About Sue McCabe

Sue McCabe B.Soc.Sc. M.A. APDT UK KCAI CD A* PPGBI ABTC QIDTI RCDTBP

Head trainer, behaviourist and owner of Muttamorphosis Dog Training & Behaviour

Sue McCabe started Muttamorphosis in 2005. From owning her first challenging dog, a rescue German Shepherd called Misty, Sue has spent 30 years loving, training and competing with her own dogs.

She shares her life with rescue Border Collie, Guinness, Pedigree Jack Russell Terrier, Jellybean & rescue Pom X Spitz, Wiggle. Though now retired, Guinness competed in Obedience and Working Trials. Jellybean competed in working trials and competition obedience. Sue & Jellybean have qualified for Crufts every year since 2016.

Wiggle focuses her efforts on being cute, lap sitting and trying not to follow her nose too much on walks. Sue also lives with rescue cats Toupee and Boots.

Sue has been involved in training dogs & Cats for TV work and her animals have starred in CBBCs The Dumping Ground, ITVs Vera, CBBCs Danny and Mick and most recently, Wolf Productions Night and Day with Jennifer Saunders. Sue is also a regular contributor to local radio features involving all things dog.

Sue holds a certificate in Intermediate Canine Psychology from the Animal Care College. In 2016, following almost 4 years of study, Sue attained KCAI Companion Dog Advanced status. She is currently the only person in Newcastle, Durham, Cumbria or Northumberland to hold this level of achievement.

Sue has been a fully assessed member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers UK since 2007. She is proud to be a member of the Animal Behaviour & Training Council, upholding professional standards for those working with animals in the UK. Sue joined the Pet Professional Guild as a full member in 2017. She is Qualified International Dog Training Instructor and also a full member of the Registration Council for Dog Training and Behaviour Practitioners. 

Sue has reached Competency Assessment Level 1 for clicker trainers. Since 2010 Sue has been granted Kennel Club Listed Status which allows her to teach the Kennel Club Good Citizen Award to Gold level.

As well as the Dog Blog on her own website, Sue blogs for esteemed US website Dog Star Daily and has also contributed to online magazine Woof. Her articles are regularly published in the APDT UK & Pet Professional Guild Magazine. Sue has contributed her expertise to national press, radio and TV, as well as online news.

For over 30 years Sue has worked in the voluntary dog rescue sector as a kennel hand, dog fosterer, temperament assessor and re-homing officer. Sue fosters and hand rears kittens and puppies as well as adult dogs. She has also worked professionally in a dog boarding kennels and as a grooming assistant.

Click here for a list of Sue’s qualifications and courses attended. 

Full list of Sue’s qualifications, workshops attended and specialist learning achievements:

