Lee Ferry – Professional Canine Behaviourist & Dog Trainer with over 24 years of hands-on experience and a Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training from Hull University, Lee Ferry has helped train more than 5,000 dogs using only positive, science-based methods. Lee’s unique blend of academic knowledge and real-world expertise ensures that every dog is trained with compassion, professionalism, and proven techniques.
Specialist Areas of Study (Degree Level)
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Canine Behaviour and Training Canine
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Psychology & Development
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Inappropriate Canine Behaviour
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Psychopharmacology
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Breeding & Genetics
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Canine Nutrition & Behaviour
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Canine Welfare & Legislation
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Dog Training Instruction (Beginner to Advanced)
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Agility Instruction (to Competition Level)
Professional Qualifications & Memberships
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Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training (Hull University)
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Degree in Community & Youth Work (Durham University)
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Victoria Stilwell Positive Dog Trainer (VSPDT) – 2018–2022
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Member of the Professional Pet Guild (PPG)
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Certified Instructor & Assessor – Pet Dog Ambassador (PPG)
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Certified Instructor – Absolute Dogs
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Certified Pet Scent Dog Trainer
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Certified Dog Trainer – Darwin Assistance Dogs
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Dogs School Therapy Dog Trainer – Course Designer & Accreditor
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Durham County Council - Certified Animal Welfare License Holder, Dog Day Care & Home Boarding
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Lantra - Approved Training Provider
Specialist Experience
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Mountain Rescue Search Dog England Handler (12 years) Levels Attained: Trainee Handler, Novice Handler, Fully Graded Handler, Trainee Assessor
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Mountain Rescue Search Dog England - Pre-Stage Training Officer (Elected 2025)
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Natural Way Sheepdog Training – Beginner to Advanced (3 years) (Completed)
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Natural Way Sheepdog Training - Instructor/Demonstrator (Ongoing)
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Work-Based Placement – HMSO Prison Detection Dogs (6 months)
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Pet Scent Dog Training - Beginner to Advanced
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Agility Instructor – Certified to Competition Level
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Course Designer – LANTRA-Certified School Dog Therapy Course
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School Dog Trainer – Numerous school therapy dogs across North East England
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Dogs Day Cares Centres - Owner / Manager, Certified by Durham County Council (8 years)
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Home Boarding - Owner / Manager, Certified by Durham County Council (5 years)
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Durham College - Nominated Placement Provider for Students on Animal Welfare Course
Mountain Rescue Journey
Lee Ferry served as a full team member in Mountain Rescue for many years before pursuing his long-held ambition of becoming a search dog handler. In 2001, he applied to join the Search and Rescue Dogs Association England (SARDA England)—a charity dedicated to training air-scenting search dogs specifically for use in Mountain Rescue operations.
Lee began his journey as a 'dogsbody,' volunteering to lie out on hills and mountains for training dogs to locate. After gaining valuable experience, he was approved to begin training with his own puppy, a young Border Collie named Bracken.
Together, Lee and Bracken progressed through Pre-Stage Training, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and pre-assessment preparation. After three years of intensive training across various mountain regions in England, they successfully passed their Novice Assessment in the Lake District, qualifying them to attend callouts as a graded search dog team.
Two years later, they were invited to undertake the Full Graded Search Dog Assessment. Although Bracken was recovering from a tick-borne infection, he was cleared by the vet to proceed. Unfortunately, they did not pass on their first attempt and remained at Novice level for another year. On their second attempt, Bracken was at his best, and they passed with flying colours—becoming a fully graded search dog team.
On the callout list, Lee and Bracken were involved in numerous searches across wild and remote areas of Northern England, helping locate missing walkers and vulnerable individuals. Once Lee was fully graded he was invited to train as an Assessor for the association and was mentored by certified assessors to help evaluate new potential handlers during assessments in the Lake District.
As Bracken aged, Lee began training a new Border Collie, Fern, who progressed through Pre-Stage, Stage 1, and Stage 2. However, during this time, Lee’s professional career was impacted by redundancy from Sunderland City Council Youth Service, making it no longer sustainable to continue the demanding volunteer work. In 2013, Lee respectfully stood down from all Mountain Rescue services.
Lee remains deeply humbled and proud to have been part of one of the most respected dog training organisations in the world, and continues to carry forward the values and skills gained from his time in search and rescue.
Pre-Stage Training Officer – Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England
In January 2025, Lee Ferry was honoured to be invited by one of his most inspirational mentors, Jacquie Hall, to take over her role as Pre-Stage Training Officer for Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England. Jackie was retiring after an incredible 30 years of voluntary service.
At the organisation’s Annual General Meeting held at Blencathra in the Lake District, Lee was officially voted in by the committee to take on this vital role. As Pre-Stage Training Officer, Lee is now responsible for guiding and supporting all new potential mountain rescue search dog handlers and their puppies—laying the foundation for the next generation of search dogs handlers.
This appointment reflects Lee’s deep commitment to Mountain Rescue Search Dog work, his extensive experience in canine behaviour, and his dedication to help maintaining the high standards of one of the most respected dog training bodies in the world.
https://mountainrescuesearchdogsengland.org.uk/
Bracken
2002 to 2018
Fern
2009 to 2019
Lee Ferry – Founder & Lead Behaviourist, School of Dogs®
After a twenty-year career in youth work with Sunderland City Council, Lee Ferry saw redundancy in 2013, not as a setback, but as a chance to pursue a lifelong passion—working with dogs. Determined to make a meaningful impact in the field of canine behaviour, Lee retrained as a professional behaviourist by enrolling in the Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training programme through Hull University, delivered at Bishop Burton College.
