About Chrissie

My name is Chrissie Hines, founder of Dog Smarts.

My interest in behaviour, communication, and psychology began long before I began working professionally with dogs, and continues to shape the way I approach training today.

After graduating with a BSc in Psychology, I spent 14 years working in the UK radio industry before choosing to leave the corporate world to pursue a career working with animals full time.

Since founding my first pet care business in 2013 Hampstead Housesitters, I have worked hands-on with a wide range of dogs and owners across everyday training challenges.

Over time, this experience has developed into a calm, structured and thoughtful approach to training that focuses on real-world behaviour, clear communication, and long-term results.

Qualifications & Professional Standards

Dog training in the UK is currently an unregulated industry, which makes ongoing professional development and ethical standards particularly important.

Chrissie is:

• a Certified Dog Trainer through the Victoria Stilwell Academy (Distinction)
• a member of the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants)
• committed to the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter
• dedicated to ongoing professional education in modern, force-free behavioural science

All training is force-free, evidence-based, and focused on welfare-led methods that support both emotional wellbeing and reliable long-term behaviour.

Professional Approach

Every dog is different.

Behaviour is influenced by environment, learning history, genetics, lifestyle, and the relationship between dog and owner.

For this reason, training is always tailored individually rather than delivered through fixed systems or one-size-fits-all programmes.

The focus is not simply obedience, but helping owners and dogs communicate more clearly so that behaviour becomes more reliable, predictable, and appropriate in everyday life.

Working Together

Dog Smarts works best with owners who:

• value professional guidance and clear communication
• are prepared to implement training consistently between sessions
• understand that meaningful behavioural change takes time
• want long-term improvement rather than quick fixes

The strongest outcomes come through collaboration, consistency, and commitment on both sides.