A Banstead woman is making it her goal to help owners and their dogs get better acquainted.

Chantal Karyta, of CK9 Dog Training, believes that by teaching dogs and youngsters how to communicate better with each other; children and their canine family members can make firm friendships and support each other through life’s trials and tribulations.

“Our school curriculums are not just academic learning, they’re also about children learning to communicate and get on well with each other using words and body language," she said.

"Being able to communicate is an essential life skill.

"It allows you to ask for what you need, safeguard yourself and others and build strong, supportive relationships."

She said that if kids could learn a different language at school, what was stopping them from communicating better with their dogs.

"I think of 'dog' as another language," Ms Karyta said.

"Our furry friends don’t use words to communicate with each other or with people, but they do use body language.

"I have no doubt that dogs think that humans speak and behave like aliens.

"And so it’s important for dogs to learn to understand us and for humans to learn to understand dogs. Which is what dog training is all about.”

To help people achieve this bond with their dogs, she will be running a training workshop this summer aimed at youngsters between five and 14.