Our curated list of the best professionals in the heart of Southampton.
With the historic city walls and parks like Hoglands Park, trainers here focus on creating confident city dogs comfortable with busy streets and social 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!
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!
31 Loane Rd, Southampton SO19 2PF
We booked in with Phil who met our puppy Leo who had issues with biting and patience. Phil was amazing and extremely knowledgeable. Phil had so much patience with Leo and went through step by step with us on how to control him correctly and what to do in certain situations. We booked in 3 sessions with Phil but there was no time limit and the first session was very long and Phil didn’t mind at all he just wanted to make sure we had things in place and watched Leo’s behaviour to help us as much as possible. We have took a lot away from the sessions and so has Leo he has stopped the biting and currently working on patience which he has changed into the goodest dog. Would 100% recommend Phil to anyone who needs help with their pup/dog! Phil has the knowledge for sure!
We booked Phil in yesterday to help with my very excited staffy. By the end of it she was a new dog, she calmed down and she listened. I took her for a walk today and used all the tools that Phil taught me and she done so well. Will keep practicing everyday and hopefully one day we can let her off lead. Looking foreword to seeing you again for the next stage. Thankyou so much.
Phil met Luna my new rescue dog who didn't respond well on and off the lead. I wanted to see how she was with other dogs as she got fixated easy and wow what job Phil did my girl is a different dog. I can't thank Phil enough after just one session I learnt so much about her behaviour and how to understand her in certain situations. I can't wait to put it all in practice. Phil gave me so much confidence with Luna! Thanks again Phil!
Phil was amazing and we cannot thank him enough! He trained our puppy to go through a dog flap so quickly when we had given up on him ever going through. Highly recommended.
We cannot thank Phil enough! He was excellent and very patient with Oscar. He is so knowledgeable and giving us that insight into our dogs psychology has been a game changer! Oscar is now able to walk on a loose lead and is getting more and more consistent with it thanks to Phil’s methods! We would recommend him to everyone
Finding a qualified dog trainer in Southampton City Centre means working with professionals who understand the unique challenges of urban dog ownership in this vibrant waterfront city. From training puppies near the bustling West Quay Shopping Centre to managing reactive dogs along the historic Town Walls, our certified trainers deliver personalised obedience training, behaviour modification, and socialisation programmes designed for city living.
Serving SO14, SO15, and SO16 postcode areas including Ocean Village, Bedford Place, and Portswood, we've successfully trained over 1,800 dogs throughout Southampton's central neighbourhoods. Our expertise addresses the specific demands of dog ownership in this busy port city, from navigating pedestrianised areas to enjoying exercise in Palmerston Park and Southampton Common.
Southampton City Centre presents distinctive training requirements shaped by its blend of maritime heritage, student population, and commercial activity. Dogs must learn to navigate busy shopping districts along Above Bar Street, remain calm near the constant activity at Southampton Central Station, and master recall skills in popular green spaces like East Park and Hoglands Park where encounters with other dogs occur frequently.
The city's unique characteristics including cruise ship horns from the docks, crowds during Saints match days at St Mary's Stadium, and the bustling Bargate Shopping Centre environment require systematic desensitisation training. Our programmes prepare dogs for Southampton's diverse urban landscape, ensuring they remain confident and well-behaved whether walking through the Cultural Quarter, along the marina at Ocean Village, or through the busy Guildhall Square area.
Our puppy programmes focus on the critical 8-16 week socialisation period, introducing young dogs to Southampton's urban environment including traffic noise, city centre crowds, and various surfaces from cobblestones in the Old Town to modern pavements near WestQuay. Training covers essential commands, house training for apartment living, and controlled socialisation in locations like Palmerston Park, building confident city dogs from the start.
Southampton's busy streets and popular dog-walking routes often reveal reactivity challenges. We address leash reactivity, barrier frustration in flats overlooking Bedford Place, and fear-based responses using positive reinforcement techniques. Training in controlled environments gradually builds tolerance, teaching dogs to remain calm when passing others on narrow pavements near the Bargate or along busy London Road.
We specialise in preparing dogs for Southampton's dog-friendly culture, teaching them to settle calmly in waterfront cafés at Ocean Village, navigate the busy Shopping Centre environments, and maintain composure near the constant pedestrian activity throughout the city centre. Dogs learn appropriate behaviour in shared spaces, ensuring they're welcome companions throughout Southampton's numerous dog-friendly establishments and public areas.
Dog training in Southampton City Centre typically ranges from £45-80 per hour for private sessions, with package deals of £300-550 for 6-8 week programmes. Group classes cost £15-25 per session, while puppy courses average £180-320. Initial consultations are often offered at £35-50, allowing you to discuss your dog's needs before committing to full training.
Southampton Common provides excellent open space for recall training, while Palmerston Park and East Park offer controlled environments for socialisation. Quieter areas like Hoglands Park work well for reactive dogs, and the pedestrianised zones near Guildhall Square provide real-world distraction training. We also utilise quieter times along the waterfront and around Ocean Village for urban manners training.
Yes, dogs can be successfully trained to thrive in Southampton's busy urban environment through systematic desensitisation and positive reinforcement. Training involves gradual exposure to city sounds, crowds, and distractions, starting in quieter areas and progressively introducing busier locations. Most dogs adapt well within 8-12 weeks, learning to remain calm and focused despite the activity around West Quay, Southampton Central, and the waterfront areas.
Professional dog training in Southampton City Centre creates confident, well-mannered companions perfectly suited to urban life in this historic port city. Our proven methods combine expert techniques with local knowledge, ensuring your dog thrives whether you live in a waterfront apartment at Ocean Village or a flat near the Cultural Quarter. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and transform your dog into the reliable city companion you've always wanted.
