At OhMyDog! The Hague, we only invite qualified trainers to present the lessons for you and your dog.
We prefer trainers who are university-educated in a relevant topic (e.g. ethology, psychology, vets, etc.), experienced and certified. But we don’t only look if it clicks on paper and we preferentially hire people who are sociable and easy-going, so the lesson is not only high-quality contents-wise, but you also have a good time doing it.
If you are an aspiring or experienced dog trainer, and are looking for your new challenge, check our vacancy page.
Stephanie Neijts
Owner, one-on-one trainer, group instructor, and behaviour coach
Role at OhMyDog! I started working for OhMyDog in August 2018, as part of an internship for my BSc. It was immediately obvious that OhMyDog’s vision was a great fit with my ideas on how to run a dog business. Customer demand kept exploding, so I jumped on board as Laure-Anne, who could no longer handle the work alone. That is when we decided to continue OhMyDog as a partnership.
In June 2023, I got the chance to become 100% owner of OhMyDog. I’m very thankful for this possibility and I look forward to continuing growing together with OhMyDog.
Credentials: Since 2015, I have been avidly keeping up with the latest relevant research papers, evidence-based books, and seminars on dogs and dog behaviour. I also steered as much of my MBO (Animal Management) and BSc (Animal health and management) as possible towards that topic. As part of my learning programme, I have followed internships with, among others: the police dog centre, a Rottweiler breeder/trainer, pet stores and a service dog organisation.
I am also a graduate with the Hondenspecialist certification program in behaviour therapy and puppy coaching. These studies are based on modern techniques and solid insights into dog behaviour, which is what attracted me to the program.
Daily work: I am responsible for co-managing OhMyDog, which I combine with giving group and one-on-one lessons. These one-on-one sessions can centre around putting the advice given during a behaviour advice and evaluation session into practice, or designing a tailor-made programme focusing on the students’ learning goals.
Personal experience: 5 years ago, one of the dogs I was walking needed a new home so we fostered her ‘temporarily’, but we adopted her. By giving her the space and guidance she needed, this problem improved so much that she not only learnt to interact with other dogs without a problem, but she even became a very apt communicator with other dogs, which still fills me with pride. My experience with her has given me insights (and understanding for the owners) that I can use during my private training sessions. Unfortunately, Freya passed away recently. I now have a Golden retriever, who was originally destined to become an assistance dog (Buddy dog for PTSD patients) but did not make the last suitability tests because of her fragile temperament. Guiding her and sharing our lives with her is also an invaluable learning experience.
Laure-Anne Viselé-Jonkman
Co-owner, Behaviour therapist, Group instructor and Behaviour Coach
Role within OhMyDog! I started working as a dog behaviour therapist in 2009. Shortly after that, I co-founded OhMyDog together with ethologist Nicolle Bisshoff (who has since started her own solo dog training school). In 2018, Stephanie become co-director of OhMyDog and, since 2023, I transferred all my direction responsibilities to Stephanie. Since then, I have continued to work for OhMyDog, in the capacity of dog training instructor and behaviour therapist.
Credentials: I am originally a French speaker, and have done a lot of growing up in the UK, where I studied Zoology (Newcastle University).
After my university studies, I obtained a postgraduate specialisation in Applied Animal Behaviour (Magna cum laude) and an official certification as Dog Training Instructor (O&O). I have also followed countless courses and seminars in ethology and specific training techniques.
I keep my knowledge up to date through life-long education (seminars and courses)n.
Dayjob:
ICT-Functional Management: Ik work part-time for the Royal Library in The Hague.
Behaviour therapy: I help people with their dog’s behaviour problems Behaviour therapy.
Lecturer: I am part of Annorlunda’s team of lecturers .
Writing: I have written for many industry websites and magazines (such as the LosVast, Doggo and Wamiz)
I seek to create a relaxed atmosphere in all my activities, whilst giving transparent, evidence-based and animal-friendly advice. 
