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.
Gillian Amos BSc (Hons) MSc CAB ABTC-ATI
Clinical Animal Behaviourist
I am very passionate about using ethical and welfare friendly approaches with animals, and after dealing with my own difficult dogs who were fighting with each other (10+ years ago!), I realised how difficult it is for owners to get access to ethical, evidence-based information to help navigate behaviour problems.
Fast forward a few years I got another puppy (a wirehaired Vizsla called Molly) and I worked with an excellent local trainer who taught positive reinforcement training, and saw how much Molly thrived on this approach. I now have 3 dogs, Molly, another Vizsla called Dougall and a very lively and sweet springer spaniel called Ziggy. Dougall was a reactive dog when he first came to me and with consistency and patience he has come on leaps and bounds and is now a pleasure to walk.
Since completing my MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour at The University of Edinburgh in 2021, I have been working self-employed as a provisional Clinical Animal Behaviourist for dogs and horses. I am also a dog and horse trainer (registered with Animal Training and Behaviour Council). I have experience in supporting dogs and owners who are dealing with various behaviours from separation anxiety, aggression between dogs in the same household, fear and frustration-based behaviours. Getting an understanding of the emotion driving the behaviour is key to developing a behaviour plan that is evidence based and fit for purpose using ethical welfare friendly methods.
Elona Smith MSc PACT-KSA ABTC-ATI
Clinical Animal Behaviour Graduate
Working dog trainer since 2018 and a behaviourist since 2022, I specialise in overseas rescues but have a broad range of experience handling and working with dogs from all walks of life. I own a feisty, and at times, challenging, Romanian rescue, Juno, who has taught me more about dog behaviour than any course I’ve been on!
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.
Kerry Woods MSc
Separation Training Specialist
Kerry began working with dogs in 2019, after completing her MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. After graduating, Kerry worked as a Dog Training Instructor for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. During this time she trained puppies and dogs from 8 weeks to 18 months old as they learned to become Assistance Dogs, and also developed a love for coaching humans too. Along the way Kerry worked with puppies and dogs who were struggling with Separation Anxiety, and developed a special interest in this niche aspect of dog behaviour. She became driven to learn how best we can support these dogs, and help them learn to be happier home alone.
Kerry qualified as a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behaviour Consultant in 2022, and has worked exclusively with Separation Anxiety cases ever since. Kerry is hugely motivated by seeing dogs’ progress step-by-step throughout our Separation Anxiety programmes, and loves to celebrate every dog’s wins - no matter how big or small.
In her spare time Kerry enjoys travelling, being outdoors and spending time with her partner and their Golden Retriever, Sully.
Christina Wells KPA-CTP
Behaviour coach, assistance dog trainer & puppy expert
Christina is the behaviour coach most dog owners don't know they need! Her expertise spans both human and canine learning and she has been training dogs since 2013 which coincidentally was also when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. In 2015, she graduated as a Karen Pryor Academy - Certified Training Partner which started her career in pet dog training.
Over a decade of working with dogs and their owners has allowed her to learn how best to provide dog-owner teams with the practical, theoretical, and emotional support they need in order to grow as a team. She currently shares her home with nine dogs of her own, including mixed breed rescues and a yorkie, whippet, working cocker spaniel and bearded collie!
Christina’s experience spans from bespoke puppy raising and training to rehabilitating and training rescue dogs, working through behaviour challenges like overreactive behaviour or resource guarding, and scent training, specialising in medical alert dogs.
She has also been at the heart of a dog rescue organisation, matching applicants with suitable dogs and providing dedicated adoption aftercare support to adopters, and, of course, she works closely with our clinical and veterinary team at Edinburgh Dog Behavioiur, coaching dog owners how to navigate behaviour challenges safely, teach their dogs successfully and thus, improve their relationships with their pets.
Christina is able to support our clients in learning to combine behaviour management and modification with practical training skills, and often provides invaluable ‘real world’ training opportunities for our dog-selective client dogs through the help of her own team of reliable and friendly stooge dogs.
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.