During his studies, Lee immersed himself in the science of canine behaviour and learning. He explored the principles of classical and operant conditioning, the role of reinforcement in shaping behaviour, and the psychological and emotional factors that influence how dogs learn and respond to their environment. His academic training covered areas such as psychopharmacology, genetics, welfare, and legislation—providing a deep understanding of the biological and psychological mechanisms behind behaviour.
Lee’s approach is rooted in evidence-based, compassionate methods that prioritise the emotional wellbeing of the dog. He uses science-led techniques to help dogs learn through positive associations, clear communication, and structured environments that support behavioural change.
With over 24 years of practical experience and more than 5,000 dogs trained, Lee has helped countless owners across the North East of England build stronger, healthier relationships with their dogs. His work spans everything from behaviour modification and advanced training to therapy dog development and professional mentoring.
Lee founded School of Dogs® to raise professional standards in dog training and welfare. Today, it stands as a respected organisation known for its ethical, science-based approach to canine behaviour and its commitment to improving the lives of dogs and their people.
Natural Way Sheep Dog Training
Over the last three years, Lee has completed Pre Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced sheep dog training courses with Julie Hill, ‘Natural Way Sheep Training’. Julie Hill is one the most successful trainers in the history of international sheepdog trials. She has won the ISDS International Supreme Championship as well as the International Brace Championship, Scottish National Singles and Brace and Driving Championship, International Farmer's Championship, and International Shepherd's Championship. Julie is highly regarded as one the worlds leading sheep dog trainers. Over the last thirty years Julie has developed her own natural way of training sheep dogs that enhances their dog natural ability to work sheep using their own language. Lee received a great accolade from Julie in 2024 by inviting him to become one of her registered students for her brand new instructor training course. Over the next two years Lee will work closely with Julie and other members of her chosen team to become a fully certified instructor/demonstrator for the Julie Hill Natural Way Sheep dogs
Victoria Stilwell Positive Dog Trainer
Lee was fortunate to work with Victoria Stillwell and her team, which led him to accepting an exclusive offer to join the VSPDT (Victoria Stilwell Positive Dog Trainers) team for five years. As an accomplished dog trainer, dedicated to maintaining the highest level of professionalism and expertise, while following the latest in the ever-evolving field of animal behavioral science, Lee offers the North East of England a dog training option they can rely upon to achieve results using the same science-based, humane methods displayed by Victoria on Channel 4’s It’s Me or the Dog. Lee has also worked at Crufts many times with Victoria and the rest of the VSPDT team, promoting positive dog training techniques. (2018 to 2022)
This has to be one of our best reviews for our business by Simon King, Harry Bikers.
It’s been my good fortune to find School of Dogs. Lee and Steph, who run it, are great people. Arty, my Labradoodle, and Fred the Dalmation are no strangers to staying with Lee and Steph on a regular basis. I’m sure you’ll appreciate that I spend a considerable amount of time out of the County making progammes for TV and it’s invaluable to know that our Arti & Fred are well looked after. I really can’t recommend School of Dogs and Lee and Steph highly enough.
Not only are the dogs well cared for, loved, exercised and well fed, it's clear that Steph and Lee and School of Dogs go that extra mile; the dogs are always more disciplined when they come home, than when they were left. If you get the opportunity and good fortune to have your dogs stay with Steph and Lee, then you’ll completely understand why I’ve given the testimonial I have. They are good, kind people that genuinely love and understand dogs. I’d hope so because Lee has a degree in K9 behaviour.
So crack on, get them booked in, what’s not to love!
Best wishes and kind regards
Si King
Hairy Bikers
Before becoming a professional dog trainer, Lee Ferry earned a degree in Youth and Community Work from Durham University. He spent 20 years working in youth services, ultimately serving as Principal Officer for Sunderland City Council Youth Services. In this leadership role, Lee managed a large team of youth workers and was instrumental in engaging young people through the XL Youth Villages project. This initiative significantly reduced antisocial behaviour across the city and received multiple accolades from the National Youth Work Awards
One of Lee’s most successful outcomes from working with dogs was ‘Alf’ a Staffordshire Bullmastiff which he saved from euthanasia. Have a look at the short film we have made about Alf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YfJGZbBvmE
Lee now working in partnership New College Durham to provide learning placements for their students from animal care courses, to learning skills in dog training and caring for dogs, we currently have four students on a weekly basis.
Lee has recently trained Sammy, a rescue Sprocker Spaniel, to be a School Dog at St Andrews Primary School in Bishop Auckland. Here Sammy reads with children to promote a love of reading and spends time with pupils who have social and emotional issues, to help calm them and give them “time out” from their own daily emotional struggles. In addition, Lee also delivered a dog obedience after-school club to pupils and their dogs, teaching them to be responsible owners from a young age. Headteacher Nicola James says, “Introducing Sammy to our school family has been a really positive move. Lee has helped us ensure Sammy was well prepared for the role and that all risk and temperament assessments were made.” https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18230617.pooch-spreads-joy-reading-sessions-st-andrews-school-bishop-auckland/
Lee’s has also been very fortunate to produce a YouTube channel; where he can help to spread the word of positive dog training. This would not have been possible without the help from Jon Stubbs and his son Lewis Stubbs. Their vision for making dog training films has been inspirational and alot of the content, dialogue and film editing were from Lewis’s direction. Sadly last year Lewis (18 years old) was involved in a tragic plane accident. We will never forget him, his moto was ‘one life- live it’. Therefore, we dedicate our Youtube channel to the memory of Lewis. We ask our followers if they help in his memory of planting a tree. https://www.facebook.com/groups/407204986666297
