Our Staff
Susanne - Founder
Susanne has been involved in training and dog sport for over 30 yrs.
She is an Accredited Canine Behaviourist (CAB) a full practicing member of International Canine Behaviourists, and an active member of UK Dog Behaviour and training charter. She holds a level 5 ILM in Business & Management, and a psychology degree. Susanne is the founder of PupMinders dog walkers and DogHampton, a behaviour and training company based in the midlands that specialise in scent sports, she is also the creator of the Scent Cadet programme, aimed at nurturing puppies natural scenting ability and developing it into skills needed in the scent sports world. Mantrailing and scent sport has such a massive impact on a dog's behaviour Susanne uses them to help reactive and rescue dogs overcome behavioural issues.
Her current qualifications: Head Instructor & Assessor with Mantrailing UK. Scentwork UK Trainer, Judge and Trials manager. UK College of scent dogs qualified trainer. UK College of scent dogs tracking instructor. World Scent Dog Association (WSDA) instructor. Trainer with the IMDT, Ppg registered, UK Dog Sports Trainer and Trials manager. Real Dog Yoga Instructor with the school of canine science.
Ewan (The hubby!)
Canine Concierge
When Susanne started PupMinders in 2014 in his spare time Ewan helped wherever he could, this gave him the opportunity to get hands on experience and gave him the incentive to study and expand his knowledge.
In 2018 he completed the IMDT level 4 OCN qualification in canine behaviour. Which has enabled him to not only speak ‘dog’ but more importantly 'read it', He is also qualified in Canine nutrition and has completed a diploma in alternative holistic therapies in canine welfare and wellbeing.
Ewan continues to assist in growing both businesses alongside his day-to-day job, in 2020 he qualified as a Mantrailing Uk Instructor in his own right and now spends all of his spare time Trailing. He not only assists in Mantrailing Advanced sessions but leads progression and Introductions sessions on his own.
In 2021 he will be leading our one-to-one advanced Mantrailing skills workshops.
Jan
Jan has always worked with animals starting with three days event competition with her horses at the age of 14 . Her career included working as a veterinary nurse and a dog warden . She spent many years as an assistance dog trainer for Dogs for Good, then progressed to being in charge of the training team, before becoming 'staff training officer' . Shes had the privilege of training multiple species such as chickens, giraffes and big cats abroad to broaden her training skills as well as being seconded to Irish Guide dogs to facilitate the training of a dual assistance dog. She has a degree in Animal behaviour welfare and management , and gained a behaviour qualification with the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology . More recently she has qualified as a Mantrailing UK instructor and a Scentwork UK trainer.
In 2021 Jan will qualify as a Search Dog handler with Canine Principles, complete her City and Guilds Search dog handler course with UKCSD and will be taking the SWUK judge's course.
She loves training dogs especially in anything scent related and is very passionate about progressing and developing handler and dog teams to the best of their ability, ensuring everything is fun and positive.
Tricia
Areas covered
: Bugbrooke, Kislingbury & Stowe
I started with PupMinders in 2016 as a dog walker. I had always wanted a dog since moving to Northamptonshire, but my partner is scared of them. This was a great way to be near dogs without owning one. After gently persuading hubby we rescued a dog, Aster at the tail end of 2018. My work has helped loads with training her and understanding her needs. I would love to learn more on the different ways to train a dog and learn about body language. I will hopefully be training in scent works this year.
Emily
Areas covered
: Weedon, Dodford & Flore
I joined PupMinders in 2018 and its the perfect way to spend my day. I've grown up with numerous animals, cats, horses, gerbils, etc but always had dogs. Currently I have three and our favourite past time is walking for hours and miles. I enjoy spending time and getting lost with the dogs as they're the calmest companions to find your way home with. Working towards the future, I am now looking at doing more canine sports and perhaps competing alongside our walks, and maybe even a bit of dog grooming in the future.
Vicki
Areas covered : Weedon
I have always had a deep love for animals since childhood, having various pets over the years. I have two young sons aged 5 and 8, and a fur baby Nika the French Bulldog.I'm currently studying for a Veterinary Nursing Assistant Diploma with an aim to train as a Veterinary Nurse. Being able to work for Pupminders part-time is a fantastic opportunity to gain professional experience working with animals.I am very excited to be part of this team and to finally be working towards something I am passionate about.
Melinda
Areas covered : Maidford, Stowe & Weedon
Melinda joined us in 2019 and is currently taking her canine behavioural level 3 diploma. "I’ve had a passion for dogs since I was a child - playing with and raising everything from Jack Russells to Great Danes! I bought my first family dog, Benson (Springador) when he was a puppy and he’s now 10 years old. When I felt the time was right, my second lovely dog, Lady (Pointer X) hopped onto a plane and flew into Gatwick from Cyprus Dog Rescue to join us as in her forever home. I love, both spending time with and caring for them, inside and outside, even in the rain! I’ve always wanted to work with dogs, so I’m thrilled to be a part of the PupMinders Team and look forward to caring for your special four legged friends"!
Angela
Areas covered : Daventry
Growing up, our family pets were Border Collies, including two litters of puppies and many dog-friendly hiking holidays in Scotland and Wales, so I’ve always felt very at home being around energetic dogs. I love animals and feel very attuned to their characteristics and quirks, although family pets have been limited to hamsters in recent years, I've always loved being around all sorts of animals. I have two young children, Evie aged 8 and Ethan aged 3 and working part-time for Pupminders is an absolute joy - providing flexibility, fresh air and plenty of fun in the great outdoors! I’m really proud to be a part of this professional and dedicated team and look forward to meeting your dogs whilst walking in the fresh air.
Verity
Areas covered
: Kislingbury
I love all animals and enjoy caring for them to the best of my ability. I have 3 dogs one is now 14, another is an ex-breeder rescue, my third is a people reactive dog who I am trying my hardest to train out of her fears. I also have a parrot who I have tricked trained and enjoy spending time with. I feel my calmest and happiest around animals they are so amazingly therapeutic. I believe just because you work doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to enjoy the company of animals. That’s why I enjoy dog walking as it means that I get to meet lots of amazing animals and that families can have an animal even with a busier lifestyle. Your pets will be in best care with me.
Bella
Junior Helper
Bella has grown up around the multitude of pets our family own but has also relished in meeting all of our wonderful clients' animals too. She adores all animals and regularly helps at our summer fetes and dog shows, agility and training sessions, last year she met Noel Fitzpatrick and he has inspired her to become a vet when she leaves school.