Testimonials

What others are saying...

Clive Adams - 17th August '23

"Excellent unhurried initial discussion on the issues affecting our dog. First 121 arranged without any delay. Really looking forward to working towards improving our dog’s weaker points."

Kirstie Di Stazio - 4th Aug'23

"I recently undertook dog training for my 2 year old Maltipoo who was a nervous and anxious dog. Catriona came to meet Oscar and suggested the adolescence class, where Oscar met other dogs with similar challenges. The six week course helped Oscar to develop greater confidence and to make some friends too. It also taught me a lot about dog behaviour and a greater understanding of my dog which allows me to do the best for Oscar. Catriona is super passionate about dogs and has a deep understanding of dog behaviour. I would highly recommend training with Catriona."

Toni Vella-Sultana - 24th July'23

"We have done two seperate courses with Catriona - Scent Work with my Jack Russel and Man trailing with my Spaniel. We found Catriona to be incredibly passionate and knowledgable. She always puts the needs of the dog first and delivers her training in a clear and structured way that makes it easy for attendees to follow and then implement at home. She clearly knows how to read your dogs body language and this enables you to get the most out of your dog by ensuring that training sessions are fun and productive for both of you."

Sally Allison - 24th Jun'23

"We met Catriona for the first time, after having some issues with our reactive dog, it was a brilliant first meeting and we couldn't be happier as our pup is much more relaxed and listening to commands. We've had ongoing sessions and cant believe we have our Boy back. Thank you!"

Jay Fitzgerald - 20th Jun'23

Lucy Wilson - 24th April '23

"What a great intro to Mantrailing for me and my puppy! He loved it, perfect sniffing magic for his clever brain. Catriona was great and her enthusiasm will make you want to sign up for more."

Ellie Holmes - 22nd April '23

Eileen Sargent - 17th April '23

"Catriona, just to say Lace and I were lucky to spend the morning with you Mantrailing. I was quite prepared to spend the morning just putting her in and out of the car for our turns with no trailing. How different it was! She was even excited to put her harness on again so that I could adjust the fit which was brilliant. Thank you for making Sunday's workshop so enjoyable for Lacey and myself. Thank you for being you."

'Pinky" Prior - 12th April'23

David Rowe - 30th March '23

"Catriona has helped so much. In one session, she gave me the tools to help train my Cocker Spaniel from a demon to a pleasant, loyal companion. Highly recommend! I've been doing the Challenge and trying it in with his (gun-dog) training and it's working wonders! Already he's a better dog! Plus, the training sessions are short and sweet. I'm now noticing the second he is a bit tired, I reset him and we chill out or go home for a sleep and it's working. No more being a looney!"

Andrew Marriage - 6th March '23

"Practical and thorough. Very helpful."

Sally Griffiths - 18th Feb'23

"Thanks for your time and efforts in helping us to support Bruno.  I feel I have so many ideas, now, how to interact and play with him and enjoy his company even more because of this. Several of the activities you have shown us have already got us out of tricky situations when walking... and more than once. We are still working through all your suggestions and have completely 'ditched the bowl' .  We still often run out of food rations for games on really enthusiastic days!"

Madelief Boon - 14th Feb'23

"Best dog trainer, who definitely knows what she is talking about, ever. Our rescued dog Peaches struggled with anxiety and she did not know how to relax. Catriona from A Pawsitive Step has changed Peaches’s life forever and we are so thankful. We’ve had four one-one sessions at home and I highly recommend this form of training. I’ve felt not only Peaches, but also my partner and I were in good hands. The change our little darling shows on a day to day basis is incredible. We received all the tools we needed to continue the training on days she did not visit us. We’ve had a perfect experience."

Pagan Hopkinson - 25th Jan '23

"The service, attitude and quality of training was very good. Catriona was clear and knowledgable. Understood Spike and our issues."

Ebony Bryant - 17th Jan '23

"I worked 1-1 with Catriona to help with my very excitable cocker spaniel.. and all I can say is wow! She used methods that were easy to follow and teach to my pup, all methods were done using positive reinforcement which I loved!!
Catriona had such a lovely approach that my dog responded to straight away.
10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone who needs to work on disengagement / focus / obedience with their adolescent pup!"

Georgie & Rob - 10th Jan ’23

“What Catriona has taught us has been invaluable. We are working on Tito’s anxiety and giving him lots more time out sessions which seem to be helping a great deal. Kevin has come on leaps and bounds, he thrives off the games Catriona taught us and has learned to calm much more. Kevin now has the run of the downstairs when we are home which shows how much he has come on in a short space of time. We’d like to thank Catriona for her help, she’s really made a difference to our home.”

Kate Lucas - 9th Jan ‘23

“We found Catriona every helpful and enthusiastic, she has a brilliant knowledge of dog behaviour. Arlo our 7 month old Italian pointer loved his sessions and got lots out of it.”

Ed Drummond - 10th Dec '22

“Catriona clearly has so much passion for dogs and helps you to understand their behaviour and how to cater to their needs.”

