Dog Behaviour Training

We hold classes on Sundays at Lanchester. We will travel to you for one-to-one private training.

We require payment for the course in advance. This policy helps us ensure the smooth running of the classes and allows us to provide the best training experience for your dog.

Yes, your family is more than welcome to attend the class and take turns training your dog. However, to avoid confusing your dog, we ask that only one person trains your dog on the training floor at any time.

For the safety and comfort of all participants, we have a one handler/one dog policy for the training class. We recommend separate classes for dogs from the same household. If you wish to bring dogs from the same household to the class with separate handlers, that is fine, although it may inhibit learning if they are in the same lesson.

If your dog has already learned to behave aggressively around other people and dogs, it is unlikely that a class will solve this type of problem. You could be inadvertently putting your dog into a situation that they find stressful, and this can make the problem worse. They will be very close to other dogs and people they do not know. A very anxious dog in a class is unlikely to learn anything constructive. Teaching your dog to relax and focus on yourself around dogs and people away from the class would be more beneficial. You would need to book a behaviour consultation. We must consider your pet's safety and well-being and other pet owners in the class. If your dog is behaving aggressively, we will arrange a behaviour consultation.

Dog behaviour can be quite complex, and there’s no quick fix. While you might see some early progress, daily training is key for lasting results. Many factors come into play when tackling behaviour issues, such as whether your dog is genetically inclined to act a certain way, how long the behaviour has been present, and what their early life experiences were before 16 weeks of age. You’ll also need to consider if the behaviour has escalated, what your dog has learned from it, and whether it’s been unintentionally rewarded. Past handling methods, medical conditions, or even diet could also be contributing. The time and effort you’re willing to invest are crucial—behaviour modification can take months, so be ready to adjust your routine, commit to consistent training, and provide plenty of mental and physical exercise. Support and guidance can help, but your dedication is what will truly make the difference.

Behaviour problems in dogs may arise directly or indirectly from concurrent or previous medical issues. Therefore, veterinary involvement is essential in eliminating organic causes of the problem and prioritising the diagnostic and treatment strategy in any given case. Some Pet Insurance Policies will cover fees for behavioural consultations referred by your vet, so check your policy. The referral is required because your pet must receive a complete medical check-up to rule out the many other medical problems that can cause behavioural changes (liver disease, neurological disease, chronic pain, to name just a few).

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and we do this before the course commences. If you have not registered, you should not attend with your dog. If you want to come along and watch a class without participating, perhaps because you have yet to decide whether to enrol, we would be happy to see you, but please do not bring your dog.

You should seek veterinary advice regarding bringing your dog to class if they are unwell. Your dog cannot attend if not fully vaccinated, in season, or has a contagious illness or parasites, e.g. kennel cough or fleas.

Our policy is that all dogs attending our classes must be fully vaccinated or have up-to-date titre tests. Kennel cough vaccine is also recommended.