Hilary Burbidge – founder and trainer
I have over 11 years Gundog training experience. Training my Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever dog, Matlock to Kennel Club Working Gundog Certificate (on dummies) and my Labrador Retriever, Ripley, working in the field as a picking-up dog. I am a member of the Utility Gundog Society (Herts, Beds and Bucks Branch), The Chiltern Gundog Society, Kennet Valley Gundog Training Society, United Retriever Club (Bucks), and The Utility Gundog Society, Herts, Beds & Bucks, achieved Gundog Club Field Tests with The Gundog Club grades 1 to 4, I have IMDT training and experience on several working shoots and numerious Gundog events and charity tests up and down the country. My dog Matlock and I are also Pets As Therapy volunteers.
Ripley, our two year old black Labrador bitch joined our family in Summer 2023, her mum and dad are very talented working gundogs, her mum is Lyebreach Black ‘Kite‘ dad is Field Trial Champion Isleofman Gorse of Wylanbriar WGC – ‘Callum’.
With my specialist experience working a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, I set up Duck Dogs an NSDTR training group. This group is for owners wishing to train towards Kennel Club standard working Gundog tests and charity test events and working shoots. If you’re a NSDTR owner and would like to know more, please do get in touch.
Jennifer Byrnes – trainer
I’ll be running the 4-5pm Group Puppy Classes, STARTING SOON !!. I shall be helping your puppy learn all foundation training goals to develop confidence, social skills, and a love of learning in a supportive, fun environment.
I’m canine first aid trained and will be taking the Easy Peasy Puppy Squeexy – IMDT course in March 2026 to qualify as a Puppy Trainer.
I’m the founder of London Tails, where we offer Dog Hikes built on empathy, trust, and positive challenges. Every walk is fulfilling and packed with enrichment to help dogs build confidence, resilience, and calm while having fun and exploring safely.
I’m also the proud owner of Feargal, a Royal Kennel Club registered Whippet and our official Quality Control Officer — if a walk doesn’t meet his high standards, it won’t meet ours either!
Toby Kerr – assistant trainer
Toby is also a dog walker based in the High Barnet area, and offers 1-to-1 dog walks to ensure each dog receives his full attention, care, and tailored support. Toby takes great pride in providing a reliable, attentive and compassionate service, focusing not only on exercise but also on each dog’s physical wellbeing, mental stimulation, and overall happiness. Working on a 1-to-1 basis allows me to better understand each dog’s personality, pace, and specific needs, creating a calm, safe, and enriching experience.
Toby believes that building strong, trusting relationships with both dogs and their owners is at the heart of this important work.
Alongside his dog walking business, Toby is actively learning and developing his skills as a valuable member of the HBDT team to become a professional dog trainer. This journey reflects Toby’s deep love for working with dogs and his desire to better understand their behaviour, communication, and learning styles. Toby is passionate about promoting positive reinforcement methods and helping dogs and their owners build strong, respectful bonds.
