My Library Home Training Workshops About Christina's Dogs
Contact

Christina Oxtoby - Event Dogs Founder and Head of Training & Behaviour

  • 25 years studying dog body language & behaviour, and over 20 years experience working professionally with thousands of dogs and people in reward-based training & behaviour (including training classes, behavioural consultations, lectures, apprenticeships, workshops, coaching, & social walks)
  • Multiple dog trainers taught and mentored as previous Head of Training & Behaviour for 5 Training & Behaviour centres covering Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire & Nottinghamshire (Team members included vets, behaviourists, vet nurses, teacher, canine massage & physiotherapist , and centres had Kennel Club Listed Status. Team members also included members of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers UK,) UKRCB (UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists,) and the APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.) 
  • Previous in-house training & behaviour consultant for a veterinary practice.
  • Over 65 specialist courses taken resulting in multiple areas of specialist knowledge, and 25 years of ongoing professional development resulting in knowledge that crosses between training and behaviour. 
  • Training specialist in Heelwork-to-Music - 5 times Crufts HTM finalist, twice British Team member HTM European Championships, HTM Crufts Judge, International HTM Judge. (Christina has also previously competed in obedience and agility)

Christina has learnt from a wide variety of speakers and courses over the last 25 years. More than anything though, she has learnt from the few thousand dogs that she has helped to train, and maintains that new dog trainers need both education and experience. (This was something that she offered as Head of Training and Behaviour with ICC's apprenticeship programme that lasted several years with ongoing training and support.) Her most treasured teachers are her own dogs, and she has lived in a multi-dog household since 2001 and currently shares her life with her (very patient) Husband and 5 dogs. 

Ethics - All training is based on modern, reward-based training methods and is designed to be as stress-free and enjoyable as possible for dogs and owners - it is very important to us that dogs and owners have an enjoyable time on our courses. No check chains, slip leads, prong collars, shock collars or harsh handling are allowed on our courses. (Note - we do believe in being ethical to people as well as dogs however, and will assess the needs of both. In some cases we do see dogs bullying their people or being highly inappropriate, and therefore we are not a training centre that never says 'no' to them - dogs need love and guidance which includes kindly but clearly saying 'no' at times, having first taught them a more appropriate behaviour. This is only in rare, individual cases and is not generally how we teach but every dog / person combination is different and we tailor our training to the individuals we see.) Christina's approach to this is "Common Sense and Kindness." 

 

 

Stay Connected

 

Keep up to date with our latest courses and events. (You also get the best offers, discounts, and give aways just to say thank you for being here with us.)