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Our curated list of the best professionals in the Bishop Auckland area.
With Auckland Castle and the Deer Park, trainers in Bishop Auckland are experts at teaching dogs to be well-behaved in historic settings and around wildlife.
270 Park Rd, South Moor, Stanley DH9 7ED
From the moment we brought our puppy Millie to Lee at School of Dogs, we knew we were in the best hands. Lee’s depth of knowledge, endless patience, and kind, positive training methods have made all the difference. He doesn’t just teach obedience—he teaches how to live well with your dog and truly bring out the best in them. Thanks to Lee’s supportive guidance, we’ve learned how to help Millie thrive and feel confident as dog owners. His gentle approach creates a safe space for learning, and every session leaves us feeling empowered and connected. Millie also attends the doggy day care at School of Dogs, and the care from Lee’s team is beyond wonderful. They treat her like one of their own—gentle, kind, and attentive in every way. We cannot recommend Lee and School of Dogs highly enough. If you want your dog to be taught with warmth, expertise, and genuine love, this is the place to be.
We have just completed 5 weeks of training with Lee for our cockapoo puppy Marley. We are extremely grateful for Lees training and support. Marley has came on leaps and bounds. If your looking for a great dog trainer then Lee is definitely your man. Thanks Lee for all your help.
We were recommended to school of dogs after Lee trained another family dog that was perfectly trained and thought the school would be perfect for our puppy Ralph. It was a pleasure to take Ralph to Lee’s puppy classes. In the five weeks we’ve spent with Lee, Ralph has progressed and has come on leaps and bounds especially with his walking to heal and recall. We look forward to working with him in the junior classes to advance Ralph’s training further. 😀
So happy to introduce our friends and their rescue puppy to Lee and School of Dogs. We trained our Staffie Sky with Lee and can honestly say he's brilliant. Phoebe enjoyed her first lesson :-)
Thanks so much Lee. We just completed the 5 week puppy course and it was fantastic. Really helpful!
14, Skillion Business Centre, Langley Moor, Littleburn Industrial Estate, Durham DH7 8HG
We can’t recommend Kev highly enough! Odie struggles with dog reactivity, and we honestly thought walking calmly near other dogs might never be possible. Within seconds of working with Kev, we saw a complete transformation — our boy was walking confidently right alongside another dog. The level of skill, knowledge, and calm no-nonsense approach was nothing short of magic. If you’re looking for someone who truly understands dogs and gets results, look no further.
We had a great experience with Kevin and received really helpful tips for daily work with my athletic, strong, playful, and nervous dog.
Took our 9 month old cocker spaniel for his first training session yesterday with kevin. We booked the session to get help with pulling on the lead and reactivity with dogs as he becomes very hyper when out for walks if he sees another dog. Within 5 minutes he was walking by our side with full attention on us. Kevin also brought out another dog and the difference in Arlo was amazing again full focus on us and not the dog. I took Arlo out for a walk today and came across 2 dogs who were barking and pulling to get at him and again he sat and just looked up at me instead of reacting. Iam so grateful to Kevin as the difference in the first 24 hours has been huge already
Brought my reactive dachshund to Kevin for an initial assessment and within 25 mins he had him walking past other dogs while maintaining a loose lead. More practice over the next few weeks but thanks to Kevin’s advice huge progress has been made already. Thanks again 👍
I had never owned a puppy before, and although my husband has had several dogs in the past, his offshore work commitments meant I initially found looking after our Labrador puppy quite overwhelming. Red turns one next month, and she has grown into such a well-behaved young dog. The dietary guidance we received made a significant difference, and my husband and I were very diligent in doing our homework between training sessions. When Red was just five months old, we had a distressing incident where our neighbour’s German Shepherds jumped on us. This understandably left her nervous and unsettled around larger dogs. I mentioned this to Kevin during her next class, and he worked patiently with her to help her regain confidence. It was worth every penny—we couldn’t recommend their service highly enough to other dog owners.
Walworth grange, Walworth, Darlington DL2 2LY
I've been attending scentwork classes with PDAT since 2019, and mantrailing workshops/classes before that with all 3 of my dogs at the time, including a fairly reactive Jack Russell. Reactivity wasn't an issue in a small group where the dogs worked individually and he enjoyed the class. Ellie and Pepper both love their scentwork class. They're both deaf now (14 and 15 years old) and Pepper didn't start scentwork until after she'd gone deaf at 10 years old but this wasn't a problem for Laura and she was able to adjust the learning to help Pepper really 'get' the game and she hasn't looked back. I am now taking my young Springer, Izzy to scentwork classes and mantrailing (when we're able to grab a rare place!) along with taking part in the monthly scent trials and Erin's monthly gundog class. She loves everything about coming to classes with Laura and Erin and we hope to continue for a long time. We would highly recommend PDAT to anyone who's looking for dog training classes that are a little bit different and get great results.
Bramble and I really enjoyed the Foundation Training sessions, it was interesting for her (and me!) and with lots of advice, variation and scaffolding to extend or consolidate different commands. Non judgmental style, with a real focus on positive reinforcement for doggies and humans too! Thank you Erin, we are looking forward to our gun dog sessions!
Great class, easy to follow lots of support. Erin is great and very knowledgeable lots learned as well as having fun. Can't wait to continue.
Luca loved the foundation sports classes. I would highly recommend, Erin is knowledgeable and friendly ☺️
I took my 5 month old cocker spaniel Olive to the 6 week foundation sports class organised and taught by Erin Erin was brilliant and extremely knowledgable, myself and Olive learnt a lot over the 6 weeks, Olive seems like a better version of herself through everything Erin taught us. Now when out on walks where Olive used to be reactive to other dogs and people we can use some of the skills we learnt in the lessons and Olive is no longer reactive at all. I can’t recommend the course enough and we are hoping to carry on growing what we’ve learnt already by attending other classes going forward. Thank you Erin.
