very effectively with people and also how people learn best. As a result I can help people quickly because I understand how people and dogs learn. Also, I KNOW what it's like having a dog which is out of control and behaving very badly... including biting! So, if you want to talk to someone who really knows how difficult it can be living with a very naughty dog, come and have a chat with me, we can compare stories! I really am very approachable!
I am a full member of the Association of pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and a full member of The Canine Training and Behaviour Society (TCBTS). As a full member of the APBC, most insurance companies will accept my credentials, which means that if your pet insurance includes behaviour therapy, you can claim back the costs of my services.
Over 11 years ago I started to work with the Waggy Tails dog rescue charity. They are a fantastic group of volunteers dedicated to helping dogs find new homes. Some dogs that arrive in the centre have just had hard luck and ended up there through no fault of their own. Some dogs are a bit naughty and their owners can't cope any more so they end up in rescue. For the dogs in the latter category I support Waggy Tails in rehabilitating them either in the clinic or in their foster homes.
I have regularly appeared as a dog expert guest on BBC Radio Solent where I answer dog behaviour and training questions live on air for about 8 years. I have also been a regular guest on a radio show called Pets Vets and Guests on Talk Radio Europe. I appeared on BBC Inside Out in a feature about aggressive dogs in October, 2012. I have run several lectures for the trainers and behaviourists at Learning About Animals in Guilford: "Interpreting Canine Body Language; Aggression", "Inter dog Aggression in Practice" and "Running the Behaviourally Aware Puppy Party". I have also delivered in house training to Priory Vets in Christchurch and also delivered Running the Behaviourally Aware Puppy Party lecture to Dorchester Veterinary Nursing School.
Our latest dog is Lily, who is another Dalmatian 8 years old. She passed her bronze, silver and gold Kennel Club Good Citizens awards by the age of 15 months. I have shown Lily from time to time and have been learning the art of ring craft which is harder than it looks and we are learning competition obedience under the direction of the lovely Brian Reed who is a successful competitor and a judge who trains using positive methods. We have also attended Dog Dancing classes with Carol Bentley at Purbeck Dog Dancing school in Sanford. Lily loves every minute of her training and I would go so far as to say training is her favourite pastime even above going for walks and runs.
Contact me or call me on 01202 861340 or 07764 250554
Hello, I am Martin Nuttall I have been assisting Denise at our Lilliput venue for seven years. I also assist with our puppy life classes on Saturday’s, recall master classes, and Fun Find and Fetch.I have been working with Denise in Puppy Life Skills for over four years now and have learned a lot. Oh, and I also help answering the phone calls.
I was lucky enough to have my first Dalmatian at the age of nine. Sharnie was 18 months old and looking for a good home. She was a lovely dog and a great friend and lived to the great age of 16 and half.
There has always been a Dalmatian in our household. (I am pictured with our wonderful friend Amy and our son). Lily is our latest and is our fourth dalmatian.
So I have a wealth of experience in keeping dogs. Also I have picked up a lot of knowledge from Denise whilst she has been studying for her qualifications and whilst assisting in classes with her for 8 years now. Invaluable information without the pain of the exams.
Our classes are informative, friendly and fun. I look forward to working with you and your dog.
I also paint pet portraits. In my former career I was an illustrator. I love to paint in oils.
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