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Our curated list of the best professionals in the Caversham area.
With its beautiful riverside setting and local parks, trainers in Caversham focus on creating well-behaved dogs that are a pleasure to have in this popular residential area.
Loddon Dr, Reading RG10 8HL
Contacted Kim as our dog had become a bit unsettled since moving to a new area. We started seeing the benefits from Kim's advice right away.
I spoke to Kim to get some advice to help with my Jack Russel barking. She gave me some amazing advice and already after his first walk it has made a difference. Would recommend Kim to anyone
Kim was 10/10. Even from the first phone call, we got fantastic support. Kim was straight forward and clear about what the issues were at home with our cockapoo, Lexi. Kim came to our house and shared so much insight into how to manage Lexi’s anxiety and to set boundaries. Her strategies were a game changer for us. Kim is always around for advice too. Thank you, Kim!
This lady sure knows her stuff about dogs ...Great help to us ..Highly recommend.
Kim did an amazing job via a phone consultation helping us transform our dogs who had turned on each other - so grateful for her restoring the peace!
The Warren, Caversham, Reading RG4 7TH
Sarah is very good she helped me and my coco a lot? A really good sessions I definitely recommend her?
Last year, we brought home three puppies at once — Sasha (our German Shepherd) and Laika and Hugo (our Goldadors). Most people thought we were completely mad (and honestly, they weren’t wrong). It was exciting, but also completely overwhelming. Then we found Sarah from Barkshire Dog Training, and I truly don’t know how we would have managed without her. Sarah supported us right from the very beginning — from the day we brought the puppies home until they were about a year old — and her support during that entire first year was absolutely invaluable. She was there every step of the way through all the chaos, questions, and milestones. From the very first session, Sarah gave us so much support, advice, and reassurance. She really took the time to understand us and our dogs. She’s calm, encouraging, and full of knowledge that actually works in day-to-day life. Her training is positive, reward-based, and thoughtfully tailored — nothing forceful or rigid, just kind, realistic support that fits into a busy household. We signed up for her puppy programme, which includes a mix of 1 to 1 sessions, group classes, and social walks — and the structure was ideal. The small group sizes meant our dogs didn’t get overwhelmed, and it gave us a chance to work on things specific to each pup. One of the most valuable things Sarah helped us with was teaching our dogs to be calm and to settle — something that was a real game changer in a house with three bouncy puppies! She also guided us through crate training, and now all three dogs see their crates as a peaceful, safe space they actually enjoy. Sarah has also been supporting us with Sasha’s reactivity, which has been more of a challenge. It’s still a work in progress, and we know there’s a long way to go, but we’re grateful for the guidance and tools Sarah has given us to help manage it. It’s made us feel less alone in the process. Sarah has always gone above and beyond — from helping us set up daily routines and giving enrichment ideas, to offering advice on nutrition and just understanding our dogs better. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, but also easy to talk to, which made the whole process feel supportive and never overwhelming. We now have three happy, more relaxed dogs, and a stronger bond with each of them. No, they’re not perfect, but they’re doing great — and we feel so much more confident as owners. If you’re looking for a trainer who really knows dogs, supports you as an owner, and does it all with patience and kindness, we can’t recommend Sarah enough. Thank you, Sarah — we’re so glad we found you.
Very professional ,easy to understand .good value for the money
Knowledgeable, caring, and thoughtful trainer We had a fantastic experience with Sarah Hawkins training our dog Nimbu, an energetic Springer Spaniel. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and thoughtful — always going the extra mile. What we loved most is that her training fit easily into our schedule, and she offered practical tips that worked for both Nimbu and us. Training a Springer Spaniel isn’t easy, but Sarah approached it with patience, skill, and a calm presence that made a real difference. Whether it was improving walks, tweaking feeding, or helping us communicate better with Nimbu, her advice was always thoughtful and effective. Sarah’s personal touch made the whole process enjoyable and gave us so much confidence as dog owners. Highly recommend her if you want a trainer who truly understands both dogs and their families!
A great experience. Sarah has given me invaluable advice, and encouragement. I now have increased empathy, more confidence, and a stronger bond with my nervous little Jack Russell puppy.
17 Victoria Rd, Reading RG31 5AB
We highly recommend Smart Dog Academy! Matt, Karen and Georgia are fantastic – patient, supportive, and genuinely passionate about what they do. Their approach is encouraging and understanding, creating a welcoming environment for both dogs and owners. We really appreciated learning the theory behind each training technique and then putting it into practice. Every class gave us valuable tools to support our puppy's development. The Puppy Social Club sessions are also brilliant - well organised, safe, and a great space for positive socialisation. The Facebook support group is an added bonus. We’ve gained so much already and look forward to attending more classes with them!
