DOG TRAINING
SUCCESS STORIES

Fizz, a spirited Vizsla, joined our residential dog training programme to enhance his obedience and adapt these skills to various environments. His owners wanted to address challenges with recall and heel work, particularly around wildlife, as well as establish calm behaviours at home.

We started by building a strong foundation of obedience, progressing from low-distraction settings to more stimulating environments. For recall and heel work, we used consistent reinforcement, gradually exposing Fizz to wildlife-rich areas to help him remain focused and responsive. 

Fizz has made significant progress. His recall and heel work are now much more reliable, even in challenging environments, and he has developed the ability to settle calmly at home. His transformation demonstrates how structured, consistent training can create a happy, well-mannered dog and a harmonious home life.

When Will, a timid Dutch Herder, arrived for training, he was reactive and fearful of unfamiliar situations. Our first priority was to build his trust by providing a steady routine and calm, supportive interactions, helping him feel safe.

We focused on creating a strong bond, using gentle exercises and reassurance to help Will see people as positive figures. As his trust grew, we introduced him to quiet spaces where he could gain confidence through calm practice and positive reinforcement.

Gradually, Will was exposed to new environments at his own pace, with mild distractions, allowing him to build confidence without becoming overwhelmed. Treats and praise reinforced his progress, turning each new experience into a positive one.

By the end of his training, Will had transformed into a calmer, more confident dog. He now trusts his owners, responds well to commands, and approaches new environments with curiosity rather than fear.

Ace, a sweet-natured Rottweiler, joined our residential training programme to address nervousness around strangers, particularly men, and to improve obedience and household boundaries.

Through gradual exposure and positive reinforcement, Ace gained confidence in interacting with unfamiliar people. Structured training focused on basic commands and household rules provided him with predictability and guidance, helping him feel more secure. Additionally, exposure to new environments reduced his anxiety and improved his adaptability, making outings more enjoyable for him and his owners.

Ace’s progress has been remarkable. He is now a calmer, more confident dog, with improved obedience and the ability to handle various situations with ease. His transformation has created a more harmonious relationship with his family, setting him up for continued success.

Callie, a Golden Retriever training as an assistance dog, initially struggled to stay calm and focused in busy environments. Recognising the need for composure in her role, we worked to build her confidence and patience through a structured approach based on the 3 D’s—Duration, Distance, and Distraction.

Her training began in low-stress settings and gradually expanded to real-world environments like parks, cafés, and high streets. With each step, Callie became more confident and learned to remain composed despite distractions. Positive reinforcement helped her associate these experiences with calm and rewarding outcomes, allowing her to thrive in varied and demanding situations.

Once her training was complete, we collaborated closely with her owner to ensure they could continue reinforcing her progress at home and in public.

Callie is now a confident and capable assistance dog, ready to perform her role effectively and navigate any environment with ease. Her transformation showcases the effectiveness of consistent, tailored training and the dedication of her owner to her success.

Benji, a lively Cocker Spaniel, struggled with reactivity caused by barrier frustration and over-socialisation. His intense reactions, lead pulling, and difficulty settling made daily life challenging for his owners, who sought help after trying multiple trainers without success.

Benji underwent a structured residential programme focused on improving his lead manners, teaching calm behaviours with the “place” command, and addressing his triggers through counter-conditioning. Incorporating breed-specific activities provided mental and physical stimulation, helping Benji channel his energy positively.

The transformation was remarkable. Benji now walks calmly, can relax at home, and confidently handles situations that once caused stress. His owners are thrilled with his progress and have embraced the tools and techniques needed to maintain his newfound balance. Today, Benji is a happier, more composed dog ready to enjoy life with his family in Lincoln.

When Spike, a powerful and energetic Rottweiler, arrived, he exhibited reactive behaviours driven by overexcitement and anxiety, particularly in unfamiliar environments. His size and strength made his pulling and lunging difficult for his owners to manage, especially when triggered by fast-moving objects like cars and bikes.

Through structured training, we focused on teaching Spike self-control and redirecting his attention during distractions. He learned to engage with his handler through basic obedience and eye contact exercises, which became foundational to his progress. Using loose-lead walking techniques, we addressed his pulling, ensuring he walked calmly beside his handler. Gradual desensitisation to moving objects, combined with positive reinforcement, helped Spike stay relaxed and focused when encountering his triggers.

