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Our curated list of the best professionals in the Risca area.
With the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and Waunfawr Park, trainers in Risca are experts at teaching dogs to be well-behaved in both waterside and parkland environments.
Old Roman Rd, Catsash Rd, Newport NP18 1JQ
Tom & Victoria have been absolutely amazing at helping us with our cavapoo puppy ‘Freddie’ since we got him. They gave us a detailed, personalised plan for Freddie after a very thorough assessment which has helped us greatly. The follow up videos from Tom have been invaluable and we will continue to refer back to these for a long time!! They are extremely knowledgeable, always at the end of the phone if you need any help/tips and deeply care about their clients/dogs. Thank you so much Uncle Tom and Victoria!!! Would recommend to anyone
I contacted Pooch on a Pedestal after our rescue puppy started to develop some challenging behaviours at home and outside. Victoria has been so helpful in helping us identify triggers and appropriate interventions and activities for Jimmy to help get him back on track. They have helped us manage doggy sibling relationships, socialisation, fear barking/reactivity, separation and more. I couldn’t be more pleased with the constant support we’ve had at all times and will continue to work with Pooch on a Pedestal moving forward.
Victoria and Tom have a wonderful way about them. They have worked so hard with our rescue dogs. If you value, kindest and experience then these are the team for you and your doggo.
We had a fantastic experience with Victoria and Tom! They were absolutely brilliant with our golden retriever—so patient, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. They provided us with a really detailed training plan and even sent over a video to help guide us at home, which made a huge difference. They were also incredibly friendly and easy to talk to, which put us (and our dog!) at ease right away. Thanks to their support, he’s doing so well with his training. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for expert, caring trainers!
Tom and Victoria are the Pooch on a Pedestal dream team! When we adopted our working cocker spaniel puppy we were at a loss as how to best train her and meet her insatiable energy levels! After an initial assessment and intense training sessions with Victoria, Sadie has been going on regular socialization walks with Tom and has recently graduated to ‘cocker club’ 😂 we are so grateful to Tom and Victoria for their expert knowledge and genuine affection for the dogs they work with. Their advice and support guided us through the early stages, helping us to understand Sadie and facilitating her smooth transition into our family. Thank you! 🐶🐾
4 Severn Cl, Risca, Newport NP11 6JY
Fantastic service 😀
Sophie has been watching our little one for a few months she is a god send! Our family is so lucky to have her! My pup is obsessed with her she is so flexible always there when needed and always there for a helping hand 10000 percent recommend! Soph always ensure my pup is taken care of fed watered and had good run while I am at work wouldn’t have gotten through last few months without her she has massively helped my anxiety leaving my pup massive thank you!!
Twilight Bark Walking are absolutely outstanding with regards to the welfare and the day to day grooming needs of all dogs in general. Kind and caring approach.
These guys groom our Australian Labradoodle regularly and every time they offer a wealth of knowledge and give our pup amazing cuts to suit the season, with photo shoots and bandanas and calm and friendly approach, we couldn’t ask for better service. Thank you as always guys!! They walk neighbouring dogs and the joy and excitement these dogs and our dog have towards the team shows their kind approach to how they care for these animals. All day long we recommend these guys. Thank you
My dog Zeus us a very nervous dog, Sophie took things very slowly with getting yo know Zeus and for Zeus to know her. We started ofc if myself taking Zeus yo Sophie's, now, Zeus is practically waiting by the door for her and happily goes with Sophie.
Llanellen, Abergavenny NP7 9HT
Excellent secure field that our dog loves
Really love this field. Vert safe, well priced. We use it regularly.
My very anxious Old English Sheepdog really enjoyed galloping around the field! Lots of interest for the dogs and seats for the humans in lovely well- maintained surroundings. We will certainly be back soon.
The Barn, Rear of, 21 Penallta Rd, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed CF82 7AP
Julie’s puppy classes are amazing! Darla’s confidence has grown so much over the 6 weeks, we’ve been taught valuable skills and techniques that have become part of our daily routine. Highly recommend!
We attended the puppy classes and obedience classes with our German shepherd. She is now coming up to one years old and what an amazing dog she is! She has all the tricks we learnt in class down to a T and she is amazing on the lead, even when there are distractions around. Not only is this a class for the dogs but it’s a class for us. I have a reactive 8 year old staffy who’s been through a lot of trauma and is terrified of other dogs and men. Whenever there’s food around he freezes in place and is unable to move. He never attended these classes at the barn but using the advice and skills Julie taught me, I started working with him for a few minutes a day. Now less than a week later he can perform ‘safe’, ‘close’ and walks amazingly next to me. He’s a lot more confident in himself and his anxiety has eased a lot on walks. What an amazing experience these classes have been🥰
I took my puppy to the barn it was a great experience for us both, Julie was amazing and gave me the tools I need to truly connect with and guide my dog, our bond has been so much stronger ever since! Cannot recommend enough:)
Three months after attending the barn puppy school and continuing to use the commands and positive reward-based training we learnt from Julie, Bonnie is now such a well behaved Jack Russell. She walks neatly alongside us with the reminder of ‘tight’ and passes other dogs quietly and happily - she’s always so happy to make new friends along the way too! When starting puppy school, Bonnie was overexcited and barked a lot, but thanks to the barn we’re able to take her to dog friendly places where she quietly lays on her mat. We can’t thank Julie and the barn enough for all the advice and guidance - we would definitely recommend!
