My name is Karen Adams (APDT 01060, CAP2) and I am the trainer and behaviour adviser at K9 Paws.
I have always had a deep love for dogs and in 1999 I became a volunteer for the RSPCA Halifax District and Branch. I went on to be employed as their Training and Behaviour Adviser where I worked with dogs on a practical level every day and give advice to owners to either help dogs remain in their current homes or help dogs to settle into their new homes.
I now devote my time to Beagle Welfare where I am the Area Officer for Yorkshire, again giving advice to owners or re-homing hounds that can no longer stay in their home.
Seeing all the dogs that come into rescue centres and the reasons for them being handed over made me realise how important it was that owners and puppies get off to the best possible start in life so in 2004 I joined ‘Puppy School’ and became a Puppy School Tutor for one of the UK’s leading behaviourists Gwen Bailey, running puppy training and socialisation courses. I am now a regional manager with Puppy School for the Yorkshire area and offer support and advice to new tutors.
Over the years I have attended many training and behaviour courses with some of the UK’s leading trainers and behaviourists and I am currently completing a degree in canine training and behaviour at Bishop Burton College. I am a full member of The UK Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT 01060) and a student member of The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. I am also a member of the Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme and The Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Group (CABTSG).
I have a deep love of clicker training and have completed my CAP 1 and CAP 2 Certification and am working towards achieving CAP 3 and CAP 4 in the near future. I am also in the process of training my Italian Spinone to work as a gun dog using reward based clicker training.
I am currently studying for a Diploma in Clinical Canine Massage as I believe that some dogs maybe suffering from a physical discomfort rather than a training issue.
I own 5 beagles and 1 Italian Spinone, three of which work have worked with me on behaviour cases in the past and have helped with the rehabilitation and socialisation of many dogs. All five of my dogs enjoy training in obedience, heelwork to music, agility and scent work.
