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NORTH WEST DOG TRAINER – TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR DOGS AND THEIR HUMANS

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Dog Training throughout the North West for real world dog training, focused on achieving calm and enjoyable dogs through a balanced training approach.

I specialise in providing training to stop unwanted behaviors, build confidence, and resolve anxiety in your dog. My training  focuses on teaching your dog to have an off switch, and to learn to be successful in the human world. 

I specialise in dealing with dog aggression, fearful dog behaviors, separation anxiety, as well as provide behavior modification, and dog obedience training for puppies and adult dogs. I excel in diagnosing and resolving dog reactivity, human aggression, resource guarding, leash aggression, leash reactivity, pulling on leash, jumping on people, counter surfing, stealing food, chewing and destruction, barking problems, running away, generally “selective hearing,” growling, snapping, biting, door bolting, prey drive, and rebellious puppy behaviors.

The principles I use are based on Behavioral Science and Applied Behavior Analysis plus 35 years of real hands on experience. Dog Harmony offers hands-on dog training to prepare your dog for the real world. In just two focused and intense dog training sessions starting in your home (approximately 1:5 hours each) you will have a much calmer, relaxed and more contented pet. For a total fee of just £295, you and your dog will learn basic obedience, sit, down, stand, recall, pulling on the lead and other basic commands. We will also cover basic house manners such as jumping up, excessive barking and other non-appropriate behaviours. Your dog will learn how to socialise with other dogs, calming signals to avoid confrontational situations and also avoid your dog becoming “pack bait”. You have a dog because it fulfills your needs but what do you do to fulfill your dog’s needs?! These dog training sessions are designed for both you and your dog to have a much more fulfilling relationship, free from potential behaviour issues.

For other behaviour issues such as reacting to other dogs, pulling or you just find it a stressful experience walking your dog please go to my Dog Harmony behaviourist page.

Over the course of the two dog training sessions you and your dog will learn:

  • Learning Theory: Have you ever wanted to get inside your dog’s mind?  Learn the history and science of how dogs learn, and why they do the things they do
  • The “Jolly” routine.
  • Simple distraction exercises
  • Stress test your dog
  • Fulfilling your breeds needs
  • Calming signals
  • Basic Obedience: A well trained dog is a happy dog.
  • Clicker Training: Want to speed up your dog’s learning? I will introduce you and your dog to clicker training. Experience first hand the importance of timing when using a clicker to teach a dog new behaviours.
  • Behaviour Problems: One of the main reasons dogs end up in shelters is because of behaviour problems. I will teach you techniques for prevention and management of behaviour problems such as digging, jumping up, running away, chewing, house soiling, and much more.
  • Basic Dog Care: Responsible pet ownership means ensuring the health and safety of your dog.  Learn how to properly care for dogs and recognise signs and symptoms of health related problems.
  • Agility: Agility has become the fastest growing dog sport in the world.  Learn how this exciting sport can enhance your relationship with your dog.
  • Introduction to Nose Work to mentally stimulate your dog

“A happy dog is a trained dog.”

Dog Training - Dog Harmony

My “Teaching Dogs Manners” Sessions last for 1:5 hours each (a total of almost 3 hours of intense training). Both handler and I will require a minimum of two sessions to ensure that your dog and the owner/handler fully understand what is required (an extra session at my discretion if necessary).

I use positive reinforcement to ensure effective results and any required corrections to encourage obedience. All training methods will be shown to you so you can continue when I am not around. You will notice a dramatic improvement in your dog by the end of the six hours and be a lot more confident when out and about walking.

Please note that if your dog has behavioural issues, training lessons will not be able to rectify these. If your dog is reactive, lunges and barks at other dogs, barks excessively, suffers from separation anxiety, is hyperactive, lacks recall and other basic doggy manners – then please refer to my Dog Behaviourist page.

Dog Training in the Comfort of Your Home

Home Visits – Hands-On Dog Training, Advice and Q&A Sessions

The first dog training sessions begins at home. Here we deal with any inappropriate behaviours before we go outdoors – if we cannot get it right at home there is very little chance of correct behaviour outdoors.

