1:1
Dog
Training

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Testimonials

Hi, I'm
Claire Hardie

I am a dog trainer and behaviourist based in Falkirk, central Scotland.

I have an MSci in Veterinary Bioscience from the University of Glasgow, which has given me a detailed understanding of the physical and psychological development of our companion animals as well as a background in nutrition, husbandry, and animal welfare. I am a fully accredited member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) (Claire Paton, membership no. 01549), registered with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC-ATI), and a member of the Pet Professionals Guild (PPG).

My background in science and research has equipped me with a passion for learning, and I am continually working to expand my knowledge and appreciation of training techniques and keep abreast of the latest advances in the field of behaviour science. I believe in ethical, force-free, reward-driven methods which empower our pets to make good choices and teach them how to live alongside us, instead of punishing them for getting things wrong.

I have two dogs of my own, both podencos rescued through Podencos In Need Scotland (PINS).

Podencos are intelligent, complicated, emotional dogs, and my boys have been instrumental in helping me reform and perfect my rewards-based training methods.

They have also led to me working regularly with imported rescues from many different countries - our foreign rescue dogs face many unique challenges on top of those faced by native breeds.

Hazel Bankier

June 2024

Claire has been fantastic at helping with our puppy. Helping us to understand particular behaviours and why they happen has been very informative. Claire has given us strategies to manage puppy's outbursts towards our older dog and these has reduced significantly. Claire has shown us how to manage puppy's constant need to interact with other dogs on walks and also working on how to stop him pulling on the lead Considering he is 68lbs already we needed help to stop the pulling this is a working progress and her advice on leads etc is brilliant. Look forward to continue working with Claire.
definitely would recommend to others, Claire doesn't just train she helps you understand dog behaviours and body language.

Karen Richer

March 2024

I adopted a Podenco from Spain who had issues with anxiety causing her to lunge and show what looked like aggression towards people, other dogs, bikes and anything that moved near us. She pulled me off my feet a handful of times too so initially I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep her... Claire from Follow My Lead was instrumental in us being able to keep our dog...We did 1:1 training then group training with other dogs. Claire not only helped my dog but she helped me... [she] was so rational and made me feel under less pressure which is what I needed in order to help my dog. If it wasn’t for Claire I have no doubt we wouldn’t have been able to keep our dog because I wouldn’t have had the tools or resilience to withstand her behavioural issues.

Rab Muir

March 2024

[Puppy class] was the perfect class for our young pup. Claire has a great understanding of all the varying breeds and their behaviours and tailored each week at class to suit. She provided follow up tutorials and videos to help keep the training going when in the home environment.

We also benefited from a one to one session where she came to the house and was able to give us her time, knowledge and expertise to concentrate on the areas that needed the most work.

It’s been a great learning curve for us and Maia and it has made such a difference her behaviour and to how we deal with training.

Would highly recommend Claire and Follow my Lead to anyone seeking puppy or dog training.