Our curated list of the best professionals in the Birstall area.
With Watermead Country Park on its doorstep, trainers in Birstall are experts at teaching dogs to be well-behaved around water and wildlife.
Priory Ln, Markfield LE67 9PA
We just completed the beginner gun dog course with our 1 year old lab! We had done a few dog training courses previously but this one was by far the best. It was great being outside, Karl was not only very knowledgable but a great teacher. He was friendly, patient and professional. It was very apparent how well he understood dogs (and humans) and made the whole experience very enjoyable for us all! The extra tips and games that we could practice at home were great. We will be joining another course soon once we’ve consolidated all our learning! Thanks Charnwood Dog school!
Emma and Karl are definitely the best people to help you with any kind of dog!! They both seems to have such a large knowledge about training and behaviour of your little /big ,calm or reactive dog ! I was astonished to see everything they teach us does work with our very active Doberman puppy and others in the puppy class . Definitely looking forward for the next course with them. Many , many thanks to both of them !
Could not recommend Karl and Emma’s reactivity course more. We adopted a Romanian rescue in February and felt out of our depths when she turned out to be lead reactive to dogs, runners and cars. Within 2 days of inputting Emma’s training, Wilma was a different dog! She still has moments but we now know how to read her body language and manage the situation. Thank you Karl and Emma!
I have taken our one year old Labrador to Karl and Emma to help with his loose lead walking and his recall. The training is all done in a very kind, fun way which makes Barney respond and feel safe. After each lesson I had some really good training instructions to practice at home, they even sent me videos to I could refresh my memory and show other family members. The best thing is that in ‘real life’ the training really does work! In just three sessions I have a very responsive dog. The training ground is set among the woods in Charnwood and is secure and tranquil. Karl and Emma are very well qualified and obviously love dogs, they are calm, confident and very approachable. We have been to lots of trainers over the years, but Charnwood Dog School is by far the best. Claudia Foster
Our adolescent dog recently finished a 4 week reactivity course to help her to learn how to focus on us and ignore the world around her as she is so excitable! Karl & Emma are so knowledgeable and Emma goes into the science behind behaviours which we loved learning. Nola has come on so much in the 4 weeks, especially with loose lead walking around other dogs which we are really grateful for! If you are Leicestershire based and are interested in anything like puppy course, gun dog training, reactivity or just 1-1 we recommend dropping them a message!
52 Ryelands Cres, Stoke Golding, Nuneaton CV13 6EP
We cannot thank Rich enough for the incredible transformation he has helped our dog achieve. What was once an unpredictable and reactive dog one we were deeply worried might harm someone is now a calm, well-trained, and sociable companion. Before training, we lived in constant stress. Our dog was so reactive that anyone entering the home became a serious concern. We feared we might have to give him up, and with my sister living with Alzheimer’s, that would have meant losing not just a pet, but her closest companion. Thanks to Rich patient, compassionate, and professional approach, our dog now greets visitors without aggression or fear. He’s become the gentle, reassuring presence my sister needs. We can now focus on caring for my sister, without the extra worry about safety. Rich hasn't just trained a dog he has given our family peace of mind and helped preserve an incredibly important bond. Highly recommended.
