Ata Shahbazi

My earliest experience with dogs began at the age of 12 when I was tasked with walking my neighbour’s Yorkshire Terrier, Pepi. Despite living in a flat, my childhood was filled with a deep love and care for dogs. Growing up on an estate, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by many dogs, however, I also saw first-hand the negative consequences of poor treatment and lack of training. This experience solidified my passion for understanding and improving dog behaviour and psychology.

In 2006, I acquired my first German Shepherd puppy, Shaba, followed by a Staffy Mix puppy, Gucci, the following year. Observing their interactions with each other and other dogs further developed my understanding of dog behaviour. My passion for training and behaviour modification truly took shape in 2010 when I entered both of my dogs in a local community junior dog competition, where Shaba earned first place for “most obedient” and Gucci was a runner-up for “fetch and retrieve”.

In 2020, I acquired my third German Shepherd puppy, Skyla, who is prominently featured on my YouTube and social media channels, and also assist me in certain cases. My approach to training emphasizes the importance of preparing dogs for real-world scenarios. My business, Shaba K9, was founded with the ethos of “Real world training” and this is reflected in my videos featuring my own and client dogs.

At this point, I made the decision to transition from my well-established corporate career to working with dogs and their owners full-time. I enrolled in Leerburg’s Online University to further my education in dog training and behaviour modification. I am also an accredited trainer and behaviorist under Will Atherton and part of a larger dog training academy community where qualified trainers share and support one another with any challenges that may arise. Most recently I have qualified under Yogz Peri at Pro K9 to become one of the NEMO accredited trainers. Additionally, I volunteer at a dog charity and provide support where I can. I am also planning to expand my services to assist those who have recently adopted dogs to ensure they receive the necessary support.

I am insured by Protectivity Insurance and have undergone a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Certificates can be provided upon request.

If you’re in need of dog training assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me for a complimentary consultation and let me help you and your furry companion.