Our curated list of the best professionals in the Summertown area.
With its elegant streets and proximity to Port Meadow, trainers in Summertown focus on creating well-behaved dogs that are comfortable in both social and open-countryside environments.
4 Hethe Rd, Hardwick, Bicester OX27 8SS
Very good service, very helpful & informative people. Big improvement in my dogs behaviour, thank you Ashley!
Ash is amazing and has put me and my dog down the correct path to help me in the future. Ash has given me tips and hints on how work with my dog to get best out of him and to improve our relationship. It was amazing to see the change in my dogs behaviour so quickly after just one lesson. Really appreciate the help that ash has given me.
The sessions with Ash are brilliant. Clearly he is an expert in his field and is very happy to share the knowledge he has gained. His training has had a huge impact on my puppies progress, delivering great results with walking on and off the lead and socialisation with other dogs. We can’t thank him enough
I first met Ashley approximately 12 years ago in Herefordshire. I booked a puppy lesson with my new GSD and a lesson with my adult GSD. Each lesson lasted one and half hours .The lessons were very informative . Ashley was friendly, helpful, full of knowledge plus everything “dog”. From that point on, following the rules and training shown, my beloved GSD’s led a wonderful life. My current 6 month old GSD started to show some reactivity and I knew it was time to touch base again with Ashley. One lesson with Ashley and the problem was sorted. Ashley was so helpful with lots of advice moving forward and was very keen to cover everything before he left. Ashley is a hands on trainer and demonstrates what is expected and how it works. I would 100% recommend Ashley for any breed of dog and their problems. If you are lucky enough to meet his dogs you will see exactly how and why his methods and knowledge work.
I have had a really positive experience with Vislor training and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a knowledgeable trainer. Everything has been very quick and easy in terms of contacting them and getting set up with a trainer.Kevin (my dog) has a great rapport with our trainer Ash and I get continued support via text when I’m unsure of something.
14 Harts Cl, Kidlington OX5 1AZ
We were ready to give up on our puppy until we met Tatiana. She has restored our faith . Supportive , goes over and above and obviously loves what she does. She’s firm but kind to the puppies . Having had Tatiana come to our house which I think is the best thing we did , we’ve now joined her follow on classes for older puppies and will be enjoying her scent class later in the year . We would like to thank you Tatiana because without you we would have rehomed him. Thank you from all of us .
Excellent puppy training - highly recommend this team!
We really enjoyed the puppy classes with Tatiana and Liz. Our puppy was older (7 months old) than the other puppies and was made to feel very welcome by the trainers and the other dog owners. It was a friendly group. The classes covered the basics with lots of individual advice and tips shared. We were lucky with the weather and it was great being able to do most of the classes outside in the field. It was a very practical class and the dogs were engaged in activities most of the time. I would highly recommend the classes and hope to continue further training with the team.
Highly recommend Tatiana's Adult dog courses. We have now completed 2 'blocks' of classes and I am really keen to continue. Compared to the puppy training we did elsewhere, these classes are worlds apart. The small classes means that the lessons can be tailored to what the specific dogs/humans need, rather than following a strict plan. Tatiana's ability to adapt challenges dependant on each breed, proves a wealth of experience with dog behaviour not just generic instructions. On top of that the lessons are fun and something I look forward to each week. Thank you so much x
Amazing dog trainer that made lots of progress with my puppy!
Salford Village Hall, Chipping Norton OX7 5YP
I found Darren to be fantastic for the first bit of training with my puppy. He really knows his breeds and the different ways in which they need handling and ensured that as owners we all learnt in the way that was right for our pups. We will be having a month break from classes to really practice what we’ve learnt so far before going back for the puppy advanced class. I can’t thank Darren enough for giving us such a brilliant start to our training journey. Vicky.
Our 4 month old Goldendoodle loved the classes. Run by Darren who was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and most of all, patient. Rollo made lovely friends over the 8 weeks and we look forward to taking Darren up on some advanced classes in summer.
Excellent puppy training classes could not recommend enough! We will go onto one to one training with our boy and bring our newest girl back to the foundation!
Excellent Gundog training sessions and workshops. Louis has really benefited from the training. Highly recommended.
Excellent classes with a calm, knowledgeable trainer. It was perfect for my puppy and it was interesting to be in a class with a variety of dogs as it’s good to see how the different breeds react and learn.
Upper Heyford, Bicester OX25 5LX
Linda was fantastic in helping us with our puppy Roxy. She was kind, patient, and calm and teaching us about dog psychology which has helped train Roxy and also very interesting to learn. We saw results in couple of days, fantastic! High recommend.
Linda from Dogs Behaving Calmly helped us coach our puppy Golden Retriever. Linda’s approach is both methodical and clear, but equally enjoyable. The explanation of the dog psychology element was interesting and helped us understand why we do what we do during the training sessions. Our dog ‘graduated’ from the 6 week course, leaving us with the skills to mould her into an obedient adult dog. My partner and I would thoroughly recommend Linda and her calm approach to puppy training.
Thank you Linda! Linda helped us with the Puppy training classes and she was incredible. Kind, calm and amazingly patient with our crazy cocker spaniel pup. It was so interesting learning about the psychology of dogs and training them, which has then allowed us to train our dog even better. Highly recommend.