Our 4 yr old German Shepherd spent her early life in a very rural area and hardly ever encountered other dogs, so she wasn't well socialised at all. As a result, she tended to be very reactive to other dogs. In addition, she would constantly pull on the lead. This was very restrictive for us and for her. When we moved back to civilisation, something had to change or we would never be able to take her anywhere. We found Vislor on the internet and after scrutinising their blurb and reviews, decided to give them a call. It was a really good decision. All of the trainers looked impressive but we decided on talking to Rich. We were a bit concerned that she might be too old to 'change her ways' but Rich assured us that he would be able to help. Having taken our dog to meet him we subsequently went ahead with the 3 week residential training. Come the day, I had more separation anxiety than she did, but she settled in well - within 3 days, Rich sent us a video of her perfectly calm with his own dogs. Rich kept us informed and sent regular videos of her progress over the 3 weeks. It was like watching a different dog. When we eventually did the handover, it was our turn to receive some training - loose lead walking, passing other dogs, commands etc. It was a revelation. She was calm, walked nicely on a loose lead and did not react at all to the other dogs we passed. It has now been 3 weeks since she came home. We go out for a long walk every day, encountering numerous dogs every time. Whereas before I would have been nervous seeing another dog coming towards us, now I don't worry. Also, having a large, well-behaved dog walking on a loose lead right at my side, I confess to feeling slightly smug when I watch other dogs misbehaving! There have been a couple of occasions where another dog has lunged at her from close range, or dogs off the lead have mobbed her, and she has growled, but she quickly got back on track and within seconds was walking calmly again. Previously, it would have been all out war until the offending dog was out of sight. Having said that, it seems she has a slightly anxious temperament, and probably always will, which makes it all the more remarkable that she shows no reaction to 99% of other dogs (it's actually 100% of well-behaved dogs, but there's always going to be the odd maverick). This is life-changing - for all of us. We can now do so many things that include her that we could not even consider before. I realise this is a long review but I wanted to include some specifics, particularly for owners of slightly older dogs, who may be concerned that their dog is too old to respond to training. For all the above reasons, I cannot recommend Rich highly enough.
Great initial consultation. My dog used to run for England, supersonically charged. After three weeks residential training he now is responsive to recall, a pleasure to walk! Thankyou to Rich for an excellent experience. It was money well spent.
Our journey with Vislor started with a conversation on the phone with Lorraine, I explained the Huge pickle we were in with our 6 year old Dog Chester. Lorraine was so kind and understanding and really did make me feel less alone with the behavioural issues that our dog was showing. Lorraine gave me options of trainers and their Availability for a 3 week residential training program. We chose Rich, I was drawn to his profile. We had an initial zoom meeting with Rich and got Chester all booked in. Fast forward to now, Chester completed his 3 week residential and we have a completely different dog. Chester was riddled with anxiety which has now practically disappeared. Before Chester went to Rich, he was very reactive towards people, growling and snapping through fear, he was scratching walls and doors if we left him, even if we just left the room, barking constantly, barking at people, crying and barked through the night for attention, Was anxiously attached to my partner which meant when he went to work, Chester would pace and bark and cry for him, Resource guarding, pulling on the lead, guarding the house by barking at anybody who came near, didn’t listen to us at all. We really were pulling our hair out but now life is so peaceful with Chester, he seems so much happier now too. He knows we’re in charge and he knows his place within our family. Rich has worked miracles on Chester he really has. We tried many dog trainers in the past before we found Vislor and the training they offered just didn’t change a thing. But Rich is another level of dog trainer. He is an absolute expert. Chester went to Rich on a prescribed calming medication from the vets. Which he had been on for a while, and Rich also managed to get him off the meds. Chester is now calmer than he was when he was on the medication!!! Rich explains things so clearly too, so I was able to continue Chester’s training following Rich’ instructions and it’s changed my life as well as Chester’s. Whilst Chester was away, Rich sent us videos with detailed updates of his progress. Rich is a magician, if you have a dog with behavioural issues, he is the man to see. Thank you so much Rich, for saving Chester like you have, and thank you for being so kind to us throughout this journey. And thank you Lorraine for all you do behind the scenes. You guys really are fab.
Stanley is a character very loving but a generally disobedient, stubborn Beagle. Constantly scavenging, always distracted, lunging and pulling on lead, a nightmare in new places and had poor recall. Met Rich and decided he was the trainer for Stanley. After 3 weeks residential training Stanley is now a pleasure to walk and his recall is perfect. The thorough handover Rich does gives you the tools to continue the training. I was concerned to leave Stanley for 3 weeks but you get updates on progress and I can’t recommend Rich highly enough.
