June Pennell

June is our Vice-Principal, shares the secretary role with Clare Grierson, is a Director, and is also an ISCP tutor. She has always had dogs in her life, but her eyes were opened when she adopted an over-enthusiastic young male Rottweiler and started integrating him into her home and with her existing two male (and ‘entire’) Labradors who she had had since they were puppies. Owning dogs all her life did not, she says, prepare her for the incredible journey she started that day.

She watched them closely to make sure the change in dynamics did not become “an issue” and at the same time read as much as she could find in books and online about pre-empting disagreements over toys, jealousy over affection from their humans, and even fights over food. In time she realised that her Labradors knew far more about integrating a new member into their family than her. She watched them set boundaries for the youngster and show him when he had over-stepped those boundaries. The Rottie blossomed under the Labs’ tutelage. He relaxed in their company and settled down to become a loving member of the family.

And June? Well, she learned and read so much during that time that it piqued her interest in training as a Canine Behaviour Practitioner. She enrolled with the International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour Ltd and graduated in March 2016. She is proud to be a part of this growing group of positive dog people and extremely proud to be invited to be a Tutor.

She continues to learn as much as she can about dogs and has earned Certificates for Dog First Aid, Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Edinburgh, completed courses on Canine Body Language and Facial Expression and Dog to Dog Introductions both from Learn to Talk Dog with Sarah Whitehead. She recently attended an Aggression and Rehabilitation Course with Steve Mann of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, a two day seminar with Ken Ramirez, the world renowned 35+ year veteran of animal care and training, and a Tellington Touch Workshop with Sarah Fisher. She is also a Professional Member of the Dog Welfare Alliance.

June will continue with her professional development and is scheduled to undertake two Simply Behaviour courses, a Canine Confidence TTouch course, and the Emotional Healing Course and BFF Award, both through the ISCP. She is also about to apply for Full Membership of INTO Dogs.

June lives in Wiltshire with her husband Andrew and their two dogs, Monty, a white German Shepherd adopted at 12 weeks of age, and Robbie, a black Labrador.

You can find out more on June’s website.