Our curated list of the best professionals in the Waltham Forest area.
Bordering the vast Epping Forest, trainers in Waltham Forest have an incredible natural resource for teaching recall, scent work, and responsible countryside etiquette to dogs and their owners.
Hackney E8, London E8 3HQ
I’m so incredibly grateful that Vanessa was recommended to me. I’m sure the first 2 months of having my puppy would’ve looked very different without her thoughtful guidance, advice and expertise. I was a first time dog owner, and whilst I had spent a lot of time with an adult whippet, I hadn’t owned my own dog or even been around a puppy before. Anyone who has experienced this knows how different an adult whippet and a puppy whippet are! I started working with Vanessa before I even brought my puppy home (highly recommended this) and she was so helpful in sharing advice on potty training, crate training, toys, sleeping set up and even vet recommendations. This made me feel so much more prepared and I think made for a calm and confident first few days for my puppy. We then started training in person with Vanessa the day after I got my puppy, and again having Vanessa by my side meant that I was equipped with the knowledge to help with the less fun elements (biting, shoelace pulling, crazy zoomies etc) and also already start with proactive settle training, basic commands, fun tricks and most importantly bonding. Over the last 2 months I’ve bought 2 puppy packages and we’re now doing magic matt, home alone training, recall and leave it. Beyond being a great trainer, Vanessa has also introduced me to daycare (House of Hounds in London Fields), dog sitters and a local sighthound WhatsApp group. This is because Vanessa goes above and beyond for her clients and genuinely cares. When my puppy was sick, she kept checking in out of genuine worry and love for her. When I was sending panicked messages (hello puppy blues and lack of sleep) she was non judgemental and didn’t shame me. I don’t think I would have the sweet and calm puppy I have today without Vanessa, so I am incredibly thankful. At not even 4 months, she is able to settle by herself, not bark for food, lets me clean her paws, loves her crate, sits, stay, down and has totally stopped biting. There is lots to still work on as she develops, but I feel confident knowing that I have Vanessa.
We worked with Vanessa with our rescue lurcher cross Fraggle. Vanessa has really helped us understand Fraggle's needs and behaviour and he's now much calmer and happier and we have a lovely bond with him. We worked on mouthing behaviours, his love for prey, and leaving him alone. Couldn't recommend Vanessa enough! 🐶
Vanessa was brilliant with our dog Albie. She taught us some really good new techniques to train our puppy, setting us up to work on his settling on a mat and recall out and about. We really appreciated the time she took to talk us through various approaches and also how enthusiastic and fun she was with our puppy. (Picture of Albie sound asleep after a really stimulating walk with Vanessa)
We’ve just finished our fourth session with Vanessa, and we honestly couldn’t be more grateful for her help! When we first got in touch, we were feeling totally overwhelmed – trying to make sense of all the conflicting advice online, and just not sure if we were doing things right with our 4.5-month-old whippet, Peggy. From the first session, Vanessa made us feel completely at ease. She’s kind, non-judgemental, and really knows her stuff. Peggy also adores her! We’ve been working on things like lead walking, recall, helping keep focus on us, crate training, building up alone time, and settling, and we’re seeing real progress. The sessions have also made us feel so much more confident and in control, which has been a huge relief. If you’re feeling a bit lost or just want some expert, compassionate guidance, we can’t recommend her enough.
We had tried everything to help our Labradoodle, Bella, with her separation anxiety. I mean everything—“Even X?” Yes, X, Y, Z, and the whole alphabet! Nothing seemed to work… until we were found brilliant Vanessa. Vanessa has been a total game-changer—not just for Bella, but for us too. If you’ve ever lived with a dog suffering from separation anxiety, you know how emotionally draining and overwhelming it can be. Vanessa didn’t just help Bella—she supported us through every step of the process. She has an incredible ability to understand dog behaviour from videos, things that we may miss even though we think we know our dog so well. She really listens to all of our concerns, is always available for questions (no matter how small!), and constantly tailors Bella’s plan based on her progress and personality. You can tell she’s not only an expert, but truly passionate about what she does. Thanks to Vanessa, we finally feel hopeful—and Bella is happier and more confident than ever, with real concrete results. Highly, highly recommend her to anyone going through the same struggle. She’s the real deal.
