About Jennie

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Hi, I’m Jennie Shaw — a COAPE-qualified Behaviourist and Trainer, and a member of CAPTi and the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter.

I’ve worked with animals for most of my life — horses, dogs, cats… if it had four legs, I was probably obsessed with it. I was pestering my parents for pets from the age of four. When we moved from the UK to Botswana when I was six, I made absolutely sure we had a wide variety of dogs, cats and horses. Thankfully, my parents accepted their fate!

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After university, I set up and ran a stables in the UAE for a Royal family, which was an incredible adventure. Later, while running a business with my husband, I finally got my long-longed-for Labrador puppy, Bess. I later bred Bess and kept Honey — and that’s where my real journey into behaviour began.

Honey was beautiful, bright and incredibly capable… but she was also a nervous wreck. I struggled for years trying to find the right help, not realising what we truly needed was a qualified behaviourist. When I finally found one, everything changed. Honey had low serotonin all along, and with the right support, she got the help she needed.

That experience completely shifted my path. I was determined to properly qualify and work with dogs more seriously. I co-founded a Training Centre alongside a Behaviourist while studying, offering classes, 1:1 sessions, behaviour packages and therapy work. I loved it.

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Then life threw a curveball — I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m very grateful to say I’m well now — phew — but it did change my direction. After recovering, I built a smaller Behaviour Consultancy through word of mouth, referrals from colleagues (including Kate Robson, who is now part of our trainer team), and local vets. It’s been a privilege to support so many families and their dogs.

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In 2021, I joined Darwin Dogs, a UK charity that trains and qualifies assistance dogs. These dogs must meet incredibly high standards — similar to guide dog assessments — and pass annual evaluations, as well as perform their own individualised tasks. It has stretched and challenged me as a trainer in the best possible way.

Last year I began running small classes again — and I remembered how much I love it. Carol (our amazing assistant at EDF) and I were planning to expand our course offerings when EDF reached out looking for local trainers. And that’s how we ended up here — building something exciting together. I really hope you’ll join us.

At home in Benson, I live with my long-suffering husband (he would quite like a cat, but I keep adding dogs that would strongly disagree!). We share life with:

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• Eadie, a Potcake from St Lucia who originally came for respite care after struggling in three homes… and promptly chose me. She’s a true street dog — independent, characterful, and not your easy-going gundog type — and she has taught me so much.

• Mr Bilbo Baggins, a Lagotto Romagnolo (truffle hunter) who first came to me as a client. When it became clear he couldn’t live with small children, he joined us permanently. His past holds some unknowns, but slowly watching him come out of his shell has been incredibly special. He’s now a joyful, silly dog who loves life.​

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Over the years I’ve also fostered various dogs, offering a safe stopgap while they find their forever homes — just trying to help where I can.

I’m always continuing my professional development and thinking about what to study next. Right now, though, much of my energy is going into developing and refining our EDF courses — which I’m hugely excited about.

Outside of dogs, I love crafting, sewing and painting (not brilliantly, but enthusiastically!), cooking, attempting gardening, and spending time with family and friends. I’m also trying to get myself fit enough for Race for Life in Oxford this June!

I’m absolutely delighted to be part of EDF and can’t wait to meet you and your dogs.