Dog training and advice – Sarah Roper
Sarah Roper (was Bartlett) KCAI CD R ABTC ATI AKA The Multi Dog Maven
Here at Mole Valley Farmers, we’re teaming up with dog training expert Sarah Roper to bring you answers to all of your burning behaviour questions. Born and raised in South Yorkshire, Sarah grew up with rescue crossbreeds and would often be found exploring the Pennines with the dogs.
“I caused so much worry to my family as I would disappear for hours only to return with a big smile on my face, tired dog in tow with scratches on my knees and arms from scrambling through brambles and bushes to see what was over the other side!” Sarah tells us.
She read her first dog training book at age 12 after a rescue adolescent Jack Russell cross Whippet joined the family and she wanted to know more about how to train her to walk nicely on lead.
After an initial short apprenticeship and career in engineering when she left school, it soon became apparent that Sarah was meant to work with dogs.
She says “I had my own house at 18 years old and within weeks of moving in I had two puppies, not something I would advise but it certainly taught me some valuable lessons!
My dog family increased to three within a year and before the age of 20, I was working in pet shops on weekends, had set up my own online pet shop, and eventually set up a dog walking and pet care business in 2007.
The business won an award and a £5000 investment after only 18 months and things took off from there.”
After much study, Sarah started training owners with their dogs in 2010, by which point she had seven dogs of her own. Sarah is accredited with the Kennel Club, ABTC (Animal Behaviour & Training Council), TCBTS (The Canine Behaviour & Training Society), and QIDTI (Qualified International Dog Training Instructors).
Fast forward to 2018, the training expert penned her first book, Another Pup? which was all about how she carefully introduced the latest addition, Ripple, to her five adult dogs. The book is a must-read for anyone hoping to add another dog to their household.
Two more books followed; Puppy Prepared? which is the complete roadmap to getting your dream dog, and The Complete Pupstar Guide which takes you through everything you need to know for your pup’s first year of life.
As if being dog mad wasn’t enough, in her spare time you can find Sarah with her pony Billy or busy building on her knowledge with further study.
“I’m currently working through a three-year Canine Behaviour course with The School of Canine Science. I also compete in carriage driving trials with my fell pony, and I’m halfway to black belt in mixed Martial Arts.”
Although she’s known as the Multi Dog Maven, Sarah doesn’t just specialise in multi-dog households but also puppies and reactive/barky dogs. For further information or to get in touch with Sarah please visit multidogmaven.co.uk
Fun facts
• Sarah has owned 16 dogs.
• She has competed in showing, Rally and Obreedience.
• Two of her dogs were the first of their breed to achieve the highest titles in Rally.
• Sarah and her dogs have attended Crufts in various disciplines for over 10 years.
• She is a frequent guest on podcasts, radio shows and at events.
• Sarah regularly writes articles for regional and national press.
• She is passionate about reward-based, effective methods.
• Her dogs are more famous than she is and have starred in Tesco adverts, Benedict Cumberbatch films and plenty of pet product marketing.