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Our curated list of the best professionals in the heart of Durham.
With its World Heritage Site cathedral and castle, and beautiful riverside walks, trainers here focus on creating confident city dogs comfortable with tourists and historic streets.
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.
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
The stables, Durham Rd, Blackhill, Consett DH8 5TN
I've been attending now for a few months and I can't rate the trainers high enough. My dog has come on so much since going and I look forward to going every week. Great and welcoming atmosphere and even in a group setting the training provided is individual for you and your dog which is invaluable. Highly recommend.
Mechelle, Amanda and the whole team are unbeatable. Our reactive and jumpy Great Dane had had lots of 'one to one' training sessions with other trainers, but the knowledge and experience Mechelle shared with us transformed him into a much calmer boy who loves his training sessions so much and has now passed his Bronze Good citizens award. It has also made us better handlers! Thank you Curlabull!
I’ve attended dog training classes in the past but find Curlabull Canine Training exceptional. I’ve learnt so much more from their course and my pup has loved it too. Would definitely recommend them!
Our 3-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Alfie, had several behavioural problems, including pulling hard on the lead, anxiety (which was off the scale), being reactive to other dogs, and going crazy whenever someone entered or left our home. Mechelle came to us, having been recommended by a friend, and quickly explained strategies to calm Alfie and improve his general behaviour. She tackled each of his little quirks, and he is now calmer, better behaved, doesn't pull on the lead, and is less reactive. The result? A calmer dog and two very happy owners. Highly recommended!
Mechelle and team are so knowledgable and patient and also inject a huge sense of fun into training. We attended the 7 week puppy course and the progress is steady and sound. We learned tips around socialisation, mobility and (very useful) first aid in addition to the top class obedience training. Puppy and I are excited to move to the next stage with our newly strengthened bond thanks to Mechelle.
Finding qualified dog trainers in Durham City Centre connects you with professionals who understand the unique challenges of raising dogs in this historic cathedral city. From training puppies to navigate the cobbled streets near Durham Cathedral to teaching recall in the riverside paths along the River Wear, our certified trainers deliver personalised obedience training, behaviour modification, and socialisation programmes tailored to city centre living.
Serving the entire DH1 postcode area including areas around Market Place, Elvet, and Framwellgate, we've successfully trained over 850 dogs in Durham's city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods. Our expertise addresses the specific challenges of urban dog ownership, from managing reactive behaviour on busy Saddler Street to ensuring perfect lead manners around the bustling indoor market.
Durham City Centre presents unique training requirements shaped by its medieval street layout, UNESCO World Heritage status, and vibrant student population. The city's compact nature means dogs regularly encounter crowds of tourists near Durham Castle, cyclists along the riverbanks, and students throughout the Vennels. Our trainers specialise in desensitising dogs to the city's distinctive environment, including cathedral bells, narrow alleyways, and the constant foot traffic across Framwellgate Bridge and Elvet Bridge.
With many residents living in terraced properties, converted flats, and Georgian townhouses with limited garden space, dogs rely heavily on riverside walks and nearby green spaces like Wharton Park for exercise. This makes excellent public behaviour and reliable recall essential for enjoyable daily walks through this beautiful but busy historic city.
Our puppy programmes focus on early socialisation within Durham's unique urban environment. We introduce young dogs to cobblestone surfaces, traffic noise from North Road, cathedral bells, and the diverse people encountered throughout the city centre. Training includes essential commands, house training for flat living, and controlled exposure to other dogs along popular walking routes by the River Wear and through the historic peninsula.
Durham's narrow medieval streets and busy riverside paths can trigger or worsen reactivity issues. Our behaviour modification programmes address leash reactivity on confined pathways, fear responses to crowds near the cathedral, and anxiety around the city's unique soundscape. Using positive reinforcement techniques, we help dogs develop calm responses to triggers encountered throughout the city centre's challenging environment.
We specialise in training dogs for Durham's dog-friendly culture, teaching them to settle in riverside cafés, navigate the Saturday market on Market Place, and walk calmly through busy areas like Claypath and Silver Street. Dogs learn to remain composed around tourist attractions, ignore food near restaurants, and respond reliably in the city's bustling environment.
Dog training in Durham City Centre typically costs £45-70 per hour for private sessions, with 6-week packages ranging from £250-420. Group classes cost £15-25 per session, offering excellent value for basic obedience and socialisation training in the local area.
Popular training locations include the riverside paths along the River Wear, Wharton Park for off-lead work, and quieter streets in the early morning. Our trainers conduct sessions throughout the DH1 area, bringing professional expertise directly to your neighbourhood or preferred walking routes.
Yes, early training in Durham's busy environment is crucial for developing confident city dogs. Puppies should begin socialisation around 8-10 weeks, with gradual exposure to the city's cobbled streets, crowds, and historic atmosphere helping them become well-adjusted urban companions.
Professional dog training in Durham City Centre creates well-mannered companions suited to life in this historic city. Our proven methods combine expert techniques with local knowledge, ensuring your dog thrives whether navigating Palace Green tourists or enjoying peaceful riverside walks. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and begin your journey toward a perfectly trained Durham city dog.