River McDonald BSc (Hons) MSc CCAB
Clinical Animal Behaviourist
As the founder and director of Edinburgh Dog Behaviour, my goal is to build a happy confident relationship between people and their pets. I believe in honesty, kindness and the highest level of service and therefore promote only the use of kind, reward-based methods based upon up-to-date research and best practice. My approach is firmly centred on you and what you hope to gain from working with me, whilst paying close attention to your pet’s history and individual needs, to build a behaviour plan that is achievable for you both.
I have a broad range of experience handling and working with dogs, from strays and street dogs in Asia to assistance dogs here in Scotland. With a background spanning education, enforcement and the charity sector I hope to bring a range of skills to your unique situation and collaborate to help you get the best from your dog. I am particularly interested in working with aggressive dogs and support separation anxiety dogs and rescues with complex behavioural needs, and I conduct behaviour consults both in-person and remotely via Zoom.
As a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist with ASAB, a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), insured dog owners can also claim on their insurance for my services. Please contact your provider to enquire about your individual circumstances.
Eilidh Mackay BVM&S MSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon and Clinical Animal Behaviour Graduate
I graduated from the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh in 2016. I then worked in a range of general veterinary practices for 5 years in both the UK and Australia, largely with companion animals. Through experiences with my own dog and my work as a general practice vet, I became aware of how much there still was to learn about animal behaviour, and from here a passion grew. I subsequently moved back to the UK to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Lincoln from which I graduated with Distinction in 2022.
After completion of my MSc, I initially returned to part-time veterinary work alongside part-time behaviour work. Then in February 2024 I gave birth to my son, and on my return to work after maternity leave I have made the decision to go into full-time veterinary behaviour work, which I am extremely excited for! Having achieved my Pre-Certification, I am now working towards full accreditation as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist. I am registered as a Provisional Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and I am a Candidate Member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC).
I love both dogs and people and am passionate about creating solutions that work for you and your lifestyle, as well as your individual dog. I am especially interested in the link between medical issues/pain and behaviour. I believe in kind, evidence-based methods and will always work with a sympathetic, non-judgmental approach towards both animals and humans.
In my free time, I love being in the outdoors and most importantly spending time with my husband, son and our dog, Nel.
Elona Smith MSc
Clinical Animal Behaviour Graduate
After completing a dog trainer course and becoming a full member of the Professional Association of Canine Trainers in 2018, I found this only fuelled my desire to learn more about the field. I applied for, and was accepted into a Master’s degree at Edinburgh University in Clinical Animal Behaviour, which I completed in 2024 and am now working towards my certification with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) in the industry with the wonderful team here at Edinburgh Dog Behaviour.
I promote the use of reward-based methods that are supported by up-to-date research in the field. I strive to help all my clients to better understand what it is they want from a behaviour plan and what is achievable, as well as what their dog needs and the reasons they enact certain behaviours, to facilitate positive changes that benefit both dog and owner.
Christina Wells
KPA-CTP, Edinburgh Puppy Club, Puppy Expert
Growing up in The Gambia, Christina always found herself surrounded by a variety of animals - domesticated and wild - and from a very early age, she was fascinated with animal training and how to communicate with other species effectively.
When she finally welcomed her first very own dog into her and her partner’s family in 2013, she made many naive and common puppy raising mistakes and, following a number of unfortunate incidents with other dogs, her little dog Indie became reactive towards other dogs and would bark whenever he saw, smelled or heard another dog. Through trying to help him, Christina found herself attending different dog training classes, and then also dog training seminars by well-known professionals including Victoria Stilwell, Chirag Patel and Sarah Fisher among others. Indie made great progress and after graduating from uni with a BA(hons) in airline management, Christina made a snap decision to follow her passion and study dog training, in particular, the clicker training method, through the Karen Pryor Academy. In 2015 she graduated as a Karen Pryor Academy as Certified Training Partner, with Certified Canine Graduate Indie by her side.
Christina has since raised another 3 puppies, including selecting, raising and training her Working Cocker Spaniel George as a diabetic alert dog for herself. She has helped countless puppy owners, running puppy training classes as well as one-to-one puppy sessions focusing on all things puppy raising and training. She has a particular interest in the critical developmental stages of young puppies, and how to support them in becoming the most confident, well-rounded versions of themselves, and we are proud to have her onboard providing online training and behaviour advice to our Edinburgh Puppy Club Members!
Tania Pires
Admin Assistant
Tania joined Edinburgh Dog Behaviour in May 2019 to provide administrative support for our growing business. She provides a point of contact for all new enquiries, helps manage bookings and payments and liaises with veterinary surgeries to ensure health and welfare of dogs and owners remains at the heart of what we do.
Originally from Portugal but settled in our beautiful city, Tania is a Virtual Assistant with over 10 years of management and IT experience in a range of industries. In her spare time she loves to travel, and has a gorgeous and friendly Westie who loves to pose for photos.