Lisa Regan
I’m Lisa, and for the past 36 years, I’ve been a dog guardian—or more precisely, a guardian of
springer spaniels. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a spaniel, but my passion and enthusiasm for
these breeds are what led me into behaviour and training.
I’ve always been surrounded by dogs and horses. My parents bred and rescued Great Danes and St
Bernards, and at the age of 9, my canine companion was a standard dachshund named Sniggles. In
later years, while training in horse management, I met my husband. We shared our home with our
first ever springer spaniel puppy, Honey, who was fortunate to be with us for 18 years. Since then,
I’ve never looked back. Sixteen years ago, we adopted our first rescue, Blade, a Doberman-
Rottweiler cross and our only non-spaniel. Just two weeks later, we adopted Rocky, a 6-year-old
springer spaniel. I always said Rocky had ‘springerised’ Blade!
That was when I first started volunteering in rescue work with North-West English Springer Spaniel
Rescue, initially as a dog walker and then as a trainee rehoming officer. I also began my own dog-
walking business, specialising in one-to-one walks for nervous and anxious dogs. Eight years ago, we
sadly lost Rocky but were able to welcome Maddie, a very anxious 5-month-old springer spaniel, into
our family. A year later, we adopted Poppy, my little black-and-white ninja, who was just 8 months
old.
That little black-and-white springer changed my life forever. She was completely different from all
our previous springers, and I realised the only way to help both her and myself was to gain more
knowledge. This led me to enrol in a Level 4 Advanced Canine Behaviour Diploma, which I passed
with distinction. During that time, I also qualified as a dog trainer with the ADTB. After qualifying, I
began receiving enquiries about behavioural issues, which inspired me to start Wagology Dog
Behaviour & Training in 2021 . Two years ago, Emily Nutter joined me, and we both share the
philosophy that the welfare of the dogs comes first and foremost.
More recently, I have qualified as an accredited canine and small animal microchip implanter and
have completed an Ofqual iPET Network Level 3 Award in Canine First Aid. Additionally, I hold
memberships with IAABC, ICAN, ISAP, and a gold member of The Pet Professional Network. As part
of my membership, I must maintain continued professional development and adhere to kind,
ethical, positive reinforcement methods, which are monitored by these organisations.
Over the past eight years, I have also volunteered as a fosterer with SpanielAid, as well as a home
checker and behaviourist for Aireworth Dogs In Need. In January 2021 I joined Sprocker Assist and
Rescue as their behaviourist and later became a trustee. In October 2024 myself and two of my
professional colleagues (now amazing friends) left Sprocker Assist and Rescue and created UK
Spaniel Rescue, where our aim is to Educate – Communicate – Rehabilitate – Collaborate.
I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved, not just in my studies, rescue and business, but most
importantly with Poppy. I have learnt first-hand to understand the challenges and the little bumps in
the road that can sometimes occur. Every dog is as individual as we are, and they deserve that extra
guidance, some more than others.
Qualifications
- BCCS Level 4 Advanced Canine Behaviour
- ADTB Qualified Trainer
- Career as a Dog Trainer (IMDT)
- Loose Leaders (IMDT)
- Happy recallers (IMDT)
- Separation Anxiety and Related Disorders (IMDT)
- Looselead Masterclass (IMDT)
- PETdog Gundog (IMDT)
- The Puppy Lab (School of Canine Science)
- Canine Body Language (Dog Training College)
- Calmness Rocks (Dog Training College)
- Canine Fear (Canine Principles)
- Canine Coaching Foundations (Canine Principles)
- New Puppy Consult (Canine Principles)
- Canine Resource Guarding (Canine Principles)
- Level 3 Canine First Aid (iPET Network)
- Microchip of Canines and Small Animals (Peddymark)
Emily Nutter
I’m Emily, I’m one of the dog trainers and behaviourists at Wagology Dog Behaviour and Training.
I found my love of dog training in college when we studied about how animals learn, and why they behave the way that they do. We also rescued a dog which had some “quirks”, this motivated me to learn as much about behaviour and training as I could.
I went to university to expand my knowledge, and in 2018 I graduated with a 2:1 BSc(Hons) degree in Animal Behaviour and Training.
Since leaving university, I began working as an animal care assistant for the RSPCA. Working here provided me with the amazing opportunity to put my degree into practice and gain hands-on experience rehabilitating dogs of ages, breeds and backgrounds so they could find their forever homes. Whilst at the centre, I worked with countless dogs with various behavioural and training needs from teaching basic skills such as loose lead, to working with dogs who were reactive to strangers and dogs.
It was at the RSPCA where I fell in love with my beautiful Dachshund girl who came with her own history. She now loves trick training and will do anything for a bit of sausage!
I initially started volunteering with Lisa at Wagology in 2022, as I wanted to expand my knowledge and experience further by shadowing classes. We train using the same force free approach and share the same ethic and morals. This makes us a great team and she asked me to come on board with her, therefore I became self-employed in 2024.
I am a proud gold member of the Pet Professional Network, and an accredited member of the IMDT. Training and behaviour work is a science, and I have to keep up-to-date with the most modern techniques as part of my membership.
Qualifications
- Level 3 Animal Management Subsidiary and Extended Diploma : Triple Distinction Star
- BSc(Hons) Applied Animal Behaviour and Training: 2:1
- IMDT Trainer
- Pet Professional Network Gold Member
- UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter Member