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Our curated list of the best professionals in the South Belfast area.
With the Lagan Towpath and Ormeau Park, trainers in South Belfast are experts at teaching dogs to be well-behaved in popular and busy recreational areas.
Tower Park, Conlig, Newtownards BT23 7PL
Absolutely amazed at the difference in our spaniel/collie X Toby, after a 5 day intensive train with Gerard. We can now walk Toby in busy areas, without him pulling me off my feet or going crazy at other dogs. Cannot thank Gerard enough for his help, wish we would have come to him sooner.
We have began training with Gerard, GMC K9 Academy to help us with our 4 year old German Shephard Murphy. We were having trouble with Murphy with general bad behaviours ie. jumping on people, kitchen benches and pulling on the lead when walking. After trying out other trainers to no avail we came across a facebook video of Gerard training a Shepherd and decided we would give it a go. Firstly we descovered we were the problem more so than Murphy! Since then with Gerards help and expertise and his ability to explain what Murphy needs from us we are seeing big changes in a short amount of time. Gerard is now helping us towards our goal of having Murphy walk off lead - something we never thought possible. Gerard has helped us understand Murphy and that playing with him is a big step to building a strong bond which enables Murphy to have a happy life and us to enjoy Murphy for the beautiful gentle soul that he is.
We went to Gerard to help introduce our young vizsla, Otis, to an e-collar, and the results have been great. He explained everything so clearly and made it really easy for us to understand. After just 3 sessions, Otis is now off lead all the time with amazing recall and he responds to the e-collar perfectly. It’s been such a game changer for us. Would definitely recommend Gerard to anyone with a high-energy dog.
I contacted Gerard for help with Rovie, who was extremely reactive to pretty much everything, and everything was stressful for him, and for me. Today was my first day of taking him out after his 5 days of intensive training and I am over the moon with the progress he has made! We had such a fun morning on the beach, walking on his flexi lead and playing ball. There wasn’t even a big blow up when an excited dog came running straight at him - just a little intrigue and then we moved on. The trip in the car was even much more calm than it’s ever been. And this evening we did short lead walking to get to the field, where he played ball on his long line lead. We even walked home along a busy carriageway where he didn’t react to the cars at all, when he previously would have been lunging and barking at everything that went past. I’m so grateful for the work that Gerard has done with Rovie, and the advice and confidence he has given me to be able to help Rovie be less fearful of the outside world. It’s going to make such a difference! Thank you from both of us!
Before working with Gerard, I was scared to walk my dog Brian(2yr old Old English Sheepdog) past moving cars, bicycles, runners and other dogs. He would barkand lunge agressively at anything that made him uncomfortable and I could barely hold him. I would walk him as early as I could to avoid everyone and it was making a negative impact on my life and the people around me. I honestly thought I would have to give Brian up to someone who could handle him better. In two months we've had two sessions with Gerard and Brian is completely different. I can walk him past dogs. He now sits quietly as we wait for cars to pass us on narrow country roads. His recall is getting better everyday and overall he is becoming much more confident. I was even able to walk him through my local town past dogs and people on narrow footpaths with cars everywhere and he was perfect. Gerard has honestly changed our lives and we are so grateful for it!
27 Ballynacoy Rd, Lisburn BT28 3XW
I was at my wits end with my 4yr old Dachshund who was periodically attacking my gentle 10 yr old Lhasa Apso but 1 session with Yvonne and I understood better what I needed to do in order to support both dogs and reduce the likelihood of an attack. After our 2nd meeting I was even better armed with a plan of action which has been really helpful and hasn’t taken long to see huge improvements. I am so much more hopeful for the future of their relationship and so glad I stumbled across you Yvonne! Thanks so much for your guidance and support. I really appreciate it and so do both dogs lol x
What a great find. The dogs loved it and a full hour for a fiver, bargain. And we were greeted by the gorgeous Daisy. A great place if your dogs just want to play with no distractions.
Yvonne is great! I've done man-trailing, 1:1 classes and muttley crew, all of which have been well worth it.
Yvonne is incredible! From the first day of meeting our pup she has changed his whole world! A terrified puppy is now already becoming a much more confident adolescent! Could not recommend more highly- a total MUST for every dog owner- new or not! Yvonne’s knowledge is incredible and she is a total dog whisperer as far as we are concerned. Thank you Yvonne for giving our pup such confidence!