22 Wanlip Ave, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4JP
Kyle has a wealth knowledge when it comes to training your dog. Our pup was hard work walking on his lead, after one session with Kyle, Smudge now walks so much better, and he's a lot more pleasant to walk with. Thank you.
Kyle is a fantastic dog trainer. We did the puppy training package and learnt so much. He provided really useful resources and follow up emails after each session. Would highly recommend him.
Kyle’s training is brilliant. He spends time getting to know the dog and the family he’s working with. (Some trainers just want dogs to perform to the norm and expect the owners to go along with that). By listening to owners, Kyle works out what’s important for the human and the dog to build a better relationship in a realistic, achievable and rewarding way with lots of fun. Our border terrier Bella was a nightmare when anyone came to the door. She would bark and bark, run round the house, jump on all the furniture for 10 mins or longer - she was a danger to herself. Kyle helped us to understand how it’s her instinct to bark, to tell us there’s someone there, for our protection. However for Bella, the stress of this was clearly a factor of her uncontrollable behaviour. By carefully following Kyle’s guidance, Bella now alerts us in a stress free, manageable and safe way.
Kyle was so helpful and reassuring ahead of the arrival of our new baby. He gave us lots of practical tips to try with our terrier Nelly and good advice for when the baby arrives. If you’re nervous about how to plan for your new baby’s arrival with your dog, I would 100% recommend getting in touch with him! We’re feeling a lot more prepared now and have things to work on over the next few weeks.
Would highly recommend Wags and Wisdom if you're having problems with a troublesome pooch. Kyle provided us with lots of advice and training techniques, plus support and info if needed between training sessions. Our GSD mix was highly reactive on walks and with other dogs. Thanks to Kyle he is now a lot calmer, more focused and a pleasure to walk. Would definitely use Wags and Wisdom again in the future ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 School Ln, South Croxton, Leicester LE7 3RT
Lucy was so helpful straight from the initial contact. We explained what we would like to achieve and Lucy helped show some great drills which were fun for our 5 month sprocker as well as myself. The follow up email from Lucy to put what we went over into an email was prompt. We look forward to getting some commands working to hopefully progress further in the near future. Great value for cost. Highly recommended. Thanks Lucy.
I can’t thank Lucy enough for all her help, guidance and support whilst training our 1year old golden retriever, Enzo. We had issues with him jumping, guarding, pulling on his lead and virtually no recall skills at all! All of the training was made fun for us and Enzo and we saw improvements in his behaviour really quickly. A few months on and we now have a well controlled, well behaved and beautifully mannered retriever and we wouldn’t have done it without her. The Marshall family and Enzo cannot thank her enough!
I can't recommend Lucy enough, she has helped me through a few issues with my dogs, and my dogs adore her.
I can highly recommend Lucy, great to work with, very knowledgeable and professional. Thank you Lucy, Ava & I are very grateful for your help.
I originally contacted Lucy at Waggology Dog Training after we brought home our 5 month old golden retriever, Ozzy. After having previously owned a dog before that had a number of behavioural issues and severe reactivity, we were very keen to ensure we got our training off to the right start. Thankfully we had none of these aggressive signs with Ozzy, however we did notice some over excitement and lack of recall around distractions when out, as well as signs of noise sensitivity with busy roads and busy places. Lucy was extremely friendly and professional from the very first contact, and during each session, she gave us some different exercises to practice at home and on our walks. We noticed incredible improvements from the first week, with Ozzy already showing a much higher level of attention and focus to us rather than passing distractions. On our third session we even had him entirely off lead with great results as well as happily walking down our main road with tractors and lorries unnerved. Lastly, as Ozzy became more settled in our home we noticed a bad habit of wanting to run out the front door to greet visitors excitedly. I mentioned this to Lucy who told me exactly how to address this straight away. And already, Ozzy no longer reacts to the doorbell and are able to send him to his bed where he waits patiently until I give him the ok to leave, just only a few days after Lucy’s advice. I would not hesitate in recommend Waggology Dog Training to anyone, (and already have!) and we look forward to continuing with her advice to build on what Ozzy has already learnt. Thank you for all of your help!
