Fizz, a spirited Vizsla, joined our residential training programme to improve his obedience and adapt those skills to various environments. His owners wanted to address his struggles with recall and heel work, particularly around wildlife, where his instincts often took over. At home, they also needed help establishing calm behaviours, giving Fizz a space to unwind after his activities.
We began by focusing on Fizz’s basic obedience, ensuring he understood key commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Starting in a low-distraction environment, we gradually increased the level of challenge to include more stimulating settings. This helped Fizz stay focused, even when the world around him became more exciting.
Fizz’s love for exploring wildlife-rich areas made recall and heel work a challenge. To address this, we used consistent reinforcement techniques, rewarding him for coming back when called and staying at heel despite distractions. By gradually exposing him to environments with wildlife, such as parks and fields, we built his ability to stay calm and listen to commands in these situations.
Fizz’s high energy meant he often struggled to relax after training sessions. To help, we introduced the “place” command, teaching him to go to a designated spot where he could decompress and unwind. This gave Fizz a clear boundary for rest, helping him settle more easily in the house.
Fizz has made great strides in his training. His recall and heel work have improved significantly, even in areas with wildlife, and his obedience has become much more reliable across different environments. At home, Fizz now has a dedicated space where he can relax, creating a calmer and more balanced atmosphere for both him and his family.
Fizz’s progress shows how structure, consistency, and tailored training can transform an energetic dog into an obedient and well-rounded companion. We’re thrilled with his journey and excited for him to enjoy his new skills at home!
“I cannot recommend Next Level Dog Training enough! From my very first enquiry to collecting Fizz today, Justin and his team have been nothing short of exceptional. Their professionalism and dedication were clear at every step, and they’ve gone above and beyond to ensure we felt supported throughout the entire process.”
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Gareth
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