I brought my springer pup to Daisy Dog Academy for a recall class and more recently the Mantrailing Induction course. We both thoroughly enjoyed the classes and I gained a lot of insight and understanding into my dog’s world, particularly on the Mantrailing course. I highly recommend the Academy, Yvonne’s knowledge and genuine love for her work and for the dogs is very apparent. Thank you Yvonne.
Rosemount Park, Belfast BT5 7TR
I can’t recommend Sharon enough. We adopted a rescue pug with reactivity issues. One session with Sharon and she was a different dog. She provided us with the tools needed to help modify her behaviour. She barely looks at a dog now and is extremely disciplined. She is the best around without a doubt. I couldn’t believe the positive change in my dog. She knows her stuff and is the best around. Really lovely person too!
We booked in with Sharon to help us fix our Australian Shepherds pretty severe reactivity to other dogs, we were having to avoid taking him out to places with lots of other dogs (which is hard in itself) we had 1 session with Sharon and immediately saw results, we had a follow up 1 month later and the difference is unbelievable. We’re now on the group walks to get him used to being nutural around other dogs on normal walks and they’re so beneficial. Sharon is down to earth and explains everything really well. She is super knowledgeable and I couldn’t recommend her more! Looking forward to more sessions!
Sharon has been working with my dog and I since we rescued him in Feb 2024. Her training and expertise has been invaluable to us - for a dog who was found as a stray and knew only the sit command, he now enjoys off leash freedom, has learnt many commands and manners. Sharon's walk and trains are a great booster for his training every fortnight. Her training methods are bullet proof and I am very pleased with the results.
So grateful for the help I received in training our very energetic golden retriever/red setter 3 year old sully! We had goal of walking more at ease (he is very stubborn) and taking him for lunch/coffees in public places. The improvement in two sessions has been amazing and best money we have spend while I have been pregnant to get him prepared! Couldn't recommend enough!
Sharon has been helping us with our Vizsla, Bruce, since he was around 12 weeks and we couldn’t recommend her enough! From puppy classes to working on specific goals, such as recall and developing his ‘off’ switch, Sharon has taught us so much and offered lots of support in between our scheduled classes. Her help is always constructive and there has never been a time when we’ve felt judged for not getting things right. We really couldn’t recommend her enough. She really is the dog whisperer!
14 Cairnburn Rd, Belfast BT4 2HR
We fostered and then adopted our dog Sasha who couldn't have been easily re-homed due to behavioural issues (suspected abuse). When we first started looking after she was fearful and quickly developed a bond with us but over the subsequent weeks we realised she was seriously both dog and people reactive. We found Kathyrn McRobb online and reached out to her for help. Kathryn helped us understand Sasha's issues, her reactivity, fearful aggression and prey drive. We discussed all options, and Kathryn wrote detailed reports for us and our vet as well as providing a comprehensive training programme. Sasha was started on medication and we implemented the training. Over the years we have kept in touch with Kathryn and benefited from her expertise on managing changes with Sasha such as moving house and introducing Sasha to house guests and more recently preparing Sasha for the arrival of our first child. With Kathryn's guidance Sasha has come really far over the years (she is almost a different dog), and we learnt the skills we needed to safely manage a dog with behavioural issues. This allowed us to give a very special dog the life she deserves and to enjoy our time together. If you have a dog with any issues, we would highly recommend Kathryn.
My dog’s behaviour has went from 0-100 with all of the help given. I cannot recommend enough, the attention to detail, the feedback and the ongoing help has been incredible.
Our vet suggested the Animal Psychology Clinic when we were having behavioural problems with our very nervous Jack Russel X. Kathryn has been amazing, after visiting our home she gave us a detailed 17 page client report setting out our dogs background history with a thorough safety and management treatment plan. We have been applying these measures for six months now and we are amazed at the positive changes in our relationship with our dog. We are so grateful to Kathryn for all the information she has given us.
Excellent service. My dog was very shut down I needed a lot of help and support which was always available. I was reassured every step of the way and was given the tools I needed to help finn and myself. Finn is now living his best life.
