Hey There

Hello there!

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I’m Leah, the trainer and educator behind Hecate Training Academy. I share my life with two amazing rescue dogs who inspired both my journey into dog training and my logo: Gizmo, a Malamute, and Dobby, an Elkhound. Gizmo is a resource guarder and a frustration reactive dog who also struggles with separation anxiety, while Dobby is an ex-puppy farm breeding bitch who spent four years isolated in a shed and is extremely fearful of the outside world. She is slowly building confidence at her own pace. Supporting them motivated me to educate myself extensively and ultimately pursue a career helping dogs and owners navigate their unique challenges.

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My dogs were also the inspiration behind my logo. Gizmo and Dobby’s unique personalities and journeys influenced the design and ethos of Hecate Training Academy. The name “Hecate” was chosen because of my lifelong love of animals combined with my fascination with mythology; Hecate is a figure associated with guidance, protection, and transformation—qualities I aim to bring to every dog and owner I work with.

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A little about me: I originally worked in Mental Health and have always been fascinated by human behaviour. After COVID, I retrained and completed my FdSc in Animal Welfare at the University of South Wales, while working as an Animal Welfare Assistant at the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Newport.

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I then moved into dog training, working as a Dog School Coach for Dogs Trust in Bristol. During my time there, I delivered classes to up to 100 dogs a week, teaching puppies, adolescents, adults, rescue dogs, and reactive dogs, alongside 1:1 sessions. The Dog School closed in summer 2025, which allowed me to spread my wings and return to South Wales to offer training independently, as my previous contract had prevented me from working outside Dogs Trust.

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I am Level 3 Training and Behaviour qualified, Level 3 Assistance Dog Training qualified with the International School of Canine Psychology, and have recently started my Level 6 qualification in Advanced Canine Behaviour with the British College of Canine Studies. I have over 500 hours of CPD and continually keep up to date with the most current methods and education. This gives me a deep understanding not only of how dogs learn, but also of how people learn, allowing me to adapt my teaching style to suit each owner’s learning preferences.

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I’m passionate about force-free, science-backed training because kindness works. My goal is to make support accessible, affordable, and tailored to each owner and dog.

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I’m fully first aid qualified and insured, and certificates can be provided for peace of mind. Please feel free to reach out with any questions—I’d love to help you and your dog achieve your goals.

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Our Ethos

 

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to your dog’s welfare, your learning, and making training accessible for all. We believe that every dog deserves kind, positive guidance, and every owner deserves the tools and confidence to succeed. Using the latest science-backed, evidence-based techniques, we create training that is effective, enjoyable, and tailored to your dog’s needs. We are passionate about making high-quality training flexible, affordable, and achievable, so that all dogs and their owners can thrive — no matter their lifestyle, budget, or experience level.