About Me
Hi, I’m Holly mum of two little humans, owner of Finn the Whippet, and the proud founder of Wild Paws.
My love for dogs has always been at the heart of everything I do. In 2021, I began my professional journey in the dog industry as a dog walker, supporting many dogs through both solo and carefully managed group walks. During this time, I developed a strong understanding of canine behaviour in everyday life and discovered my passion for dog training.
As our family grew and I began maternity leave, the direction of the business naturally evolved too. I wanted to continue supporting dogs and their owners in a meaningful way while balancing family life, and that’s when Wild Paws Park was born. Since then, I have completed my Level 3 and Level 4 IMDT qualifications and continue to build my knowledge to provide the best possible support to dogs and their families.
I previously worked alongside a family-run pet business, coaching both group and one-to-one training classes for two years. Today, my goal is to continue supporting dogs and their owners within our local community through the park, training and carefully selected products that promote happy, healthy dogs.
About Finn
Every business needs a mascot, and ours is Finn - our beloved Whippet and much-loved family pet.
At six years old, Finn is a huge part of the Wild Paws team. From carrying out daily “safety inspections” of the park to testing equipment and welcoming new ideas, he takes his role very seriously!
Affectionately known as “The Worried Whippet,” Finn can be a little unsure of the world at times. Living and training alongside him has shaped so much of my understanding of dogs who need extra patience, confidence-building and support. He is a constant reminder that every dog is an individual and deserves to be understood, supported and given the opportunity to thrive.
About the Park
Our park is tucked away in a peaceful rural location whilst still being central to Alness and offers exclusive one-hour hire slots, giving you and your dog dedicated time to explore, play and exercise off-lead in a safe, secure and controlled environment.
Whether you’re looking for general exercise, focused one-to-one training, or simply quality time with your dog, Wild Paws Park provides the perfect space without the worry of encountering other dogs, distractions or the risk of your dog running off. The park is particularly beneficial for nervous, reactive or young dogs who thrive in a calm and controlled environment.
The park is fully enclosed with 6.5ft Heras® fencing around the entire perimeter, with additional reinforcements at the base to help prevent any aspiring escape artists or enthusiastic diggers from making their way out. However, we always recommend keeping a close eye on your dog during your visit.
We have a wide range of activities and enrichment opportunities, including agility equipment, climbing structures, dog jumps, a large sandpit, sensory areas, tyres, games and plenty of space for zoomies.
We also love encouraging social opportunities for both dogs and their owners. Why not arrange a coffee date or picnic with friends at the park, or book onto one of our solo or group training sessions to develop practical skills in a supportive environment?
For added peace of mind, we carry out daily safety checks of the park boundary, key-code entry system and all equipment before any bookings, ensuring the park remains a safe and enjoyable space for every dog that visits.
About Training
At Wild Paws, I believe that training should be kind, positive and tailored to the individual dog in front of you.
My journey into dog training began through years of hands-on experience as a dog walker, working with dogs of all breeds, ages and personalities. Wanting to deepen my knowledge and provide the very best support to dogs and their owners, I completed my Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT).
I offer one-to-one training and group sessions, helping owners to better understand their dogs and build lasting relationships based on trust and communication. Whether you’re raising a puppy, working on recall, lead walking, confidence building or overcoming everyday challenges, my aim is to provide practical guidance that fits into real life.
The secure setting of Wild Paws Park also offers a unique opportunity for dogs to learn and practice skills without the distractions and pressures often found in public spaces, allowing both dogs and owners to build confidence at their own pace.
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About the Shop & Nibble Nook
The Wild Paws Shop and Nibble Nook honesty box were created with one simple goal - to provide dogs with high-quality products that support their health, happiness and wellbeing.
I carefully select every product with the same standards I would use for my own dogs. From natural treats and long-lasting chews to enrichment toys and everyday essentials, my focus is on products that are safe, enjoyable and beneficial for dogs of all ages.
Nibble Nook, our self-serve honesty box located within the park, offers visitors the opportunity to pick up treats and goodies during their visit, making every trip to Wild Paws park that little bit more special.
Attended Wild paws for some much needed puppy training and socialising classes with my pup Floyd.
He is a border collie so I knew that I would need help to learn more about his breed and traits that he may have.
I found Holly to be very friendly and approachable with great knowledge.
The classes were the perfect size and very controlled.
We have used the techniques that Holly gave us in class . They were easy to learn and Floyd has came on well with them.
Since them we have used to dog park with Floyd. With my confidence in his lack of recall it’s a good place to practice, very secure and actually a perfect size .
I also got some advice from Holly regarding my older dog and Floyd as they were not getting along. With some guidance they are now socialising very well and getting along how I’d hoped!
Thanks again Holly
Holly help me so much with my confidence and training. So many simple things I’d never thought of
myself.
My walks now are so much better than they were before my training. It’s been a great help and I use what I’ve learnt from Holly daily, several times a day- every walk/interaction I’m using what I learn from Holly.
Even down to meal times and pottering in the garden! Making use of many different things that we learnt!🐾
We took our dog Ozzy to the Wild ones 5 week class with Holly. Prior to this, we also had a couple of 1 to 1 sessions as well. I would highly recommend both. The individual classes were fantastic at building our confidence in giving our dog new commands and getting to see what he was capable of doing. Holly was very patient, explained things clearly and took her time to help us with all the new skills learned. Her knowledge, and ability to communicate this knowledge was superb.
In our group class it was more of the same. She created a real sense of "team" in the class and everyone (and their dog) was made to feel very welcome. Training was clear, fun and moved at good steady pace so that the dogs and their owners were always busy. Feedback was always given and she would spend time with any dog that was struggling with a particular skill.
After each session, Holly would follow up with very thorough course notes - made available to us all. Like all good teachers, she reinforced homework and would encourage us to go and take these skills into the real world. Our dog has learned loads of new skills and our confidence as owners has significantly improved.
If you want to see noticeable improvements in your dog, whilst developing a stronger bond with them, I couldn't recommend the classes enough!