Vicky runs her own successful behaviour practice, LawesPaws, working directly with owners and dogs experiencing a wide range of behavioural challenges. Her work encompasses dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, from everyday training difficulties through to complex cases involving fear, anxiety, reactivity and aggression. She is particularly passionate about looking beyond the behaviour itself to understand the individual dog, its history, environment, experiences and emotional responses before developing a realistic and practical programme for both dog and owner.

Alongside her behaviour practice, Vicky has spent many years training and working her own dogs across a variety of disciplines. Her Rottweilers and German Shepherd Dogs have participated in working trials training and public working-dog displays, including events for Three Counties Working Trials Club, the National Dog Warden Association, Hampshire County Council, schools and private organisations. This breadth of practical experience remains central to her teaching philosophy: canine professionals need not only academic knowledge, but the ability to understand, handle and work confidently with dogs in the real world.

Vicky joined the CIDBT tutoring team in 2014, having previously completed an extensive programme of advanced study with the Institute herself. Today, as Vice Principal, she plays a key role in the education and development of students progressing towards professional careers in dog training and behaviour. She tutors and mentors learners, delivers practical workshops and professional training, and contributes to the continued development of CIDBT programmes and professional standards.

Her qualifications include the Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour Management, the Advanced Canine Behaviour and Psychology Diploma, and the National Dog Training Instructors Certificate. She also achieved an Honours Pass on the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers’ Instructor Course, is a qualified Scent Dog Instructor and holds a Level 3 qualification in Education and Training.

Beyond her work with individual dogs and students, Vicky has been involved in canine safety education and professional training for organisations including local authorities, housing associations, schools, Royal Mail and the Kennel Club. She has also worked alongside awarding organisations, qualification regulators and industry professionals in the development, delivery and quality assurance of canine education and professional standards.

What distinguishes Vicky’s approach is the combination of academic knowledge, extensive hands-on experience and an understanding of what it is actually like to work professionally with dogs and their owners. She is passionate about raising standards within the canine behaviour and training industry and, particularly, about helping the next generation of practitioners develop the knowledge, practical ability and professional judgement required to work responsibly and effectively.

 For more information about Vicky, please view her own website at www.lawespaws.co.uk