Hello! I’m a Clinical Animal Behaviourist for dogs and cats, a certified, science-based and force-free dog trainer, and a veterinary technician with 16 years of professional experience working with dogs and their families.

Before moving to the Netherlands, I ran my own business in Turkey, providing dog training, boarding and daycare services. Over the years, I had the privilege of working with many wonderful families and dogs, from puppies and easy-going family companions to dogs with fear, reactivity, anxiety and other behavioural challenges. Those years gave me not only professional experience, but also many friendships and memories that I still cherish today.

Today, my main professional focus is dog and cat behaviour and dog training. I provide behaviour consultations, individual training and pet-care services mainly in Lelystad and Almere, although I also travel for training and behaviour cases.

My work is based on modern behavioural science, learning theory and animal welfare. I look beyond the behaviour we see and try to understand the emotions, motivation, environment and individual needs behind it. Whether the concern involves fear, reactivity, resource guarding, difficulties around other animals or people, unwanted behaviours at home, or simply teaching everyday life skills, my goal is to find practical solutions that are realistic for both the animal and their family.

Alongside my 16 years of hands-on experience as a dog trainer, I have also worked in an animal shelter and a dog boarding facility in the Netherlands. Shelter and rescue animal behaviour is especially close to my heart. Back in Turkey, I fostered and rehabilitated many traumatised dogs and cats and helped them find loving permanent homes. I am still in touch with many of their families today.

I also hold a veterinary technician diploma, which gives me additional knowledge when caring for animals with medical needs. Depending on the situation, I can administer medication, monitor recovery and provide additional support to pets who need a little extra care.

Animals have always been at the centre of my life. I would describe myself as observant, empathetic and detail-oriented. Behaviour is my biggest passion, particularly shelter and rescue behaviour, search and rescue dog training, and dog-assisted interventions. I strongly believe that continuing to learn is an essential part of working professionally with animals.

I share my own life with dogs and cats, including rescue animals and Border Collies. My first dog, Onyx, was a Golden Retriever mix who came into my life when I was 14. She was my sister, my best friend, my furry child and, in many ways, my greatest teacher. We spent 16 wonderful years together, and it would be impossible to explain who I am today without mentioning her.

Although dogs and cats are my professional focus, I truly love animals of all species. Over the years I have cared for snakes, spiders, birds, rabbits, chinchillas, ferrits and chickens, and I also had experience with wildlife while working in an animal shelter. Every animal, regardless of species, deserves respect, patience and appropriate care.

I also know from personal experience how difficult it can be to trust another person with an animal you love. As a pet parent myself, I understand the worries that come with choosing the right sitter. I therefore try to care for every animal with the same attention, respect and responsibility that I would want for my own.

What I offer

✔ Behaviour consultations – For dogs and cats experiencing behavioural difficulties
✔ Dog training – Individual training based on science, welfare and positive reinforcement
✔ Pet sitting and home visits – Care for your pets in their own familiar environment
✔ House sitting – Overnight care in your home
✔ Daycare and overnight stays at my home – Available for suitable dogs under specific conditions

My approach to training and behaviour

For me, training is not simply about stopping unwanted behaviour.

I want to understand why the behaviour is happening and what the animal is trying to communicate.

The motivation and involvement of the owner are also extremely important. I try to offer practical and realistic recommendations for each individual family, and I want you to understand why I recommend something rather than simply giving you a list of instructions.

I do not use aversive training methods such as prong collars, shock collars, leash corrections, intimidation or harsh verbal corrections. If you would like your dog to be trained or walked using these methods, I will not be the right match for you.

Instead, my work focuses on understanding the animal’s emotions, needs and motivation, creating an environment in which they can succeed, and helping them learn through choice, reinforcement and positive experiences.

Behaviour change can take time and effort, but building understanding, skills and trust creates something much more valuable and lasting than simply suppressing behaviour.

Daycare and overnight stays at my home

Because I share my home with my own animals, I can only accept guest dogs who meet certain criteria.

Your dog should generally be:

✔ Small or medium-sized and female
✔ Friendly and comfortable around both dogs and cats
✔ House-trained
✔ Comfortable being left alone for a few hours if staying overnight

Please contact me first so we can discuss whether my home environment would be suitable for your dog.

Important information about house sitting

🏡 During house-sitting bookings, I may need to leave the house during the morning and afternoon to care for my own dogs, visit other clients or attend training sessions. Your dog therefore needs to be comfortable being alone for a few hours.

If your dog has separation-related problems, I may still be able to help, depending on my schedule and the level of support your dog requires. In these situations, the daily price may be different.

🚗 If paid parking applies in your neighbourhood, or if I need to travel more than 12 km, I kindly ask that the additional travel or parking costs are covered.

📸 While you are away, I will send you regular photos and videos of your animal and keep you updated about how they are doing.

Most importantly, I believe that every animal is an individual. Their personality, history, emotions and needs matter. I have worked with dogs of many different ages and personalities, from playful puppies to senior dogs, from confident social dogs to fearful, sensitive and reactive ones.

My job is not to make every animal fit into the same mould. It is to understand the individual in front of me and support them in the best way I can.

I would love to hear from you and learn more about your furry companion. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions or would like to discuss whether I might be a good match for you.

📢 Please note: Pawshake notifications do not always appear reliably on phones or by email, so please check your Pawshake inbox regularly after sending me a message.

Hope to meet you and your furry companion soon!