My Story
Hi, I’m Tasha Attwood, the heart behind Mutts & Mischief. For over a decade, I’ve been working alongside dogs and their guardians to build safer, happier relationships through kindness, curiosity, play, and understanding.
My approach has grown from both professional learning and lived experience. As an autistic, neurodivergent person living with physical disabilities, I know that there is no single “right” way to learn, communicate, participate, or care.
That shapes the way I work: looking at the dog in front of us, the person beside them, and the wider world they are navigating together.
I’m not interested in chasing perfect dogs or perfect guardians. I’m interested in helping you understand one another, finding practical changes that actually fit real life, and creating more opportunities for choice, connection, and joy.
Around here, it’s fun, not formality — building connections through paws to play.
My Philosophy
Training isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. I believe in:
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Fun, not formality — learning can be playful, practical, and part of everyday life.
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Kind, evidence-informed practice — no fear, pain, intimidation, or punishment.
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Looking at the whole picture — behaviour doesn’t happen in isolation. Physical health, emotions, environment, relationships, experiences, and individual needs all matter.
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Choice and communication — noticing what dogs are telling us rather than simply asking them to follow instructions.
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Collaboration — guardians, vets, behaviour professionals, trainers, and other members of a dog’s support team working together where needed.
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Accessible support — adapting the process to the individual dog and human rather than expecting either of them to fit a predetermined mould.
Approach & Ethics
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Force-free, evidence-informed practice, with no use of fear, pain, intimidation, or aversive training methods.
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A whole-dog approach, considering physical health, emotional wellbeing, environment, learning history, relationships, and everyday life.
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Collaborative working with vets, physiotherapists, hydrotherapists, chiropractors, trainers, and other professionals where appropriate.
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Accessible and adaptable support, recognising that dogs and guardians have different needs, abilities, resources, and circumstances.
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No rigid formulas or one-size-fits-all programmes — recommendations need to be achievable for the individual dog and the people around them.
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Ongoing reflection and learning as research, professional understanding, and the needs of dogs and guardians continue to evolve.
Professional Memberships & Roles
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Pet Professional Guild (PPG) – Member, PDA Instructor & Assessor, Co-chair Assistance Animal Division, Team Lead – Pet Professional Guild Lincolnshire Behaviour Team
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INTODogs – Accredited Canine Behaviourist & Trainer (KSA), S.I.T. (Social Inclusion Team) Vice Chair
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ICAN – Associate Member
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Dog Gone Safe – Member
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Animal Training Academy – Member
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Zoological Society of London – Member
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Dog Welfare Alliance – Member
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National Register of Dog Trainers & Behaviourists – Member
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Deaf Dogs Network – Approved Trainer
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Assistance Dog Education & Support Network – Approved Instructor
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Do No Harm Dog Training Group – Moderator & Rescue Campaign Director
Credentials & Experience
I’ve been supporting dogs and their guardians for over 11 years, with particular experience in emotional wellbeing, reactivity, collaborative care, enrichment, scentwork, separation-related difficulties, and complex behaviour cases. My qualifications and professional roles include:
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INTODogs Accredited Canine Behaviourist & Trainer (KSA assessed)
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Certified Collaborative Care Partner
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Certified Canine Enrichment Technician
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CAM Advocate Level 1 (Canine Arthritis Management)
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Specialist in trauma, reactivity, separation anxiety, and scentwork
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Co-Chair of the Pet Professional Guild Assistance Animal Division
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Instructor with Kids Around Dogs (KAD)
These represent just a small part of my professional journey
