It all started with a dog who had absolutely no intention of doing anything I said
…and an owner who had absolutely no idea she’d accidentally bought herself a gundog.
That owner was me.
The dog was Rolo.
I’d never even heard the term gundog before.
I just knew I’d somehow acquired a very handsome Flat-coated Retriever with endless enthusiasm, boundless energy and some very definite ideas about how life should be lived.
It quickly became obvious that if we were going to enjoy life together, I needed to stop trying to make Rolo fit into my world and I needed to start understanding his.
That one slightly chaotic dog changed the direction of my life.
Rolo taught me something…
Dogs don’t go out of their way to be difficult.
They’re just being dogs.
Sometimes they’re muddy.
Sometimes they eat your slippers.
Sometimes they pretend they can’t hear you.
And sometimes they make you question every decision you’ve ever made.
(In my case this was every day, before breakfast!)
But when you begin to understand why they do those things…
Everything changes.
That’s how The National Dog Training Academy (originally AA Dog Training) was born.
Not because I wanted perfectly behaved dogs.
But because I eventually found someone who helped me understand Rolo and I wanted to do the same for other people who found themselves in my situation.
Since 2010 we’ve helped thousands of owners discover what I eventually discovered myself.
Training shouldn’t be boring.
Dogs don’t need drilling.
And learning is much easier when both ends of the lead are enjoying themselves.
That’s why you might find puppies following sausage trails…or chasing bubbles.
Pet gundogs retrieving dummies…or even toys
Dogs hunting truffles…or doing mock up drug searches
Or owners laughing just as much as their dogs.
It might look like we’re just having fun…
Because we are.
But every training activity has a purpose.
Of course, The National Dog Training Academy is no longer just me and Rolo!
I’m incredibly lucky to work alongside a fantastic team who all bring their own experience, personalities and specialist interests to the Academy.
Together, we’re passionate about helping people enjoy life with their dogs.
Join an Award Winning Academy.
Puppy Classes
Full Online Puppy Training
121 Puppy Training
Dog training with us is not only effective but great fun too. It’s positive for both you and your dog.
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