Our dogs

The Back To Basics family

A few of the thousands of dogs and owners we've trained since 2012. At class, out in the field, at the seaside, and even on holiday.

One-to-one training with a German shepherd

A bulldog close up during a training class

Dogs working on the field during an outdoor class

A one-to-one training session in the park

A bulldog relaxing at home on its blanket

A German shepherd puppy focused on its handler

A bulldog looking up at its owner on lead

Reward-based one-to-one work with a German shepherd

A German shepherd in a down-stay in class

A puppy training class in the hall at Fulwell

Close focus work during a one-to-one session

A French bulldog holding a down-stay in class

A small terrier waiting beside a training cone

A Back To Basics trainer briefing the class

Owners and dogs working on recall in class

A dog working over a practice jump in class

Owners practising heelwork with their dogs

Weave and jump equipment set up for class

A Labrador working through the cone course

A trainer talking the class through an exercise

A class working a cone course in the hall

A training class working on lead walking

A Back To Basics trainer leading a class

On camera

See the training in action

Short clips from real sessions: lead work, heelwork and recall, filmed out on the walk and in the hall.

Success stories

Dogs who've gone on to do amazing things

From family pets to working dogs, here are a few of the journeys we're proud to have been part of.

Therapy dogs

We've trained dogs who have gone on to become successful therapy dogs in hospital, school and care home settings.

Police dogs

Decades of police-dog experience: our founder Gilbert trained police dogs to the highest standards in obedience, bite work, scent work and tracking.

Robbie, the reading dog

Nicole trained the family dog, Robbie, to become a reading dog in a local primary school, which proved massively successful.

Platinum-trained pets

Dogs who started in puppy class and worked all the way up, like Elaine's Labrador, now a platinum-trained dog.

What owners say

Kind words from our dog training family

"I have been taking my Labradoodle, Poppy, to Back to Basics since she was 14 weeks old (she's just gone a year). Gil, Nicky & Sarah all have extensive knowledge & are able to deal with all types of 'doggy attitude'. Everything is done with the dog's welfare at the forefront. Training sessions are always fun & each one is different to the last — the training is as much for the handlers as the dogs 😊."

CarolMilfield

"We have been taking our Cavapoochon to Back to Basics for a little while now and it has been one of the best decisions we have made for her. Gil, Nicky and Sarah are fantastic at teaching us to keep our dogs safe, under control and obedient all while having great fun. We have just completed a week of 121s with Sarah and wow what improvements we have seen. Can't recommend enough."

Sarah CrossSeaburn

"I have attended classes for a number of years with my Labrador. He started from puppy classes and is now a platinum trained dog. I can not recommend Gil, Nicky and Sarah enough for their knowledge, professionalism, patience and kindness they show. My dog is a wonderful well behaved pet and I put that down to the above mentioned people."

ElaineSouth Shields

More reviews on our Facebook page →

Your dog could be next

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