back

Donna Skinsley - Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist & Animal Training Instructor

Description:

Donna is Dorset’s longest serving Clinical Animal Behaviourist, specialising in horses, dogs and cats. She has the highest professional standards, knowledge and expertise in the industry and is registered with the Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) and the Association of Pet Behaviour Consellors (APBC). Operating as Pet Connection for over 25 years, she offers a comprehensive and tailored, reward–based, behavioural referral and training service across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. She offers behavioural consultations, 1-2-1 training and group clinics, resolving and preventing any behavioural and training problems for all ages and breeds. Donna is proud of the fact that the majority of her clientele come direct through Veterinary referral or on recommendations from animal welfare charities or previous clients with knowledge of the results she can achieve.

The training methods Donna uses are exceptionally kind, scientifically proven and highly successful. Donna is an avid clicker trainer and uses these principles as a first line of approach with both her own and clients’ animals, whilst retaining the option to use alternative yet strictly reward based methods where more appropriate. Donna’s services have always been designed to help clients achieve results in the ‘real world’. She believes that with most animals it is a case of getting them to understand what you want, and for them to see a reason to do it – after that it is easy. Just like people, animals learn best by getting them motivated to do what you want, not because they have to, but because they want to. She is certain everyone can understand this; think about when you have been nagged or forced into doing something as opposed to something you have enjoyed learning because you WANTED to. We need to care about how we achieve our goals and understand the emotion that lies behind it.

Donna is a big believer that a trainer’s own animals speak volumes and hence her own animals form some of her best adverts for her work. She uses them regularly when demonstrating reward-based methods to clients and the general public at conferences and agricultural shows. She has also competed regionally and nationally in TREC GB, notably winning the South East League and attaining 4th place at the GB Championships, proving that her methods work. Her New Forest mare, who was ridden bitless, barefoot and clicker trained, is now retired from competition and has subsequently had a foal.

Donna has been forging a path across the South training equines using ‘Positive Reinforcement’ for over 25 years, using techniques that are now becoming more common place in the industry. You can watch her presentation to the 2020 APBC Equine Conference here: https://youtu.be/68Ve-tx92K8 

Her training techniques will help you get the relationship you really want with your horse. Her aims are:

  • To teach you how to have fun with your horse and to build a good relationship.
  • To teach you about horse behaviour and how to train your horse.
  • To help teach your horse the things that are important to you.

She offers the following services:

Equine behavioural consultations: Help can be provided for any of the following management, handling and ridden behavioural problems:

  • Catching in the paddock
  • Body handling (inc Grooming & tacking up, farrier, veterinary) & leading
  • Loading & travelling
  • Nervousness/ fears/ phobias (spooking/ napping)
  • Aggressive behaviour to other equines or people
  • Separation related problems
  • Other miscellaneous problems

Tailor made 1-2-1 training sessions: Geared around what you want to learn or overcome with your horse. In hand and or ridden sessions will help build and cement practical life skills such as:

  • Good manners for foals and youngsters to improving the older horse
  • Coming when called
  • Body handling
  • Leading beside handler on and off line
  • Stand (for grooming/ farrier/ fitting equipment/ mounting etc)
  • Back up
  • Lateral movement and jumping
  • Loading
  • Confidence in and around unfamiliar or scary objects and environments

Training hack. Providing training tips and support out in the ‘real world’ either from your yard or at an agreed rendezvous.

Equine group yard clinics. Clinics for small groups can cover various subjects, such as ‘Getting your horse introduced to Clicker Training’, ‘Preparing your horse for the vet, farrier and other para-professionals’ and ‘Getting the relationship you really want’ – the 4Cs (Connection, Confidence, Calm and Clever).

More information can be found on her website: www.pet-connection.co.uk 

Ref: 2778-757

Link: www.nfed.co.uk/d.php?ref=757