Very helpful, calm and cannot thank her enough in helping our small puppy to learn the basics skills. I would definitely recommend to anyone I know! Thank you!
Linda’s advice, along with her teachings, are game changers. We had two “rule the roost” Shih Tzus… until Monday afternoon when we met this wonderful lady. Since then, we now have two very different, chilled out, dogs. Walks always filled us with trepidation. This morning was the first time we were able the put her ideas into practice. Guess what?… They work! Both dogs walked to heel, didn’t pull and it was pleasurable. Although we didn’t encountered any other dogs on the walk around the estate this morning, we will be fully prepared for when we do. 5*s. Thank you, Linda.
Hinksey Heights Golf Club, Oxford OX1 5AB
Very good instructors and in a nice location.
We had a really good experience with our 11 month old golden, Bertie, on the puppy foundation course. The team were all incredibly knowledgable and helped us build confidence in how to train a well-behaved dog. On top of that, just being around other dogs and not being able to greet them has made a huge impact to Bertie’s attitude to other dogs and is now much calmer. Would highly recommend.
We so enjoyed our puppy course and Sam benefited so much from it. Grahame and his team really know their stuff and were very patient with us as we worked with our puppies
Bella and I had a fabulous time learning how to be a good puppy! The team were all supportive and we have both learnt new skills. Having structure around trying to teach a puppy ensured that we put the time in which has really worked
Just finished 8 week puppy foundation course has made such a difference to my puppy he is so much calmer excellent friendly instructors and its all set outdoor in secure compounds will be returning for adult classes definitely highly recommend
Finding qualified dog trainers in Summertown means connecting with professionals who understand this vibrant North Oxford neighbourhood's unique blend of residential charm and urban convenience. From training puppies near the bustling Summertown shops to managing reactive dogs along the green spaces of Cutteslowe Park, our certified trainers deliver personalised obedience training, behaviour modification, and puppy socialisation programmes tailored to this distinctive community.
Serving Summertown, Wolvercote, Cutteslowe, and surrounding North Oxford areas within the OX2 postcode, we've successfully trained over 850 local dogs in the past eight years. Our expertise addresses the specific challenges of dog ownership in this sought-after area, from navigating the busy Banbury Road to enjoying off-lead exercise in Port Meadow and Burgess Field Nature Reserve.
Summertown presents unique training requirements shaped by its characterful Victorian and Edwardian housing, proximity to the University of Oxford, and strong community atmosphere. The neighbourhood's excellent green spaces including Cutteslowe Park and easy access to Port Meadow provide wonderful training environments, but also mean dogs encounter numerous other canines, cyclists, and families daily, making proper socialisation and recall training essential.
Our trainers specialise in addressing challenges specific to urban village living, including desensitising dogs to busy pedestrian areas around South Parade and the Summertown shops, navigating narrow pavements along tree-lined residential streets, and developing calm behaviour in the area's popular independent cafés and shops that welcome well-mannered dogs. We understand local expectations for responsible dog ownership in this community-minded neighbourhood.
Our puppy programmes focus on the critical 8-16 week socialisation period, introducing young dogs to Summertown's environment including traffic along Banbury Road, the mix of cyclists and pedestrians, and varied surfaces throughout local parks. Training covers essential house training, basic commands, and controlled socialisation sessions in Cutteslowe Park, building confident, well-adjusted dogs ready for North Oxford life.
We develop reliable recall essential for safely enjoying Port Meadow and other local open spaces. Training builds bombproof responses despite distractions including horses, wildlife, and other dogs, ensuring your companion returns immediately when called even in Summertown's most stimulating environments.
Our behaviour modification programmes address leash reactivity, fear-based responses, and territorial behaviours. Using positive reinforcement techniques, we help dogs develop calm responses to triggers encountered on Summertown's residential streets and in popular walking areas, replacing unwanted reactions with focus and self-control.
Dog training in Summertown typically ranges from £45-80 per hour for private sessions, with 6-week packages averaging £320-480. Group classes cost £18-28 per session. Many local trainers offer initial consultations for £25-40 to discuss your dog's specific needs before committing to a programme.
Begin training immediately when bringing your puppy home around 8 weeks old. The critical socialisation window between 8-16 weeks makes early exposure to Summertown's environment essential. Puppies can join group classes after initial vaccinations at approximately 10-12 weeks, though adult dogs benefit from training at any age.
Cutteslowe Park offers excellent enclosed and open training areas, while Port Meadow provides expansive space for advanced recall work. Burgess Field Nature Reserve offers quieter environments for nervous dogs, and the residential streets around Summertown provide ideal real-world distraction training opportunities for developing reliable urban manners.
Professional dog training in Summertown creates well-mannered companions perfectly suited to this desirable North Oxford neighbourhood. Our proven methods combine expert techniques with intimate local knowledge, ensuring your dog thrives whether walking along Banbury Road, socialising in Cutteslowe Park, or relaxing in one of Summertown's welcoming cafés. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and begin your journey toward a perfectly trained dog who's a valued member of the Summertown community.