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General Training & Handling/Instructing
  • Dog Training, Handling & Instructing (theory & practical), John Rogerson, Dog’s Trust, Darlington, Aug. 2005
  • KC Good Citizen Bronze Award, practical assessment @ Roshanna K9 Academy, passed with GSD Scout.  Sept. 2006
  • KC Good Citizen Silver Award practical assessment @ Roshanna K9 Academy, passed with GSD X Misty Sept. 2006
  • Dog Friendly Dog Training Done Right, Seminar on Training Theory & Class management (adult dogs & puppy classes). Dr. Ian Dunbar, July 2007
  • Behaviour Instructors Course, Shelia Bailey,  class management & training/behaviour course (theory), Derbyshire Canine Centre, June,  July Sept. 2008
  • Games and exercises for Dog Training class, workshop (practical), Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dublin Ireland,April 2009
  • Canine CSI workshop on training retrieve, search, scent detection & fun dog skills (practical).  John Rogerson.  Lancashire. Oct. 2009
  • Canine Communication and Handling Skills lecture, Turid Rugaas,  Craiglockhard, University of Edinburgh- Oct. 2008
  • 21 Day Behaviour Counselling/Training course (theory & practical). India with John Rogerson. Jan. 2010
  • Class management & Organisation lecture, Dog’s Trust Darlington, John Rogerson, June 2010
  • Lure/Reward Training for Off Leash Control. Dr. Ian Dunbar, April, 2011
  • Class managements for adolescents. Ian Dunbar, April 2011
  • KC Good Citizen Bronze Award, practical assessment @ Muttamorphosis Dog Training, passed with BC Guinness, March 2012
  • KC Good Citizen Silver Award, practical  assessment @ Muttamorphosis Dog Training, passed with Border Collie Guinness, July 2012
  • KC Good Citizen Gold Award, practical assessment@ Muttamorphosis Dog Training,  passed with Border Collie Guinness. Jan. 2013
  • KC Good Citizen Bronze Award, Assessment @ Muttamorphosis Dog Training, passed with Border Collie Sage, March 2013
  • Self Control & Focus Workshop, Pauline Jackson Pawsitively Pets, and Ruff Diamond Dogs, Newcastle Upon Tyne, April 2013
  • KC Good Citizen Silver Award, practical assessment @ Muttamorphosis Dog Training, passed with Border Collie Sage, June 2013
  • KC Good Citizen Gold Award, practical assessment @ Muttamorphosis Dog Training, passed with Border Collie Sage, July 2013
  • Get Your Sparkle Back, Canine Professional’s Masterclass with Sarah Whitehead, Alpha Education, Surrey. March 2013
  • Breed Specific Play, 2 day workshop. John Rogerson Northern Centre for Canine Behaviour. Birmingham, July 2016
  • Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze, Silver & Gold Award achieved with Jack Russell Terrier Jellybean.
  • Puppy Skills Workshop with Kamal Fernandez. Jan. 2017
  • Challenges for Advanced Dogs Workshop with Kamal Fernandez. Jan. 2017
  • Foundation for Competition Workshop with Kamal Fernandez. Jan. 2017
  • Extreme Proofing with Kamal Fernandez Workshop. Jan. 2017
  • Canine CSI with John Rogerson Birmingham July 2017
  • Canine CSI with John Rogerson Northumberland July 2018
  • Crufts qualified in Jack Russell Breed Class with JRT Jellybean 2017/18
  • Crufts qualified in Jack Russell Breed Class with JRT Jellybean 2018/19
  • Crufts qualified in Jack Russell Breed Class with JRT Jellybean 2019/20
  • Advanced Animal Training Concepts pts. 1,2&3. Karolina Westlund. Online CPD series. April 2019
  • Loose Leash, a new approach. Webinar with Grisha Stewart. Dec. 2020
Behaviour, Learning Theory & Canine Psychology
  • Certificate in Canine Psychology with Distinction, Animal Care College
  • UKRCB Annual Symposium, A Look at Pack Interaction, Speakers David Montgomery & Alexandra Semyonova, Sept, 2009
  • Professional Dog Behaviour Counselling -Theory & Practical, John Rogerson, Battersea Dog’s Home, Old Windsor, Dec. 2009
  • 21 Day Behaviour Counselling/Training Theory & Practical,  John Rogerson, India. Jan. 2010
  • Dominant or Misunderstood (theory & practical),  Fiona Whelan, Company of Animals, K9 Academy, Wallsend.  May 2010
  • The Brave New World of Dog Training. Science with a Brain & a Heart Seminar Roger Abrantes, Dec, 2011
