Behaviour Counselling • Training Classes • Residential Courses

Behaviour Counselling

We have had Barney since a puppy and over the years he has gradually got more and more aggressive with both ourselves and other dogs. 90% of the time he is a loving dog but the other 10% he was aggressive and unpredictable. We had him castrated to see if this would help when he was 4 years old but there was no change. It got to the point where we could not put him in the car or get him out again to go for a walk with out him trying to bite us. He slept where ever he wanted to (our bed or the sofa included) and we could not move him with out him trying to bite us. He was aggressive to other dogs (male / female, young or old). We knew that a lot of his aggression was as a result of how we were with him but it was now at the stage where we could not correct him without him biting us

We tried various classes, we tried other dog trainers and behaviourists and none of them could help. When the last behaviourist we saw said he was the most horrendous dog she had ever seen we were beginning to give up hope and we were considering having him put to sleep.

Then another vet recommended Sarah at The Pet Experience. Sarah was Barney’s last hope. Sarah's home visit and subsequent help and advice has been outstanding. I appreciate some people are against the spray collar but for us it enable us to break Barney’s aggression and after only two corrective sprays from Sarah he no longer attempted to get on the sofa or bed. Sarah gave us a full brief on when and how to use the collar and we have only used the spray four times since. Sarah also gave us a great deal of assistance with other instructions and commands. With Sarah's help for instance we are now able to use the 'leave' command in many different ways, it has enabled to go for walks without Barney being aggressive to other dogs (he walks straight by). He also now gets in and out of the car with the minimum of fuss.

All that said it did not happen over night and we still have the odd set back. However, with Sarah's comprehensive written guidance and advice we have persevered daily. It has given us both hope for a very long future with Barney. Thanks so much once again for all your help and advice and ultimately enabling us to get our dog back!

Barney - 8 year old Springer Spaniel - male

Willow has been a joy to have once again after Sarah’s visit, she seems a much happier cat and so much more content. Overall a very good service that I would recommend to others.

Willow the cat (owned by Lauren Stone) Issues were: very nervous, scratching the carpet, toileting in the house

"We took on a deaf Dalmatian 2 year dog who thought he was boss, suffered from separation anxiety, was stressed (paced around continuously and who was extremely aggressive to other dogs). We got to the point with him that we really thought we'd have to take him back to the rescue home, he was destroying our house, upsetting the neighbours with his barking and we really struggled to walk him because of his agressiveness. We decided we had to try one last thing, which was to get Sarah in. Well right from the moment she arrived there was changes in him, we didn't realise we were reinforcing all his issues by how we were treating and reacting to him.

Within weeks of Sarah's visit Buddy was like most other dogs, calm, well behaved, we can leave him in the house alone and now we can even let Buddy off the lead on every walk and he never ever even growls at another dog, it's been amazing and Sarah most definitely saved Buddy from going back to the rescue centre. I would definitely recommend anyone with any behavioural issues with there animals get Sarah in- she's absolutely brilliant!!"

Faith Salmon and Buddy - Dalmation

Hi Sarah,
I just wanted to give you an update on Murphy.
I have to say it's fantastic! It's like having a different dog in the house. We've been following your instructions with regards feeding, coming in, and generally spending more time with Murphy. He's being walked a lot more, which is making such a difference, but with him being more receptive, it's making it a pleasure to do.
He's learning quickly and use of the E-collar has lessened considerably. The figure of 8 lead is also brilliant!
So I just want to say a big thank you and we will definitely continue in this manner with Murphy.

Kind regards Maria, Paul and Lukas

Murphy the Weimeraner
Issues were: pulling very badly on the lead, possessive aggression towards his owners over his food and bed, guarding the house and garden

"I just wanted to say thank you ........we have been putting into practise your advice of last week and I have to say the improvement is great. Miles is definitely responding a lot better to me now....walking is much better and he is getting the hang of healing and coming back - on and off the lead - and he has significantly reduced the amount of attention he pays to cars/bikes/people etc. I am very proud of him."

Haidy Mansfield and Miles - Lakeland X Patterdale Terrier

"We found Sarah excellent in all aspects of her approach to Jake and me, and in helping us to make our way forward with each other. Could not have done it without her."

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 (big improvement)

Lisa Taylor and Jake (Llasa Apso) who had severe grooming issues (fear aggression).

“I thought you would like to know that Phoebe is doing really well...She is learning to love her bed and she is getting very good regarding doors and not jumping on furniture. Her feeding is so much better, in fact she has eaten every meal for the last two weeks. We are very pleased with her progress so far.”

Vic and Denise Davis with Phoebe (Maltese)

“In general we are really impressed with how the dogs are behaving, they seem like different dogs! We really do appreciate what you have done.”

Dan Hodges with Molly and Tilly (West Highland Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier)

“Perdy now jumps in the car after walking nicely down the drive! This appears nothing less than a miracle after nearly 3 years! But it only took 5 days! She also waits at the door and gate without any reminder. There is even small progress with the door. I only have to appear in the hallway and the barking stops. All in all I would say after 2 weeks the progress is very good. Thank you.”

Jenny Scott and Perdy (Bernese Mountain Dog)

“The improvement in Tag has been fantastic. There is no weeing during the day at all and most nights are dry too. He seems much more relaxed and both Tag and Barney are much improved on lead walks. Thank you so much for your help - everything suddenly makes sense!”

