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Our curated list of the best professionals in the Shirley area.
With St James' Park and access to Southampton Common, trainers in Shirley focus on creating well-behaved dogs that are comfortable in both busy high street and open parkland environments.
37 Bedford Ave, Woolston, Southampton SO19 9GF
Fantastic service. Paige is a credit to our local community!
Hi my name is Nero and I am 18 month old black labrador. I had been taken to many trainers before I met Paige at Buddiepet. I was a very hyper and excitable dog and after destroying 3 sofas and various skirting boards and pillows my family were at their wits end with how to make me happy. My family absolutely adore me and would do anything for me. Paige has been working with me and my family for about 4 months and I am like a different dog. Content and no more destroying things. My family and I can't thank Paige and Buddiepet enough. I now have regular walks with my Paige every Friday and look forward to seeing her. Today I got to walk with Her dog Brewer something 4 months ago I couldn't do . Iam now a very happy and content dog with a very proud family. Love Nero. Xxx
Paige is a lovely lady and very reliable when it comes to walking our dog, Luna. She's happy to pick up extra dates when required and Luna is always really excited when she arrives to pick her up!
We’ve been using Buddypet dog walking services for over two years now, and we couldn’t be happier. Paige is absolutely wonderful—reliable, caring, and genuinely loves what she does. Our dog Buddy adores her and always comes back from walks happy and well-exercised. It's such a relief knowing he's in good hands when we're not around. Paige treats Buddy like her own, and that peace of mind is priceless. Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a trustworthy and professional dog walker
What lovely ladies these girls are my Teddy cannot wait for paige to knock the door. I always know when she's coming as Ted gets so excited to catch up with his friends 🧡 Thanks ladies you do a fantastic job 👏
River Hamble Country Park, Southampton SO31 1BH
Our rescue puppy Olive has attended Puppy Life Skills,Puppy Conversations and Bronze Life Skills. The training we received was fantastic, everyone at Goodall Dog Training is so passionate about ensuring you and your dog learn the skills needed to go out in the big wide world confidently and safely. Both courses included follow up notes which are great for referring back to especially when you have a head like a sieve and a fruit loop for a puppy. The skills are easy to learn and you can work at your dog’s pace. Olive loved the mental stimulation. We will be returning soon for our next course. Thank you Rachel and the team Team Olive (Zoe & Lilly)
Blue, our border terrier puppy, has recently completed the puppy course and now about to complete the Bronze Award class. So many useful training techniques that really work!! Very helpful mid week support when you need that extra bit of advice! The classes are great fun, really enjoyable! Highly recommend!!
Kind, gentle training with simple to implement techniques which work. Thank you Rebecca and Erica
As first dog owners who had barely stroked a dog before picking up our pup, Goodall Dog Training courses have been a lifesaver! Rachael and the team are knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging. Course content is well thought through, manageable and progressive. Great venue at the Hamble Country Park. Rachael’s “Puppy Preparation” talk was a game changer. We went on to complete “Puppy Lifeskills”, “Puppy Conversations” and now “Bronze”. Our pup is now 7 months old and we can see the progress we’ve all made. We always come away from sessions feeling positive. We haven’t always arrived in that mindset!
Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1UU
I thoroughly enjoyed attending Leah’s puppy class last year. We have since joined the adolescence membership group, a recall training session and fun agility.
Fantastic puppy classes lots of great advise. Leah responds to any questions you have and sends out lots of really good info especially as this is our first dog.
Leah is so friendly and makes you feel at ease. We took our spaniel and she helped improve his skills, socialising and also tips and hints for at home! Highly recommend.
Leah and her team are lovely! They make you and your puppy feel very welcome. My lively puppy Barney has come on leaps and bounds. Thank you ladies Lisa and Barney X🐾
Cannot recommend Leah and Positive Training for Canines enough!! I first met Leah I think almost 12 years ago when I attended classes with my mum and our family dog Murphy. We did all the classes including her summer agility, which was great fun! I have now returned with my husband and our black lab Buddy.Buddy is a bundle of energy and has a lot of character but with the the help of Leah and her classes Buddy will settle happily in any situation with attention fully on either me or my husband! We have completed loose lead, puppy and junior training classes and can’t wait to continue with our recall in the summer!
Ranvilles Farm, Pauncefoot Hill, Romsey SO51 6AA
Cainark taught me so much, gave me confidence to be able to teach and learn with my dog so we can have a better relationship and more fun when we’re out and about!
Steve is an absolute lifesaver! We have an adolescent, nervous Romanian rescue who weighs in at 22kg and can come across as a bit intimidating when he barks at strangers. After just one session with Steve — and a few tweaks to our leash handling — we saw an immediate change in his behaviour and confidence. As we’ve grown more confident, so has our dog. It’s been incredible to watch him start to relax. We were especially anxious about having visitors, as a past experience with another professional had gone badly. But Steve’s calm, confident approach left no room for any negative reaction. Mickey let him in like an old pal — nudging for treats, and allowing even enjoying gentle head rubs. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes. The dog I thought would bark his head off or scare guests was totally chilled, quiet, and happy to have Steve in our home. Can’t wait to start the group classes soon! Highly recommend!