Personal experience: I have always been entrusted with ‘problem dogs’ due to my profession. Through my own dogs, I have gained personal experience with the behaviour problems of old-age cognitive dysfunction, shelter and streetdogs, chronic disease and working line overdrive. This has helps me approach my clients with empathy, understanding and no judgment.
Romy Groeneveld
Behaviour coach, instructor and private trainer
Role at OhMyDog: I started at OhMyDog! in november 2019. There, I could experience everything I’d learnt during my studies in real live. With my scientific bend, and my constant hunger for knowledge, OMD’s evidence-based approach fits me like a glove.
My role is to give puppy and obedience classes. In my lessons, I first focus on the owner-dog bond: raising a pup is by no means an easy feat, and can be trying at times. I love to see students achieve success during the training, and thereby dare enjoying their dog again.
Credentials: After my BA in Greek and Latin Culture, and my MA in Journalistm and New Media, I also completed the O&O’s Dog Training Instructor programme. I have complemented this with a number of Continuous Education courses: Personal Home Dog Training Instructor (Tinley Academie), Nose work (Module 1, Tinley) and Dog learning (DogVision). I love to keep learning, so I also attend seminars and congresses (e.g. Victoria Stilwell’s Dog Behavioir Congress).
Day job: I worked in PR for a while, where I would help bring companies positive media attention. I have recently started my own business, where I give private training and on-line packages to dog owners in Delft.
Personal experience: Nino, my rescue Golden Retriever, still teaches me about dog behaviour every day. I love to bring the insights I gained from my daily life or my studies back to my students.
Nino started out quite insecure: everything was new for him. A lot of patience and structure have helped him come out of his shell. Mantrailing (following a human scent trail) has also done wonders for his self-confidence.
One of the biggest eye-openers for me, at OhMyDog, was that you do not have to push your dog into problem situations that he cannot deal with. I have also learnt to gauge (and respect) his boundaries by observing body language. Nino often gets harassed by other dogs, for example, and word on the street has it that you should let this play out. I am now choosing to support my dog, and get him out of these situations. Nino trusts my judgment, and our bond has only grown since then.
I am also working on spontaneous eye contact during walks. He can now focus on me when we pass someone, whilst he used to get distracted and I couldn’t get through to him anymore. We give our own students these types of tools, to help them enjoy their dogs in daily life.
Svetlana Kleyner
Behaviour coach and instructor
Role at OhMyDog: I joined OhMyDog!’s diverse international team in 2019 and am now in charge of Basic Obedience lessons and Puppy classes. During these lessons, I give owners the tools they need for a loving and comfortable relationship with their dogs. What I love about teaching for OhMyDog is that no two lessons are the same: every dog is an individual and every owner is different; and I get to tailor my classes to the needs of my students.
What appealed to me about OhMyDog! is the evidence-based approach. Although this requires extra reading and research, we only recommend something if we have solid grounds to believe that works. There’s no sense of “mysterious knowledge” available only to the chosen ones: we are transparent about the advice we give. We teach you only the best available professional practices, and we focus on exercises that anyone can master!
Credentials: I have a PhD (in Linguistics), which I put to good use in embracing OMD’s evidence-based principles. I have also graduated from the following international courses on dog training and behaviour: Dog Emotion and Cognition – Duke University; Animal Behaviour and Welfare – University of Edinburgh; The Truth about Cats and Dogs – University of Edinburgh; Introduction to Genetics and Evolution – Duke University and I have read a ton of specialist books on the topic.
Daily work: I am a Research Integrity Adviser at Springer Nature, which I combine with giving online classes to groups of Russian owners about dog behaviour.
Personal experience: My first dog was Tesla, whom I rescued from the streets of St.-Petersburg. It is Tesla’s many behaviour problems that led me onto the path of learning about dog behaviour. After achieving many successes with Tesla, I took another dog from the street: Simba. She turned out to be a very different kind of hard case (high reactivity and separation anxiety). I keep learning from Simba every day. I also have a third dog, Axioma, a 2-year-old Australian Shepherd.
