Hi, I’m Victoria — a proud Ukrainian living in Munich, a certified dog trainer, and the Country Representative of PDTE in Germany.
I help dogs and their humans build relationships rooted in trust, kindness, and understanding. My approach is ethical, science-based, and inspired by the work of Turid Rugaas. I work with families across Munich — Schwabing, Bogenhausen, Maxvorstadt, Sendling, Pasing, Haidhausen — and online worldwide in English, German, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish.
My Dog Training Journey
My path began in Germany with the HundeFührerschein programme, where I learned the basics of dog development, body language, safety, and legal responsibilities. The life-changing moment for me came when I read Turid Rugaas’ book “Calming Signals”. It opened my eyes to something extraordinary: my dog Hermes, a six-year-old cocker spaniel at the time, had been communicating with me all along — I just hadn’t been listening.
That single realisation changed everything. It drew me deeper into Turid’s teachings and ultimately to PDTE — a global community of like-minded trainers spreading ethical, dog-centred practices around the world. I’ve gained immense knowledge and friendship from this incredible community.
Experience in Spain
After moving to Spain, I completed a traditional obedience-training programme, walked shelter dogs, and gained valuable hands-on experience. While this path gave me useful tools and insights, it also showed me clearly that obedience alone isn’t enough to help dogs navigate our hectic human world. Real change comes from understanding, not from commands.
My Education
Ethical dog training is a constant journey of learning. Here’s the formal education that shapes my work today:
- 🇩🇪 HundeFührerschein — Germany (foundations of dog development, behaviour, and law)
- 🇪🇸 Traditional obedience training programme — Spain
- 🇳🇴 Nordic Dog Trainer School — graduated all four levels (Level 1–4)
- 📚 Amber Batson — 1-Year Aggression Course (completed)
- 🐕 Amber Batson — “Silver Paws” — currently studying elderly and geriatric dogs
I’m committed to constant growth. Dogs and the science of canine behaviour both evolve — and so do I.
Conferences & Networking
Being a PDTE Country Representative for Germany means staying actively connected to the international dog-training community. I attend conferences regularly, both online and in person:
- 🇮🇪 PDTE Conference, Dublin (Ireland) — in person
- 🇸🇮 PDTE Conference, Laško (Slovenia) — in person
- 🇱🇻 PDTE Conference, Riga (Latvia) — upcoming this year
- 🇩🇪 Online conferences in Germany, other European countries, and the USA
Beyond conferences, I meet regularly online and in person with my colleagues from the global dog-training world — to exchange ideas, deepen our knowledge, and grow our network. Some of the most inspiring mentors I’ve connected with include @annelillkvam and @stephsdogtrainingdublin.
Street Dogs Study in Greece 🇬🇷
To deepen my understanding of dogs, I travelled to Greece to study street dogs — dogs who live very differently from our home companions. Observing how they communicate, form social groups, navigate their environment, and solve everyday challenges has profoundly shaped how I see all dogs, including the ones I work with in Munich.
I documented the whole project on Instagram. You can follow the journey here:
Certifications & Credentials
- 🏅 PDTE Associate Member (Pet Dog Trainers of Europe)
- 🇩🇪 Country Representative of PDTE in Germany
- 📜 §11 Permit from the Munich Veterinary Office — official permission to work as a dog trainer in Germany
- 🇩🇪 HundeFührerschein — Germany
- 🇪🇸 Traditional Obedience Training — Spain
- 🇳🇴 Nordic Dog Trainer School (Level 1–4)
You can also see my certificates pinned on my Instagram profile:
Working in Munich
📍 Back in Munich, I’ve received my §11 permit from the Munich Veterinary Office — the official authorisation to work as a dog trainer in Germany. I’m now thrilled to continue my journey, spread ethical training practices across Bavaria, and help dogs and their families lead happier, calmer lives.
I offer in-person sessions across Munich and online consultations worldwide. Whether you’re navigating puppy challenges, reactivity, fear, leash issues, or simply want to build a better relationship with your dog — let’s speak doggish together! 🐾