Victoria Park, Sewardstone Rd, London E2 9JW
Could not recommend enough - Holly at Friendly Creatures really helped us understand our puppy better and have seen so much improvement since taking part. We learned so much about our puppy's behaviours and how to get the best out of him and for him. Thank you!
The team is amazing, and our dog is so well adapted to our family after the training. I love how much they care about results and their deep knowledge! We will come back for more. Great job!
We did Lydia’s online puppy training course and it was fantastic! Lydia was super helpful, really friendly, and explained everything in a way that was easy to follow. After each session, she sent a follow-up email with a summary of what we covered, which made it so much easier to practice at home. The course really helped build our puppy’s confidence and ours too. We’d definitely recommend Lydia to anyone looking for puppy training support!
Martina has a wealth of knowledge and is very attentive towards my dogs needs. I am very happy with the training provided. the videos are very helpful as well. would highly recommend!
We attended a six week puppy course, really pleased with the experience. Our trainer Marta was excellent!
Use side gate, 122 Wellington Rd, Enfield EN1 2RR
Had a private session for our pup with Clare who was brilliant. Very professional, knowledgeable and the session was fun (for us and our pup!). Learnt lots not just about walking confidently and recall which was the aim of the session but also about our pups health and gut which we had questions about. Will defo use Clare again and recommend her to anyone!
Finley came to us as a nervous rescue dog over 4 years ago. Through this time, we have used many of Clare and Andy's services, including dog walking, day care, and training sessions (1:1 and group). It is hard to put into words how incredibly helpful they have all been. Not only have we felt part of their family but support was always provided with Finley's wellbeing at the heart. If you are looking for holistic support that provides fabulous care, attention to their individual needs, and can significantly improve your relationship with your dog, then Clare and Andy are the best choice you could make.
Claire has been an absolute life saver! After an hour with Claire we had all the tools we needed to convert our long-term foster beagle from a food-obsessed ball of anxiety and nerves into a calm and satisfied boy. The incessant barking has reduced by 95% and he’s so much happier in himself. And I’m happier knowing that friends and family don’t mind coming over to my home now too! I’m looking forward to this 13 and a half year old boy being able to enjoy his golden years feeling calm and happy. Thank you Claire, from Bailey and I, for all your help!
Our puppy, Millie, has just finished her six week training program with Claire at Muddy Muttleys. Due to Claire’s excellent training techniques etc., we are now well equipped to take our crazy collie/spaniel to the next stage. More about training the humans than the dog, I think. Thank you Claire, you’re brilliant! Highly recommended!
Had the best experience with Claire and team. My puppy went to the puppy class as well as the teenage classes and not only is Claire knowledgeable, it was a fun experience for the family. Definitely recommend if you’ve got a puppy or a dog in general.
Meadow Way, Chigwell IG7 6LR
Look no further for dog training, Magic is the best the only person to train with. Plus my little dog LOVES Magic and feels safe with him. She has been out on her own with him in the car and with me and many other dogs. We have both learnt so much from him and it has made me a better dog mum for training with him and my little fur baby such a smart little girl !
I recently attended a foundational protection workshop (aka how to play with your doggo). Maciek showed us that good play isn’t just about throwing a tug toy around randomly. It’s structured work that builds engagement, focus, and thinking – not just muscle. And honestly, it only took a few tries to see the shift in Nord. He was engaged, focused, and for the first time, really wanted to work with me 🔥 Best.Weekend.Ever. I highly recommend Maciek if you want to strengthen your bond with your dog through meaningful, smart fun :)
Magic has been training our dog from a young age. He is extremely knowledgeable as a dog trainer and has a great understanding of dog psychology. His patience and training has made us have a better experience with our dog. We hold him in high regard and would recommend him to anyone.
I have been observing Maciej's work on social media for a long time. As soon as an opportunity to participate in the workshops arrived, I decided to take advantage of it. Maciej's positive working methods exceeded my expectations. His energy as well as his individual and highly committed approach to each dog, but also guardian/trainer, makes each participant feel that they are in the right place. It’s a pure pleasure to learn from Maciej.
Magic is an awesome trainer, from the first phone call alone, he gave a ton of great tips for training my dog. I’ve paid attention to his Instagram tor years and look forward to working with him more!
St. Michael's Church, Roding Rd, Loughton IG10 3EJ
Me and my dog Teddy have just graduated from Puppy High School, and the change in him and his behaviour since we started training with Heath is incredible. He was a very sensitive puppy but his confidence has grown so much over the weeks, by using Heath’s tips and tricks.. Classes are always fun and informative, and the follow up videos really helpful.
