Ad
Our curated list of the best professionals in the heart of Belfast.
With the beautiful Botanic Gardens and walks along the River Lagan, trainers here focus on creating confident city dogs comfortable with busy streets and social environments.
Tower Park, Conlig, Newtownards BT23 7PL
Absolutely amazed at the difference in our spaniel/collie X Toby, after a 5 day intensive train with Gerard. We can now walk Toby in busy areas, without him pulling me off my feet or going crazy at other dogs. Cannot thank Gerard enough for his help, wish we would have come to him sooner.
We have began training with Gerard, GMC K9 Academy to help us with our 4 year old German Shephard Murphy. We were having trouble with Murphy with general bad behaviours ie. jumping on people, kitchen benches and pulling on the lead when walking. After trying out other trainers to no avail we came across a facebook video of Gerard training a Shepherd and decided we would give it a go. Firstly we descovered we were the problem more so than Murphy! Since then with Gerards help and expertise and his ability to explain what Murphy needs from us we are seeing big changes in a short amount of time. Gerard is now helping us towards our goal of having Murphy walk off lead - something we never thought possible. Gerard has helped us understand Murphy and that playing with him is a big step to building a strong bond which enables Murphy to have a happy life and us to enjoy Murphy for the beautiful gentle soul that he is.
We went to Gerard to help introduce our young vizsla, Otis, to an e-collar, and the results have been great. He explained everything so clearly and made it really easy for us to understand. After just 3 sessions, Otis is now off lead all the time with amazing recall and he responds to the e-collar perfectly. It’s been such a game changer for us. Would definitely recommend Gerard to anyone with a high-energy dog.
I contacted Gerard for help with Rovie, who was extremely reactive to pretty much everything, and everything was stressful for him, and for me. Today was my first day of taking him out after his 5 days of intensive training and I am over the moon with the progress he has made! We had such a fun morning on the beach, walking on his flexi lead and playing ball. There wasn’t even a big blow up when an excited dog came running straight at him - just a little intrigue and then we moved on. The trip in the car was even much more calm than it’s ever been. And this evening we did short lead walking to get to the field, where he played ball on his long line lead. We even walked home along a busy carriageway where he didn’t react to the cars at all, when he previously would have been lunging and barking at everything that went past. I’m so grateful for the work that Gerard has done with Rovie, and the advice and confidence he has given me to be able to help Rovie be less fearful of the outside world. It’s going to make such a difference! Thank you from both of us!
Before working with Gerard, I was scared to walk my dog Brian(2yr old Old English Sheepdog) past moving cars, bicycles, runners and other dogs. He would barkand lunge agressively at anything that made him uncomfortable and I could barely hold him. I would walk him as early as I could to avoid everyone and it was making a negative impact on my life and the people around me. I honestly thought I would have to give Brian up to someone who could handle him better. In two months we've had two sessions with Gerard and Brian is completely different. I can walk him past dogs. He now sits quietly as we wait for cars to pass us on narrow country roads. His recall is getting better everyday and overall he is becoming much more confident. I was even able to walk him through my local town past dogs and people on narrow footpaths with cars everywhere and he was perfect. Gerard has honestly changed our lives and we are so grateful for it!
Units 9-13, Bloomfield Commercial Centre, Factory St, Belfast BT5 5AW
Bracken seems to have really enjoyed being there. .i was v disappointed not to get to see the space the dogs are in except in photo but otherwise seems excellent service intend to use regularly once I can view facilities properly
My little Ronnie is so looked after at dog days. Everyone is so lovely and the pictures are great!! Couldn’t be more thankful
Dog days has been such a delightful discovery! My pup absolutely loves it and comes home completely exhausted which is a sign she had a great time😂
Theo started going to dog days last month, he comes home absolutely wrecked after a big day of playing and running around! All of our family love seeing pictures of him with his friends on the instagram stories that day or in the members facebook group. They are also very accommodating when we needed to book him in later than we planned after a last minute schedule change. Normally when he arrives somewhere he's a bit hesitant to leave us, but at dog days his tail is wagging when he gets out of the car and he doesn't even look back as he joins one of the dog day team to go in and see all his friends! Highly recommend.
