Puppy training classes in the UK & US

Did you recently become the proud parent of an adorable pooch? Then you’re probably looking for a great place to start dog training for beginners, too.

To make sure both you and your new fur baby can enjoy your time together – with other people and dogs – as much as possible, puppy training and dog school are an absolute must. But why is dog training so important? What sort of training should you go for? And where can you find “good dog training near me”? Read on and we’ll answer all those questions and more for you.

Why is training your dog so important?

First things first: Why do you even need to attend dog training classes? The short answer: Dog training benefits you and your precious pooch in a multitude of ways that make it easier and safer for both of you to enjoy your time together as well as out and about. The long answer? Let us elaborate. ...

Dog training alleviates stress

Trained dogs are happy dogs, and depending on where you adopted your new four-legged friend, your puppy might still be a little anxious and stressed – simply because moving into a new home is exciting and also a little scary, but maybe also because your dog’s previous shelter might have been overcrowded, other dogs might have picked on your fur baby, and more. Dog obedience training or – if your puppy tends to growl or even snap – aggressive dog training can help your new friend calm down and alleviate some of the stress by taking your dog’s fears and letting it exert itself in fun, playful ways.

It teaches life skills to you and your dog

One of the most common reasons dog owners and their pets attend dog training is so that their puppies can learn simple commands – which is crucial if you and your doggo want to get along and stay safe and happy at home and on walks. Special dog trainers at puppy school teach you effective techniques so you can teach your dog basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘down’, or ‘come’, as well as impulse control skills.

If you and your dog enjoy learning new tricks, you can also take it one (or a few) step(s) further once your pooch has learned the basics and go to special follow-up classes, ranging from advanced impulse control and dog agility training to service dog training, or even therapy dog training.

It helps avoid conflict

As mentioned above, basic dog training is crucial to avoid conflict – between you and your dog as well as between your dog and other people or pets. Dog obedience classes teach your puppy that there’s a time for play and a time to calm down and do what you tell them, even if they would much rather romp around. They also teach your dog to remain calm in the presence of other animals, how to react in stressful situations, and how to behave around other people without annoying or even endangering them or themselves.

It’ll help make your dog safer

Safety is another huge argument pro dog training. Untrained puppies might pick up and munch on things that are potentially dangerous/poisonous, they might get too aggressive at the vet’s for them to be able to properly treat them, or they might run in front of cars while taking a walk or playing outside. To avoid all of these and other potentially dangerous situations, it’s imperative your dog learns to control its impulses, listens to your commands and builds up trust towards you and other people – all of which is part of effective puppy training.

Training benefits both dog and owner

Apart from keeping your dog – and yourself – safe and happy, dog training also helps you and your new fur baby bond via play and engaging activities – and the stronger the bond between the two of you, the more fun you’ll have. Dog training under the guidance of a professional trainer will further help you learn how to read your puppy's signals and reactions, how to clearly communicate with it, and how to respond to certain situations that might be a little harder to handle.

It helps your dog to be more sociable

Lastly, puppy schools are also puppy playgrounds. During dog training, your four-legged friend will make doggo friends of its own, have the opportunity to romp about with them in ways you couldn’t keep up with, and learn that other dogs are first and foremost buddies, and secondly to be respected but not feared. And we promise you’ll notice the effects next time you’re at the dog park or meeting with friends who have dogs of their own.

What sort of training would you recommend?

As with so many things, there is no one size fits all when it comes to which training your dog should attend - and there's plenty to consider, not least of all the price of dog training.

What’s important for all dogs is classic puppy school so they can learn basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘down’, ‘come’ or ‘stay’, impulse control skills, and also so they can get used to being around other dogs and people without getting anxious, scared, annoyed or restless.

Once you and your pooch have got the basic training down, there are numerous additional courses you could take, depending on your puppy's personality, how much fun you and your pooch have during training, and whether or not you’d like to teach your dog some special tricks and skills.

Some possible additional courses include dog agility classes, which teach your doggo to finish challenging, fun parkours, service dog training (in case you or a family member could benefit from a service dog companion), or even therapy dog training, if your doggo is especially loving and gentle. Just be sure to remember that, just as with people, every dog’s personality is different, and not every kind of training is equally suited for every dog.

How to find puppy training classes in location

Ready to start puppy classes with your precious fur baby and wondering: “Where can I find dog training near me?” Then have a look at the following list to find highly rated puppy schools in your area:

Dog training near me in the UK

If you’re in the UK and looking for dog training and dog boarding near you, check out these pages here:

1. London: Dog Training in London, Oli Juste Dog Trainer & Behaviourist, The London Dog Trainer - Dean Ashton
2. Manchester: Northwest UK Dog Training, CB Dogs, Paws Active
3. Birmingham: Pawfect Dogsense, MidlandsGrizzlys, Our Love For Dogs
4. Leeds: The Positive Puppy Trainer, Richard Edge - The Suburban Dog Trainer, The Yorkshire Dog Trainer
5. Glasgow: CBT Dog Behaviour & Training, Busy Bee Dog Training, Glasgow Dog Training Club
6. Southampton / Portsmouth: Sea City Dogs, The National Dog Training Academy, The Academy of Modern Canine Behaviour & Training
7. Liverpool: Toddies Dog Training, Poise Dog Training, Pawsitively Does It
8. Newcastle upon Tyne: Dog Training Newcastle, Insinc Dog Training, Behaviour & Lifestyle, Dogs Life Skills
9. Sheffield: Boney Fido Dog Training, Sheffield Dog Training, Millhouses Dog Training
10. Belfast: Teaching Tails, Good Dog Academy NI, My Dogs Best Friend

Dog training near me in the US

And if you’re in the US, have a look here:

1. New York City: Shelby Semel Dog Training, Yuruani Olguin Dog Training, Dogboy NYC
2. Los Angeles: Smart Paws Dog Training, Bark Busters Home Dog Training, CANIS - Dog Behavior and Training
3. Chicago: Downtown Dogs Chicago, Pawsome Dogs Training and Behavior, Anything Is Pawzible
4. Houston: Houston Dog Training, Stephanie Bennett's Believe in DOG Training, Beyond the Dog
5. Phoenix: Fit Dog Training, Nate Dog Training, Rob's Dogs
6. Philadelphia: Tuff Pup Training, DareDevil Dog Training, HD Dog Training
7. San Antonio: A Canine's Way Dog Training, Alamo Dog Obedience Club, LOMA Behavior and Training
8. San Diego: Bark Busters Home Dog Training, Sit Stay Come Dog Training, Dogpanion Private Dog Training
9. Dallas: Breyers' Canine Academy, USA Dog Behavior, Boss Babe Dog Training
10. San Jose: D For Dog, Skilled Mutts Company, Happy Tails to You Dog Training

Taking puppy classes with your doggo is not only fun, it’s also the best way to make sure the entire family, including the pooch, stays as happy, healthy and safe as can be. For even more guidance on the topic, be sure to peruse our list of the best dog training books currently on the market. Or, if you’d like to get more tips on where to find dog training near you and how to train your pupper, or if you would like to share your own experience and training tips with our pet-loving community, feel free to join our community forum, full of other dog-lovers like yourself!

Need a sitter for your pooch?

Do you have a holiday or other trip coming up and need someone to take care of your fur baby while you’re away? TrustedHousesitters’ verified and reviewed dog sitters are here to comfort and spoil your precious pooch just as lovingly as you yourself would – in-home and therefore as stress-free for your dog and yourself as can be. Take a look at our How it works page to find out more about how our members connect, and then head right to our pet sitters page and...