After weeks of dedicated training, Spike now walks calmly on the lead and responds to distractions with composure. His reactivity to moving objects has significantly decreased, allowing his owners to enjoy peaceful walks and outings. Spike’s transformation into a more balanced and focused dog has strengthened the bond with his family and improved their quality of life together.

Archie, a 4-year-old Macedonian rescue dog, joined our residential training programme to address nervousness and anxiety. His fear often led to reactive behaviours like barking and lunging at unfamiliar people or dogs, especially in new or busy environments. Focusing on building his confidence and trust, we worked to help Archie live a more peaceful life.

We began by creating a safe environment through calm, consistent interactions, rewarding calm behaviour with positive reinforcement. Controlled exposure and counter-conditioning helped Archie form positive associations with triggers such as new people or dogs. Gradually, he learned to stay composed in challenging situations.

Working with his owners, we taught techniques like focused commands and consistent reinforcement to maintain his progress at home and in public.

By the end of training, Archie’s reactivity had significantly decreased, and his confidence grew. He now enjoys walks, handles busy environments with ease, and is a calmer, happier companion for his owners in Mansfield, ready to thrive in his new life.

Coco, a rescue dog struggling with multiple behavioural issues, joined our residential training programme to address challenges that had made walks stressful and unenjoyable for her owners. She exhibited reactivity towards other dogs and struggled with nervousness and anxiety, requiring tailored support to improve her behaviour.

Through a personalised training plan, Coco made a remarkable transformation. She became more obedient, calmer, and better equipped to handle various situations. The programme focused on overcoming her anxiety and building her confidence, allowing her owners to feel more in control and enjoy their time with her.

With exceptional care and top-notch facilities, Coco’s owners were kept informed throughout her training with regular updates, ensuring they felt involved in her progress. The result is a happier, more balanced dog and owners who are thrilled with the changes in their companion.

Coco’s story highlights the power of dedicated, personalised training in transforming a dog’s behaviour and strengthening the bond between pet and owner.

Sky, a gorgeous 6-month-old Samoyed puppy, joined our residential training programme to address key challenges including basic obedience, environmental exposure, and resource guarding of toys. Despite a shorter-than-recommended three-week programme, Sky made significant progress.

The training focused on improving Sky’s recall, reducing reactivity to other animals, and addressing resource guarding tendencies. Throughout the process, regular updates, pictures, and videos kept Sky’s owners informed and involved. The final handover session provided hands-on guidance to ensure they could maintain and reinforce Sky’s progress at home.

Since completing the programme, Sky’s behaviour has transformed. Walks that were once a struggle are now calm and controlled, thanks to improved loose-lead walking. At home, Sky is more relaxed and well-mannered, making life more enjoyable for the whole family.

Sky’s journey demonstrates how consistent, personalised training can address behavioural challenges and set the foundation for a happy, well-balanced life.

Hugo, a high-energy Boxer, joined our residential training programme to address significant challenges that made life difficult for his owners. He was reactive and out of control on walks, lunging and barking at other dogs while pulling excessively, and he struggled with over-arousal at home, barking at delivery drivers and mouthing his owners.

During his training, Hugo’s behaviour was transformed through a tailored programme that considered his unique needs and high energy levels. His trainer, Chris, recognised Hugo’s working-dog-like drive—a rare trait for a Boxer—and used this insight to channel his energy into structured play and walks. Hugo was exposed to various environments and learned to manage his reactivity and arousal with consistency and guidance.

The results have been life-changing. Hugo now walks calmly and confidently, making outings enjoyable, and his owners have gained the knowledge to meet his needs effectively. With regular updates and a focus on progress, the transformation has been a rewarding experience for both Hugo and his family.

Hugo’s journey demonstrates the power of tailored training and dedication, turning a challenging companion into a balanced, happy dog ready to thrive.

Bear and Duke, 13-month-old Golden Retriever brothers, joined our residential training programme to address pulling on the lead, difficulty getting in and out of the car, and high energy levels that made settling in public challenging. Their behaviour also disrupted the harmony of their home, affecting their two older Golden Retriever companions, Betty and Bonnie.

