Top 5 Dog Trainers in Morningside

Max came to my home where the main problem behaviours were happening. He asked focused questions, looked at videos and we went for a walk with the dogs. He gave me options and a plan which he then emailed me. He followed up and sent more resources. Problem behaviours have stopped. The dogs are happier, hugely less reactive and have much better recall and release. Very happy customer.

We have a 2 year old working type labrador and I can highly recommend training sessions with Max - they have been hugely helpful and enjoyable. We had a 1 to 1 session and then the retrieval package. As well as retrieval training Max has helped us with a few behavioural issues that also cropped up during that time. His experience and expertise means that he is able see situations clearly and develop solutions that he then explains in a way that a non expert can understand and follow. Flossie and I have both gained in confidence and the all important bond is getting stronger every day.

We have a gorgeous chocolate lab who is just over 9 months. He’s a big strong boy and I felt we needed some guidance. Not going to lie other half was a bit cynical. We met Max on a lovely Monday morning and felt really at ease chatting to Max. No judgement on his part and reassurance that if we put the work in we will reap the rewards. Within 5 minutes of being in the field with Max we watched in awe as Finn interacted with Max and couldn’t believe what he had him doing. We came away hopeful and confident and the fact that we had observed together we were both confident we would be engaging with Finn in the same way and manner. Max got in touch a week later to see how we were and reassured us to contact him with any questions. We have our guidebooks to keep us right as it’s a lot to remember. Already Finn is improving it’s going to take time and patience for all 3 of us and we are learning from each other. What I liked about Max apart from his love and passion for dogs. There was no pressure to sign up to a series of lessons or course. We have to contact Max if we need him. I’m sure we will be back as we can only learn from him. Thank you Max from Angie, Keith & Finn

I cannot recommend Max highly enough.After trying many different training classes and methods ( some of which we were asked to leave) I contacted Max at Action 4 Dogs He took time to get to know my dog and I could not believe the connection he developed with him in a short space of time.He has helped me understand why other training failed and was really patient and explained everything really clearly. The love of dogs and connection he has with them is amazing. Already there is a huge difference in my dogs engagement with me, he is learning new things with enthusiasm and Max has made us a much happier dog and human. We now have a great time training and learning together

What can I say about Max Muir? Well it’s as simple as this - if you’re reading this review because you have a ‘difficult rescue dog’, and you’re researching dog behaviorists, then stop looking and get in contact with Max right now as he is simply amazing! Max spent 4 hours with me and my girl Ettie and has turned our world around! He ‘just understands’ the dog but more importantly he understands the human! He listens intently, does not judge or give unrealistic training plans. He gives honest feedback and clear instruction on the best way forward, following up with a very clear action plan. From the second you meet him he puts you totally at ease, his knowledge and passion for what he does is evident in every single sentence. My girl Ettie, is a 5 year old Labrador x pointer. She’s a rescue that had an incredibly bad start to life. She’s been with me for three and a half years and I’ve had to deal with aggressive reactivity to people, visitors to the house and other dogs. She’s a nervous dog that has terrible separation anxiety. I’ve worked through all of these extremely difficult issues on my own but finally realized that I needed professional help, I needed help building Ettie’s confidence, building my confidence and building a trusting relationship! I rescued Ettie in the Covid period where working from home was ‘the norm’ and I’ve continued working from home so find myself in a situation where if I leave Ettie home alone for minutes never mind hours she gets into such a state! She has never been destructive but paces and howls continually! I have tried all the toys possible to give her ‘something to take her mind off it’ but when I return they are untouched! Max gave me an insight into how Ettie’s past is affecting her behavior and also how the relationship that I have with her now is also affecting her behavior. He explained that Ettie has attachment anxiety, not separation anxiety so going back to basic behavioral training and setting boundaries will be beneficial for our relationship. I’m working with Ettie daily on basic commands, making her world small, being repetitive on her training with short sessions often. I’ve found a quiet area to walk her and we’ve found that she loves playing fetch which is a great activity to play where I can use all the basic commands and make it fun. In the home I’m ensuring we have ‘time away’ from each other, teaching her to be independent. The ‘stay’ command is a very important one for building Ettie’s confidence, building distance and time ensuring to always return to her. I can now leave her home alone for 5 minutes without her stressing which is an absolute miracle! I’m fully aware that this is going to take months or maybe even years, but now thanks to Max we have clear direction. Even in the short period of three weeks since Max visited, friends and family have already commented on her change in behavior noting a calmer more confident nature, a dog that does not crave 24/7 attention. I cannot recommend Max Muir highly enough, from the initial visit, action plan and his follow ups, just knowing that he’s right there if I need him allows me to be so much more confident! From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much Max! Lesley & Ettie.

