Helping our dogs become Confident & Co-operative

For dogs who show aggression or anxiety in relation to the vet, the groomer and/or handling at home.

A cavapoo sits on a bed looking at the camera. He is very fluffy and needs regular help with grooming, so it is important good cooperative care training is carried out with reward based training. .
The Pet Prep Initiative submark circular logo

What is The Pet Prep Initiative?

The Pet Prep Initiative helps to provide dog owners, veterinary professionals and dog professionals with a structured program for learning about co-operative care training.

Research tells us that co-operative care training is all well and good, but it is no good if the personnel who need to understand it are in the dark, and if the training does not get generalised to the clinic or grooming environment.

So what is the answer?

Whether you are a:

We can help you understand cooperative care training and all you need to know about dog behaviour to help the dog’s in your care.

How We Can Help

By explaining outcomes to our dogs through training, we can create predictable scenarios, leading to better welfare, calmer pets, safer vet and grooming visits and happier dog owners.

The Pet Prep Initiative aims to unite veterinary staff, dog professionals and owners. If we can all be on the same page, using the same training strategies and terminology, we can make progress where progress may have failed previously.

We can help you! Click on the relevant button below to find out how.

  • For Dog Owners

    This is perfect for dog owners who would like to build a trusting relationship with their dog via fun co-operative care focused training plans, and learn all about dog behaviour.

    We aim for you to feel confident preparing your dog for the vets/groomers, reading their body language and understanding their behavioural needs.

  • For Vet Professionals

    This is perfect fort vets, veterinary nurses, and nursing assistants.

    Learn everything you need to know to help your clients suffering from fear and anxiety at the vets.

    When you are ready, become a ‘Pet Prep Practitioner’ and offer Confident & Co-operative Clinics at your practice.

  • For Dog Professionals

    This is perfect for dog trainers, behaviourists and groomers.

    Learn everything you need to know to help your client’s dogs who suffer from anxiety in relation to handling at the vets, groomers or at home, with resources provided.

    When you are ready, become a ‘Pet Prep Certified Trainer’ and offer Confident & Cooperative Training Packages.

Laura Ward, clinical animal behaviourist and founder of Pet Prep Initiative, veterinary nurse, APBC, ABTC, APDT, TCBTS.

Meet The Founder

Laura Ward

As a dog owner Laura understands how stressful vet and grooming visits can be. In fact, Neo, her collie has proved particularly challenging in this area.

As an experienced veterinary nurse, Laura has a deep insight into veterinary handling and restraint, and what is required during veterinary visits.

Laura now works as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist. Having always had a passion for animal’s being understood and listened to, Minds Alike Animal Training and Behaviour was founded over ten years ago.

It is through this clinical experience, and busy case load rehabilitating and training hundreds of dogs ,that The Pet Prep Initiative has been created.

  • "Laura is very knowledgeable, easy to understand and the training is easily adaptable. I enjoyed being able to walk away and use the skills taught straight away"

    — Vet Nurse

  • I am so glad that I went with a recommendation from my vets. All I can say is I am gaining much more than I thought I would because of Ambers reactivity. I am amazed how much she has changed. Laura gives me confidence with the training , and I feel more relaxed.

    Amber’s human

  • I had a very anxious rescue who is unrecognisable now as he is growing in confidence and enjoying life. Don't hesitate. You will not regret it.

    Teddy’s person

  • Laura is a great trainer, her calmness is very reassuring and her knowledge of the job in hand is exceptional

    Amber’s Person

Are you ready for the dogs in your life to become Confident & Cooperative?