Daycare for Dogs
ABOUT US
Growing up, there were always animals in our home including dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters
Throughout my childhood we owned a Doberman, German shepherd, Border collie and a Cross of all kinds, this ultimately led me to a career working with dogs and cats.
My first position was volunteering for a local rescue centre, walking dogs and assisting with basic training. After a year of volunteering I took a full time position at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as an Animal Welfare Assistant. During my time at Battersea I gained hands-on experience in many areas including feeding, cleaning, providing basic training and enriching the lives of the animals in my care. After a couple of years I followed my passion and joined the Dog Behaviour team at Battersea, focusing on temperament assessing, problem behaviour consultations and behaviour modification.
I have worked with a wide range of dogs over the last two decades varying in age, breed and temperament. I have been a fully qualified Puppy School tutor since 2010 (www.puppyschool.co.uk) and was a member of The ABTC (www.abtc.org.uk) until I decided not to renew my membership.
Throughout my childhood we owned a Doberman, German shepherd, Border collie and a Cross of all kinds, this ultimately led me to a career working with dogs and cats.
My first position was volunteering for a local rescue centre, walking dogs and assisting with basic training. After a year of volunteering I took a full time position at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as an Animal Welfare Assistant. During my time at Battersea I gained hands-on experience in many areas including feeding, cleaning, providing basic training and enriching the lives of the animals in my care. After a couple of years I followed my passion and joined the Dog Behaviour team at Battersea, focusing on temperament assessing, problem behaviour consultations and behaviour modification.
I have worked with a wide range of dogs over the last two decades varying in age, breed and temperament. I have been a fully qualified Puppy School tutor since 2010 (www.puppyschool.co.uk) and was a member of The ABTC (www.abtc.org.uk) until I decided not to renew my membership.
STEPHEN
Co-Founder
Animals are my passion, from a child I have owned Gerbils, Rabbits, Cats and Dogs as well as a selection of lizards and this is something I have carried forward into my professional life
Upon leaving school I attended Hadlow Animal College where I gained a number of recognised qualifications in animal management and kennel & cattery management. After completing college I started working with wildlife in rehabilitation centres as well as working with domestic pets in a pet shop and grooming parlour.
I began working at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2006 as a kennel assistant, managing the needs of 30+ dogs daily and ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, after a year I became an assessor, testing dogs temperaments to ensure that they were placed in the correct homes with the right families. During my time at Battersea I was and still am a trusted and highly experienced foster carer, I have cared for many animals including a large number of hand-rear puppies who had been separated from their mothers to soon as well as many dogs who were struggling in the kennel environment.
I have an excellent understanding of what is required to care for a wide range of animals to an exceptional level and always strive to achieve the highest standard of care possible.
Upon leaving school I attended Hadlow Animal College where I gained a number of recognised qualifications in animal management and kennel & cattery management. After completing college I started working with wildlife in rehabilitation centres as well as working with domestic pets in a pet shop and grooming parlour.
I began working at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2006 as a kennel assistant, managing the needs of 30+ dogs daily and ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, after a year I became an assessor, testing dogs temperaments to ensure that they were placed in the correct homes with the right families. During my time at Battersea I was and still am a trusted and highly experienced foster carer, I have cared for many animals including a large number of hand-rear puppies who had been separated from their mothers to soon as well as many dogs who were struggling in the kennel environment.
I have an excellent understanding of what is required to care for a wide range of animals to an exceptional level and always strive to achieve the highest standard of care possible.
KAYLEIGH
Co-Founder
My family and I have always owned dogs and they are considered an ever-present
member of our family. The simple act of having a dog in your family and what that can
do for your overall well-being and mental health is incredible, and to be able to work
with dogs and have that in my life daily is awesome!
My first dogs were two Springer Spaniels crossed with Border Collies, a brother and sister who were full of energy and required a lot of exercise and training! I have also had a Black Labrador, two Fox-Red Labradors (a third has recently joined the family), and a Springer Spaniel adopted from my late father. Having grown up in the countryside of West Sussex, our dogs have always had the space for long walks in beautiful locations!
Having been given this amazing opportunity with Clever Claws and being made to feel so welcome, not just by the amazing staff that I work with, but also the dogs owners who have been incredibly welcoming over my first few weeks, I know this is where I want to be and to be learning and working with the very animals I have grown up with and have a strong love for. This truly feels like a job where I know I'm making a difference in the dogs lives.
My first dogs were two Springer Spaniels crossed with Border Collies, a brother and sister who were full of energy and required a lot of exercise and training! I have also had a Black Labrador, two Fox-Red Labradors (a third has recently joined the family), and a Springer Spaniel adopted from my late father. Having grown up in the countryside of West Sussex, our dogs have always had the space for long walks in beautiful locations!