Information relevant to choosing the right sex and breed of dog was given that was easy to understand. We are now on a path to choosing the right puppy and will most certainly seek help again during the first few months to work with further educating ourselves and the pup.

I want to share my remarkable journey with a truly exceptional dog trainer, Arianna, who has not only changed my dog's life but also mine. If you're facing the challenges of a dog with anxiety, especially separation anxiety, I wholeheartedly recommend Arianna as your guiding light. I reached out to Arianna when I found myself in a situation where my beloved 2-year-old mini Dachshund, Obi, was grappling with severe anxiety after our move from Cyprus to Edinburgh. Her anxiety was palpable, making it almost impossible for me to leave the house without triggering a storm of barks and distress. Desperate to help her and regain some semblance of normalcy in both our lives, I contacted Arianna. From my very first interaction with Arianna, I knew I was in capable hands. I explained Obi's situation, her anxiety triggers, and my longing to help her become a more confident, independent dog. Arianna responded with insights that immediately resonated with me. She comprehensively analyzed Obi's circumstances and offered a tailored plan that addressed the core issues driving her anxiety. Arianna's approach was nothing short of transformative. She recognized Obi's intelligence and vivacity, acknowledging the bond between us. She identified that Obi's anxiety stemmed from a lack of proper socialization, early spaying, and limited exposure to varied experiences. Arianna astutely pinpointed the root causes of Obi's anxieties, allowing her to create a customized roadmap for Obi's recovery. The training sessions were a revelation. Arianna employed non-verbal cues to communicate with Obi, helping her feel secure and gradually building her trust. Through a series of carefully designed steps, Arianna guided Obi towards overcoming her fears. The journey was not just about being able to stay alone but also about instilling a sense of self-assurance in Obi. After 4 months, the results have been astonishing. Obi, who once couldn't bear to be alone for more than a few minutes, now confidently stays alone for extended periods. Her incessant barking has significantly decreased, and she's becoming more relaxed and open to the world around her. The progress is a testament to Arianna's expertise and her profound understanding of canine psychology. I can't emphasize enough how grateful I am for Arianna's guidance. She has given me my life back and allowed Obi to flourish into the happy, confident dog she was always meant to be. If you're facing similar challenges with your furry friend, don't hesitate to reach out to Arianna. Her approach is meticulous, compassionate, and effective. Thank you, Arianna, for being a true dog whisperer and for transforming our lives in ways we couldn't have imagined. Obi and I are forever indebted to you.

Everything as it should be

I had issues with my English bulldog puppy and needed advice on how to train her. Within 10 months of patience and Arianna’s help, Betty has become a very good dog. I would highly recommend Ariana especially with the Bulldog breed.

I have a ten year old mixed-breed doggo. We lived together in Athens, Greece for the better part of her life. When I decided to bring her to Edinburgh, I was afraid she wouldn’t adapt well given that she was not trained beyond the basic commands of ‘sit, stay, paw’. I thought she had separation anxiety and issues with other female dogs. My biggest fear was that I wouldn’t be able to let her off the lead due to her history of running after stray cats, even into busy roads. Until my partner and I found Ariana. After a lot of research, we decided that Ariana would be up for the task. And boy she was! Not only did she manage to tame this predatory beast, she also taught us the most important things, which are how to understand and communicate with our dog, how to meet her needs, and how to provide her with a safe and calm environment. Now, the walks which had been so stressful in the past have become the most blissful and enjoyable thing to do with her. We can now happily let her off lead and let her explore her surroundings, knowing that she’ll come back. In addition, leaving her alone at home is no longer another stress – thanks to Ariana’s help, we saw a huge improvement in this in literally 24 hours. To our surprise, Ariana helped us to realise that our dog wasn’t actually the one with the separation anxiety… Ariana is an excellent trainer who knows and understands animal behaviour and psychology. She truly loves and cares for your animal and wants the best for them. The only thing you have to do is listen to her, and follow her advice! We’re so grateful for all her help and support.

