EVERY DOG IS WELCOME

Welcome to The Dog Squad! I'm Syrah, dog trainer and behaviour geek specialising in Scent Detection for which I am a certified Trial Judge.  My mission is to enrich the lives of pet dogs and their people by providing appropriate outlet for the dog's natural drives, thereby reducing behavioural issues in the home.  

My DT education includes in-person, online and shadow programmes with multiple trainers and agencies including UKSD, the NNA, Serious Dog Business, Impackt Behaviour and the JRH Academy for dog trainers. I am a long term member of leading detection specialists, Ford K9 and offer my own Mentorship programme in scentwork.  I firmly believe that learning should be broad and lifelong. Come geek with me!

Welcome to The Puppy Club where we turn out confident puppies and responsible dog handlers.  With a primary focus on engagement, play and confidence building this is no traditional puppy course.  Our six week Positive Puppy course spans foundation behaviours and engagement training to rest and physical care;  socialisation and stimulation to bonding through human play and touch. Graduates are invited to continue into Puppy Progression and Puppy Advanced where you can take your puppy's training to the next level.  All Puppy Club members are added to a whatsapp group for added support through direct access to the trainer and, of course, puppy welcome packs included!

Welcome to Dog School because life and training doesn't always go to plan!  Leash pulling, loss of recall, lack of impulse control can all make life more stressful than it should be.  One to one coaching will help you gain a clearer understanding of what needs to change and how you can implement those changes to improve your dog's behaviour and your relationship too.  
Immensely popular for our reactive clients, Neutrality classes and group walks provide a safe and structured space to support your dog's journey from reactive to neutral. This is a judgement free zone where you can practice your systems and protocols, reducing distance in a safe space and building yours and your dog's confidence along the way.

Welcome to the Scent Squad for dogs who love to sniff!  Humans are using the dog's sense of smell to do amazing real life jobs and your pet dog has a superpower you have yet to unleash! Scentwork is mentally challenging, physically tiring and any dog of any breed or age can do it! It's also innately calming making it wonderful for reactive dogs who can join in our structured group classes safely.  Beginning with my own ten week foundation programme, I will set you up for success in scentwork whether you want to practice for fun or competition.  I offer Bronze to Gold Squad levels, leading into the National Nosework Trial programme for those that get hooked and fun with the Nosework Games along the way! 

Welcome to Retrieve Team for dogs who love to work! If your pet dog is a working breed then this course is for you!  Hunting, retrieving, pulling, herding and chasing are natural instincts that can pose challenges in pet homes. Retrieve Team combines the gundog pathway with obedience challenges, putting the brainwork back into fetch and keeping obedience fun and fresh.  Also ideal for adolescents who are pushing boundaries,  you'll tackle heelwork, impulse control, recall, stops, send aways, some fancy footwork and, of course, structured retrieves!

My bespoke scentwork programme covers scentwork for pet dogs and sporting dogs.  Everyone begins in the same place as the foundations are exceptionally important. As they progress, teams will acquire Scent Squad Levels from Bronze to Gold. Along the way teams will learn Nosework Games, enabling them to earn ribbons and compete in local NWG competitions.  And for those that wish, they'll have opportunity to trial with the National Nosework Association where you can earn progression badges as well as compete in a national league. You also get to search some super cool venues!  Or, you can just do it for fun because FUN is at the heart of it all!