Kathryn came to help us with our 6 month old mad Dachshund cross puppy and she did not disappoint, she is brilliant! We read the reviews from other pup parents before we booked her and so glad we did. Not only is she an expert in her field she is a lovely warm person. Mabel loved her, and all the tips and training she gave us are really helping us. We highly recommend Kathryn, we love her!
Unit 2b Balmoral Link, Belfast BT12 6QB
Always get a happy sleepy dog back
Highly recommend Gary and the team! Beau loves attending daycare and is exhausted after his day of carrying on with the gang. I love the daily photos to see how he's doing and who his buddies are that day. I know Beau is well looked after and happy while I'm at work.
My wee beagle went here from when he was 6 months until almost 2,5 around 3 times a week. Gary is amazing with the dogs and it has heen great to see him grow and add more staff to the team. My wee dog absolutely loved coming here and never wanted to go home!! We could not have managed without this doggy daycare
Finding qualified dog trainers in South Belfast means connecting with professionals who understand the unique character of this vibrant area stretching from the city centre to the foothills of the Belfast Hills. From training puppies near Queen's University to managing reactive dogs along the Lagan Towpath, our certified trainers deliver personalised obedience training, behaviour modification, and puppy socialisation programmes tailored to South Belfast's distinctive urban-suburban blend.
Serving all areas including Stranmillis, Ormeau Road, Malone, and Finaghy, we've successfully trained over 1,800 dogs across South Belfast in the past eight years. Our expertise addresses local challenges from navigating busy Lisburn Road to enjoying off-lead exercise in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park and Belvoir Forest.
South Belfast presents distinct training requirements shaped by its mix of Victorian terraces, modern apartments, leafy suburbs, and excellent green spaces. The area's extensive parks including Ormeau Park, Botanic Gardens, and Lagan Meadows provide outstanding training environments, but also mean dogs encounter numerous other canines daily, making proper socialisation and recall training essential.
Our trainers specialise in desensitising dogs to South Belfast's urban elements including traffic along Malone Road, crowds around Queen's Quarter, and the activity throughout local shopping areas. We understand transport considerations for dogs traveling on Metro services and prepare them for the diverse environments found across BT7, BT9, and BT10 postcodes.
Our puppy programmes focus on the critical 8-16 week socialisation window, introducing young dogs to South Belfast's environment including traffic noise, diverse people, and park settings. Training covers house training, crate training for apartment living, and essential commands. Controlled socialisation at locations like Ormeau Park helps puppies develop confidence around other dogs and urban activities.
South Belfast's popular walking routes along the Lagan Towpath and through busy parks often reveal reactivity issues. Our programmes address leash reactivity, fear-based responses, and barrier frustration using positive reinforcement and systematic desensitisation, helping dogs learn calm responses even on narrow pavements or in crowded park settings.
For dogs ready to progress, our advanced training develops reliable off-lead control necessary for enjoying spaces like Belvoir Forest and Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. We build bombproof recall despite wildlife and distractions, ensuring dogs respond reliably whether in quiet Malone estates or busy Botanic Gardens.
Dog training in South Belfast typically ranges from £35-65 per hour for private sessions. Multi-session packages cost £250-450 for 6-8 week programmes, while group classes run £15-25 per session. Puppy courses spanning six weeks average £180-320, with behaviour consultations for complex issues ranging from £55-85 for initial assessments.
Begin training immediately when bringing your puppy home, usually around 8 weeks old. The critical socialisation period between 8-16 weeks makes early exposure to South Belfast's urban environment essential. Puppies can join group classes after first vaccinations at approximately 10-12 weeks, though dogs of any age benefit from professional training.
Addressing reactivity requires systematic desensitisation and counter-conditioning. Identify your dog's threshold distance and work at ranges where they remain calm, rewarding focus on you rather than other dogs. Use longer leads, visit during quieter times, and choose wider paths initially. Most dogs show improvement within 6-10 weeks of consistent training.
Professional dog training in South Belfast creates confident, well-mannered dogs perfectly suited to this area's blend of urban energy and green space accessibility. Our proven methods combine evidence-based techniques with local knowledge, ensuring your dog thrives whether you live in a Stranmillis terrace or a Finaghy family home. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and begin your journey toward a perfectly trained companion who's a valued member of the South Belfast community.