Garth Dr, Bridgend CF31 2AQ
I made contact with Nia to try and help me with my spoilt 2 year old Cavapoo. She was ruling the house barking at everything going past and constantly on high alert. Nia was amazing as soon as she walked into my house I think Poppy knew something was up. She taught me some great techniques on how to get Poppy off the top of the pecking order and our house is so much calmer. She also taught me some great lead techniques and this morning for the first time she walked past a dog she would always bark at like mad as if she was a completely different dog she didn’t react at all. I think the dogs owner must have thought I’d changed dogs as this has never happened before. The house is calmer and I feel more in control which is a lovely feeling.
We took our dachshund Rolo to Nia a few weeks ago, and although he was on his best behaviour and didn't show his true naughty self, he has improved massively at home with us. Thanks to Nia and her commands and tricks, we now know how to cope with his barking at other dogs and all his other issues which have been mainly our fault. Only a few things left to iron out, but Nia has just done her catch up phone call with us and told us what to do. She was brilliant and we're now hopeful we can improve him week by week until he's perfect. Would recommend her to anyone looking for a behaviouralist/trainer. Thanks Nia!
Fantastic results achieved following 1:1 session. Remedied my issue swiftly and offered excellent advice to ensure I was consistent in my approach to training my Labrador.
Nia is amazing. I asked her to come and see my rescue pup (anxiety around strangers and barking in the garden) and, within minutes, she'd explained him to me in a way that has transformed both his life and mine! We then looked at both of my dogs -round the house and on the lead- and she left me with a set of tips and tactics that went way beyond the original remit. Nia is as sensitive to human psychology as she is to canine psychology, which is great advantage in a dog trainer! My dogs loved her and I love the changes in them and in me. Some were instant and some may take a little longer, because I’m only human… (!). Whatever your canine/human issue may be: give her a call. You won’t regret it. Nia is really good fun to be with, she gives you the confidence to ask even the most basic questions, and she makes everything seem instantly more manageable: I couldn’t recommend her more highly.
Nia is a fantastic instructor who helped us with our reactive 4yr old Cookapoo. Due to a traumatic event Cookie found it very difficult to interact with dogs on a walk. He would bark and become very anxious, with the help of Nia she taught us ways to control Cookie better and let him have more enjoyment. Two months on and Cookie no longer reacts to any dogs, even if they are barking at him. He is a happy dog and we can’t thank Nia enough 🫶
Finding qualified dog trainers in Risca means connecting with professionals who understand the unique needs of this historic Welsh town nestled in the Ebbw Valley. From training puppies in residential areas near Risca Park to managing reactive dogs along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal towpath, our certified trainers deliver personalised obedience training, behaviour modification, and puppy socialisation programmes tailored to local conditions.
Serving Risca, Pontymister, Crosskeys, and surrounding Caerphilly communities, we've successfully trained over 850 dogs in the past eight years. Our expertise addresses the challenges of dog ownership in this valley town, from navigating busy Tredegar Street to enjoying off-lead exercise in Twmbarlwm and local woodland areas.
Risca presents distinct training requirements shaped by its valley location, mix of housing estates, and excellent access to natural walking routes. The town's proximity to hills, forests, and canal paths means dogs need reliable recall around livestock, wildlife, and other walkers. Our trainers specialise in addressing valley-specific challenges including weather adaptation, rural hazards, and the socialisation needs created by Risca's tight-knit community atmosphere.
With housing ranging from Victorian terraces to modern estates and valley hillside properties, many Risca residents require dogs with excellent public manners for shared spaces and neighbourhood harmony. We understand local requirements, ensuring your dog confidently navigates everything from market days in the town centre to walks up Twmbarlwm mountain.
Our puppy training focuses on the critical 8-16 week period, introducing young dogs to Risca's environment including traffic on Commercial Street, canal-side encounters, and varied terrain from flat paths to hillside walks. Training covers house training, crate training, bite inhibition, and essential commands, with controlled socialisation at Risca Park building confidence around other dogs and diverse community activities.
We develop reliable recall essential for safely enjoying Risca's outstanding natural surroundings. Training in locations like the canal towpath, Cwmcarn Forest, and Twmbarlwm teaches dogs to respond despite wildlife, sheep, and other distractions, giving owners confidence during countryside walks while maintaining complete control around livestock.
Dog training in Risca typically costs £35-60 per hour for private sessions, with 6-week courses ranging from £180-320. Group classes cost £10-18 per session, offering excellent value for basic obedience and socialisation needs.
Yes, we specialise in training dogs for mountain and hillside walks common around Risca. This includes recall around sheep, wildlife awareness, stamina building, and responding reliably in open countryside environments where distractions are high and control is essential.
Professional dog training in Risca creates well-adjusted companions suited to both town living and valley countryside adventures. Our proven methods combine expertise with local knowledge, ensuring your dog thrives whether exploring canal paths, navigating town streets, or enjoying hillside rambles. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and begin training your perfectly behaved Risca dog.