Having been given this amazing opportunity with Clever Claws and being made to feel so welcome, not just by the amazing staff that I work with, but also the dogs owners who have been incredibly welcoming over my first few weeks, I know this is where I want to be and to be learning and working with the very animals I have grown up with and have a strong love for. This truly feels like a job where I know I'm making a difference in the dogs lives.
Gareth
Daycare Assistant
From a young age I have always been passionate about animals and have always wanted to pursue a career caring for them.My experience with Dogs started at Clever Claws in 2013 where I had two weeks school work experience. During this time I accompanied Stephen on dog walks as well as 1-2-1 training sessions and puppy classes, I gained a lot of knowledge on how to manage a group of dogs within a park environment and how best to train them using reward based methods. In that relatively short time I really discovered my love for Dogs and since then I have worked with Clever Claws at every opportunity I had throughout the rest of my school, college and university education.
Along side this I gained a huge amount of hands on experience with a variety of animals working in a pet shop, my role involved a wide range of husbandry tasks as well as best advising clients on the needs of a wide range of animals. After finishing university I became a full time member of the Clever Claws team.
During my time at Clever Claws I have completed a number of dog related courses including dog specific first aid, I have taken a keen interest in dog behaviour and I am currently studying for an Ofqual regulated level 3 canine behaviour and welfare qualification. I will complete this very soon and once I have I plan to continue to further develop my handling and training skills via a number of other courses in the pursuit of becoming a qualified dog trainer.
Working with dogs is my absolute passion and I always strive to give the best possible care
Along side this I gained a huge amount of hands on experience with a variety of animals working in a pet shop, my role involved a wide range of husbandry tasks as well as best advising clients on the needs of a wide range of animals. After finishing university I became a full time member of the Clever Claws team.
During my time at Clever Claws I have completed a number of dog related courses including dog specific first aid, I have taken a keen interest in dog behaviour and I am currently studying for an Ofqual regulated level 3 canine behaviour and welfare qualification. I will complete this very soon and once I have I plan to continue to further develop my handling and training skills via a number of other courses in the pursuit of becoming a qualified dog trainer.
Working with dogs is my absolute passion and I always strive to give the best possible care
Daniel
Daycare Team Leader
I have had pets all of my life including hamsters, cats & dogs and although I currently don't have any pets I still get all the fun and love of having a dog from working at Clever Claws.
I've worked with dogs since 2017 in various roles including dog walking, dog sitting & doggy daycare, in this time I have developed excellent handling and behaviour management skills as well a wealth of knowledge on a wide range of breeds and their respective traits.
In my time at Clever Claws I have completed a dog specific first aid training course, I am currently working through a range of dog behaviour and welfare related courses and In 2024 I became a Daycare Team Leader.
Working in the countryside has been a big change from working in London, its nice to see how free the dogs can really be and seeing their true personalities shine through makes my day.
I've worked with dogs since 2017 in various roles including dog walking, dog sitting & doggy daycare, in this time I have developed excellent handling and behaviour management skills as well a wealth of knowledge on a wide range of breeds and their respective traits.
In my time at Clever Claws I have completed a dog specific first aid training course, I am currently working through a range of dog behaviour and welfare related courses and In 2024 I became a Daycare Team Leader.
Working in the countryside has been a big change from working in London, its nice to see how free the dogs can really be and seeing their true personalities shine through makes my day.
Carla
Daycare Team Leader
While growing up I’ve always had dogs in my family, most recently a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Clyde who we rescued from Battersea dogs home. Having rescued a few dogs I’ve always been interested in learning how to help them with their specific needs and behaviors and I’ve done lots of dog sitting and walking for friends and family’s pets over the years.
Having worked in childcare for 9 years I have worked with many children with varying needs including some with challenging behaviours, from this experience I have learnt a variety of skills that lend themselves to my current roll. I am a qualified photographer and have my own small business that specialises in family portraits and pets, I find animal photography to be my favourite subject as it allows me to spend time observing different animals and capturing their personalities.
Since joining Clever Claws I have completed a number of courses and have become a qualified Dog First Aider.
Having worked in childcare for 9 years I have worked with many children with varying needs including some with challenging behaviours, from this experience I have learnt a variety of skills that lend themselves to my current roll. I am a qualified photographer and have my own small business that specialises in family portraits and pets, I find animal photography to be my favourite subject as it allows me to spend time observing different animals and capturing their personalities.
Since joining Clever Claws I have completed a number of courses and have become a qualified Dog First Aider.
Keeley
Daycare Assistant
Professional Dog Day Care
At Clever Claws we offer experienced, professional and reliable Doggy Day Care for dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds. Our Dog Day Care service is the perfect solution for your furry best friend to burn off all of their excess energy, socialise with some doggy friends and take part in a wide range of fun dog activities.