Meet the Staff

Amanda Jane Burton (Jane)

Founder & Head Canine Tutor

Hello there,

I’m Amanda Jane Burton – though everyone knows me as Jane.

I’m the proud founder of Doggy Day Academy, as well as Paws Positive Dog Training and Paws 4 A Break Pet Care Services.

I’ve always had a deep love of animals. From a young age I was teaching my own pets little cues and spending hours with them.

Later, I moved to Turkey where I worked closely with the ex-pat community on street neutering programmes, supported local shelters, and even set up a charity to help provide food, shelter and vet care for street dogs and cats.

When I returned to the UK, I launched Paws 4 A Break, offering home boarding, pet sitting, dog walking, cat care and more.

As the business grew, so did my passion for understanding canine behaviour. I wanted to help frustrated dogs and their owners long before they reached the point of rescue. That curiosity led me into years of study, mentorship, and hands-on training with some of the most respected names in the industry.

Over the past 19 years, I’ve completed countless courses and accreditations, including studies with Dr Ian Dunbar, Victoria Stilwell, Sarah Whitehead, and the IMDT.

I’ve also been mentored by Lauren Langman and Dr Tom Mitchell of Absolute Dogs, becoming a certified professional dog trainer through their academy.

Along the way, I became a Dog Training College Instructor, a puppy specialist, and a proud member of professional organisations such as the ABTD, PPGBI, PPN, and the Force Free Guild.

My education continues to this day.

I have undertaken a three-year behaviour course with the School of Canine Science, completed the Reactivity Course with the Dog Trainer School, I am a full member of the Dog Trainer School, a fully qualified accredited and licensed dog trainer with the Dog Trainer College, member of the Force Free Movement, and I’ve studied with many other leading national and international trainers and behaviourists across multiple fields, gaining qualifications and accreditations that keep me at the forefront of modern, ethical dog training.

What really inspired me was the force-free, games-based approach pioneered by Tom and Lauren. I saw how powerful this way of training could be, and I knew I had to bring it home to South Yorkshire.

That spark eventually grew into Doggy Day Academy, a place where dogs can enjoy structured days filled with enrichment, learning, play, rest, and the life skills that support calm, happy behaviour.

I created this model after seeing the fallout from some conventional daycare settings where dogs were left to play non-stop, often becoming overstimulated and overtired.

At Doggy Day Academy, we do things differently: blending enrichment, socialisation, calm rest, and fun learning in equal measure.

My goal is simple to provide the very best in dog care and to give every dog that comes through our doors the opportunity to thrive, both in daycare and at home with their family.