6 Ellington Cl, Ouston, Chester-le-Street DH2 1UD
Can’t recommend Vicky enough , I have attended the puppy classes with 2 of my dogs over the last 12 years and it has given them the best start . We are looking forward to starting the follow on course with Ruger in the next few weeks to build on the things we have learned.
Excellent company. Extremely professional and very reasonable prices. Would wholly recommend it to anyone looking for dog advice.
We were so close to returning our puppy because of him biting our daughter so much. We booked a home visit consultation and the 6 week puppy starter class and because of Vicky's help we managed to curb some of the more worrying behaviour. Vicky gives guidance and advice in a way that makes sense and helped us understand our puppy's behaviour, then what we can do to curb and manage this. She doesn't claim to have a magic wand or a quick fix, but if one thing doesn't work she will suggest something else, such as changing the reward or changing the command given. In class we found Vicky to be patient, recognising the different temperament of each dog there and their nature (because of their breed). When trying different commands and techniques she demonstrated first and encouraged us to persist, but acknowledged that it is hard work training a puppy. The lay out of the class was helpful and she recognised what dogs got on well and what dogs to keep well apart. Our pup loves Vicky (the treat lady!) and always loved going to class. Thanks to Vickys help our little one really is a good dog (well, most of the time!). Thank you, Vicky, for giving us the tips needed to make our home a happier home, giving us the confidence needed to continue training at home and helping us learn how to curb behaviour that could have led to something serious happening if things continued the way they were. And a big thank you for being there in between classes too, answering WhatsApp questions and emails.
Firstly, it is so important to know that Vicky is one of the few fully qualified and appropriately accredited dog trainers in the area so you know that you're getting someone who actually knows what they're doing. Vicky was excellent with us and gave us the skills and confidence to get our puppy through her classes. She's come so far by just learning the basics and we hope to continue to the next steps because our dog loved coming so much.
Absolutely loved the little learners course it was great fun and we learned so much that we are already benefiting from both at home and out and about. The group was just the right size and all the puppies got equal amounts of attention. Vicky was professional and informative and made the impossible look easy at times. She was also happy to pick up questions outside of the class. I couldnt recommend Have a Good Dog highly enough.
Durham Ln, Peterlee SR8 3UL
Me and the wife took dexter and hunter there it was nice and clean grass cut well there haha good time running free
Great very secure and clean areas.
Great place for dogs 🐕 and owners
Finding skilled dog trainers in Bishop Auckland means connecting with professionals who understand the unique character of this historic County Durham market town. From training energetic puppies near Auckland Castle to managing recall in the expansive Bishop Auckland Town Moor, our experienced trainers deliver personalised obedience training, behaviour modification, and puppy socialisation programmes tailored to both town and countryside living.
Serving Bishop Auckland, Coundon, Escomb, and surrounding villages, we've successfully trained over 1,800 dogs across the area in the past eight years. Our expertise addresses the specific needs of local dog owners, from navigating busy Newgate Street to enjoying off-lead walks along the River Wear and Binchester Roman Fort paths.
Bishop Auckland offers a unique blend of urban amenities and rural access, creating distinct training opportunities and challenges. The town's proximity to stunning countryside walks including Hamsterley Forest and Witton Castle means dogs need reliable recall and countryside manners, while the busy market square and high street require excellent lead walking and public behaviour skills.
Local dogs frequently encounter livestock on footpaths around West Auckland and Etherley, making livestock awareness training essential. Our trainers understand the specific requirements of County Durham dog ownership, from navigating the cobbled streets near the Market Place to training in weather conditions typical of the North East. Whether you're preparing your dog for walks through Auckland Park or ensuring they're well-behaved during trips to Kynren outdoor theatre events, we provide practical, location-specific training.
Our puppy programmes build essential foundations during the critical 8-16 week socialisation period. We introduce young dogs to Bishop Auckland's environment including market day crowds, traffic along Fore Bondgate, and the varied terrain of local parks and woodland paths. Training covers house training, crate training, bite inhibition, and basic commands, with socialisation sessions helping puppies develop confidence around other dogs, livestock, and the diverse situations found in a traditional market town.
Given Bishop Auckland's excellent access to countryside walks, reliable recall is essential. We specialise in building off-lead control that works in high-distraction environments including Binchester Blocks nature reserve, along the River Gaunless, and throughout local woodland areas. Training includes livestock awareness, particularly important for walks around Coundon and Eldon where sheep and cattle are common, ensuring your dog can enjoy countryside freedom safely and responsibly.
Dog training in Bishop Auckland typically costs £35-60 per hour for private sessions, with 6-week courses averaging £220-350. Group classes range from £10-18 per session, reflecting the town's affordable pricing compared to larger cities while maintaining professional standards.
Excellent training locations include Auckland Park for basic obedience, Bishop Auckland Town Moor for distraction training, and quieter paths along the River Wear for recall work. Nearby Hamsterley Forest provides ideal environments for advanced countryside training, while the Market Place offers real-world urban experience during quieter morning hours.
Professional dog training in Bishop Auckland creates well-mannered companions ready for both town and country life. Our proven methods combine positive reinforcement with practical knowledge of local environments, ensuring your dog thrives whether exploring Auckland Castle grounds or walking through Escomb village. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover how expert training transforms your dog into the confident, obedient companion you've envisioned for life in this beautiful County Durham town.