I’m here to help you connect more deeply with your dog, while supporting you in reaching your training and behaviour goals.
I know how it feels…
We all have an ideal dog in mind when we bring them home. Most of us dream of long walks in the park, leisurely pub lunches, and being able to leave them at home calmly so we can enjoy time with friends.
When I first brought my dog, Shadow, home, he suffered from severe separation anxiety and was reactive towards certain people. I couldn’t leave him alone, and I could barely take him anywhere either. It was a catch-22 — frustrating, exhausting, and isolating for us both.
But while there were many challenges, I also discovered something unexpected: the positives.
By focusing on how Shadow communicated, I learned how to connect with him more deeply. I found the activities that suited him, discovered more about his personality, and honed in on what he truly enjoyed.
And along the way, I realised just how much our relationship was strengthening — and how his confidence was slowly growing.
Pablo’s story
“We booked Zaira for her 4-week course to help with our dog’s separation anxiety, and she went way beyond our expectations. Throughout the course she remained calm, professional, and extremely supportive, even when training was difficult.
We’ve learnt an enormous amount about our dog and his personality, as well as about dog behaviour in general. We now feel armed with the knowledge to keep building on this training. We would not hesitate to recommend Zaira to anyone looking for help with their dog’s separation anxiety”
My journey as a trainer
As my relationship with Shadow grew stronger, I realised I was learning just as much from him as he was from me. Our connection was built on respect, acceptance, and listening to each other, rather than focusing on the negatives. Along the way, I discovered just how capable he was when I took the time to listen and truly communicate with him.
I became fascinated. I wanted to learn more, do more, teach more… and that’s how my journey as a trainer began.
I went on to become a certified separation anxiety specialist and positive dog trainer, helping others build trusting, compassionate relationships with their dogs, while also supporting dogs to feel calmer, happier, and more at ease in the world.
My Qualifications
I am a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behaviour Consultant (CSAP-BC), trained with Julie Naismith. I’m also a Certified Dog Trainer (VSA-CDT) through the Victoria Stilwell Academy, and I hold a Certificate in Advanced Animal Training (Karolina Westlund).
Share your experience
I’d love to hear about your experience working with me and your dog. Your feedback helps me improve my separation anxiety support and continue making a difference for more dogs and their humans. If you have a moment, please leave a review.
Thank you so much!
Am I right for you and your dog?
If the following feels aligned with your goals, then I may be the right trainer to support you:
You want to connect with your dog on a deeper level and build a relationship based on respect and collaboration.
You’re looking for only positive, force-free training methods — including specialist support for separation anxiety.
You’d like to better understand your dog’s body language and communicate more effectively with them.
You want to recognise and support your dog’s emotional states and needs, especially around anxiety and stress.
You’d like to work with a trainer who understands first-hand the challenges of separation anxiety — and how to overcome them with patience and empathy.
Ready to begin your journey with separation anxiety training or positive dog training? Get in touch today!
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“I couldn’t be more satisfied with Zaira! Professional and caring, she helped me so much to understand my puppy’s needs. She trained both Aimi (and me!) with such love and patience. My little Aimi and I simply adore her. I can’t thank her enough and absolutely recommend her!”