Who is Dog Scouts?

Dog Scouts was founded by Maeve Humphreys, a passionate dog trainer dedicated to helping you and your dog overcome your training and behaviour struggles! Maeve’s dog training and behaviour journey began with her own rescue dog Scout who struggled with dog-dog reactivity along with a range of other behaviour problems. Maeve considers herself a complete dog and behaviour nerd, committed to excellence in training standards and animal welfare. To learn more head over to the About page.

 

Do you offer group classes?

All training is currently done on a 1:1 basis which allows us to focus solely on your individual needs and goals. Learn more in our Services page.

 

What is your process for working with clients?

We will get started by learning all about you, your dog, their behaviour, personality and history. From there we can devise a personalised training plan. We will live-coach you and your dog through the skills you both need to learn, give support throughout the journey and help you to transition your training from at home to out in the real world.

 

What role do I play in the training process?

For the very best outcome, it is essential that you learn the skills required to train your own dog. Dog training takes a significant amount of time and it needs to be practised regularly. In addition, you will be the person living with your dog and will need to have the ability to handle and communicate effectively with them. Dog’s will respond to people they have a strong relationship with, from whom they receive reinforcement and who practises the training with them.

 

What training methods do you use?

We use a positive-reinforcement based approach to teaching both our human and canine learners. We also prioritise meeting the dog’s needs and maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

 

What struggles can you address?

We are passionate about helping reactive and fearful dogs to improve their quality of life, as well as making life easier for their human carers. Learn more about what we do for Reactive Dogs here.

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We can help with a range of other behaviour problems including recall, counter-surfing, jumping up on people, alone time etc. Learn about what Life Skills we can help you teach your dog here.

 

PUPPIES!  We love them! And we love to get them in as young as possible. Learn more here.

 

What age should I start training my dog or puppy?

Starting training and socialising puppies as young as possible is crucial for their development and well-being. During their early months, puppies are highly impressionable and receptive to new experiences, making it the optimal time to instil positive behaviours and social skills. Puppies that receive early training and socialisation are less likely to develop behaviour problems related to fearfulness, aggression, or anxiety, later in life.

 

Is my dog too old for training?

The old saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Training an older dog is entirely feasible and beneficial because dogs of all ages are capable of learning new behaviours and skills. While older dogs may have established habits or behaviours, they are still capable of learning, especially when approached with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

 

How long does training take?

The time it takes to train a dog varies widely depending on several factors, including the dog's genetics, health status, personality, prior training experience, and the specific behaviours or skills being taught. Successful dog training requires patience, consistency, and a commitment to building a strong relationship between the dog and their owner. Addressing behaviour issues like reactivity can take longer and may require ongoing management and maintenance training. Rest assured, we teach you the skills to continue this work with your dog independently. 

 

What is your guarantee?

Like every ethical dog trainer and behaviourist, we do not give a guarantee as to the results you will get from a dog behaviour change perspective. This is due to the fact that there are a myriad of factors that influence behaviour that are not all within our control. Factors include things like the health of the dog, the environment they live in and your own ability to commit time and energy to the training process. We can however guarantee the following:

• We use the most ethical and effective methods of training and behaviour change

• We are committed to continuous learning to keep up to date with innovations within the dog training industry

• We are non judgemental, regardless of what methods you may have used in the past

• We teach both our canine and human learners with encouragement and support

• We promise to help you nurture and improve your relationship with your dog. We will never use methods that may damage the human-canine relationship.

 

What breeds do you train?

We work with all breeds! While breed is always a consideration when devising a training plan, above all we see your dog as an individual and don’t stereotype or assume a dog’s needs based on breed alone.

 

What experience do you have?

Maeve has been working with dogs and studying canine behaviour since 2017. She has been offering professional dog training and behaviour services since 2020. She also works within the rescue industry, training and assessing abandoned dogs that need help finding and transitioning into a new home. She has worked with an extensive range of breeds from giant to toy, from working to companion to sports and everything in between. She also has some experience working with horses and cats.

 

What qualifications do you have?

Maeve is Pro Dog Trainer Certified from Absolute Dogs and studies with AniEd Ireland on an ongoing basis. She is currently studying to become a certified Canine Behaviour & Training Technician. Maeve is passionate about learning and growing, which has become a lifelong pursuit. Learn more about her qualifications and ongoing study here. 

 

My dog has specific training needs, can you adapt your approach for us?

Yes, of course. Everything we do is individualised for you and your dog!

 

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash and payments through SumUp which accepts debit/credit card, Google pay and PayPal.

 

How do I get started?

To start your training journey with us, book a FREE discovery call here.