MEET DEBORAH O’NEILL
An experienced trainer. A personal approach.
I founded Mizz Pawz in 2012 and help dogs and their people across Wishaw, Motherwell and Lanarkshire through force-free, reward-based training.
I’m an IMDT Accredited Dog Trainer, fully insured and trained in canine first aid.
MY STORY
A lifelong love of dogs.
My love of dog training began long before I established Mizz Pawz in 2012. Growing up, my family was involved in dog rescue, rehabilitation and fostering, giving me early experience with dogs who needed patience, understanding and support.
That early experience shaped my interest in canine behaviour. Today, I combine practical training experience with continued study to help dogs and their people understand one another.
Qualifications, accreditation & continued learning
I’m an accredited and approved dog trainer and a certified member of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT). I’m also a member of the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter.
Canine Principles qualifications
- Canine Coaching Diploma — Distinction
- Canine Behaviour Professional — Distinction
- Canine Health and Nutrition — Distinction
- Holistic Canine Behaviour — Distinction
Further professional development with the IMDT
Alongside my accreditation, I continue to develop my knowledge through further study. My IMDT training includes canine aggression and rehabilitation, plus certificate courses covering adolescent dogs and noise sensitivity and phobias.
Current study
I’m currently working through The Aggression in Dogs Master Course, an intensive course by Michael Shikashio, as part of my ongoing professional development.
Awards
Scotland Prestige Award winner for five consecutive years, most recently 2025/26.
HOW I WORK
Kindness first. Always.
Every dog is an individual, with their own personality, experiences, motivations and needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to successful dog training.
My methods are force-free, reward-based and guided by modern behavioural science. I focus on helping people understand why their dogs behave as they do, rather than simply teaching them what to do.
I keep my knowledge current through practical training, courses, seminars and further study.
THE FOUR-LEGGED TEAM
Meet Cookie & Oreo.
At home, I share my life with Cookie, my scruffy Jack Russell Terrier, and Oreo, my working English Springer Spaniel. Both have wonderfully different personalities and keep life interesting!
We enjoy exploring new places, learning tricks and developing skills through scentwork, gundog training and other dog sports.
ALWAYS PART OF MY STORY
The dogs who taught me so much.
Before Cookie and Oreo, I shared my life with two very special dogs: Max, a rescue Rottweiler–Collie cross, and Mojo, a beautiful blind Northern Inuit with Husky, German Shepherd and Malamute heritage.
Both taught me so much about individuality, adaptability, trust and the incredible relationships we can develop with our dogs. Although they’re no longer with us, they’ll always be part of my story.
WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO
It’s all about the bond.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing the relationship between dogs and their people grow — from helping a puppy settle into family life to supporting an adolescent dog or helping someone better understand their dog’s behaviour.
My aim is to make training approachable, enjoyable and useful in everyday life.
Training focuses on your dog’s needs and the skills you want to build together.
Ready for your next adventure?
I’d love to help you and your dog learn, grow and enjoy life together.