Indre Urbonaite
Behaviour coach and instructor
Role at OhMyDog: I joined OhMyDog team as an intern in 2021 and started teaching right after its completion. Currently I’m teaching new puppy guardians a successful start during the puppy course. You will also meet me at advanced courses where we’ll continue to sharpen the skills and strengthen the bond between you and your dog. I’m also available for private one-on-one training sessions.
Credentials: I’ve completed and continue taking a follow-up course at Karen Pryor Academy and regular webinars at Grisha Stewart Academy.
Day job: Next to OhMyDog activities I’m also involved in the art and cultural heritage field.
Personal experience: Locki – a mix of fox, rabbit, cat, and kangaroo – can easily be found napping in a sunny spot, curled up on woollen blankets. He will run faster than you can blink and will make you feel very guilty for not sharing pizza crust.
He was supposed to be my social companion everywhere, all the time. However, soon after adoption, the honeymoon was over, and I had to adjust my expectations quite radically. Reactive to dogs and people, territorial, sound-sensitive, easily stressed in new environments, and triggered in a split of a second – just a few things from Locki’s suitcase that he brought together. Back then, for a clueless, inexperienced first-time dog guardian, this was more than overwhelming. It was clear we needed help, and I feel grateful for all the professionals who assist(ed) us on this journey. Needless to say, I got addicted myself to understanding the roots of Locki’s behavior and how I could help and guide him with his daily challenges. Slowly but surely, I got hooked on learning more and sharing the knowledge with others.
We overcame a lot of things from that “suitcase,” but there are still some left to unpack. A positive approach, cooperative care, pattern games, trick training, lots of enrichment, lots of patience and compassion, and, most importantly, having fun while training – these are the main things in our toolbox.
Marleen van der Linden
Behaviour coach and instructor
By now, I teach the puppy and obedience I course, which I enjoy very much. Additionally I help out my colleague instructors as a coach with the obedience II course, for example.
I love seeing the progress the owner as well as the dog makes during the course. Working together to create a better bond, more trust in each other and above all having a lot of fun!
Credentials: Cynological instructor course at the Martin Gaus Academy.
During this course there was a lot of room for the practical lessons. Therefore there was plenty of time to try out the theory we learned in real life. We worked with a lot of different kinds of dogs which was really helpful to learn a lot about the different types of bodylanguage for example. Furthermore, there was a focus on a broad variety of training techniques which resulted in really learning to look at the dog and look for what technique suits the dog best.
In addition, in 2022 I gained experience as a volunteer in Tanzania at a dog and cat shelter. Activities included taking care of young puppies (from 12 days), dogs with extra care needs and help with daily care. It was very special to see how some dogs came in emaciated and injured and started to revive after a few weeks. I was also allowed to help with a rabies vaccination campaign. We went to the villages and there the villagers could have their dogs vaccinated for free.
Yara Toornman
Behaviour coach, instructor and private trainer
Role at OhMyDog: In June 2022, I joined OhMyDog for my internship for the training to become a canine instructor. OhMyDog suits me very well because of the positive and evidence-based training method. The team is very nice to work in, we have fun together and it is nice to be able to exchange experiences with each other.
Jeroen Jansen
Behaviour coach and instructor
Role at OhMyDog: In July 2023 I was welcomed at OhMyDog as intern for my cynological instructor studies. Joining the team was heartwarming. Although everyone works from the same principles, each does so with their own, individual approach. In part because of this, I have learned a lot working with the various instructors. From October 2023 onward I was involved in the courses at OhMyDog as a coach. From behavioural coach Lidewij I have also learned many things. This, because she has such an appealing but different style in coaching as I did. Now I hope to combine the best of both worlds while teaching and coaching.
In January 2024 I started as Instructor and function in various capacities like substitute, hole-in-the-ground-filler, person-to-jump-up-against, puppy-entertainer etc..
