Dog Training
“Dog training isn’t about obedience, it’s about building trust.”
— Steve Mann IMDT
Book a training session
Planning a puppy?
Book a Pre-Puppy Consultation
£40 // 40 mins // in-person
If you’re considering adding to your family and would like to get expert advice and help with things like choosing a breed, finding a breeder, preparing for a rescue, getting ahead on training, and equipment and early troubleshooting, then this is the session for you. We’ll discuss everything you need to feel confident for your new arrival, no matter what stage you’re at or what your goals are. This session type is also suitable for those planning on adopting an older rescue!
START HERE
New Client?
Book a Consultation
£30 // 30 mins // in-person
The starting point for all new clients - a 30 minute face-to-face session in which I’ll gather all the information I need to put together your custom training plan. We’ll discuss things like schedule and goals, and will work together to figure out the best solution for you and your dog going forward, whatever the issue is that you’d like help with.
Ready to train?
Book a 1:1 Session
£65 // 60 mins // in-person
Please book a Consultation or a Pre-Puppy Consultation prior to any full 1:1s.
These one-on-one sessions will look at any area of training you’d like, and will follow the training plan put together in our consultation. Together, we can tackle things like jumping up, pulling on the lead, recall, focus on you, and brush up on basic obedience skills right up to more advanced skills. This time is yours to get the guidance and support you need to achieve your goals! These sessions are suitable for dogs of all ages and owners of any level of experience.
Why train with me?
IMDT Qualified
There is currently no regulation within the UK Dog Training industry, meaning that anyone can teach anything they like without needing any formal qualifications, particular experience, or suitable insurance.
I have voluntarily chosen to spend a lot of time and money, and worked extremely hard, to become an accredited member of the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) in order to demonstrate that I have the training, the skillset, and the dedication to the field that I believe should be the standard for anyone wanting to train dogs.
This qualification shows that I have been assessed to an extremely high standard by adjudicators at the IMDT in all key areas, both practical and theory-based, so you know that when you work with me, you’re getting a qualified Trainer!
Specialist Puppy Instructor
Following attendance of Steve Mann’s ‘Easy Peasy Puppy Instructor’ course, based on his bestselling book ‘Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy’, I completed an additional assessment overseen by the Man(n) himself, and after passing became a qualified Easy Peasy Puppy Instructor!
This lets you know that I’m an expert puppy instructor, and have undertaken specific training in this area to make my classes and 1:1 training with puppy owners the very best it can be! If you’ve ever had a look at the EPPS book, you’ll know it’s a pretty brilliant resource, and this study and assessment has equipped me with the same high level of knowledge and understanding.
Easy Peasy Puppy Instructors have the Steve Mann and IMDT seal of approval!
Fear and force free
I’m not interested in training using aversive methods; fear, force, and corrective equipment have no place in my practice. I feel that dog training should be something we do with our dogs, not to our dogs. It’s an opportunity to strengthen the bond between you, to build trust and communication, and to get you and your dog working together as a team towards goals that are beneficial to both parties. Intimidation, physical discomfort, and even sometimes pain, are methods unfortunately still practiced and advocated for by far too many trainers, and so choosing a trainer who actively works against this type of practice is important for the comfort and safety of your dog.
If you’d like to chat with me more about ethics, methods of training, definitions, or if you have any questions at all about these subjects or simply wish to know more about how force-free training works, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m not here to pass judgement for past methods employed by yourself or other trainers, so please don’t worry if this does apply to you - my main goal is to help you and your dog going forward, and to assist you both in living comfortable, happy lives together.
“We were very happy with Toby’s service- we have never owned a dog before and he put [us] at ease, going above and beyond what we expected for our pre-puppy consultation. He was professional, friendly and informative and left us a 20 page document full of useful info and even followed up with an email with more info. We will definitely use his services again once our puppy arrives.”
Abigail, Pre-Puppy Session Client
Examples from Previous Clients
Milo’s awesome loose lead walking!
Here’s gorgeous Milo after four 1:1 sessions focusing on loose lead walking. Prior to training, Milo’s owner was feeling very frustrated and overwhelmed by his constant pulling when on the lead, and his size in particular made it difficult to manage and maintain safety in certain situations.
It took just 4 weeks of work to go from crazy pulling to calm walking, as can be seen in the video here, taken on a practise walk with me in week 5. There’s still some work to be done, but Milo and his owner are already so much happier with lead walking! Pulling on the lead is a super common issue, and one that can really easily be worked on, all with positive reinforcement methods only of course.
Cindy’s Personal Puppy School!
Here’s Cindy after a great 1:1 session, all tired out and happily relaxing in her crate (something we conditioned right at the start of our time together!). Cindy’s owners have busy schedules, and couldn’t fit in regular evening puppy classes. However, they had a lot of things they wanted to work on with her, and so I’ve been able to work with their schedules on a weekly basis to come in and deliver a jam-packed 1:1 session that gets us all working hard on at least 2-3 behaviours each week. This has been a great option for them in terms of timing, but also for getting a highly personalised service - I’ve tailored the sessions entirely to their lifestyle, wants and needs for Cindy, and can go completely at her pace, evaluating and adapting each week to suit everybody. If you’re in a similar boat, this might be an option to consider for getting in that crucial foundational training for your puppy, plus a ton of important information that would normally be covered in group classes, but instead in the relaxed home environment, and with my full focus and attention.