My experience

I have heard many people say that they have owned dogs all their lives much like me, but my eyes were opened when I adopted an often over-enthusiastic young male Rottweiler and started integrating him into my home and with my existing two male and 'entire' Labradors, who joined our home as puppies. Owning dogs all my life did not prepare me for the journey I started that day. I watched them closely to make sure the change in dynamics I had forced upon them all did not become "an issue". At the same time, I read as much as I could find in books and online about pre-empting disagreements over toys, jealousy over affection from their humans, and even fights over food. 

In time, I realised that my Labradors knew far more about integrating a new member into the family than I. Which in real terms meant they grumbled at the Rottie at times, and they halted play when he got too rough! I learned how well dogs communicate with each other, how they do everything they can to avoid disputes, and how I could use their language to ensure everyone was happy.  

I watched the Rottie, who almost certainly had not been introduced to many dogs as a puppy or introduced to everything he was likely to encounter as an adult, blossom under their and my tutelage. He relaxed in their company and settled down to become a loving member of our family. 

And me? Well, I read so much that it piqued my interest in re-training as a Canine Behaviour Practitioner. I enrolled with the International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour Ltd (The ISCP) in 2014, graduated with my Diploma in March 2016, became a tutor later that year and Principal, Director and Co-owner a year later. 

I am now the co-founder of an education provider, u-TICC (Your Teach Intelligent Canine Companions).