Paws & Principles: Unveiling our dog commitment
We’re dedicated to fostering trust, knowledge, and innovation at all stages of dog training. Explore our values, meet our experts, and discover our research-backed approach to dog happiness.
Our 5 underlying beliefs
Shaping our modern, ethical & science based dog programme.
Dogs that can do it all
Lifeskills not just tricks
The right kind of early learning will allow your dog to develop much stronger social skills, and ensure all the right connections in the brain are developed fully before that window closes.
We go further than only focusing on teaching basic cues like ‘sit’ and ‘down’. We also teach them the social skills they need to connect well with other dogs and humans. Essentially, these social skills will be the one of the main drivers behind your dog living happily, and in a cooperative relationship with all other people and fellow dog friends around them.
Every dog is different
Personal training journey
Dogs have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years, and are genetically one of the most diverse species on today’s planet.
This means that through domestication and artificial selection, dogs behavioural motor patterns can be altered from its original ancestral pattern.
Adapting training methods to different breeds (or Breed Individualism if we want a fancy term) is very important. If we give dogs an outlet to carry out the ‘job’ they were designed to do, they are much less likely to develop behavioural problems.
Train reward-based
Praise vs punishment
Because dogs are ‘sentient’ and feel many of the same emotions that we do, working with them in a way that keeps them happy and content will result in a much more successful way of teaching them how to cope and behave in a human world.
Reward Based Training makes the dog feel pleasure and joy versus fear. This builds a much stronger bond between the two of you; based on trust and cooperation.
The sentient dog
Dogs have feelings too
‘If you get the emotions right the behaviour will follow’ is a phrase we stand firmly behind. It’s rooted in ethological science (the objective study of animal behaviour) and makes complete sense when it comes to the bond and relationship between humans and dogs.
We will help you understand the underlying emotions and feelings your pup is having by explaining the ‘why’ of things.
Dogs aren't wolves
'Alpha Dogs' don't exist
All of the content within our Zigzag programmes is based on modern scientific study, and built on the understanding that we work with dogs in a symbiotic relationship – not one hinged on dominance and hierarchy.
Dogs are not wolves, and we certainly aren’t either. Same goes for the idea of an “alpha wolf” – that’s also a myth. So really, there’s no reason why adopting the same methods as wolves should work the same as dogs.
Our experts
We have top training & behaviour experts to support you throughout your zigzag puppyhood journey.
Belinda
Bird
Qualified Veterinary Nurse and Canine Myofunctional Therapist, Belinda specialises in puppy training, socialisation, and wellbeing, with strong medical and nutrition expertise.
Lisa
Milleret
Experienced animal behaviourist specialising in puppies, rescue support, and dog safety education, with a background in psychology and COAPE training.
Heddie
Wittlin-Leger
Experienced dog trainer and behaviour consultant specialising in therapy and assistance dogs, with 35 years’ experience and extensive professional certifications.
Elaine
Wallace
Certified dog trainer specialising in service, therapy and family dogs, teaching classes, AKC evaluating, and promoting dog safety education.
Emma
Judson
Experienced ABTC-registered trainer specialising in separation issues worldwide, with rescue background, PPGGBI membership, and a passion for illustration.
Petrina
Firth
Behaviourist and CSAT specialising in separation anxiety worldwide, using science-based holistic methods, with DipCABT distinction, ICAN certification, and board roles.
Sue
Tasker
Sue is a veterinary nurse-trained behaviourist and trainer, specialising in puppy starts, using science-based methods and extensive dog sport experience.
Susan
Gammage
Highly qualified dog behaviourist managing veterinary and rescue behaviour services, specialising in puppies and complex cases, with DipCABT, ICAN, ABTC accreditation.
Laura
Gault
Rescue-focused dog trainer and behaviourist with DipCABT Hons and ICAN certification, helping rescue dogs and puppies become confident companions.
Claire
Clark
ABC-DT dog trainer specialising in Trust Centred Training™, helping owners build strong bonds, with rescue experience and PPG leadership roles.
Endorsements
Other professional organisations also think we are totally Pawesome.
Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, ISCP Founder
The ISCP is delighted to endorse and support the Zigzag app because it corresponds beautifully with our science-based, force-free, reward-based compassionate ethos...
The ISCP is delighted to endorse and support the Zigzag app because it corresponds beautifully with our science-based, force-free, reward-based compassionate ethos.
The ISCP was founded in 2011 to enable caregivers and those planning to enter into a career in working professionally with dogs to gain an education that is science-based and employs purely reward-based methods. Discover more about the ISCP at here
Dionna Newton, Founder of Animal Behaviour Australia
As a behaviourist, who works with clients daily, I find Zigzag a fantastic supportive tool for my clients with puppies and young dogs...
As a behaviourist, who works with clients daily, I find Zigzag a fantastic supportive tool for my clients with puppies and young dogs. I advocate for ‘prevention is better than cure’ and education is key for this. I tell all of my clients to get the right advice, from the right sources, educate yourself proactively and never be afraid to ask for help early. That way you save time, money and frustration and CAN build that relationship that you always dreamed of with your dog. The Zigzag app fits this.
Animal Behaviour Australia has been developed to drive a mission: To change the way that people ‘talk’ to their pet. Discover more at here
Yvonne Mackender, Owner of COAPE UK
What we really love about Zigzag is that the programme teaches puppy owners the ‘why’ and not just the ‘what’ and ‘how’...
What we really love about Zigzag is that the programme teaches puppy owners the ‘why’ and not just the ‘what’ and ‘how’, enabling them to better understand their puppies and to help build strong relationships and foundations.
COAPE was founded on the belief that all animals have emotions and they put this at the heart of everything they teach. Their methods are very much rooted in the science of Jaak Panksepp and COAPE took that science and applied it to pet behaviour, becoming true pioneers in the industry. Discover more at here
Susan Gammage, Committee Member CAPBT
Knowing that the app has been written and supported by well-respected professionals from the pet dog training and behaviour industry...
Knowing that the app has been written and supported by well-respected professionals from the pet dog training and behaviour industry, and has been done with ethical, compassionate, kind, reward-based training plans, makes it an easy choice to collaborate with Zigzag.
The COAPE Association of Applied Pet Behaviourists and Trainers was established in around 2005. In more recent years, CAPBT also offers pet guardians a large global network of highly trained professionals to help them with their behaviour and training needs. Discover more at here
Jane Robinson, Chair of APDT UK
Whilst many dog training apps have their limitations, we applauded the way that Zigzag wanted not to replace in-person classes and training, but work alongside it...
Whilst many dog training apps have their limitations, we applauded the way that Zigzag wanted not to replace in-person classes and training, but work alongside it.
Zigzag is turning the app-based dog training industry on its head by not only having the only dedicated puppy orientated programme but also by having a team of expert dog trainers on hand to answer puppy owners questions.
The APDT was founded in 1995 in response to a lack of any kind of regulation or measure of quality in the dog training industry.
Discover more at here
Niki Tudge, Founder & President of PPG
The app is tailored to meet the real-world demands of busy pet parents who appreciate bite-sized lessons...
The app is tailored to meet the real-world demands of busy pet parents who appreciate bite-sized lessons that fit into the course of their everyday lives. The app is also a perfect tool for Professionals to help support their one-to-one and group training sessions.
PPG is an organisation of pet advocates who practice a smarter, safer, gentler way to meet the growing needs of the pet community. Discover more at here
Take part in ground
breaking puppy research
Discover groundbreaking puppy research! Partnering with the University of Lincoln, we’re bridging gaps in understanding. Join our study to pioneer modern insights into puppy behaviour. Your participation is crucial. Click to join!
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