Tracy Blair with Tag and Barney (Collie X Lab)

“The home visit and the unlimited time for talking were immensely valuable. These allowed the advice to be really relevant to my own situation and my own dogs.... I was greatly reassured and helped by Sarah’s advice, especially as I tend to be over anxious! ....I had been given different advice by different trainers, none of which really helped. I felt Sarah really understood Cloud and saw how to deal with him - and I was impressed by how well her methods worked.”

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 (big improvement)

Jennifer Dee and Cloud ( Border Terrier )

“Couldn’t ask for better at all. A great service for a real value for money”

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 (big improvement)

Julie Rose and Fleet ( Border Collie )

“I am so pleased I was recommended to Sarah. She has been a real star...It’s as if I have another dog. He wouldn’t let you put his lead on and was very possessive. Now he has his lead on like a normal dog and we are able to take things off him. I would recommend Sarah to anyone who has a problem pet, she is marvellous.”

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (complete transformation)

Merle Hull and Shep ( Border Collie )

“Even in the first weeks we noticed a difference. We now have a very obedient and happy dog, the difference is remarkable. We’re totally chuffed to bits! Thank you.”

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (complete transformation)

Amy Corben and Poppy (Yorkie x Jack Russell)

“I found the whole service friendly and professional and would recommend The Pet Experience to others”

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (complete transformation)

Tracey Drage and Buddy (Jack Russell X )

“The counselling service was extremely helpful and friendly, it helped me to understand my dog’s psyche.”

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 (big improvement)

Gloria Towner and Remus (Australian Cattle Dog)

Training Classes

“I’m so glad I came across The Pet Experience, I just wish I had started Megan in the puppy class... I am very pleased with the help and guidance I have received ... it’s refreshing to deal with professional but down to earth trainers. The course has been of great benefit to Megan and I, and we now enjoy more controlled walks.”

Rachel Membury and Megan (Black Lab)

“I particularly like having the dogs thought process explained to me - it helps make sense of her behaviour.”

Bid Whittet and Daisy (Labradoodle)

“I loved the course. Sarah and Cormac were both fantastic and very helpful. The training methods were very good and very easy to understand with small classes and more individual attention."

 Gill Welch and Alfred (Lurcher)

“The courses were great, not too many in each class. Two helpers in each class. Always there to answer any questions and took an interest in everyone’s dogs. Love the folders everyone got too!”

Julie Rose and Fleet (Border Collie)

"I know that this breed is quite difficult to train but feel that she has responded really well to the methods used.”

Jan Hinton and Sakari (Northern Inuit)

“It was good fun and Molli enjoyed it too. Sarah has a lovely way with the dogs and used tried and tested methods which worked with patience. Mollie was very young and extremely excitable... Molli is now calmer and safer when we are out.....The group wasn’t too large, it was at an accessible venue at a good time, Sarah was patient and very helpful with any questions I had about Molli’s progress.”

Amanda and Molli (Cocker Spaniel)

“I found the course very helpful and good value as Rosie the Greyhound was very difficult to train.”

Lyn Palmer and Rosie

“Thank you for all your help - the course has made us all enjoy Ozzie so much more!”

Sarah Fox and Ozzie (Black Lab)

“The course was friendly and effective, well run.”

Tracey Drage and Buddy (JRT X)

Residential Courses

Tarka - Black Labrador - 8 months old.
Issues - pulling on the lead, jumping up at everyone, picking up litter, general over-excited behaviour.

"Hi Sarah, we just wanted to say you are a star and so is Tarka. You have made our gorgeous dog even more gorgeous! I did a lead walk this morning and she was perfect. No sniffing or picking up litter. We passed a walker and dog and we just walked on by. Last night she picked up an empty plastic drinks bottle and I shouted 'leave it!' - she just spat it out! And she hasn't jumped up at us once. Thanks again."

Patrick and Rebecca Gubbins

Greta the Doberman

"A great improvement in behaviour... Much better with young children and barks much less at uninvited callers. Appears to have completely lost her fear / annoyance at bicycles and cyclists!"

Mr & Mrs Turner,

The following is an excerpt from a letter I received from Padraig (pronounced Porrig), an Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, on his return from a 10 day residential course to help with Separation Anxiety issues.

“Thank you so much for looking after me last week. I’ve been a really good boy since I got home. No barking and getting up as late as 8am! My mummy has even been able to go out for a whole morning without me! Love and licks, Padraig.”

Sara Shingleton and her rescue dog Padraig.

4-week Rehab (Residential) - Bertie the Beagle
Issues to be resolved were: Recall (which was zero!), chasing and follwing scents, possessive aggression to people (i.e. unable to take items away from him or go near him when eating), general disobedience and not listening to commands.

Rating given: 5 out of 5 - complete transformation.

"We are now a lot stronger with Bertie though some guidelines have slipped to fit in with our lifestyle. We have and will recommend The Pet Experience to others - we cannot praise you both enough."

Jo Hunt

10-day Residential Training - Perkins (Black Lab)
Main training issues were: Recall, Pulling on the lead, Heelwork, not coming back from distractions such as playing with other dogs.

Rating given: 4 out of 5 - big improvement.

"Both ourselves and Perkins benefitted from the course. The Pet Experience were very helpful and they are always on hand to give advice. We would always recommend them."

Val and Donna Lucas

Home page - Dog Training - Behaviour Counselling - Contact us - Links - Client Feedback

Website design by Fubar Media