Looking for a dog walker near you? Meet your local, friendly dog walker and trainer

Kate Sykes Cert. TPTD (Certificate in Teaching People and Training Dogs)

Kate is the proud owner of Sniff and Wagg Trails, recently awarded *Dog Walking Company of the Year - Cumbria 2025/26* in the prestigious North West England Prestige Awards. Kate has a weath of experience from owning and working with dogs her entire life. She spent over 13 years working for Guide Dogs UK where she gained a City & Guilds level qualification. This included Distinctions in dog handling, body language, canine learning theory, dog care, anatomy and physiology of dogs and veterinary knowledge. Gaining experience of working not only with the dogs in training but also from time spent working in the hospital block, where she regularly cared for dogs recovering from operations and those needing specialist care such as diabetes and epilepsy.

In 2019, Kate went on to update her skills and knowledge and was privileged to train with one of the industry’s leading experts, Jane Ardern BSc (Hons) Dip.CABT. She graduated with a distinction (95%) having completed a rigorous 6 month training programme involving academic studies and also practical hands-on experience working and training with many different types of dogs.

As well as gaining professional instructor status, Kate has completed many varied dog training courses to gain further knowledge from various top trainers within the industry. She is committed to expanding her knowledge of dogs and endeavours to keep her training current and up to date. This enables her to grow and improve, in turn passing the knowledge and skill to her clients.

Kate is currently training one of her own dogs in scentwork with the expert guidance of Lindsay Sielski BEM, ISAR Canine Team Leader. Learning from such an experienced professional helps me continually improve my skills.

Credentials and Experience

The Practical Application of Teaching People and Training Dogs Wagga-Wuffins NOCN Endorsed Instructor Training Programme with Jane Ardern

This 6 month in person training included:

Teaching and Coaching Skills for Instructors

Canine Communication and Stress in Dogs

Development Stages in the Dog and Hormonal Influences from Prenatal through to Sexual Maturity

Beginner Obedience, Life Skills and Handler Skills

Intermediate Obedience, Life Skills and Handler Skills

Advanced Obedience, Life Skills and Handler Skills

Running Successful Classes and One to One Training Sessions

SCENTWORK COURSES

THE SCHOOL OF CANINE SCIENCE
Scent for Six

FENZI DOG SPORTS ACADEMY
Introduction to Nosework
Nosework Games
Introduction to NW Search Elements
Find It! - Lost Item Recovery

KAT JANCZUR
Scent Detection Workshop - Search Elements

BEHAVIOUR VETS
From Nose to Brain: The Neuroscience of Scentwork

CANINE PRINCIPLES
Scentwork Enrichment Certificate Course

TALKING DOGS SCENTWORK
Scent 1

UK SNIFFER DOGS
Bronze Level Instructor (2 day in person)
Silver Level Instructor (3 day in person)
Instructor Course - Running Trials & Competitions
Instructors Course - Continuation Classes

RECALL, FOCUS AND ENGAGEMENT

IMDT PETdog Gundog – A course for qualified dog trainers to learn gundog skills for pet dogs

Going for a Bumble – presented by Helen Phillips Training how to help teach your gundog the difference between ‘going for a walk’ and ‘going hunting’ in the same stimulating environment. Looking at how to create the behaviours for success, and how to use life rewards to maintain the connection and partnership in challenging situations.

Rock Solid Recall – Canine Principles

Rocket Recall 21 Day Challenge – Simone Mueller

Powerful Pauses – A workshop on the art of getting stillness from dogs with a high prey drive – Tracey McLennan

How to deal with predatory behaviour – Tracey McLennan

Predation Substitute Training– a motivation-based and need-oriented training program, designed to stop uncontrolled predatory chasing and to provide safe outlets for your dog’s natural predatory energy – Simone Mueller/Canine Principles

FREEWORK AND ENRICHMENT

ACEing Reactivity – ACE Freework workshop with Janet Finlay

Scentwork Solutions for Abnormal & Repetitive Behaviours, Fears & Phobias – Morag Heirs

Enriched Environments for Professionals – 2 day in person workshop with Kirsty Grant

Three ‘Rs’ Webinar; helping dogs reset, rebalance and release – Sarah Fisher

DogNostics Canine Enrichment Technician Certification

CANINE FIRST AID AND WELFARE

Certified to provide Canine First Aid & CPR by Rachel Bean RVN MCFBA (in person practical course)

Canine First Aid – Paw and Pad Injuries – Rachel Bean RVN (online)

City&Guilds (Ofqual recognised) Dog Welfare and Kennel Management–Guide Dogs UK

Diploma in Animal Care from Myerscough College

CAMadvocate Level 1: A modular course for the canine professional to improve their understanding of canine arthritis, and to define their role in identification, diagnosis, and management of this neglected condition.

OTHER

Canine Functional Characters – Dr Isla Fishburn /Canine Principles

Interative Play Guide – Craig Ogilvie

Loose Lead Walking – Canine Principles

Canine Bonding and Play – Canine Principles

Canine Communication – The Language Of A Species – Canine Principles

Build your Dog’s Confidence with TTouch – Janet Finlay.

Tellington Touch is a gentle approach to the care and training of animals based on co-operation and respect. It uses a combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises which helps to release tension and increase body awareness. It also helps establish a deeper rapport between humans and animals through increased understanding and more effective communication.

Clicking For Resilience – Canine Principles

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