Fab, knowledgeable and friendly. I have done several courses and 1:1 with them and would highly recommend.
Wonderful and experienced dog trainers. They take their time to understand each dog. Positive reinforcement, force free methods. Various classes to meet your dog’s needs. Can’t recommend highly enough.
Matt and Karen are fabulous, for lack of transport reasons we missed one week of the course with our pup, and yet Matt very kindly came round to our home at no charge to make sure our pup caught up with his missed lesson... Awesome service, above and beyond Thanks from Gibson
Puppy socialisation and life skills classes.
Focus on building a strong, positive bond with your dog.
Finding qualified dog trainers in Caversham means connecting with professionals who understand the unique character of this charming Thames-side suburb of Reading. Whether you're training a puppy near Caversham Court Gardens, managing a reactive dog along the scenic Thames Path, or teaching recall in the open spaces of Bugs Bottom, our certified trainers deliver personalised obedience training, behaviour modification, and puppy socialisation programmes tailored to this riverside community.
Serving all areas including Caversham Heights, Lower Caversham, and Emmer Green, we've successfully trained over 850 dogs in the local area during the past eight years. Our expertise addresses the specific needs of Caversham dog owners, from navigating busy Bridge Street to enjoying off-lead exercise in Caversham Park and along the picturesque riverside walks.
Caversham presents unique training opportunities shaped by its blend of Victorian residential streets, riverside paths, and proximity to Reading town centre. The area's excellent green spaces including Caversham Court Gardens, Christchurch Meadows, and the expansive Thames Path provide ideal training environments, though the popularity of these locations means dogs must master reliable recall and excellent social skills to enjoy them safely alongside other walkers, cyclists, and fellow dog owners.
Our trainers specialise in addressing local challenges including traffic noise from Caversham Bridge and the A4074, busy weekend crowds at Caversham Lock, and the need for excellent lead manners when navigating the shops and cafés along Church Street. With housing predominantly consisting of period properties with modest gardens, many Caversham residents rely heavily on public spaces for dog exercise, making proper training essential for harmonious community living and enjoyable daily walks.
Our puppy programmes build essential foundations during the critical 8-16 week period, systematically introducing young dogs to Caversham's environment including riverside activity, traffic crossing at Reading Bridge, and the varied surfaces throughout local parks. Training covers house training, crate training for urban homes, bite inhibition, and basic commands, with controlled socialisation in spaces like Christchurch Meadows ensuring puppies develop into confident, well-adjusted dogs.
Popular walking routes along the Thames Path and through Caversham's parks can trigger or amplify reactivity issues. Our behaviour modification programmes address leash reactivity, fear-based responses, and territorial behaviours using positive reinforcement techniques. Progressive training in controlled environments helps dogs learn calm responses to triggers encountered on narrow riverside paths or busy residential streets, building confidence and self-control.
For dogs ready to progress beyond basics, our advanced programmes develop reliable off-lead control essential for safely enjoying Caversham's open spaces. We build solid recall despite distractions including swans on the Thames, other dogs in Bugs Bottom, and picnickers in Caversham Court Gardens, giving owners confidence to provide proper exercise while maintaining complete voice control throughout varied local environments.
Dog training in Caversham typically ranges from £45-70 per hour for private sessions, with 6-week packages averaging £320-480. Group classes cost £15-25 per session, while puppy courses spanning six weeks average £180-300. Many local trainers offer free initial phone consultations and mobile services throughout the RG4 area.
Excellent training locations include the open spaces of Caversham Court Gardens for recall work, quieter sections of Christchurch Meadows for socialisation, and the Thames Path for distraction training. Bugs Bottom offers varied terrain, while residential streets in Caversham Heights provide real-world urban training environments away from main roads.
Yes, reactive dogs can successfully learn to walk calmly along the Thames Path through systematic desensitisation. We start training during quieter weekday mornings on wider path sections, gradually introducing busier periods and narrower areas. Most dogs show significant improvement within 8-12 weeks, learning to focus on handlers despite passing cyclists, joggers, and other dogs along this popular route.
Professional dog training in Caversham creates well-mannered companions perfectly suited to this riverside community's lifestyle. Our proven methods combine expert techniques with intimate local knowledge, ensuring your dog thrives whether walking through historic streets, enjoying riverside paths, or socialising in community green spaces. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and begin your journey toward a confident, obedient dog who's a valued part of Caversham's friendly dog-owning community.