who we are
Nutter Dogs started back in 2017, when we began running basic dog training and trick training classes.
By April 2018, we’d gone full time.
Since then, things have grown rather a lot.
What started as a few training classes has turned into a whole Nutter Dogs world of training, agility, mantrailing, social groups, running, adventures and – most importantly – helping people and their dogs become better teams.
And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Meet the team
Sophie Smith IMDT – Head Dog Trainer & Chief Nutter
Sophie is the driving force behind Nutter Dogs, and is passionate about helping people and their dogs become the very best team they can be.
Her approach combines plenty of support with a healthy dose of sarcasm – because sometimes the best way through a tricky training session is a laugh, a bit of perspective and someone telling you that, yes, your dog is being ridiculous.
Sophie believes in pushing both dogs and their humans to achieve more, while never losing sight of the bigger picture. Training isn’t about chasing perfection or ticking boxes; it’s about building confidence, understanding your dog and creating a partnership that works in real life.
She has high standards, expects plenty from the teams she works with and will absolutely encourage you to do more than you thought you could – but she’ll be there to help you get there too.
When she’s not teaching, you’ll usually find Sophie at an agility show, training her own dogs, running with them or generally finding another way to make life more complicated with dogs.
Tina Smith – Admin
Tina is the person making sure everything behind the scenes actually happens.
She keeps the admin under control while everyone else is busy training dogs, and is often the first port of call when you get in touch with Nutter Dogs.
She’s helpful, organised and very good at making sure nothing gets forgotten.
Clare Connolly – Agility Trainer
Clare combines patience, kindness and a serious love of agility with an equally serious love of cocker spaniels. The more crazy the dog, the more Clare is excited by them!
She particularly enjoys helping dogs and handlers build their confidence and skills, whether they’re brand new to agility or already competing, and loves seeing teams discover just how much they can achieve together.
When she’s not teaching, Clare is usually at an agility show, training her own dogs or generally doing something involving a spaniel.
Helen Howe – Agility Trainer
Our newest recruit, Helen is already a familiar face to many of our agility members – the face of Team Labrador!
She’s a keen agility enthusiast herself and brings plenty of experience, enthusiasm and encouragement to our sessions. Helen particularly enjoys working with our beginner agility teams, helping dogs and handlers get to grips with the basics and discover just how much fun agility can be.
When she’s not teaching, you’ll usually find Helen doing something agility-related with one of her Labradors.
Basically, if there’s a Labrador nearby, Helen probably knows about it.
Amber Ratcliffe IMDT – Dog Trainer
Amber is our resident scent enthusiast and is happiest when there’s a dog, a scent trail and a challenge involved.
She’s passionate about all things scentwork related – mantrailing, tracking, trailing. If it involves a dog using their nose, she’s there! She absolutely loves finding ways for dogs to use the incredible skills they’ve already got built in.
Amber brings plenty of enthusiasm to her sessions and is particularly interested in giving dogs an outlet for their natural behaviours, while helping their humans understand just how much their dogs can achieve.
When she’s not teaching, you’ll probably find Amber doing something with her own dogs – following a trail, enjoying some agility, and giving Sophie plenty of back chat!
We’re serious about doing things properly
We love having fun.
But we’re also serious about the standard of training we provide.
The Nutter Dogs team are all:
- Fully insured
- First aid trained for both people and dogs
- Experienced with dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds and personalities
We also believe in continuing to learn. Dog training isn’t a field where you ever really finish learning – and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
Everyone’s welcome
There shouldn’t be barriers to getting good help with your dog.
We’re proud to welcome people of all genders, ethnicities and sexual orientations, and our training venues are wheelchair accessible.
You don’t need to have the “perfect” dog.
You don’t need to know exactly what you’re doing.
And you definitely don’t need to apologise for your dog being a bit of a nutter.
That’s rather the point.
So whether you’re looking for help with training, want to try something completely new with your dog, or just want to meet some other slightly dog-obsessed people… You’ve found your people.