During their four-week training, Bear and Duke learned to walk calmly to heel, respond reliably to commands, and manage their energy levels. The transformation has been remarkable. The boys are now calm, obedient, and no longer reactive, bringing harmony back to their household. Betty and Bonnie have happily reintegrated with their younger brothers, and their owners describe the change as “life-changing.”

Bear and Duke’s journey is a testament to the power of professional training, creating a happier, balanced environment for dogs and their family.

Max came to us as his owners were struggling with his severe lead pulling and reactivity to other dogs. His behaviour had caused an incident where he pulled his owner over, leading to serious injuries requiring surgery. Determined to regain control and improve their lives with Max, his owners sought our help.

During our four-week residential training programme, we focused on teaching Max to walk calmly on the lead and desensitising him to other dogs. We also worked closely with his owners, equipping them with handling skills to reinforce the training.

Max's transformation was remarkable. He now walks to heel and remains calm around other dogs. His owners, Carol and Dave, were thrilled, sharing, “In 4 weeks, he’s gone from reactive to calm and well-behaved. What they’ve done is amazing!”

Max’s journey highlights the power of tailored training and owner commitment. If you're facing similar challenges with your German Shepherd, we can help create the same success for you and your dog.

Milo, a black Labrador, came to us for residential training to tackle his fear of steps, nervous behaviour, and lead pulling. Walks were stressful, and his owner needed expert help.

Through confidence-building exercises, counter-conditioning, and structured training, Milo made incredible progress. He now walks calmly on the lead, navigates steps with ease, and feels much more secure in his surroundings. His owner, now confident in handling him, shared their experience:

"Milo was so nervous, scared of everything on walks, but now he's a different dog. He no longer pulls, reacts to other dogs, or panics at every sound. I can’t thank the trainers enough! Their updates, guidance, and 1:1 support have been amazing."

Milo’s journey shows how the right training can truly change a dog’s life.

Sadie arrived for residential training to work on her nervousness, which caused her to react to dogs and cars. She also struggled with lead walking, making outings stressful for both her and her owner.

We focused on building her confidence, reinforcing obedience foundations, and using structured training to help her stay calm in challenging situations. With patience and consistency, Sadie learned to walk nicely on the lead and became far more relaxed around dogs and traffic.

Her transformation has made life easier for both her and her owner. 

Klara arrived at Next Level Dog Training as a 12-month-old rescue dog from the streets of Macedonia. Initially, Klara struggled with impulse control, independence, and obedience. Having never experienced a stable home environment, she exhibited constant attention-seeking behaviours, destructive tendencies, and poor responsiveness to commands.

After completing a tailored four-week residential training programme with our team, Klara's transformation was remarkable. Her lead walking improved dramatically, she demonstrated excellent recall, and she learned to settle calmly both at home and in public spaces. Klara’s owners noted how her confidence and self-control had significantly improved, describing the change as a total "reset" of her behaviour. They were delighted by her newfound responsiveness, obedience, and relaxed nature—both at home and when out in busy environments like cafés and pubs.

Klara’s story highlights how structured training and expert guidance can turn even challenging cases into rewarding successes.

Max, an 11-month-old working breed, joined our four-week residential training programme due to significant reactivity issues towards livestock, other dogs, and everyday distractions. Previous attempts at training had yielded minimal improvements, leaving his owners frustrated.

Under the expert guidance of Chris and Justin, Max underwent structured training designed to manage excitement and reduce reactivity. By establishing clear communication and leadership, our trainers developed a strong bond with Max, significantly improving his impulse control, focus, and behaviour around various distractions.

Upon completion of the programme, Max was able to calmly transition between play and focused obedience, demonstrating reliable heelwork even in busy environments. His owners were impressed with how effectively the training transferred during a detailed handover session, where they replicated our methods under supervision.

Regular progress updates, high-quality photos, and video demonstrations were provided throughout Max's training. His owners were delighted by his transformation, praising our balanced training methods and breed-specific activities that truly engaged and fulfilled Max’s working instincts.

Kayla and Sky, two energetic 18-month-old Springer Spaniels, came to us due to severe behavioural challenges. Their owners found walks stressful as the pair constantly pulled like trains, barked excessively, and reacted badly towards people and other dogs. Recall was practically nonexistent, and their home manners needed significant improvement.

