More Than Dog Training. Understanding Dogs.
At IQ K9 Academy, we believe that great dog training starts with one simple thing:
Understanding the dog in front of you.
Every dog is different. Their genetics, experiences, environment, emotions, motivations and relationship with their handler can all influence how they behave. That is why we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whether you have brought home a new puppy, want to build better obedience, compete with your dog, or are struggling with behaviour that feels overwhelming, our aim is to understand why your dog is behaving the way they are — and then give you practical, effective ways to move forward.
We don’t just train dogs.
We help people understand them.
Expertise You Can Trust
IQ K9 Academy was built around the belief that dog training should be grounded in knowledge, experience and genuine understanding of canine behaviour.
Our Head Trainer, Alice, brings an unusually strong academic background to practical dog training.
Alice holds:
- A Foundation Degree in Dog Behaviour and Training
- A BSc in Canine Behaviour Management
- A Master’s Degree in Applied Animal Behaviour
This academic background provides Alice with an in-depth understanding of canine behaviour and the factors that can influence it — knowledge that can then be applied to real-life training.
Alice also has extensive practical experience working with dogs presenting serious and complex behavioural challenges, including cases where owners have reached the point of feeling that they have tried everything.
That combination of academic knowledge and real-world experience is at the heart of what makes IQ K9 Academy different.
Experience Beyond the Classroom
Qualifications matter. But experience matters too.
Our team has years of experience working with a wide variety of dogs — from beloved family pets to working dogs with high levels of drive, focus and instinct.
We’ve worked with dogs across different ages, breeds, temperaments and backgrounds, giving us a broad understanding of what makes individual dogs tick.
Working with both pet and working dogs means we don’t simply teach behaviours in a training environment and hope they transfer into everyday life.
We focus on creating skills that work where they actually matter — at home, on walks, around distractions and in the real world.
When Behaviour Becomes a Challenge
Some dogs need more than basic obedience.
Reactivity. Aggression. Fear. Anxiety. Resource guarding. Separation-related problems. Over-arousal. Destructive behaviour.
These challenges can be exhausting for owners and, more importantly, can have a significant impact on a dog’s quality of life.
This is where our behavioural experience becomes particularly valuable.
Rather than simply trying to suppress an unwanted behaviour, we look at the bigger picture:
What is the dog communicating? What is driving the behaviour? What has happened in the dog’s past? What is reinforcing it? And what can we change to help both dog and owner?
From there, we create a practical, individual plan designed around the dog, the owner and their lifestyle.
Because the goal isn’t simply to make a dog look well behaved for an hour in a training session.
The goal is to create meaningful change that lasts.
Professional Standards Matter
We are proud to have a trainer within our team who is a Master Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers.
Professional standards are important to us, and we believe our clients should have confidence in the knowledge, experience and professionalism behind the training they receive.
Our expertise is also supported by ongoing professional development. The IQ K9 Academy team regularly attends relevant seminars, workshops, courses and professional development events, helping us keep our knowledge current and stay informed about developments in canine behaviour, training and welfare.
This complements the qualifications and extensive hands-on experience we already bring to our work.
What Makes IQ K9 Academy Different?
There are plenty of people who can teach a dog to sit.
We want to help you understand why your dog does what they do.
That’s the difference.
At IQ K9 Academy, we bring together:
Academic Expertise
A strong educational background in canine behaviour, dog training and applied animal behaviour.
Real-World Experience
Years of working with both pet and working dogs across a wide range of training and behavioural challenges.
Behavioural Knowledge
Experience dealing with complex and severe behavioural cases where a simple obedience-based approach isn’t enough.
Individual Training
No cookie-cutter programmes. We work with the individual dog, the individual owner and the circumstances they live in.
Practical Results
Training should make life better — not just produce a dog that performs behaviours in a training field.
We Train Dogs. We Empower Owners.
Ultimately, we don’t want you to become dependent on your trainer.
We want you to leave us feeling more confident, more knowledgeable and better equipped to understand your dog.
Because when you understand your dog, training becomes more than commands.
It becomes communication.
And when dog and owner learn to understand each other, that’s when real progress begins.
Welcome to IQ K9 Academy
Professional training. Behavioural understanding. Real-world experience.
Whether you’re starting from the very beginning or you’re dealing with a challenge that has left you wondering where to turn next, we’re here to help you and your dog move forward.
Because every dog deserves to be understood — and every owner deserves to feel confident in the hands of someone who knows what they’re doing.