Raised by Alsatians

Meet Darcy – Founder of Kiasu K9

From the moment I came home from the hospital, I was captivated by dogs. Growing up alongside our Alsatian, Sonia, and in a family where every household had at least one dog, my early years were spent rolling in the mud with big, friendly canines. This hands-on experience sparked a lifelong passion for dogs and a natural understanding of their needs, personalities, and behaviors.

By age eight, I was assisting with socialization for Hearing Dogs UK, thanks to my aunt, a long-time volunteer whose own love for Alsatians had led her into the world of hearing dogs. As a curious and “wild child” with AuDHD, I thrived in these hands-on environments, often staying with my aunt and absorbing every aspect of dog training. I was homeschooled by my family, giving me the flexibility to dive deeply into the training basics and start building a foundation in dog behavior from a young age.

The joy I found in working with dogs pushed me to continue developing my skills, even when dog training was just a passion rather than my profession. In my twenties, I found myself rescuing local dogs—often bully breeds in need of a second chance. Though I had to “creatively manage” pet ownership with landlords, these rescues taught me valuable lessons in addressing complex behavioral issues. Each new dog motivated me to seek advice from seasoned trainers, ask questions, and constantly expand my knowledge—a journey of curiosity and fascination that has never waned.

Today, I offer my experience and dedication to dog owners in London, helping them build fulfilling relationships with their pets. From training the perfect pub companion to rehabilitating rescues, Kiasu K9 is committed to guiding your dog’s personal progress and development, ensuring a strong, positive bond between you and your canine companion.

The Pack

We're all a little different but we are family.

Darcy

Founder

Growing up in a family who were dog mad on both sides, it was inevitable that I would always love dog s& be fascinated by their mentality, emotions, drive and loyalty.

With 10 years of experience running a previous small business, a lifetime of dog owning, handling and experience and my beloved dogs to prioritise

Klash Aka "The Goblin"

Head Stooge

Breed ; French Bulldog

Age ; 10 Years

I wanted a "Proper Dog" 10 years ago, wasn't best pleased about my ex wanting a frenchie & now here we are, a decade later, still together - Klash and I, that is!

Klash likes to sunbathe and police the rest of the pack, he's quite good at his job so mostly is left to teach the young ones about being respectful, careful & how to listen to dad.

Gilbert Aka "Gilberto"

Stooge, In training

Breed ; Dobermann

Age ; 22 Months Approx

Abandoned in Jan 2024, freezing in a filthy stairwell Gilbert came to us somewhat in a state, more so mentally than physically.

A lot of time & effort has been put in to building up his confidence and he is now at a point where he's assisting in sessions, showing customers fearful dogs that big boys can be soft & tolerable too

Lulu Aka "Nootus"

Stooge, In Training & Teachers Pet

Breed ; Giant Schnauzer

Age ; 20 months

Quit my 9-5 in 2023 after getting Lulu & realising that what I was doing was not fulfilling after getting back to training a dog for myself and remembering just how much I enjoy working with dogs.

as such Lulu has had all of my time thrown at her while I started to Build Kiasu K9 from the ground up, while expanding on my knowledge & testing it by training Lulu at every opportunity given.

Devo Aka "DeeDee"

Stooge & All Round Madame

Breed ; Miniature Schnauzer

Age ; 10 Years

Plucked from the backstreets of harlow and whisked off to live in SW1, Devo is an all-round Mummies Girl & a very clever one as well.

Always eager to please, she loves a challenge & is a queen of scent games.

Methods, Ethos & Education

Welcome to Kiasu K9, where we believe in helping dogs and their owners build happy, harmonious relationships through balanced training techniques. With a foundation in Positive Reinforcement (R+) and years of hands-on experience, I am dedicated to fostering trust and understanding between dogs and their humans. My approach to training is deeply rooted in real-world experience, shaped by a lifetime of working with a wide range of dogs, from family pets to rescues with complex backgrounds to service dogs in training.

My Background & Training Approach

Growing up, I was surrounded by dogs—specifically Alsatians—from the very beginning. My earliest training experiences involved our own family dogs, learning to handle and care for them from a young age. By the time I was around 7 or 8, I began working with hearing dogs, where I was trained in Positive Reinforcement methods exclusively. This work introduced me to structured training and behavior reinforcement, preparing me for a more formal understanding of training techniques.

As I grew, my approach broadened through my work with my own German Shepherd, Ben, a mill-rescue with unique behavioral needs. With Ben, I learned to incorporate balanced training methods, including safe and appropriate use of corrections, which became essential for guiding him safely.

My experience continued to deepen as I began rescuing and rehoming bull breeds and other high-drive dogs from various backgrounds. These dogs, many with challenging behavioral issues, taught me the importance of a flexible and practical approach that prioritizes both safety and understanding.

Training Philosophy

At Kiasu K9 I believe a balanced approach gives dogs and their owners the best chance at a safe and fulfilled life together. My training methods are founded on Positive Reinforcement, using encouragement and rewards to teach desired behaviors. However, when a dog’s safety is at stake—such as pulling into traffic or lunging at other animals—I apply corrections to ensure they understand boundaries that keep them safe. My goal is to equip dogs with the skills they need to navigate the world confidently, allowing them greater freedom and reducing risks of injury or restrictive measures.

Committed to Practical Knowledge and Lifelong Learning

While I don’t hold a formal degree in animal behavior, my understanding of canine behavior comes from decades of hands-on experience and a deep commitment to self-education. Unlike many who rely solely on academic credentials, I’ve been handling and training dogs since childhood and have continuously evolved my techniques to align with the best practices in the field. Currently, I’m furthering my knowledge through a mentorship program with Phoenix K9, led by an industry leader who collaborates with some of the field’s top professionals from around the globe.

I’m dedicated to providing clients with training methods rooted in both proven techniques and practical experience, always tailored to meet the needs of each unique dog. Thank you for considering Kiasu K9 — I look forward to working with you to help your dog thrive.

WHY "KIASU"?
KIASU LITERALLY MEANS FEAR OF LOSING, THE WORD IS DERIVED FROM THE HOKKIEN DIALECT WITH "KIA" MEANING "FEAR" AND "SU" MEANING "TO LOSE". IT IS OFTEN USED TO DENOTE AN ANXIOUS AND COMPETITIVE ATTITUDE THAT ARISES FROM FEAR OF MISSING OUT.
SOUND FAMILIAR?