The Dog House: About Us

Our training classes are designed to teach you how to avoid common behaviour problems from ever surfacing. Our classes are fun, relaxed and extremely informative to give you a full understanding of how to raise a happy, confidant and well-behaved member of society. Groups are kept small to ensure everybody benefits and gets the most they can from the course - we want everybody to succeed as these are the dogs we meet walking our own dogs down the street!!
In early training we use lots of fun, rewards, games and clever techniques to train your pup or change your older dog's perceptions of training.

If your dog is behaving badly, you are not alone!

Our unique approach to dog training and dog behaviour problems incorporates a variety of training methods and behaviour modification techniques to get the best out of your dog as an individual, without the use of choke chains or excessive force etc...
We focus on helping you build a bond with your dog and helping you to understand each other better. Once you know what you are telling your dog - it becomes easier to see where things have gone wrong and how we can put it right.
We prefer to avoid using treats and food rewards as much as possible as these can sometimes cause a variety of other problems to surface (although we are perfectly happy to use food if this motivates your dog best. We can always wean them off the food later). We think it's more important that you have a good relationship with your dog and can get your dog to respond to you (rather than a sweetie), although this incentive can work well during early training, we like to wean dogs off treats as soon as possible.
With so many dogs being stolen we prefer to discourage our dogs from taking treats from strangers, like we teach our children.

There are plenty of other rewards that your dog will enjoy aside from food.

We adopt an holistic approach to dealing with problem behaviours and believe that there is more than one method available to modify behaviours. At times several methods may be employed in conjunction to ensure long-lasting success. I always say that for every behaviour problem encountered, there are a minimum of six ways around the problem!
To ensure maximum safety, both to the dogs and the humans, two instructors are present for any aggression cases.

We understand that a dog with behaviour issues can, quite literally, take over your life.
You might be avoiding taking your dog near other dogs, walking him at 3am or just given up walking with your dog at all?
Have friends and family stopped visiting you at home?
Perhaps you're fed up of people shouting at you to control your dog?
Maybe you've had enough embarrassing moments to last you a lifetime?

However big or small a problem you have with your dog, we can help you.
We help many dog owners with all manner of behaviour problems, from dogs refusing to walk on a lead to serious aggression problems, and anything in between!
A problem for one person may not be a problem for somebody else, which is why you need a behaviour program to suit you, your dog and your individual environment.
Every situation is different and there are several ways to tackle any problem. Most good dog behaviourists will endeavour to find the best method to treat your particular dog's behaviour problem and be prepared to try other methods until the problem is under control. Any behaviour program should be acceptable to the owner and owners should be capable of carrying out the program. Although, most problems will require hard work, dedication, time and effort from the owner.

ANNA: Been a dog owner since 1987 (Karelian Bear Dog), and have since shared my life with three Border Collies, a Rottweiler, four German Shepherds and, more recently, another Karelian Bear Dog.
In 2008 I fostered a young German Shepherd (with some odd habits!) for the Police service. She passed in December 2008 and is now with Guernsey Police doing a fantastic job, I'm told.
Having grown up around animals and worked in stables, kennels and pet shops every holiday and weekend since age 11, I have been lucky enough to gain a great deal of experience and knowledge of animal behaviour. In 1999 I started my own business offering behaviour and training advice, a dog walking service and holiday care for pets in their own home.
Upon completing my Degree I moved back to Guildford and decided to launch The Dog House to help people with their dog's undesirable behaviours. I aim to help prevent people from needing to re-home their beloved family member when their behaviour becomes unacceptable.

MY QUALIFICATIONS:
BSc (HONS) Animal Management
HND in Animal Science
ND in Animal Care

NASDU (National Association of Security Dog Users) Safe Handling Certificate

Northern Centre for Canine Behaviour:
Canine Aggression Certificate,
Dog Training and Instructing Certificate,
Advanced Dog Training and Behaviour Certificate,
Professional Dog Behaviour Counselling Certificate.

Talking Dogs Possession Aggression Certificate

The Pet Chip Company Microchipping certificate

I also hold a CRB Enhanced Disclosure and have attended a 6 session course entitled 'Understanding Self Esteem'.

Currently working towards Kennel Club accreditation (Member 8089). For more info visit:

GLENN: Grown up with dogs and owner since 1979. A complete natural with dogs he joined the army dog section and quickly progressed to training other dog handlers. Here he also took the opportunity to attend veterinary, nutrition, husbandry and behaviour courses.
He has set up and run successful security companies in the past, but prefers the challenge of rehabilitating aggressive and difficult dogs.

Glenn is all about the dogs and doesn't care much for people - he is as straight-talking and honest as they come!