Work experience: Soon I will have finished the my cynological instructor studies. After this I intent to go nuts on all the various classes an workshops for the dog professional. My current work experience is mostly in the security domain. I graduated (MSc.) in international relations with a specialisation in conflict studies. I have worked with various organisations among others: municipality, political organisation, NGO, Institute for foreign relations Clingendael, science institute TNO, police, public prosecutors office and the justice department. I functioned in various roles such as scientist, researcher, project manager, coordinator and advisor. I have coached in sports and diving in the past as well. There I discovered how gratifying it was to help people gain knowledge and skills. I firmly believe that previous experiences are applicable in all future endeavours. So I hope to bring something extra to help both dogs and owners.
Day job: Besides my work with OhMyDog I work as an advisor on, among other topics, crisis management for the Justice department. In 2022 I decided to find a different balance in my working life. Less time behind the computer screen and in meetings and more time outside and being active. That balance is now starting to shift in the right direction.
Personal experience: During my childhood my uncle and aunt’s dogs stayed at our house regularly. A Bouvier and a Yorkshire Terrier (and, you’ve guessed it, the Terrier was the one calling the shots). Looking back I think this was a way for my parents to compensate for not giving in to my wish to have a dog of our own.
Until then ‘Rikky the Parakeet’ and ‘Sebastian the Hamster’ tried to fill the void. But no matter how hard of an effort Rik and Sebastian made to do justice to the role of ‘honorary dog’, it just wasn’t the same.
A few years later my father finally caved and brought home a rejected police dog. As soon as Zero (that was his name) got out of my dads car, he bit and punctured the tire of the adjacent car (ohhh, right, so that’s why he was rejected…) To my great sorrow and my mom’s relief, Zero went straight back.
So, as a thirteen year old I decided to start my own dog walking service. In other words, sitting and walking neighbourhood dogs for free. What I lacked in business acumen, I more then made up for with love for my furry friends. After many years, when I finally lived in a house where I could keep a dog of significant size (and lived with someone who also thought that this was a good idea) Yaaro entered our lives. A puppy, macho, frolicker, cat-hunter, princess, distinguished sleeper and prize-winning napper all rolled into one hunk of Rhodesian Ridgeback dog muscle. Because of Yaaro I got interested in training and behaviour. Especially my problem behaviour during our walks was something he thought I should work on, so I enrolled in classes at Edupet to become a cynological instructor.
Lucas Brands
Behaviour coach and instructor
Role at OhMyDog: I joined OhMyDog!’s team in March 2021. I feel right at home with the evidence based yet fun approach to dog training. When teaching Basic, Advanced and Beyond Obedience for OhMyDog, I adapt my teaching strategies to the needs of dog and owner, providing them with the tools they need to strengthen their bond.
Credentials: As a social worker, I used to work alongside clinical behaviour analysts and I trained as a behaviour technician for which I co-wrote and implemented data-based behaviour modification plans. Though no longer working in that field, I have kept my knowledge up to date through courses in applied behaviour analysis (e.g. University of South Florida and TAGteach), as it is relevant to working with dogs too.
I am currently studying to become a canine behaviourist through a regulated Canine Behaviour Practitioner programme (The DoGenius, level 5 diploma). This programme is preparing me both academically and practically to work as a canine behaviourist. I have taken a lot of other dog training and behaviour-related courses too, such as Module A and B at the O&O, Illis ABC’s Foundations of Animal Training and Shelter Training and Enrichment (Karen Pryor Academy). I have also attended a ton of webinars (e.g. Aggressive Dog – Mike Shikashio and the APBC – Dog-Ibox)
Dayjob: I am focusing on my studies at the moment, and I am full-time personal assistant to my needy Working Cocker Spaniel Wiske.
Personal experience: Wiske has taught me a lot about meeting the needs of working line dogs. Before developing chronic back issues, we used to do basic gundog training and scent work together. Not only does Wiske suffer health issues, but she also used to struggle with behaviour issues. A combination of management and knowledge, but also a lot of love & patience, have helped me successfully modify these issues. Having a working line dog with health and behaviour issues living as a pet in a city can be quite a challenge! Before Wiske I had two Schapendoezen (with whom I did FCI-obedience).