  • Dog’s Trust , Darlington, evening lecture on dominance theory, attachment theories, Oct. 2012
  • APBC Annual Conference, Thinking outside the Dog. Lectures included; talks by Dr. John Bradshaw, Five Common Misunderstanding Concerning Dog’s Minds; Erica Peachey, Different Types of people & their expectations & abilities at dog training class; Neutering & Behaviour, the Good, the Bad& the Unclear, Caroline Warnes; Wolfing it Down, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition.  Kettering March 2013
  • Rearing a Guide Dog Litter, Caroline Peacock & Wendy Adamson, March 2013
  • Learn to Talk Dog. Sarah Whitehead,  Dog/Human communication and Body language. Autumn 2013
  • The Scientific Basis of Animal Behaviour Webinar. Simply Behaviour. Aug. 2015
  • Functional Assessment Webinar, Susan Friedman. Nov. 2015
  • Learn to Talk Dog. Sarah Whitehead, Dog/Dog communication and Body language. Dec. 2015
  • The Role of Psycopharmacology & Nutraceutical Intervention in Behaviour Cases. APBC Webinar Sarah Heath,  Jan. 2016
  • Building Resilience in Dogs Webinar. Patricia McC0nnell. ASPCA Pro. Sept. 2016
  • Woof! 2017 3 day Behaviour Conference. Nottingham University. Feb. 2017
  • Control is an iIllusion 2 day workshop with Sarah Owings. Glasgow, June 2018
  • Laws of Shaping. Karolina Westlund. Online Tutorial Video, May 2019
  • The Power of Pavlov. Karolina Westlund. Online Tutorial Video, June 2019
  • Advanced Animal Training. Karolina Westlund. Online Tutorial Video, June 2019
  • Sex, Hormones and Neutering. Sarah Whitehead intensive online course. Aug. 2019
  • Functional Behaviour Assessment. What is it?  Chirag Patel. Online webinar. Sept. 2019
  • Behaviour Modification for Food Bowl Guarders. APBC Online Webinar CPD series. Sarah Davies. Nov. 2019
  • The Dog’s Mind. Social Learning in Puppies. Claudia Fugazza. 2 day Seminar. Wigan. Nov. 2019.
  • The Rat is Never Wrong. Susan Friedman. APDT online webinar CPD series. Jan. 2020
  • Emotional Dog. Robert Falconer Taylor. Pet Professional Guild online Webinar CPD series. Jan. 2020.
  • Behaviour Meds Part 1 & 2. Dr. Jennifer Summerville. FDSA online Webinar CPD series. Jan. 2020
  • How the Brain Effects Behaviour. Danielle Beck. Webinar. June 2020
  • Psychopharmacology Parts 1 & 2. APBC online webinar series. June 2020
  • Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors Annual Conference. Online. June 2020
  • Resource Guarding in puppies. Parts 1, 2 & 3. Sue Sterberg & Trish King. Dec. 2020/Jan. 2021
Clicker Training
  • CAP Level 1 in Clicker Training, Learning About Dogs, (theory & practical),  Sept. Oct. Nov. 2006
  • Clicker training workshop (practical) with Elizabeth Kershaw.  May 2008
  • Working trials/obedience/clicker day (practical),  Suzanna Plum July 2011
  • Richard Curtis Freestyle Training Workshop. Summer 2011
  • Working Trials through Clicker Training.  Day Workshop. July 2011
  • Clicker Training workshop (practical),  Linda Edmonson, Newcastle upon Tyne, June 2012
  • Competition Obedience (practical),  Mary Ray, Day Workshop, Feb. 2013
  • ‘Working Trials Training, the Clicker Way’ Yvonne Carpenter. NECWTS June 2013
  • Building Blocks to Advanced Canine Training & Companionship (practical), Emily Larlham, Coventry, Sept. 2013
Specialist Training & Topics
  • Agility training day with Greg Derrett, Working Trial Club of Ireland 2004.
  • Agility Training Day with Paul Thompson, Dilston Dog Training Club. 2005.
  • Could your dog have been a sheepdog?  Taster sheep work day. Colliewobbles, Barnard Castle. 2005
  • Tracking, Trailing, Searching, workshop with John Rogerson, Darlington, July 2008
  • Joanna Hill competition obedience both as spectator & handler.  Belfast, Peterlee and regular North East Monthly group. 2003- present.
  • Working Trials Training workshop, Edinburgh, John Rogerson, May 2010
  • Predatory Chase Behaviour seminar, David Ryan, Cleveland Clever Canines, May 2011
  • Freestyle workshop, Monkseaton, Richard Curtis 2011
  • Working trials/obedience/clicker (practical), Suzanna Plum, Durham, July 2011
  • Working Trials Training, (practical),  Moira Rogerson & Bill Richardson, Edinburgh, June 2012
