Natural Dog School

I had a brilliant session with Russell yesterday. He's very passionate about what he does and so knowledgeable. Prior to our visit, he gave us excellent advice which led to my dog having a breakthrough. For that, I am ever so grateful. I have an anxious dog who panics when she hears bang type noises. I learnt the core exercises in Natural Dog Training separately and only just started putting them together, in my own muddled way. I didn't know how certain exercises fit together or why. Russell was invaluable in teaching me about these links. Now I have an understanding of why I'm doing something and where it will hopefully lead to. I showed Russell what I did and straightaway he was able to pinpoint what I was doing that inadvertently reinforced the panic in my dog so that alone was worth the trip to Southampton to see him!! As luck would have it, my dog panicked when we were there and I could see for myself how Russell helped her through it. He clearly explained what he was doing and why. Russell taught me so many other things and gave me great insight into Natural Dog Training, it was very eye opening. He also picked out a specific method that would help with my dog's panic issue. Even more importantly, he took into consideration the lameness in her leg which I very much appreciate. The methods used in Natural Dog Training are different and the more I learn, the more I believe it is the kindest and definitely the most fun(!) way to train your dog and I highly recommend you come and see Russell to show you how.
May 11th, 2022

Russell is great. His approach has the dog's welfare, confidence and happiness at its heart and I'm learning so much during the training sessions. He has helped me bond with my dog and communicate with him. Prices are very accessible as well.
Dec 16th, 2021

Bruno and myself have really enjoyed our lessons with Russell. Very informative and a great approach. Bruno is slowly becoming a much more confident and self controlled dog.
Dec 10th, 2019

We love it, the dogs love it. Been going every other week for several years now.
Dec 7th, 2019

Had a fantastic hour out with Russell on Wednesday - Im over from Ireland following a family bereavement and my Border Collie Seamus whose only experience is of life in rural Mayo has been overwhelmed by all the cars, people and buildings you find in a city. When I lived in England previously Russell worked with my Sheltie who hated clickers and benefited greatly from the training. He also transformed my friends GSD who was a nightmare to walk - pulling and being aggressive towards other dogs - into an absolute pleasure who, even when attacked himself did not retaliate. Seeing the state Seamus was in there was only one person I knew who could help him - Russell! And I was right. Within an hour of playing and training my boy who had arrived like an overwound spring was relaxed and happy for the first time since he arrived here. Weve booked another session for next week - just wish Russell was a tad closer to Mayo so we could have this fun every week! I would thoroughly recommend the Natural Dog School - I have owned and trained dogs as pets and for obedience and agility for nearly 50 years and I have to say in all that time I have never met a trainer more empathetic to the needs of individual dogs (and their owners) and who, whether it is basic training, agility or sorting out behavioural problems makes learning such immense fun because you work with your dogs natural instincts and drives not in the regimented fashion of other training methods.
Mar 15th, 2022