Melissa Nicholson is a professional, insured pet dog trainer based in her 'born and bred' community.  She has been involved with dogs all her life and has a wealth of experience and knowledge to help ensure you enjoy having an obedient, loyal and happy canine friend.  Melissa prides herself on providing a friendly, successful service you will want to recommend to others and many clients return with multiple dogs.

About Melissa:

Melissa has been around dogs all her life and grew up with her local Shropshire family surrounded by horses, dogs, chickens, sheep, ducks, chickens, birds, rabbits, cats and cows.  Plus, her Mum was a passionate horse rider, experienced groom and highly respected local dog trainer.   Following a career change, for the past 15 years Melissa has been helping families and their dogs in classes, individually or in workshops.   She was a Community Education Tutor for Dog Training with North Shropshire College in Whitchurch and Oswestry teaching all levels of classes from puppies into adulthood.   She works with an average of over 70 dogs and handlers each week in over 10 classes and 121s.  Melissa has vast experience in supporting families taking their dogs successfully through The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Scheme.

Melissa is Affiliated to the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers (visit www.bipdt.org.uk) having obtained a Certificate in Basic Instructional Techniques in 2013.

She also completed an Advanced Instructors Course with Odin Canine Services, holds a 1st Class BSc (hons) Degree in Management Science having had a marketing career with Global Companies before retraining to teach dog training, has a keen interest in canine psychology and behaviour, has attained all levels of the Good Citizen Dog Scheme and the Bronze Award National Pet Code with the BIPDT.  In December 2014 gained a BTEC Level 3 Award in Education & Training (formerly PTLLS).

In May 2017, Melissa became an Approved Examiner (A2 list) for The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze  & Silver Award Tests.  As a class instructor, she is eligible to also act as an assessor for The Puppy Foundation Award.

In November 2018, Melissa passed her Canine Hoopers UK Level 1 Instructors Program and is now qualified to instruct Hoopers classes from foundations up to Beginner Competition level.

During the pandemic, Melissa adapted her teaching methods and created lots of helpful resources to help support her clients remotely and began writing monthly features for a free local publication and also offered free drop in sessions to help support families.

2021, Melissa became a Volunteer Trainer for the charity Dog A.I.D. (Dog Assistance In Disability).

Melissa enjoys attending seminars, podcasts, workshops, researching and applying fresh, fun and effective ideas.  She is currently exploring routes to further her professional qualifications.

She has also taught groundwork agility for fun (incorporating the BIPDT National Code Agility) and Heelwork To Music.   She has volunteered alongside Shropshire Council Dog Warden Service to help educate children on the safe interaction with dogs and responsible dog ownership at annual events.  Her family have also been involved in representing the Safe & Sound Scheme for The Kennel Club at Discover Dogs in 2015 and Crufts 2016.  Melissa was also a member of the Whitchurch Dog Display Team from childhood onwards.

Melissa lives with her family and 13 year old Bichon Frise 'Bobby' - rehomed when he was 10 months old - and  8 year old Golden Retriever 'Christie'; who has been with her from a puppy.  She is inspired by Heelwork To Music, obedience training and Canine Hoopers when working with her own dogs.

You may also meet Melissa's mum Carole Hill who often assesses classes.

About Carole:

Carole has Associate Membership of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers (ABIPDT) having first attained a grade with them in 1988.  She has been a Dog Handling Community Education Tutor for the North Shropshire College for over 25 years.

She was involved with the Whitchurch Dog Display Team for over 35 years.  Carole has been training every possible breed/type of dog for over 40 years and has a significantly long and successful personal CV with numerous wins and placings in breed showing, working trials, agility, Display Team and Heelwork To Music (HTM).

Carole has supported hundreds of dog and handler teams through The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme each year, has owned a Pets As Therapy (P-A-T) Dog and has represented the Good Citizen Dog Scheme at Crufts.

She is also an Examiner for all levels of The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme (B list).