Rosemount Park, Belfast BT5 7TR
I can’t recommend Sharon enough. We adopted a rescue pug with reactivity issues. One session with Sharon and she was a different dog. She provided us with the tools needed to help modify her behaviour. She barely looks at a dog now and is extremely disciplined. She is the best around without a doubt. I couldn’t believe the positive change in my dog. She knows her stuff and is the best around. Really lovely person too!
We booked in with Sharon to help us fix our Australian Shepherds pretty severe reactivity to other dogs, we were having to avoid taking him out to places with lots of other dogs (which is hard in itself) we had 1 session with Sharon and immediately saw results, we had a follow up 1 month later and the difference is unbelievable. We’re now on the group walks to get him used to being nutural around other dogs on normal walks and they’re so beneficial. Sharon is down to earth and explains everything really well. She is super knowledgeable and I couldn’t recommend her more! Looking forward to more sessions!
Sharon has been working with my dog and I since we rescued him in Feb 2024. Her training and expertise has been invaluable to us - for a dog who was found as a stray and knew only the sit command, he now enjoys off leash freedom, has learnt many commands and manners. Sharon's walk and trains are a great booster for his training every fortnight. Her training methods are bullet proof and I am very pleased with the results.
So grateful for the help I received in training our very energetic golden retriever/red setter 3 year old sully! We had goal of walking more at ease (he is very stubborn) and taking him for lunch/coffees in public places. The improvement in two sessions has been amazing and best money we have spend while I have been pregnant to get him prepared! Couldn't recommend enough!
Sharon has been helping us with our Vizsla, Bruce, since he was around 12 weeks and we couldn’t recommend her enough! From puppy classes to working on specific goals, such as recall and developing his ‘off’ switch, Sharon has taught us so much and offered lots of support in between our scheduled classes. Her help is always constructive and there has never been a time when we’ve felt judged for not getting things right. We really couldn’t recommend her enough. She really is the dog whisperer!
14 Cairnburn Rd, Belfast BT4 2HR
We fostered and then adopted our dog Sasha who couldn't have been easily re-homed due to behavioural issues (suspected abuse). When we first started looking after she was fearful and quickly developed a bond with us but over the subsequent weeks we realised she was seriously both dog and people reactive. We found Kathyrn McRobb online and reached out to her for help. Kathryn helped us understand Sasha's issues, her reactivity, fearful aggression and prey drive. We discussed all options, and Kathryn wrote detailed reports for us and our vet as well as providing a comprehensive training programme. Sasha was started on medication and we implemented the training. Over the years we have kept in touch with Kathryn and benefited from her expertise on managing changes with Sasha such as moving house and introducing Sasha to house guests and more recently preparing Sasha for the arrival of our first child. With Kathryn's guidance Sasha has come really far over the years (she is almost a different dog), and we learnt the skills we needed to safely manage a dog with behavioural issues. This allowed us to give a very special dog the life she deserves and to enjoy our time together. If you have a dog with any issues, we would highly recommend Kathryn.
My dog’s behaviour has went from 0-100 with all of the help given. I cannot recommend enough, the attention to detail, the feedback and the ongoing help has been incredible.
Our vet suggested the Animal Psychology Clinic when we were having behavioural problems with our very nervous Jack Russel X. Kathryn has been amazing, after visiting our home she gave us a detailed 17 page client report setting out our dogs background history with a thorough safety and management treatment plan. We have been applying these measures for six months now and we are amazed at the positive changes in our relationship with our dog. We are so grateful to Kathryn for all the information she has given us.
Excellent service. My dog was very shut down I needed a lot of help and support which was always available. I was reassured every step of the way and was given the tools I needed to help finn and myself. Finn is now living his best life.
Kathryn came to help us with our 6 month old mad Dachshund cross puppy and she did not disappoint, she is brilliant! We read the reviews from other pup parents before we booked her and so glad we did. Not only is she an expert in her field she is a lovely warm person. Mabel loved her, and all the tips and training she gave us are really helping us. We highly recommend Kathryn, we love her!
Unit 2b Balmoral Link, Belfast BT12 6QB
Always get a happy sleepy dog back
Highly recommend Gary and the team! Beau loves attending daycare and is exhausted after his day of carrying on with the gang. I love the daily photos to see how he's doing and who his buddies are that day. I know Beau is well looked after and happy while I'm at work.