The first visit usually lasts approximately an hour and a half to 2 hours, and consists of mental stimulation, the aim is to tire your dog out mentally. A tired dog is more relaxed and the more relaxed a dog is usually means a more relaxed owner.

We then create distraction exercises for you to and your dog preparing the way forward for when we go outdoors to start training your dog in general “doggy” manners. We will deal with real issues in real time… no note taking, no avoiding issues, no big words we just get on with it. You will become more confident as the session progresses and this will reflect in how your dog behaves as you watch your dog improve.

When arranging dog training I believe it is very important to see you and your dog in the environment where the problems are occurring. During the first visit I can answer questions on any topic related to training your dog or puppy so I recommend you write a list of questions in advance. You will be getting over 25 years’ worth of experience in just a very short time so it could become overwhelming!

Dog Harmony provides dog training at home in the following areas: Liverpool, Manchester, Formby, Southport, Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Wigan, St Helens, Chorley, Preston, Warrington and the surrounding areas.

Do I Need a Home Visit?

If you are at your wits end, stressed out and just not enjoying your time with you dog then give me a call to discuss. I could almost guarantee that you will not be unique with the issues you are having. If you haven’t had a puppy or dog before or it was a long time ago, a home visit is recommended as it will bring you and your family up to speed on the best way to bring up your puppy or dog. It will give you more confidence in how you interact and train your dog or puppy.

Dog Training - Dog Harmony

“Mental Exercise Tires Out a Dog Physically More Than Physical Exercise Does”

What My Clients Say

In an impetuous moment we took on 2 rescue dogs at the same time. The dogs had not met before and we knew nothing about them. I still ask myself was this impetuous or just plain stupid! One of the dogs has clearly been subject to abusive and unkind handling and her relationship with the other dog was making his and our lives miserable and fraught. At different times we had thought that one or the other would have to be 'put down' either because of the impact of their relationship or their sheep chasing tendencies. It was by chance that we learnt about Peter and with his help and guidance we have managed to improve all of our lives beyond recognition. I write this as the dogs are playing together at my feet: something I never thought would happen. We will be eternally grateful to Peter for his expertise, generosity and unstinting support in enabling us to make unbelievable progress.

Gill Parsons and John Abraham, Liverpool, 2017

We took Busby our beagle pup to Peter's classes and we were quite nervous having read that beagles are notoriously hard to train! However we needn’t have worried as he taught all of us, husband, 3 children & I, how to understand the mindset of our new four-legged family member which helped enormously. It is rather that the owner needs training, perhaps more so than the dog! His knowledge, patience & commitment know no bounds and we found his lessons more than generous as we often ran over due to discussion or a little extra one-to-one to ensure we got it right. His setting is superb with acres of space for outdoor recall training and the safety of an enclosed area for the not so attentive dog. He has a barn for the more than frequent wet days which is much better than a shiny village hall floor. Aside from this the views are stunning!
We also know that we can count on Peter should we ever need further advice in the future. A lovely man.

Sara-Jane, Russell, Tom, Alice, and Ethan Gardiner, Wigan, 2017

Through participating in Peter's excellent Brain Training sessions, Brodie our 18 month old Bearded Collie has learned a great deal of self-control and lots of fun games, tricks and moves. As owners we have learned to be much more calm in our approach and have gained a much greater understanding of how a dog’s mind ticks and it is a joy to see him learn something new. The session flies by and we try hard to practice the moves at home to show off some progress the following week! We also benefitted hugely from a 1:1 session with Peter as Brodie wanted to chase after sheep and we are so pleased to now take him through a field of sheep off the lead with him by our side after following his simple guidelines. Everything is FUN for the dog and fun for owners too – we’ve had a lot of laughs!
Thank you Peter.

