Karen Backhouse has owned and trained dogs for many years under a number of teachers.  She coaches using many different methods of training and has participated in obedience, flyball, agility, search and rescue and gundog work and is always looking to try out new dog activities.  She is a committed clicker trainer who also uses the lure and reward method in some of the classes.  

Karen gained her BSc (Hons) Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training from Bishop Burton College, part of the University of Hull after 5 years' study.  In addition she is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), holds a CAP 2 Clicker Trainers' certificate with distinction and is working towards CAP 3.   The most recent addition to her achievements is accreditation as a Certified Training Partner with the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP).  

Karen will be one of the few certified KPA trainers in the UK.  Gaining her certification was an exciting time with a combination of 6 months online learning, videoing the training of her own dog and spending 10 days in the USA with renowned trainer Terry Ryan for an intensive practical training and teaching assessment camp with borrowed dog, Nanu, a standard poodle. The course has enabled Karen to learn the most up-to-date scientific and effective methods available.  These are fun, non-aversive and extremely powerful.