  • Working Trial Rally training & assessment-achieved Silver Level, John Rogerson, July 2012
  • Breeder Seminar, Croft Vets, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Using BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Schemes to best effect,  Puppy Development & Behaviour, BVA/KC Hip & Elbow Scheme, Stud Dogs sperm and straws, Feb. 2013
  • Scent Workshop Level 1 (practical) with Pam McKinnon, Cleveland Clever Canines, Feb. 2013
  • Competition Obedience: clicker training (practical)  Mary Ray, Day Workshop Wreckenton,  Feb. 2013
  • Sheepdog Workshop with Bevis Jordan, Alston, Cumbria. July & Aug. 2013
  • Dog Food & Nutrition, What’s in the Bag? Ester Rawlinson, BVMS March 2013
  • Motivational Clicker Training for Working Trials, North East Working Trials Society day workshop, Yvonne Carpenter, June 2013
  • Building Blocks to Advanced Canine Training & Companionship (practical), Emily Larlham, Coventry, Sept. 2013
  • Tracking & Nosework Workshop, Pat Tagg, York, Sept. 2013
  • Scent Detection Workshop, Pauline Jackson, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Oct. 2013
  • Competition Obedience Training Workshop with Jo Hill Nov. 2013
  • Talking Dogs Scentwork, levels 2,4,5. Pam McKinnon with Well Connected Canines, York. 2014
  • Introduction to Gun-dog Work with Jane Arden Mar. 1st 2014
  • Tracking for Working Trials. Dave and Jenny Olley, Selby, Nrth Yorkshire. Dec. 2015
  • Puppy Culture Demand to Win Puppies & Stack and Deliver. Online 4 hour Webinar on free-stacking for show. Sept. 2016
  • Craig Ogilvie Interactive Play July and Sept. 2016
  • Working Trials Proofing Workshop, Kamal Fernandez, Jan. 2017
  • Puppy Foundations Workshop, Kamal Fernandez, Jan. 2017
  • Engagement and Focus. Bronze Level. Denise Fenzi FDSA Dec. 2017
  • FCI Obedience workshop/seminar with Joanna Hewelt. Dublin, April 21st/22nd 2018
  • Obedience Summer Camp, week long training workshop with Kamal Fernandez, Di Martin & Jenny Gould. Kent, Aug. 2018
  • Skills for living with your Family Gundog with Jane Hanshaw. 4 day workshop. July & Sept. 2018
  • Competitive Obedience training weekend. Anna Herzog. 2019
  • Competitive Obedience training weekend. Kamal Fernandez. Feb. 2020
Aggression/Reactive Behaviour
  • Canine Aggression Dog/Dog & Dog/Human John Rogerson, Dog’s Trust, Darlington.  Sept. 2005
  • UKRCB Annual Symposium, Constructional Aggression Treatment, Kellie Snider, Sept. 2008
  • Aggression (dog/dog & dog/human), Ian Dunbar  Seminar April 2011
  • Aggression seminar, Julie Bedford, Head of Behaviour Blue Cross, Cleveland Clever Canines, May 2011
  • Canine Aggression Seminar & Workshop, Jane Hanshaw, Blackpool, Jan. 2013
  • Signals of Pre-emptive Aggression, Sarah Whitehead, July 2013
  • Resource Guarding & Possessive Aggression Masterclass, Sarah Whitehead, Alpha Education, Surrey, Aug. 2013
  • Learn to Talk Dog. Sarah Whitehead, Dog/Human communication and Body language. Autumn 2013.
  • Aggression in Dogs Webinar, Brenda Aloff. Nov. 2013
  • Learn to Talk Dog. Sarah Whitehead, Dog/Dog communication and Body language. Dec. 2015
  • Hyper Dog to Calm Dog with John McGuigan, Newcastle, May 12th/13th 2018
  • Control Unleashed Workshop with Leslie McDevitt Yorkshire, May 30th/31st 2018
  • BAT (Behavioural Adjustment Training) workshop for reactive behaviour with Di Martin. Yorkshire, Nov. 2018
  • Why Dogs Choose Aggression. Sarah Whitehead online training webinar series. April 2019
  • Leash Reactivity. Yvette Van Veen. Online Webinar. May 2019
  • Functionally Analysing Aggression. Chirag Patel. Online Webinar. Nov. 2019
Canine First Aid
  • Canine First Aid Training course run by Animal Aiders, Consett, Durham. Nov. 2006
  • Canine First Aid Training course run by Emma Foxall RVN May 2013/14/15
  • Canine First Aid Training course run by Emma Foxall RVN March 2018
Canine Legislation
  • Dog Law Awareness Seminar with Trevor Cooper, Greenside, Gateshead.  March 2008
  • Current Canine Legislation and Proposed Changes with Trevor Cooper. March 2014
  • Changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act. Wendy Richmond, Trevor Cooper, Clare Wilson. Webinar, July 2014.