About Doherty Dog Services
Doherty Dog Services was originally started by me, Laura Doherty, in March 2019, after I noticed a lack of force free dog walkers in Folkestone, Kent. My partner Dan and I struggled to find someone knowledgeable in modern, force free training methods. We wanted someone who would not only walk our Sprocker Spaniel puppy Duke Silver, but also reinforce the training we’d worked hard on at home. We realized that we couldn’t be the only ones with this problem, so Doherty Dog Services was born!
Laura
Within a month of starting to walk and care for the lovely dogs of Folkestone, I realized that my passion was dog training. I started studying with the Absolute Dogs Training Academy and am also working towards the Ofqual Level 5 in Canine Care & Behaviour Award, due to complete in the Spring of 2024. I have a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Canterbury Christ Church University. Here I studied Animal Cognition and Behaviour-including a week observing sheep on Lundy Island!
Before starting to work with dogs in 2019, Laura worked with babies and children across a number of settings (nurseries, schools, hospitals) after qualifying with a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education in 2011.
Dan
In November 2019, Dan left his construction job in London to join Doherty Dog Services. Dan has always been most comfortable roaming the great outdoors and had loved joining Laura and the gang for adventures whenever possible over the past eight months. Like Laura, he grew up in a house full of animals including cats, chincillas, terrapins and of course, dogs.
Dan has attended a number of training workshops and trainings with Laura which inform his dog walking and is certified in Canine First Aid.
Laura and Dan are also the proud parents of two little (human!) boys and a six year old Sprocker Spaniel. All our lads make regular appearances on our social media and can usually be found having adventures and making mischief!
Claire
Claire joined the team as a dog walker in February 2014. She’s a huge dog lover and has her own German Shepherd, Casper. Claire is fully insured and will soon be undertaking a canine first aid training. She runs group walks Monday- Friday and has a few spaces available for friendly, sociable dogs in her groups.
Doherty Dog Services
Laura will be available for training sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays when she returns from maternity leave in January 2025. Dan and Claire are available for walks Monday to Friday. We are insured for all services, DBS checked and have up to date Canine First Aid Training certificates.
Doherty Dog Services are committed to a force free, positive approach to canine coaching and this principle of reward based training forms the ethos of all our services. You can trust that Laura, Dan and Claire will always ensure the safety, welfare and happiness of your dog.