Our Ethos, Values and Approach
We take a holistic, pragmatic and positive approach to training and behaviour; whatever we teach our dogs has got to set them up for success in the real world. Our aim is to help you to create a well-mannered, well-adjusted family pet and to build the bond between you so that you can really enjoy life with your dog. Our specialism in working with pet dogs and puppies means that you can be reassured that we're experienced in helping people just like you!
We are passionate about developing and educating the next generation of dog lovers and provide inclusive, family-friendly dog training. We know that many parents have wonderful dreams of their dog and children growing up together and that the reality is not always quite so simple… we can help you - working with both your dog and your children to engage, educate and inspire.
We believe that it’s simply not good enough to call yourself a dog trainer because you love dogs or have had dogs all your life (we’ve had teeth all of our lives but it doesn’t qualify us to be dentists!). A lack of professionalism, out-of-date methods, poor customer service or someone that loves dogs but is terrible with people is just not good enough! We pride ourselves on being educated, friendly, knowledgeable, up to date, highly skilled, customer focused, professional and approachable.
We won't give you the hard-sell: we let our expertise, client testimonials and vet recommendations speak for themselves. We blush at our glowing reviews but are never complacent and constantly strive to improve. Of course, we love dogs (that goes without saying) but you should expect more just than that from a dog trainer or behaviourist; both you and your dog deserve it.
We are passionate about developing and educating the next generation of dog lovers and provide inclusive, family-friendly dog training. We know that many parents have wonderful dreams of their dog and children growing up together and that the reality is not always quite so simple… we can help you - working with both your dog and your children to engage, educate and inspire.
We believe that it’s simply not good enough to call yourself a dog trainer because you love dogs or have had dogs all your life (we’ve had teeth all of our lives but it doesn’t qualify us to be dentists!). A lack of professionalism, out-of-date methods, poor customer service or someone that loves dogs but is terrible with people is just not good enough! We pride ourselves on being educated, friendly, knowledgeable, up to date, highly skilled, customer focused, professional and approachable.
We won't give you the hard-sell: we let our expertise, client testimonials and vet recommendations speak for themselves. We blush at our glowing reviews but are never complacent and constantly strive to improve. Of course, we love dogs (that goes without saying) but you should expect more just than that from a dog trainer or behaviourist; both you and your dog deserve it.
Dilnaz and Tala
Our Training Methods
We use only kind, force-free methods, often called ‘reward-based’ or ‘positive’ dog training. Positive reinforcement dog training is a modern, science-based approach which uses the principles of behavioural science to teach and communicate with dogs, in order to build lasting bonds based on mutual understanding, trust and respect. This doesn't mean that we let your dogs do whatever they want - 'positive' does not mean 'permissive'. We simply teach your dog what you would like them to do in a kind and effective way. There is no need to intimidate or hurt a dog to train them; learning should be fun, not fear-inducing. There is a great article about this method of training here.
Positive reinforcement training is not only kind, it is proven to be the most effective way of training dogs. This method is used to train assistance dogs (eg. Guide Dogs/ Hearing Dogs), medical detection dogs, sniffer dogs, search and rescue dogs..... the results speak for themselves! And if you're wondering if these methods only work on 'easy' dogs or puppies, don't worry.... these methods work with all dogs; they are founded in science and apply to all animals (yes, everything from lions to chickens can be trained in this way!).
Unfortunately, old-fashioned, 'discipline-based' methods are proven to make dogs significantly more likely to be stressed (see research), unpredictable (see research) and aggressive (see research). There is a very thorough academic review paper on the effect of these methods from the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour which you can read here.
Why take the risk? Modern, well-educated trainers and behaviourists who truly understand dogs use positive reinforcement training. Find out about the many advantages of this type of training here.
Positive reinforcement training is not only kind, it is proven to be the most effective way of training dogs. This method is used to train assistance dogs (eg. Guide Dogs/ Hearing Dogs), medical detection dogs, sniffer dogs, search and rescue dogs..... the results speak for themselves! And if you're wondering if these methods only work on 'easy' dogs or puppies, don't worry.... these methods work with all dogs; they are founded in science and apply to all animals (yes, everything from lions to chickens can be trained in this way!).
Unfortunately, old-fashioned, 'discipline-based' methods are proven to make dogs significantly more likely to be stressed (see research), unpredictable (see research) and aggressive (see research). There is a very thorough academic review paper on the effect of these methods from the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour which you can read here.
Why take the risk? Modern, well-educated trainers and behaviourists who truly understand dogs use positive reinforcement training. Find out about the many advantages of this type of training here.
More Information
If you're interested in learning more about dog training principles, there are some great articles available below:
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
As the saying goes, ‘the proof is in the pudding’…. So why not check out our customer reviews?