We have nearly completed the adolescent course and it has been great. A lot of useful training hints delivered by Steve and his team. We hope to be able to continue with another course. We have an improved relationship with our dog and feel we are getting somewhere. We have tried several other trainers and Steve is certainly the best. The sessions are fun and really enjoyable. We have recommended Cainark to several friends.
Very helpful owners great fields to run the dogs in
Steve has been fantastic with our dog Poppy, would definitely recommend!
Farm Windhover Roundabout, W End Rd, Bursledon, Southampton SO31 8BN
Third session today with Paul and Ashley training my 4 month old Belgian Mali they are both brilliant really no there stuff on how to get the best out of the dog and are more than willing to share there experience to help me develop with the dog.
After searching to find a trainer that specialises in large breeds I found SVK9 for my German shepherd. Having been working with them now for a couple of months with my puppy and the results are incredible. Effective strategies given that actually work. Working with me to give me the tools to train my puppy to be an all rounded balanced dog. Hugely impressed and am continuing regular sessions.
Found these guys while we was out walking our German shepherd one day and got talking, brilliant team of dog trainers. Very knowledgeable and give great advice, we have only had 2 sessions and seen such a massive difference in our puppy shadow. Nice open field with very few distractions so you can get the best out of your dog. Massive 👍 👍 UP from us. Will definitely be continuing, thank you guys
We had our first session with Ash yesterday for our 4.5month dobermann pup and it was excellent. He ‘cut through the noise’ of all the conflicting training approaches we’d read online and provided clarity and focus - we left knowing how we would approach training moving forward and have already put the tips into practice on our morning walk today and seen huge improvement. Looking forward to our next session!
I brought my high-drive working dog and the difference has been incredible. Their deep understanding of drive, structure, and engagement helped me learn how to channel my dog’s energy instead of fighting it. The advice and support I got were spot-on—practical, clear, and tailored to my dog’s needs. If you have a working breed or high-energy dog, this is the trainer you want. Highly recommended!
Finding qualified dog trainers in Shirley means connecting with professionals who understand the unique character of this historic South London suburb. Whether you're training a new puppy near Shirley Windmill, managing reactive behaviour along the Addington Hills, or teaching recall in the expansive Bethlem Royal Hospital grounds, our certified trainers deliver personalised obedience training and behaviour modification programmes tailored to Shirley's distinct environment.
Serving all areas including Upper Shirley, Shirley Oaks, Spring Park, and Addington, we've successfully trained over 1,800 dogs across the CR0 postcode area. Our expertise addresses local challenges from navigating busy Wickham Road to enjoying off-lead exercise in Shirley Park and Hutchinson's Bank Nature Reserve.
Shirley presents distinctive training opportunities with its blend of residential streets, ancient woodland, and accessible green spaces. The area's numerous parks including Shirley Park, Addington Hills, and Coombe Wood provide excellent training environments but require dogs with solid recall and socialisation skills. Our trainers specialise in preparing dogs for Shirley's semi-suburban lifestyle, from managing encounters on Addington Village paths to confidently navigating Shirley's local shops and cafés.
The area's mix of housing types, from Victorian terraces near East Croydon to modern developments around Shirley Oaks Village, means varied training requirements. We address community living needs while building confident dogs ready for both urban stimulation and countryside walks that Shirley uniquely offers.
Our puppy programmes focus on the critical 8-16 week socialisation period, introducing young dogs to Shirley's environment including traffic along Wickham Road, woodland sounds in Addington Hills, and diverse people and dogs in local parks. Training covers house training, crate training, bite inhibition, and essential commands, building confident puppies ready for Shirley life.
We address leash reactivity, fear-based responses, and aggression through positive reinforcement and systematic desensitisation. Training in real-world environments like Shirley Park paths and Addington Village streets builds tolerance and calm behaviour around triggers, replacing reactive responses with focus and self-control.
For dogs ready to progress, our advanced training develops reliable off-lead control essential for safely enjoying Shirley's open spaces. We build bombproof recall despite wildlife in Hutchinson's Bank and distractions in Shirley Recreation Ground, ensuring dogs respond reliably in all local environments.
Dog training in Shirley typically costs £45-70 per hour for private sessions, with 6-8 week packages ranging from £300-550. Group classes cost £15-25 per session, while puppy courses average £180-320. Behaviour consultations for complex issues range from £65-100 for initial assessments.
Begin training immediately when bringing your puppy home around 8 weeks old. The critical 8-16 week socialisation window makes early exposure to Shirley's environment essential. Puppies can join group classes after first vaccinations around 10-12 weeks, though dogs of any age benefit from professional training.
Excellent training locations include Shirley Park for general obedience, Addington Hills for recall work, Hutchinson's Bank for distraction training, and quieter paths around Shirley Oaks for reactive dog work. Bethlem Royal Hospital grounds offer extensive space for advanced training sessions.
Professional dog training in Shirley creates confident, well-mannered dogs perfectly suited to this unique area's blend of suburban comfort and natural beauty. Our proven methods combine expert techniques with intimate local knowledge, ensuring your dog thrives whether exploring woodland paths or relaxing in local cafés. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and transform your dog into the reliable companion you've envisioned.