After completing our residential training programme, the transformation in Kayla and Sky was exceptional. Guided by trainer Chris, the dogs learned to walk calmly without pulling, reliably return when called, and remain relaxed around distractions. Their owner reported a dramatic improvement—walks became enjoyable, the dogs behaved calmly indoors, and their previous reactivity vanished. Most importantly, the training retained their naturally playful and affectionate personalities.

The owners expressed deep gratitude, describing Chris as a “miracle worker,” and now truly enjoy spending quality time outdoors with their dogs.

Bruno joined our residential training programme to address significant confidence issues. Initially, Bruno was extremely fearful, making walks difficult and stressful. His anxiety often resulted in reactive behaviour towards triggers such as people, prams, and everyday outdoor situations.

After working closely with our trainers Justin and Chris, Bruno’s confidence grew remarkably. The training helped Bruno learn to manage his fears, transforming him into a calm, obedient, and much happier dog.

Upon returning home, his owner noted the incredible change—describing Bruno as “a very different dog altogether.”

Now walks are enjoyable experiences, with Bruno remaining composed around previously distressing triggers. Bruno’s owner praised our team’s efforts, emphasising their gratitude for such a meaningful transformation.

Laika, a nervous Belgian Malinois, joined our residential training programme due to intense reactivity and fearfulness. Her anxiety led her to lunge and react negatively towards everyday triggers such as cars and other dogs, making walks challenging for her owners.

During her four-week stay, trainer Luke carefully built trust and confidence with Laika, gradually exposing her to various environments at distances where she felt safe and comfortable. Positive experiences and careful reinforcement helped her learn better coping strategies and significantly reduced her reactive behaviours.

Laika’s owners received regular updates, including photos and videos, ensuring they stayed connected with her progress. At the comprehensive handover, Luke and Justin demonstrated effective techniques to maintain and further Laika’s improvement at home.

Her owners report Laika now walks calmly on the lead, no longer lunges at passing cars, and rarely reacts to other dogs. Even when confronted by reactive dogs, Laika’s owners now confidently manage these situations as ongoing training opportunities. Laika has become calmer, more relaxed, and better able to handle previously overwhelming environments. The owners expressed gratitude and highly recommended the Next Level Dog Training team for delivering such a transformative experience.

Riley, a 2½-year-old rescue German Shepherd, joined our residential training programme after his owners found themselves overwhelmed by his severe reactivity. Due to having no previous training or structure, Riley developed challenging behaviours, including lunging, excessive barking, and pulling aggressively on the lead during walks. The stress had escalated to the point where his owners had resorted to walking in isolated areas to avoid triggers.

After enrolling Riley into our six-week residential training, alongside focused one-to-one sessions to support his owners’ handling skills, significant changes began to emerge. Trainers Luke and Justin carefully addressed Riley’s reactive tendencies, established clear routines, and built his confidence through consistent, structured exercises.

Riley’s owners received regular video updates throughout his training, clearly showing his remarkable improvement. At the comprehensive handover, Justin provided detailed insight into Riley’s behavioural triggers, offering practical guidance to ensure continued progress at home.

Since returning home, Riley’s owners report a profound transformation. Walks have become enjoyable, stress-free experiences, and Riley is noticeably calmer, happier, and more relaxed around previously triggering stimuli. The owners expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Next Level team for changing Riley’s behaviour—and their lives—for the better.

Pippo recently joined our residential training programme to work on a combination of behaviours that had become difficult for his owners to manage. Over 4½ weeks, we developed a tailored training plan to suit Pippo’s unique personality and needs, focusing on consistency, structure, and building trust.

Trainer Chris worked closely with Pippo, forming a strong bond and helping him overcome the behaviours that were holding him back. The results exceeded expectations, with Pippo responding exceptionally well to the focused, one-to-one approach.

At the end of his stay, we passed on these new skills to his owners through detailed handover guidance, ensuring they felt confident in continuing his progress at home.

Pippo’s owner described the training as holistic, thoughtful, and transformative—praising the team’s dedication and care. With his behaviours now under control and his confidence growing, Pippo is a brilliant example of how the right approach can unlock a dog’s full potential.