3 Best Dog Trainers in Bristol, UK

We know Livvy and Nick for about 5-6 years now and they helped every step of the way from puppy classes to dealing with a 55kg male adolescent, to working through reactivity ... They truly are the best. Especially dealing with a lazy and very anxious human (me) that over-reacts a lot more than the dog. There are no words that can express how thankful I am and how much I recomend them and their team.

Our Golden Retriever Obi was a super excitable high energy teenage boy unable to listen to us when somewhere new or when other dogs were around. HoundPlus have helped turn Obi into such a good boy and a pleasure to be around, honestly can't thank the team enough.

My two dogs LOVE HoundPlus almost as much as I do. They cannot wait to get in to classes. They are both very small chihuahua crosses but they’ve been able to get stuck in along with the bigger dogs. However hound plus makes sure space/boundaries for small dogs is respected. The trainers are incredible and we would be lost without all their expert advice and support.

I recently attended the ACE Free Work in Classes 5-week online course and thoroughly enjoyed each week. The weekly live webinar format worked really well, allowing trainers from around the world to come together to share, ask questions and learn. Matt was a great tutor each week, presenting with clarity and good humour, always being able to suggest solutions and encourage thought and reflection regarding current and future class formats and the impact on the dogs and caregivers we spend time with each week. The dedicated Facebook group was a useful way of sharing experiences throughout the course, and every post made by the group received valuable, positive feedback from Matt and the South West Dog Skills team. I would not hesitate to recommend this course, or any other course led by South West Dog Skills and am very much looking forward to continuing my learning with them.

My dog Bilboa and I loved Matt and Tam's 2 day ACE Free Work workshop. There were lots of geekery and feel good, confidence building opportunities for dogs as well as handlers. My background is in medical anthropology. Observation and discussions about the interlink between ‘nature’ and ‘nurture or local biologies are our bread and butter. Matt's descriptions of dogs' behavior and anatomy were detailed and rich. I thought he could easily be a fine anthropologist or ethologist. He emphasized the need to be curious and be alert about how our own preconceived ideas about our dogs can massively (and negatively) shape the interpretations of what we think the behavior represented, which in turn shapes our training plans. In other words, our unexamined assumptions can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Matt reminded us that if we are aware of our limiting beliefs about our own dogs we can become better trainers. But don't be put of by his geekery. He explains all in an accessible language with a great sense of humour. Adding to that, his coaching throughout the exercises was respectful, clear and enabling. I highly recommend his workshops. I will definitely be back.

After trying several different Agility clubs for my rather anxious cockerpoo, Ruby, I was almost ready to give up on Agility for her, until I visited South West Dog Skills. What a difference! From our first visit, Matt was welcoming, patient, and clearly had the dogs’ best interests at heart. The sessions are friendly, fun and rewarding for both owner and dog. Matt teaches skills in non-pressured way and as I’ve grown in confidence, my skills have developed and progressed. The individual stalls at the edge of the arena, where owners and dogs wait until it is their turn, has really helped Ruby as has the maximum class size of 6. The weekly positive sessions have definitely helped to strengthen the bond between Ruby and me. I am pleased to highly recommend South West Dog Skills.