Skip to main content
Back To Basics
Dog Training · Sunderland
Sunderland's friendly dog training club

Bring out the best
in your dog.

Dog training in Sunderland. Master the basics, unleash the success. From wriggly puppies to grown-ups who need a fresh start.
Classes, 1:1s & recall with Gil, Nicky & Sarah.

2012Family-run since
40+years’ combined experience
1,000sof happy dogs
Willow the golden retriever with her Back To Basics graduation certificate
A Back To Basics group class in the training hall
A happy boxer at class
Graduates weeklyPuppy → advanced
Our methods
Family-run since 2012
Puppy to advanced adult
Proudly local to Sunderland
What we do

Classes for every age & stage

Just brought a puppy home, or untangling years of habits? There’s a class, or a quiet 1:1, with your dog’s name on it.

Puppy Foundations

Start them off right with socialisation, bite inhibition, early recall and the good manners that make life so much easier.

6 months & under

Puppy classes in Sunderland →

Most popular

Group Classes

Our weekly club. Train alongside other dogs in a calm, friendly hall, puppy through to advanced adult, with real graduations to work towards.

Join the club

1:1 Training

Just you, your dog and a trainer. Tailored sessions for reactivity, recall, lead pulling and whatever matters most to you.

In-class or home visit

1:1 & behaviour training →

Recall & Long-Line

The off-lead freedom every owner wants. Reliable recall and loose-lead walking, built up step by step.

Fields & real-world

Reactive & Rescue

Nervous, reactive or fearful? Patient, kind support to help your dog feel safe and settle in.

No dog too tricky
More than a class

You're joining a proper dog community.

Thousands of Sunderland owners have trained with us, and they stick around. Club walks, fun days, graduations and a group chat that genuinely cheers your dog on. Your dog gets trained; you get a whole new circle of dog people.

2012established, family-run
1,000sof happy dogs trained
3friendly trainers
A Back To Basics trainer with a happy labrador An outdoor training class A golden retriever with a rosette
Why Back To Basics

A proper local dog club. Not a franchise.

We’re a well-established Sunderland team who genuinely love this. Thousands of local owners trust us with their puppies, their rescues and their “I’ve-tried-everything” dogs, and they keep coming back as part of the family.

  • Our methods

    We train the owners as much as the dogs, building trust between you and your dog.

  • Friendly classes

    A calm hall, real attention, and a community that roots for your dog.

  • From first puppy to off-lead pro

    A clear path of classes and graduations to work towards.

GNS
Gil, Nicky & SarahYour training team
Loved in Sunderland

What owners say

Here’s what a few of our dog training family have to say.

Posted on Google Google
julie ord profile picture
julie ord
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We have been going to back to basics dog training for two years and I can honestly say that the training , knowledge, help, and confidence that myself and my dog have from attending there sessions is amazing All I can say is a very big thank you to you all and as we still do attend classes hope to keep on learn more ways to help me and my dog THANK YOU 🐕👏👏👏👏
Posted on Google Google
josh young profile picture
josh young
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Fantastic training from a family ran business. My dog has improved massively since attending
Posted on Google Google
Claire Jordan profile picture
Claire Jordan
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Back to Basics has been a game-changer. Our boisterous, excitable doodle has transformed into a calm, sociable, well behaved dog and, as an owner, I have learned so much, thanks to the training, patience and advice of Gil, Nicky and Sarah. Back to Basics is not just about training the dog, it equips the humans with the knowledge and practise they need to be responsible dog owners. It is also a social event for the dogs and the owners and is always fun and rewarding.
Posted on Google Google
Rob Irving profile picture
Rob Irving
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
A fantastic training service with approachable trainers who want nothing but the best for you and your dog. Gill, Nicky and Sarah are so passionate about what they do and make their classes fun and engaging. The training makes sense they really do give you so much time and attention. My dog and I attended for over a year worked our way up to the advanced certificate, thanks to their training we enjoy our time together out of the house so much more than we would have without all the skills we picked up. Around 7 months ago we stepped away due to my work commitments and after leaving they’re still on the other side of the phone to provide support with a couple of issues we’ve had in that time. We miss our Tuesday nights! Couldn’t recommend these guys enough.
Posted on Google Google
Janice Bertram profile picture
Janice Bertram
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I can’t recommend back to basics training school enough. Gil, Nicky and Sarah are amazing trainers. They make the classes enjoyable, they are patient, kind and understanding, getting the best results from both the handlers and dogs. If your wanting the best results for training your dog this training school to enrol with.
Posted on Google Google
Emma Swansbury profile picture
Emma Swansbury
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I have been attending Back to Basics weekly training sessions since Albert was 12 weeks old. He is now 8, nearly nine years old and still absolutely love coming. Yes, the classes teach owners about obedience, heel work, dog etiquette and lots of other essential skills, the sessions are also fun and engaging for both dogs and owners. The dog club is ran by a team of genuinely friendly, knowledgeable and experienced people who truly care about both the dogs and their owners. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the sessions to anyone looking to build their dog handling skills.
Posted on Google Google
Zak Johnson profile picture
Zak Johnson
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Been taking my puppy here for a few months now and honestly could not recommend the classes enough. We look forward to it every week they are brilliant :)
Posted on Google Google
Caitlin Bryce profile picture
Caitlin Bryce
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Fantastic dog club ran by professionals. So grateful for all I have been able to learn and achieve with my dog. We started classes when he was just 18 weeks, almost four years have passed and we still love attending both agility and training!
Verified by Trustindex
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Read more reviews from our dog training family on Facebook & Instagram
Let's get started

Ready to meet your dog where they're at?

Drop us a message or give us a call, we’ll help you pick the right class or session and get you booked in.

Areas we cover

Dog training across Sunderland, Whitburn & South Shields

Our weekly group classes run at Fulwell Methodist Church in Seaburn, right on the Sunderland coast, an easy drive from Roker, Fulwell, Whitburn and Cleadon. For one-to-one training we come to you, covering Sunderland, Whitburn, South Shields and the wider North East coast.

Sunderland Seaburn Fulwell Roker Whitburn Cleadon South Shields

Not sure if you’re in our area? Give us a call on 07494 457540, we’re always happy to help.

Book a class