Dennis G - 1st Nov '22

“The sessions have been effective and we can see good progress in our nine year old dog that we adopted when she was eight. At time of writing we have three of eight sessions to go. We have tried another trainer before but that person was nowhere near as good as A Pawsitive Step.”

Chris, Sarah and Bree - 9th Oct '22

“Catriona has been such fun to work with. We have rehomed a six year old patterdale and Catriona has helped us understand her anxieties and given us confidence to use the training tips she has taught us. Bree enjoys the games and is much calmer already. Thank you!”

Julian Barrett - 3rd Oct '22

“My wife had a long initial conversation with Catriona over the phone and found her to be highly knowledgeable and someone we look forward to working with to help give our new puppy the training it needs.”

Kris and Alison - 2nd Oct '22

“Catriona has been so lovely to work with. In the 4 weeks she has been working with us we have noticed a difference and even had comments on the change in behaviour in our dog. It’s a long road but Catriona has given us the building blocks to keep us going to allow our dog to be the best he can be. We would definitively recommend her skills.”

Vanessa Cheesman - 14th Sept '22

"A perfectly timed call from Catriona after another difficult walk with our recent new arrival to the family.
I felt she understood the issues we were having, and it was lovely of her to fit an hours training in the same day. Very much appreciated, as was her approach to our new family member. Just the depth of knowledge and reassurance that was needed. We’ll be back for more!"

"When we Rescued a GSP, our 20 plus years previous knowledge of the breed was tested to the limit.All the usual Methods just had little impact on our very loved boy, it was pretty much his way or nothing!We needed Help! Where do you go? I spotted a small ad in our local Connections magazine, A Pawsitive Step ,a quick google ,a message left ,a call promptly returned and after an amazingly informative call 6 Training sessions booked and easily paid for online. One spring evening enter Catriona! A very excited GSP soon engaged, a chat about behaviour ,our goals, a plan of action forming. A a couple of games demonstrated and into put into action. Lots of helpfull advice, a nudge in the right direction and wow our busy boy was listening and engaging. Homework set? Yes, you get Homework. We could not wait for week 2. Our 6 weeks were spent constructively building on the skills learnt,behaviour improved and  a step back if needed, but a lot of pawsitive steps forward our boy were amazing.Our time with Catriona; a lovely, engaging & knowledgable person. The 6 weeks were over so quickly! The help, advice and training has been invaluable to us all.

The answer to all of your questions are::  YES!

Do I need help with my dog? Do I think A Pawsitive Step can help?Would I recommend Catriona? Will my dog enjoy it? Will it genuinely help? Is it Value for Money?

Make the call and enjoy your Pawsitive Steps!"

"Catriona quickly developed a rapport with my Shih Tzu and gave me very useful advice on nutrition and games to play to help with barking and recall. My neighbours have already said she's much quieter! An excellent trainer. Thank you."

"We are at the start of training but I am very impressed. Catriona is very knowledgeable and able to communicate with us without being condescending. My dog is also enjoying her new games. We've booked in for scent detection too and can't wait to start."

Suzanne Eyres - 25th Jun '22

"Customer Service and Quality are great. Fantastic appointment. Learned so much. Looking forward to the next one. Feel much more confident now."

David Sampson - 1 Jun '22

"Really informative. Set our mind at rest and made me feel less hopeless. Catriona feels we can really make headway as an owner and a family unit. Thank you, Catriona!"

Steve Pryor - 19 May '22

"Positive attitude, friendly and skilled. Great helping our fear reactive Rescue dog and socialise her with other dogs too."

"We would highly recommend the training our puppy Maggie has received from trainer Catriona at A PAWSITIVE STEP. Our puppy Maggie had a great time attending the one hour session once a week over a six week duration and we would highly recommend these classes to any one with a new puppy. The gentle training has made a world of difference to Maggie’s life skill development.

Catriona has a kind and professional approach to us and our puppy that was truly impressive and Maggie seemed to respond to her puppy tools and training methods.Maggie has now completed her puppy training and we have now embarked on “ PAWSITIVE LIFESKILLS” once a week training and fun sessions.

Thank you Catriona for giving us the tools to have 'a pawsitive beginning' with our dog."

Karen Hawker - 13 Mar '22

"I found working with Catriona from A Pawsitive Step, very helpful. She is a really lovely lady and clearly knows her stuff. It was great to learn and understand why my dogs were behaving the way they were. I really enjoyed learning new ways in which to teach them to disengaged, work on their frustration and to learn calmness. The dogs really enjoy all the new concept game and it amazing how working on these really changes the dogs behaviours."

"It has been a joy working with Catriona. She is so passionate about her work and, in just 3 sessions, has been able to change how we interact with our dog to make sure that he is feeling fulfilled. She has also given us a number of tools to help him to stay calm when he feels aroused, such as when visitors come. Working with Catriona has been the best thing we've ever done for our dog."

"Absolutely fantastic. More and beyond what I expected. Very pleased. Looking forward to next few meetings!"

Lyn McLaren  - 30 Dec '21

"Catriona has been an amazing help already just from our first conversation. I'm really looking forward to working with her and learning more about what goes on in my dog's head!"