Carole and Chris Gledhill, Southport, 2017

I took my Springer Pup, Saffy, to Peter's puppy training classes when she was 4 months old. The classes are small, friendly and informal. The small class size is great as it allows Peter to spend time with each dog if needed, (and Saffy and I needed it!). Peter was invaluable in helping solve some niggling house training problems, and showing us how to deal with other issues. Most importantly, Saffy adored going, as soon as we turned off the main road to the farm she became happy and excited, she definitely knew where we were going!

Nicky Sullivan, St Helens, 2017

I have had dogs all my life so thought I was pretty dog savvy until I started to talk to Peter. Whilst I wasn't ever harsh with my dogs, I did rely on traditional techniques to train. Once I started to explore what Peter was teaching, using food based rewards, lots of things changed for me and my dogs with them became more confident and happy. Learning new techniques can be difficult but Peter was always there to give great advice and support whenever I needed it. If one thing wasn't working, he would come up with a new plan. He never made me feel stupid or guilty for asking questions. He is extremely approachable and his depth of knowledge is second to none. The passion and kindness he has for dogs shines through and I feel so lucky that I have been able to learn from him.

Rachel Holliday, Ormskirk, 2017

We first met Peter when we took our 5 month old springador pup, Ben, to puppy training classes. We hadn’t any idea what to expect, knowing what a boisterous, loveable rogue Ben was, but nothing fazed Peter, despite Ben’s enthusiastic approach to learning, which consisted of wanting to play with all the other dogs in the class and to distract them from the business in hand! Peter has a very individual approach to each dog in his class, and that includes the owners, for whom he is an invaluable and patient resource. We subsequently took Ben to brain training classes, where he continued to disrupt the proceedings in his own inimitable style, so we then had several one to one sessions with Peter which were brilliant, and extremely helpful. Ben is now 21 months old, and he is a much loved, mostly well behaved dog who doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body. We know that Peter is always available should we need him, and we are immensely grateful to him for all the help, advice and support which he has given us – and Ben of course!

Roz and John Matty, Skelmersdale, 2017

We have had such fun at Peter's brain training and agility class. Not only did Betty absolutely love it, but we also enjoyed the sessions too! Having a Welsh Terrier can be a challenge sometimes due to their stubborn and independent nature, but following training we now understand her a lot more, have more control and have overcome a number of our challenges such as livestock and cyclists. The agility element was also a huge hit, and will be back to improve our seesaw skills!

Pete & Abi Evans, Formby, 2017

Our dog Peggy was 8 months old when we first approached Peter. We had been having problems with her general control and not having had a dog from a young age before were at a loss what to do. Peter’s understanding of the situation and his teaching us how to teach Peggy was invaluable.

Peter is extremely knowledgeable. He is patient with owners and dedicated to helping them enjoy their dogs. I find myself explaining to others how a dog's mind works! We have no hesitation in recommending Peter to anyone wishing to get the very best from their dog.

Paul and Jacqui Daniell, Wigan, 2017

My sheepdog is wonderful with people and children but can be unpredictable with other dogs. Peter has a wonderful calming influence on dog and owner alike and during our one to one sessions has introduced good common-sense strategies for me to use with Meg when approaching other dogs. These structured sessions take place in a safe environment usually outside which is non-threatening for Meg and gives her the space she needs to assess a 'stranger' dog without any confrontation. Peter has highlighted ways in which my behaviour needs to change to give Meg the direction and confidence she needs and I thoroughly recommend his techniques to anyone experiencing stress or anxiety over their dog's behaviour. His creed is simple - lets help our dogs to BE dogs!

Sue, Preston, 2017

I have a 18 month old dalmatian and have been taking him to dog training with Peter since he was 6 months old. I am so impressed with his method of training. Peter is very patient and not only gives you tasks to take home and try out with your dog but also explains the reasoning behind the exercises. There really is method in the madness.

I have applied his method to my mad dalmatian, and if he can become better behaved, I'm sure any dog would benefit from some form of training with Peter.

His prices are reasonable and he is very friendly and approachable.

Debbie James, Liverpool, 2017

Interested in Effective and Enjoyable Dog Training?

Get in touch today to prepare your dog for the real world!

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