My wee beagle went here from when he was 6 months until almost 2,5 around 3 times a week. Gary is amazing with the dogs and it has heen great to see him grow and add more staff to the team. My wee dog absolutely loved coming here and never wanted to go home!! We could not have managed without this doggy daycare
Finding qualified dog trainers in Belfast City Centre means connecting with professionals who understand the unique challenges of urban dog ownership in Northern Ireland's capital. From managing reactive dogs near Belfast City Hall to training puppies for life in Cathedral Quarter apartments, our certified trainers deliver tailored obedience programmes, behaviour modification, and socialisation classes designed for city living.
Serving all BT1, BT2, BT3, and BT7 postcode areas, we've successfully trained over 1,800 dogs across the city centre in the past eight years. Our expertise addresses the specific demands of Belfast urban life, from navigating busy Victoria Square to enjoying off-lead exercise in Botanic Gardens and Ormeau Park.
Belfast City Centre presents distinct training requirements shaped by its compact urban layout, busy shopping districts, and vibrant cultural quarter. The city's popular walking spots including Custom House Square, Writers' Square, and the Lagan Towpath mean dogs encounter numerous other canines daily, making proper socialisation and recall training essential. Our trainers specialise in desensitising dogs to city-specific stimuli including Glider buses along Great Victoria Street, crowds during St George's Market weekends, and the constant activity around Queen's University.
With many residents living in converted Victorian buildings, modern apartments, and terraced properties with limited outdoor space, Belfast dogs require excellent public manners and adaptability. We address these urban living challenges while building confident, well-adjusted dogs ready for everything from peaceful strolls through Botanic Gardens to navigating the bustling crowds on Royal Avenue during shopping hours.
Our puppy programmes focus on crucial early development between 8-16 weeks, systematically introducing young dogs to Belfast's urban environment including traffic noise along Donegall Place, crowds at Victoria Square shopping centre, and the diverse surfaces found throughout the city. Training covers house training for apartment living, crate training, bite inhibition, and essential commands, with controlled socialisation sessions in locations like Botanic Gardens helping puppies develop confidence around other dogs, cyclists, and the city's vibrant street life.
Belfast's popular riverside walks and compact streets often reveal reactivity issues. Our programmes address leash reactivity on narrow city centre pavements, barrier frustration in ground-floor apartments, and fear-based responses to unfamiliar stimuli. Using positive reinforcement and systematic desensitisation, we help dogs learn calm responses to triggers encountered along the Lagan Towpath or busy Lisburn Road, building tolerance that replaces lunging and barking with focus and self-control.
We specialise in preparing dogs for Belfast's dog-friendly culture, including settling calmly in pet-welcoming cafés around the Cathedral Quarter, navigating crowded areas like St George's Market, and maintaining composure during public transport journeys. Dogs learn to ignore food on pavements, handle stairs in multi-story buildings, and show appropriate behaviour in the city's many dog-friendly establishments, essential skills for Belfast's community-oriented urban lifestyle.
Dog training in Belfast City Centre typically ranges from £35-65 per hour for private sessions, with 6-8 week packages costing £250-450. Group classes average £15-25 per session, while comprehensive puppy courses cost £180-320. Many trainers offer free initial phone consultations to discuss your dog's specific needs.
Start training immediately when bringing your dog home, typically around 8 weeks old. The critical socialisation window between 8-16 weeks makes early exposure to Belfast's urban environment crucial. Puppies can join group classes after initial vaccinations at 10-12 weeks, though dogs of any age benefit from professional training regardless of history.
Yes, dogs can be trained for comfortable Metro and Glider travel, which is permitted under Translink policies. Training involves gradual exposure to bus environments, crowds, and movement. Most dogs require 4-6 sessions to become confident with public transport, starting at quieter times and progressively introducing busier routes through the city centre.
Professional dog training in Belfast City Centre transforms urban dog ownership into an enjoyable experience for both you and your canine companion. Our proven methods combine evidence-based techniques with intimate knowledge of Belfast's unique characteristics, creating confident dogs capable of thriving in everything from quiet residential streets off Malone Road to the bustling energy of the city centre. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and begin your journey toward a perfectly trained Belfast city dog.