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You are brilliant!!
I already feel so much more confident with Ernest, after our New Puppy Visit today.
Thanks so much!
I already feel so much more confident with Ernest, after our New Puppy Visit today.
Thanks so much!
Caroline and Jennifer (with Albert)
Luisa / Ernest
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Gretta is a fab trainer; her classes are fun and the dogs (and owners!) learn lots.
She explains everything very clearly and has lots of ideas to keep the dogs happy and interested. Tino loves it!
She explains everything very clearly and has lots of ideas to keep the dogs happy and interested. Tino loves it!
Joan
Clare / Tino
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Our puppy, Berkeley, grew so much in confidence as a result of the puppy class sessions and is now very good around other dogs. The classes were fantastic and we will miss them so much! Thank you.
Natasha
Victoria / Berkeley
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OMG! I can’t believe how good Marc was when I walked him on the lead yesterday. After all your work on lead-walking, he was like a different dog! I actually enjoyed my road walk yesterday and felt very proud of him. I can’t thank you enough… Amazing!
Ceri
Eileen / Marc
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The classes were really friendly and welcoming,
with outstanding training. Roxy learned really quickly
and is now much more confident with other dogs.
with outstanding training. Roxy learned really quickly
and is now much more confident with other dogs.
Lizzie
Chelsea / Roxy
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We have enjoyed the fun, kind, gentle learning with A Different Dog. The sessions were both informative and enjoyable because of the great teaching and understanding of dogs shown by Gretta and Claire. There is good, personal support to help with any issues that come up.
Lynn
Anne / Otto
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A Different Dog was recommended to us by another dog owner.
The foundation skills we have learned can be developed into more advanced skills
and it has been an interesting and rewarding experience for us all.
The foundation skills we have learned can be developed into more advanced skills
and it has been an interesting and rewarding experience for us all.
Andrea
Lisa and David / Whisky
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The classes are very interactive and so much fun.
Gretta is a genuinely lovely person, being both approachable and highly knowledgeable.
I can’t recommend A Different Dog enough!
Gretta is a genuinely lovely person, being both approachable and highly knowledgeable.
I can’t recommend A Different Dog enough!
Penny / Bracken
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Theo and I both got a huge amount out of our One to One session. It was wonderful to see him progress so quickly with skills I had just not been able to equip him with. Your advice was fantastic and I can't believe how much we covered in such a short period of time.
Alison / Theo
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You have a great way with dogs and this could clearly be seen with how you handled
Barley, who quite honestly was putty in your hands! He is coming on leaps and bounds....
Thank you so much - our pup is growing into a lovely dog!
Barley, who quite honestly was putty in your hands! He is coming on leaps and bounds....
Thank you so much - our pup is growing into a lovely dog!
Kerry / Barley
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I really do get compliments from a wide range of people about our puppies' behaviour and personalities and I'm so sure it's down to your approach to training.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Stephen / Molly and Freddy
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What a fantastic training session we had for puppy of 8 months! We had already done A Different Dog puppy class when Monty was 14 weeks old but, at about 6 months of age, he developed a lot of resource guarding behaviour which was resulting in him growling at us... and sometimes a bite!! We called Gretta who came over - it was invaluable. Her tips were brilliant and showed us that he could still be a huge part of the family without laying down ridiculous rules and it was about getting to know what our puppy was saying - we would definitely use Gretta again! 10/10!
Emma / Monty
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Thank you so much for your help and guidance with Ralphie. I can’t believe the change in him.
I never would have though that by the third session he would have been interacting with three other dogs (especially with two being a lot larger than him) without growling!
I never would have though that by the third session he would have been interacting with three other dogs (especially with two being a lot larger than him) without growling!
Rachael / Ralphie
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I can’t recommend Gretta and her team highly enough. We booked a 1:1 session with Gretta and she was absolutely brilliant: she’s genuinely in a different league to most of the trainers/dog experts we’d looked at online in terms of her knowledge and experience. We have also taken both of our puppies to training classes led by Claire and Dilnaz and the pups have loved attending. Their tails wag the moment they enter the room and realise it is training time. Everything is explained so clearly, the methodology is kind and reward-based and the instructors are lovely and encouraging. Thanks a million, A Different Dog!
Helen / George and Winston
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Thank you Gretta and the team for 5 weeks of valuable training for our new puppy.
We found the sessions informative, helpful and fun. You celebrate each dog for what they do well, whilst giving tips about what could be done even better.
We found the sessions informative, helpful and fun. You celebrate each dog for what they do well, whilst giving tips about what could be done even better.
Clare / Cody
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ACCREDITATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
