About Me

I am an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (horses and dogs) and a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC). I have been practising as an animal behaviourist since I established my South Wales business in 2005, helping dog and horse owners towards better animal behaviour and more satisfying human-animal relationships.

I gained my Postgraduate diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from the University of Southampton in 2006 and achieved my Masters in 2011 after conducting an in-depth study on the impact of training method on horse welfare and the horse-human relationship. I also have an Equine Science degree (BSc Hons) from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth where I focused on behaviour and welfare issues including a field study on Welsh hill pony behaviour.

These days I spend most of my week travelling across South and West Wales, the border counties, Bristol and the M4 corridor as far as Swindon, working with people seeking to help and understand their animals, and improve their management and behaviour skills. I aim to provide the most accurate information I can on all aspects of horse and dog behaviour so more people can make better informed decisions, actively enhancing our relationship with animals.

Jenni Nellist

Need help?

Are you looking for help with an animal behaviour issue? Let's see if I can help.

I am an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (horses and dogs), a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (horses), a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and a Certificated Member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians. I have been practising as an animal behaviourist since I established my South Wales business in 2005, helping dog and horse owners get better behaviour and more rewarding relationships.

Starting with the principle that a thorough assessment forms the most effective support plan is fundamental to my emotional support and behaviour change process:

Assess and identify the reasons for problem behaviour including understanding the role of any medical conditions the animal may have. See Veterinary Referral.
Identify the treatment: human-animal relationship, living environment, practical behaviour modification and training.
Teach and support human-animal interaction, environment modification, and behaviour modification and training.
Review and support progress over time.

My assessments are based on the psychobiological model: understanding where and when the animal’s problem behaviour occurs, their motivation for their behaviour, their emotional responses, and what they are trying to communicate, and how this sits within the rest of their life experience.

My treatments are based on helping your animal feel safe and calm, both in their environment and with you. Then addressing changes clearly, simply, and at a pace that is best for your animal's needs.

Expect me to advise supportive interactions with your animal, appropriate environmental modification and enrichments, to promote reward-based training, and very carefully considered (re)exposure to unavoidable fear-inducing situations (like a visit from the vet or inevitable Bonfire Nights).

I don’t advocate methods which make animals feel trapped or coerced, or which continue to provoke unpleasant emotions.

I gained my Postgraduate diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from the University of Southampton in 2006 and my Masters in 2011 after conducting an in-depth study on the impact of training method on horse welfare and the horse-human relationship. I also have an Equine Science degree (BSc Hons) from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth where I focused on behaviour and welfare issues including a field study on Welsh hill pony behaviour.

I cover Swansea, Cardiff and the Valleys for dog owners and slightly further afield across South East, West and Mid Wales, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire for horse owners.

Want help? Please ask your vet to make a referral to me and then I will contact you to discuss how I can help you.

Next steps for your dog

Next steps for your horse

Testimonials

"Before I met Jenni I had so many questions and very few answers that made complete sense on my horsemanship journey. She has not only answered my questions but allowed me to develop in my own way and finding my own solutions."

"Ask Jenni a question about behaviour and you will get an educated, well informed answer. She is someone who never makes you feel dull or stupid because you are finding something difficult. Jenni just guides you in the right direction and allows you to succeed. A truly inspiring trainer."

"With her characteristic patience and good humour Jenni will help you solve old problems, teach new behaviours (in hand or under saddle), or assist you in giving your youngster the best possible start in life. I’m convinced she’s the trainer all our horses would choose for themselves as they enjoy her lessons and methods so much!"

"I have two mares, one who had a tendency to get anxious and “plant” when hacking away from home and another who is just starting her education. Jenni’s help has been invaluable and under her guidance the planting issue has been replaced by an enthusiasm for going out and my rather volatile youngster is becoming increasingly calm and well mannered."

"Jenni is an excellent teacher she asks you what you feel is right whilst offering ideas and advice. She is very positive, and I always finish the lessons feeling like we have really achieved something each time. Most importantly although my horse loves working with Jenni, she has come to associate her with good, fun things and you really cannot get a better recommendation than that."