Hello and welcome! I’m Vicky, the proud owner and lead trainer at Victorious Dogs, where we specialise in force-free dog training. With a lifelong passion for working with animals, I am dedicated to helping dogs and their owners build strong, positive relationships through compassionate and effective training solutions.

My journey into animal care began when I pursued a National Diploma in Animal Care at the Berkshire College of Agriculture. It was during this time that I developed an interest in dog training, although I was not pleased with the traditional methods I encountered.

Determined to find a fairer approach, I sought out new experiences and skills. I spent several years working at what is now known as Hanwell Zoo, where I gained invaluable experience working with a variety of animals, including pigs, monkeys, birds, goats, reptiles, and even porcupines.
During my time there, I trained marmosets to perform basic tasks and used whistle training with porcupines, further developing my training techniques. Driven by my passion for dog training and equipped with less aversive skills, I left the animal centre and worked for several dog training companies.

After gaining extensive experience and qualifying as a trainer with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) I decided to establish my own dog training business, Victorious Dogs. I believe in the power of positive reinforcement and force-free training methods.

This approach respects the well-being of your dog and fosters a trusting and enjoyable learning environment. My goal is to help dogs of all breeds and sizes become well-mannered, confident, and happy members of your family.

Growing up I always wanted a dog, but my mum was petrified of them, so we never had one at home.

Later, when I was working full-time, I didn’t think it was fair to have a dog, I did have two cats and so I trained them to do a few tricks. It wasn’t until more recently that I got my first dog, a deaf rescue named Yoda (we did not know he was deaf to start with).

Now, Yoda wasn’t just any dog – he was a terror dog.

When I first got him, he would stare at me with cold, vacant eyes, plotting his next move. Every walk was an adventure in survival, as his excitement often ended with me covered in bites.

For the first year, I was constantly sporting scratches and bruises, and he even managed to destroy the boot of a hire car on my birthday.

Happily, Yoda doesn’t do any of that anymore, and I achieved this transformation without any aversive tools. Today, Yoda is a chilled-out, (most of the time) loving companion and I wouldn’t swap him for anything.

Whether you’re dealing with a new puppy, adolescent or adult dog, my goal is to provide practical, effective solutions that work for both of you.

Whether it’s obedience training or engaging in fun activities like agility, I aim to make the training process enjoyable for both you and your dog. It’s all about building a relationship based on trust, respect, and mutual enjoyment.