Reducing the rate of dogs being rescued through education in the community.
Originally founded in 2012 by Emma Jane, as Essex Dog Training. Emma set up her small training establishment with the sole intent of trying to educate people to try and reduce the ever increasing rate of dogs ending up in rescue through lack of knowledge. This ethos has remained solid throughout.
- Pet Dog Classes
- Train the Trainer
- Franchise Opportunities
Emma Jane
Founder & Head Trainer
Our Journey
2012
Emma Became Qualified
Emma qualified as a dog trainer in the Castle Point Area, in Essex. She started trading as Essex Dog Training. Her reputation quickly grew and even amongst her peers she was respected for her empathetic, holistic approach and would always get to the root cause of the problem for the love of dogs.
Emma engaged the help of Candisse very early on to help with the administration duties and this position grew to what it is today.
Wrote and published the “So You Want Book Series"
As the business demand grew and Emma struggled to meet the demands she wrote and published the book series “So you want….? With the help of a ghost writer this gave her direction to point clients that were unable to access direct training for one reason or another.
The books were further developed as free downloadable PDF’s available with trainer support.
2020
2021
Prestigious Awards
Ploughing the business forward through the difficult stages of lockdown Emma was recognised and awarded for her hard work and commitment by several leading organisations including Vodafone Business UK. To protect the brand she took the time to trademark the Essex Dog Training Logo. A competition was run online and the dog on the logo was named “Spirit™️” in loving memory of her beloved Grandad.
At this time she launched Essential Canine Life Skills Ltd to develop the franchise arm of the business
First 2 Franchises come onboard
Rochford and Suffolk Coastal were the first sold territories. Amanda and Emma S had been trained and worked alongside Emma in the original Castle Point area and were very impressed with the ethos and values of the company. They bought into the business in their own area.
These franchises remain successful today and carry the flag high for everything that Essential Canine Life Skills stands for.
2022
2022-2024
Personal Repair
The business had grown so quickly that Emma took some reflection time out to look at different areas of the business for improvement. It also was a time for her to establish a good work life balance for her and her franchise owners, to ensure a great quality of life alongside an amazing career.
This also gave her time to evaluate maintaining a sustainable growth for the company.
Focusing On Franchises
As the brand grew, Emma focused on strengthening its credibility and professional standing. She led significant improvements, including rigorous quality assurance and accreditation for Spirit Dog Trainer® courses through the Skills and Education Group.
Following extensive preparation, Essential Canine Life Skills gained approval for membership of the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter. These achievements marked milestones in the brand’s commitment to professional standards, quality and excellence.
2025-2026
Our Mission
Our mission is to help to try and educate as many dog owners as possible in order to help reduce the rate of dogs into rescue through lack of knowledge.
Emma Jane, the resources she has developed; the franchise dog training areas are invested in helping their local communities to be a safer more harmonious place for humans and dogs to co-habit together.
All representatives on Essential Canine Life Skills work tirelessly together with other pet professionals in order to educate as many as people as possible.
More than Just A Dog Trainer
"Respect
&
Honesty"
We deliver open, honest guidance with compassion, respect, and diplomacy—building trust with both dogs and their humans.
"Holistic Communication & Problem Solving"
We believe in listening to what your dog is truly saying. Our approach addresses root causes, not just symptoms, to build lasting harmony between dog and owner.
"Education
with
Integrity"
We provide ethical, up-to-date, and relevant training to dogs, owners, and fellow trainers—ensuring every interaction is grounded in truth and empathy.
"Making a
Real
Difference"
With the mindset “Together, we can achieve,” we’re dedicated to improving the lives of dogs through consistent, passionate, and meaningful work
"A
Lasting
Ethos"
Our founding mission remains unchanged: to work hand-in-hand with dog owners providing education to help reduce the number of dogs surrendered or misunderstood—through quality education and support.
Emma Jane
Managing Director/Head Trainer
Originally founded in 2012 by Emma as Essex Dog Training. Emma set up a small training establishment with the sole purpose of sympathetically educating people to try and reduce the rate of dogs ending up in rescue through lack of knowledge, this ethos remains solid today.
In 2021 Emma led the business into a dynamic new brand, establishing Essential Canine Life Skills Ltd supporting individual franchised territories across the UK, writing training books and courses and leading the business into two huge prestigious business awards (The Vodafone Business Shout out for Small Businesses and the Classic Novo Business Award). Gaining further recognition throughout the canine world and storming her way to be recognised in the business world in national and local media. In 2023 Emma was invited as guest speaker at an Ambitious Women in Essex event.
Emma is highly respected in the dog world, being well known for reading dogs, humans and situations beyond even the most experienced eyes. She regularly teaches across the UK and being invited to attend and speak at various events.
She has had and still enjoys phenomenal success with her agility dogs, who have been successful in countless high profile prestigious finals over the years. They have been invited to attend no less than four British Team events, enjoyed podium success at crufts and has competed at the international horse of the year show on 3 separate occasions.
Business growth is continuing and Emma is proud of the ongoing developments as she leads to business to the next level.
You can contact Emma directly on 07742 432441 or emma@essentialcaninelifeskills.co.uk
Candisse Cameron
Business Manager
Brought together by their shared love of dogs, Candisse joined Emma in 2013 organising her basic admin at the time and completing the bookwork. The role continues to grow and the business simply couldn’t function without her.
She brings to the table a wealth of many years of high level IT Administration and document control, organisational skills and great communication, if Candisse knows about it it will happen!
Candisse has helped Emma wade her way through many business changes and has been a constant rock and confidente in some very challenging times for the business, and is entirely responsible for the back end of the business. If you have any administrative questions it will be Candisse that you will be dealing with.
Personally Candisse competes her dogs in agility and is looking forward to seeing where her youngest dog takes her.
Together they enjoy bringing you the highest quality of dog training with the highest level of customer service.
You can reach Candisse on
accounts@essentialcaninelifeskills.co.uk
Telephone 07742 432441