I have just signed up to heaths perfect puppy package. I had the phone consultation yesterday and within one day my puppy’s behaviour had already improved! I would highly recommend using heath as I found him very informative and learnt so much. This has given me the confidence that I will be able to train my pup!
The best advice you could ask for! So helpful and really good info
Heath has years of experience and is a forward thinking, superb dog trainer using tried and tested, modern, positive reinforcement training methods.
We were recommended to Heath my a fellow dog walker ,he said he’d been to many training classes and in his opinion Heath’s was the best by far! That was enough for me to contact him and I must say I’m so glad I did,I have only had my phone call so far ,Heath is very knowledgeable and put me at ease which was something I appreciated I then received an email where there are videos which reinforces all the training homework that I have been given to do with our puppy.I really can’t wait for the classes to start and for us to be able to give our puppy the best training he can I have!
Finding qualified dog trainers in Waltham Forest means connecting with professionals who understand the unique character of this vibrant North East London borough. From training energetic puppies in Walthamstow's Victorian terraces to managing reactive dogs along the Lea Valley towpath, our certified trainers deliver tailored obedience training, behaviour modification, and puppy socialisation programmes designed for urban living. Serving all areas including Leyton, Leytonstone, and Chingford, we've successfully trained over 2,800 dogs across the borough, helping families create well-adjusted companions ready for life in this diverse community.
Waltham Forest offers exceptional dog-walking opportunities with Epping Forest on the doorstep, the expansive Walthamstow Wetlands, and Lloyd Park, yet these popular spaces require dogs with solid recall and social skills. The borough's mix of busy high streets like Walthamstow Central, quiet residential streets, and the Victoria Line connections means dogs must adapt to varied urban environments. Our trainers specialise in addressing local challenges including navigation of Walthamstow Market crowds, calm behaviour on public transport, and peaceful coexistence in the borough's characteristic terraced housing with shared gardens.
We provide comprehensive dog training services across all E10, E11, E17, and E4 postcode areas in Waltham Forest. Our trainers work near key locations including Walthamstow Wetlands, Lloyd Park, Hollow Ponds, and the William Morris Gallery, utilizing these spaces for practical training sessions. We serve communities from Higham Hill to Chingford Mount, throughout areas surrounding Leyton Orient Stadium and across neighbourhoods near Whipps Cross Hospital. Whether you live in a conversion flat near Blackhorse Road Station or a family home in Highams Park, we bring expert training directly to you.
Our puppy programmes focus on the critical 8-16 week period, introducing young dogs to Waltham Forest's urban environment including Victoria Line trains, market activity, and Epping Forest's natural distractions. Training covers house training for flat living, basic commands, and controlled socialisation in parks like Lloyd Park and Cherry Tree Wood.
We address leash reactivity common on narrow residential streets and busy towpaths, using positive reinforcement techniques. Training in locations like Lea Bridge Road and Forest Road gradually builds tolerance, replacing reactive behaviours with calm focus.
Our advanced programmes develop reliable off-lead control essential for safely enjoying Epping Forest and Walthamstow Wetlands. We train bombproof recall despite wildlife, other dogs, and picnickers, ensuring your dog responds reliably in expansive natural spaces.
Dog training in Waltham Forest typically ranges from £45-80 per hour for private sessions. Package deals for 6-8 week programmes average £320-550, while group classes cost £15-25 per session. Specialist behaviour consultations range from £70-110 for initial assessments.
Yes, dogs can be trained for safe off-lead forest walks through systematic recall training. Most dogs require 6-12 sessions to develop reliable recall despite deer, squirrels, and other forest distractions. We progressively train in increasingly challenging environments, building confidence and responsiveness.
Reputable trainers should hold certifications from organisations like the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, Association of Pet Dog Trainers UK, or Kennel Club Accredited Instructor schemes. Look for positive reinforcement methods and professional membership requiring ongoing education.
Professional dog training in Waltham Forest creates confident, well-behaved companions perfectly suited to this dynamic borough. Whether you're exploring Epping Forest trails, navigating Walthamstow's vibrant streets, or enjoying the Wetlands, expert training ensures your dog thrives. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and begin your journey toward a perfectly trained dog who's a valued member of the Waltham Forest community.