Mindful Mutts Training: Dog Training in North East Derbyshire

hi, i'm ally

I live on the edge of the Peak District and, when I'm not working with dogs, you'll usually find me bagging an Ethel, tapping a trig point, or hunting down a well-earned Sunday lunch in a local pub.

If I'm not up a hill somewhere, you'll probably find me at our allotment, knitting over a coffee at Nibbles, Needles & Hooks, or trying to convince Otis that he doesn't need to get in every bog we pass.

Dogs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I spent a lot of time around family members who owned dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds. Despite desperately wanting one of my own, my parents were sensible enough to know that family life was busy and that we didn't have the time a dog deserved.

That didn't stop my love of animals though. Over the years I've been lucky enough to take care of three cats, two rabbits, numerous hamsters, fish and even two turtles.

Those early experiences taught me that every animal is an individual, with their own quirks, personalities and needs. It's a belief that still shapes how I work with dogs today.

cue Otis...

Dog wearing a blue dinosaur-themed raincoat and a muzzle on a muddy path.

After what felt like endless research, I finally took the plunge and adopted Otis, a one-year-old Sprocker Spaniel. According to the internet, he was going to be the perfect adventure buddy; energetic enough for life in the Peak District, intelligent, trainable and always ready for the next challenge.

The reality was very different. What followed was a steep learning curve in understanding behaviour, building trust and learning to see the world through Otis' eyes. It taught me that dogs don't read the breed descriptions on the internet, and that every dog arrives with their own experiences, challenges and needs. My mental health took a plummet, leading me down a wild path of dog training, which ultimately resulted in an ADHD diagnosis. I talk more about our journey on the Honest Hounds Podcast.

Two muddy dogs sitting on a wet, grassy field.

Then we found honest hounds

Before that, we'd worked with multiple trainers and spent hundreds of pounds trying to find the missing piece of the puzzle. Some of the advice helped, and some of it stuck, but I still felt like something wasn't quite clicking. We were making progress, but I couldn't figure out what was missing.

After quietly following Honest Hounds for a while, I finally booked onto my first Neutral Walk. Something changed, I felt like I had a community and what followed was a Behavioural Assessment, then Reactivity Reset, and eventually the opportunity to lead my own Neutral Walks.

For the first time, I felt like I was learning to truly understand the dog in front of me, rather than trying to fit him into a training formula. As Otis grew in confidence, so did my curiosity. I wanted to know more, to understand the science behind behaviour, why certain approaches worked, and how stronger partnerships between dogs and their humans could create lasting change.

A woman in a red jacket training four dogs in a wooded area.

At the back end of 2025, I enrolled on the Honest Hounds' Science of Partnership programme, immersing myself in learning about behaviour, communication and relationships. The more I learned, the more it ignited my passion and I wanted to help others navigate the same challenges I'd faced.

In 2026, I took the next step and enrolled on the Honest Hounds Trainer Mentorship Programme, continuing to deepen my understanding of partnership, behaviour and the relationship between dogs and their people. Today, that journey shapes everything I do at Mindful Mutts.

our philosophy

My approach combines my background in human coaching with a partnership-led philosophy, helping owners understand the "why" behind their dog's behaviour rather than simply commanding for obedience.

Your dog's wellbeing will always be a priority, but so is yours. Living with a dog can sometimes feel chaotic, frustrating and downright exhausting, especially when things aren't going to plan. Training shouldn't add more pressure to your life.

Rather than expecting dogs to simply follow commands, I help them learn skills they can use in everyday life; whether that's checking in with their handler, settling calmly, navigating distractions or making good choices around other dogs and people.

I focus on creating practical, achievable solutions that support both you and your dog, helping you find more confidence, more understanding and a little more calm in the chaos. Helping you train for the life you want to lead.

hi, i'm ally

cue Otis...

Then we found honest hounds

our philosophy

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