26 Hawthorn Ave, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4HJ
Really pleased with the service my dog smelt lovely and was really soft, lovely lady. Will definitely be going to her regularly.
Finding a qualified dog trainer in Birstall means connecting with professionals who understand the unique character of this historic Leicestershire town. Whether you're training a puppy in the residential areas near Birstall Shopping Park or managing reactive behaviour along the scenic paths near Watermead Country Park, our certified trainer delivers personalised obedience training, behaviour modification, and puppy socialisation programmes tailored to local conditions.
Serving Birstall and surrounding areas including Thurmaston, Wanlip, and Rothley, we've successfully trained over 850 dogs in the Leicester area during the past eight years. Our expertise addresses the specific challenges of dog ownership in this thriving community, from navigating busy Sibson Road to enjoying off-lead exercise in local green spaces.
Birstall presents distinct training requirements shaped by its mix of residential estates, retail areas, and proximity to beautiful countryside walks. The town's location between Leicester and Loughborough, with excellent access to Watermead Country Park and the River Soar, means dogs need reliable recall and excellent socialisation skills to enjoy these popular walking destinations safely alongside other dogs and wildlife.
Local challenges include adapting to varying environments from the busy Birstall Shopping Park and nearby Fosse Park retail areas to quieter residential streets around Greengate Lane and Roman Road. Our trainer specialises in desensitising dogs to urban stimuli while building confidence for countryside adventures, ensuring your dog behaves impeccably whether visiting local shops or exploring the extensive footpath network around Wanlip and Watermead.
Our puppy programmes focus on the critical 8-16 week socialisation period, introducing young dogs to Birstall's environment including traffic along Loughborough Road, pedestrian activity around local shops, and the diverse sights and sounds of community life. Training covers house training, crate training, bite inhibition, and essential commands, with socialisation sessions helping puppies develop confidence around other dogs, children, and various situations they'll encounter throughout their lives.
We address common behavioural challenges including leash reactivity on shared footpaths, recall issues in open spaces like Watermead Country Park, and anxiety-related behaviours. Using positive reinforcement techniques, we help dogs learn calm responses to triggers, building tolerance gradually and replacing unwanted behaviours with focus and self-control in real-world Birstall environments.
For dogs progressing beyond basics, our advanced training develops the off-lead control necessary for safely enjoying Watermead Country Park's extensive grounds and surrounding countryside. We build reliable recall despite distractions including waterfowl, other dogs, and wildlife, incorporating distance commands and advanced lead work suitable for navigating both town and country environments confidently.
Dog training in Birstall typically ranges from £35-65 per hour for private sessions, with package deals offering better value at £220-450 for comprehensive programmes. Group classes cost approximately £10-18 per session, while puppy courses spanning 4-6 weeks average £120-220, providing excellent value for Leicestershire residents.
Begin training immediately when bringing your puppy home at around 8 weeks old. The critical socialisation window between 8-16 weeks makes early exposure to Birstall's environment essential. Puppies can join group classes after initial vaccinations at approximately 10-12 weeks, though dogs of all ages benefit from professional training.
Watermead Country Park offers excellent training environments with varied distraction levels, open spaces for recall practice, and quieter areas for nervous dogs. Local parks and quieter residential streets around Birstall provide ideal settings for lead work and urban manners training, while footpaths along the River Soar offer controlled countryside exposure.
Professional dog training in Birstall creates well-mannered, confident companions perfectly suited to life in this vibrant Leicestershire town. Our proven methods combine expert techniques with local knowledge, ensuring your dog thrives whether exploring Watermead Country Park or relaxing at home. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and begin your journey toward a perfectly trained dog who's a valued member of your Birstall family and community.
