Private Dog Training & Behaviour Services

Happy Buddies offer individually tailored private training and behaviour sessions for dogs of all ages.

We are able to offer both Face to Face and Online 121 Training/Behaviour Consultations (although for some training/behavioural concerns, online may not be appropriate).

Please note that our 121 appointments take place on Friday daytimes.  We cannot currently offer evening or weekend appointments.

There may be occasions when you require individual help.  When dogs grow up, you face new training challenges, especially if your dog has developed bad habits or adolescence has hit hard!

Please note, if you are looking to book 121 Puppy Training (i.e. The 121 Puppy School Course, 121 Choosing the Right Puppy & Pre-Puppy Preparation Consultation, a 121 Early Puppy Guidance Consultation or a 121 Puppy’s First Walk please visit the Puppy Training section). For all other 121 training, please read on …

Training and behavioural concerns can take the fun out of your relationship with your dog and it’s likely to make your dog miserable too.

Your puppy may have turned into a teenage tearaway, they may not be coming back to you when you call them on your walks.  Maybe you have a new rescue dog who hasn’t received any training, maybe they need some help settling in or building their confidence?  You may be experiencing more complex behaviours and are at a loss as to how to prevent them?

Happy Buddies will work with you to identify the reason for the behaviour and tailor an individual training plan to help you and your dog overcome the issue and achieve your goals.  You don’t have to put up with problems that develop – it’s much better to seek help and that’s where Happy Buddies come in!

The sessions are generally undertaken at your home, however, sometimes an outdoor location may be suggested, depending on the training requirements.

All advice and techniques provided are kind, positive and force-free.  This ensures that the training is enjoyed by both human and canine and that your dog is successful with their learning through the use of rewards and encouragement.

When does a Training Concern become a Behavioural Issue?

Our Training packages are only suitable for training concerns that you may have, these are generally the things that you would like your dog to do (for example, but not limited to, leave, drop, recall, loose-lead walking etc).

However, when your dog’s behaviour becomes unmanageable, undesirable or more complex (e.g. resource guarding, fear and anxiety related, excessive barking, reactivity etc), then you’ll need one of our Behavioural packages. Depending on the severity of these issues, we may suggest a referral to a behaviourist.

The types of training and behavioural concerns we can help with privately include:

  • Follow-on training (e.g. post Puppy School)

  • House training

  • Recall

  • Loose lead walking

  • Polite greetings (no jumping up)

  • Resource guarding

  • Car travel

  • Desensitisation training (overcoming fears)

  • Building focus on you

  • Leave / Drop

  • Countersurfing

  • Excessive barking

  • Excessive chewing or biting

  • And more!

How It Works

Step 1 – Questionnaire

Firstly, you’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire and return it prior to any training being booked in.  The more information you include on the questionnaire the better.  This is a useful tool which allows us to gather as much information as possible prior to an Initial Assessment (if required) or any commencement of training. This makes time spent in the Initial Assessment and/or training sessions as effective as possible.  It also often highlights other information that can be relevant. 

Once we have received your completed questionnaire, we will be in touch to advise whether an Initial Assessment (Step 2) is required or whether you can progress straight to a Training Plan (Step 3).

We may also, for more serious or complex behavioural issues, ask you to obtain a full veterinary check before proceeding with any training and we will provide you with a veterinary referral form to give to your vet for completion.  Sometimes the behaviour can be caused by an underlying medical reason and it is better to resolve that before any training takes place.

Step 2 – Initial Assessment Followed by a Written Report (if required)

If the concerns detailed in your questionnaire are of a more complex training or behavioural nature, we will arrange an Initial Assessment (this assessment may not be required for certain basic training concerns in which case you can just access one of our Packages - Step 3).

The Initial Assessment will take place at your home and this will last between 1.5 - 2 hours.  This provides an opportunity for us to get to know you and your dog and if appropriate, observe the behaviour before making further recommendations and implementing any training.  Please be aware that one size does not fit all when it comes to dog training and behaviour modification and so each plan will be based on you and your dog’s individual needs.

A training plan will be put in place and a report will be emailed to you after the Initial Assessment outlining any findings and training discussed during the Initial Assessment.  We may also suggest that further training (see Step 3) may be needed to monitor progress, ensure that your training stays on the right track and if necessary, amend any part of the training plan (remember one size doesn’t fit all and tweaks to your training plan may be needed to ensure success continues). Support will be available to you by telephone and email during the period of your training programme.

If after our Initial Assessment we think your dog may benefit from seeing a specialist Behaviourist, we will refer you to one that will be suitable.

Initial Assessment (if required) - £150

Step 3 – Training and Behavioural Packages

Following receipt of your Questionnaire or if further training is suggested after your Initial Assessment, we will advise you what package we think is right to help you achieve your goals but ultimately, how many sessions you have is up to you.  However, please be aware that many training or behavioural concerns are unlikely to be resolved in one session if you opt for less sessions than we advise, we’d like you to be aware that results will be limited.

Support will be available to you by telephone and email during the period of your programme.

Your chosen Package needs to be booked shortly after your Initial Assessment (if one was required) and appointments must be taken within 1 month of the previous session to ensure consistency is maintained and progress continues appropriately.

Our PACKAGES are:

  • 1 Appointment (1 hour)

    You can book a single appointment which may be suitable for a simple training or behavioural concern or if you simply want to pay as you go.

    Price:

    1 Appointment £75

  • 2 or 3 Appointments (1 hour each)

    Suitable if you would like to progress the basics, require some more 121 guidance or perhaps just need a little more structure to your training.

    Prices include a 10% multiple booking discount off the follow-up session(s); the first session is always charged at full price.

    Price:

    2 Appointments £142

    3 Appointments £210

  • 4 to 6 Appointments (1 hour each)

    This is suitable for multiple training and behavioural concerns as appropriate time can be allocated to look at each one in detail. It is also useful for the more complex training and behavioural issues.

    Prices include a 15% multiple booking discount off the follow-up sessions; the first session is always charged at full price.

    Prices:

    4 Appointment £266

    5 Appointments £330

    6 Appointments £394

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