Great puppy classes that contain useful advice with varying levels of complexity so puppies (and owners) can progress at their own pace. Training is given clearly with lots of examples of why it is a useful skill/habit to enforce/practice. We were a group of 4 which meant my puppy was able to focus on the training rather than the other puppies. Susan also provided 1:1 training at our home and was knowledgeable in all areas that we asked about. Highly recommend!

I had a 1-2-1 session as well as going to the puppy classes with Susan a few months ago and all the tips and techniques have been a great help with our puppy. It was good that all of it was based around being calm and pleasant with your dog and allowing them time to pick everything up. Some of the tricks like “spin” and “paws up” I can tell our dog just loves to do. There was also lots of bendy tips for helping her feel comfortable in her crate. I think it’s really helped with having a bond with her too. Would certainly recommend and also would ask Susan again for help and advice in the future if we have any problems. Thank you!

Great training for foundations to continue building on with your dog Susan is very knowledgeable All positive training, highly recommend

Our first time owning a dog & Susan has been such a godsend. Starting us off on the right track & a great resource to check our thinking with the training & current progress. Google can be a minefield with so many different variations & styles of training but Susan keeps its simple which benefited us and Otis alike. Would highly recommend 👌🏼

It was fantastic having Susan help us with some 1-1 sessions with our Labrador pup, Pippa. Susan is a really kind and compassionate trainer who loves dogs, and this comes across in her calm and friendly approach to training. We're so grateful for being pointed in the right direction with all the games based strategies - we now have the tools to continue this way of training Pippa and the bonus is that it's fun too! We'd highly recommend Susan for anyone looking for advice with their dog.

I recommend Kai wholeheartedly! She was amazing when helping us with our german sheperd. It's unbelievable how our dog changed thanks to all her advice. We're so grateful for all the help!

I can’t recommend Kai enough! She has been an absolute lifesaver for us and our dog, Abba. From the very start, Kai has been incredibly kind, caring, and understanding — not just towards Abba, but towards us as a family too. She’s clearly so knowledgeable and genuinely wants the best for both dog and owner. When our baby was born and Abba reacted badly, Kai came round at a moment’s notice to support us. Her calm, compassionate approach made such a difference, and we felt completely supported. Since then, Abba has been going on pack walks with Kai and is absolutely thriving — it’s amazing to see her confidence grow and her behaviour improve. Kai truly goes above and beyond, and we’re so grateful to have found her!

We’ve used Kai as our dog walker for over 10 years now. Over that time she has frequently given us training advice and tips, and recently we had a training session with Kai to help with our dog’s impulse control and reactivity to other dogs. The training session was excellent! Kai was very clear in her explanation and demonstration, and how we could apply what she’d shown us to practical situations we face day to day. Kai also followed up after the session with an email summarising what she had shown us. The training she has shown us is working really well with our dog and already planning a session to help with out other dog!

I have known Kai since my now 4-year old Charlie was a puppy. To say Charlie has been a challenging dog is an understatement. I just cannot recommend Kai highly enough. She not only has helped Charlie manage his reactivity to the point that she has even used him as a stooge (!) to help other dogs manage their own reactivity (simply impossible to have even contemplated that 2 years ago) but significantly, she has instilled confidence in me as his owner (which was very much lacking previously). Kai is not just an excellent dog trainer, she is a precious friend who will never judge you as an owner. She will listen to you and incorporate as far as possible how you handle your own dog into the training itself. This is hard to come by these days and it is easy to be fooled by the glamorous instagram feeds of dog trainers who are way too interested in themselves than your dog. Kai is the exact opposite, she will love your dog as her own. She is an absolute gem of a dog trainer, of a person, and friend.

I cannot recommend Kai enough! She is absolutely amazing with dogs, and my large Akita cross, Loki, adores her. She has such a natural way with dogs, balancing exercise, fun, and training perfectly. I always feel at ease knowing my dog is in her capable hands. She is reliable, professional, and truly passionate about what she does. If you're looking for a dedicated and knowledgeable dog walker and trainer, look no further!