Our behaviour services

Cost: Free

When you call our Behaviour Support Line our team will talk to you through your options, give advice and help you find the right support:

• It’s free to use
• Speak to a trained expert: our dog behaviour specialists keep up to date with the latest science and offer personalised advice over the phone
• Get immediate advice over the phone, along with a follow-up email to make sure you have all the information to hand
• We can recommend the best course of action and help you book other services if needed. 

Fill in the enquiry form to request a callback or give our Behaviour Support Line a call on 0303 003 6666.

We’re open:

• Monday to Friday 8.30am to 7.30pm.  
• Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 9.30am to 5pm.

Cost: £90

Tailored support from a behaviour coach for you and your dog 

 This 60-minute practical session can help you with training techniques and management advice. 

You will meet with a behaviour coach, either online or in person,  who will work with you on simple tips and give you tools to move forward with your dog's training.

• 1-to-1 support
• Tailored advice made just for you and your dog
• Online or face-to-face
• Tools to be able to progress with your training at home.

Find face-to-face behaviour coach locations near you.

What you can expect from this session:

• Introductions
• A discussion covering your dog’s behaviour and potential causes
• Explore rewards that work with your dog
• Safety and management advice
• Training demonstrations and practice
• Support with tips and techniques suited to you
• Discuss next steps.

Interested in booking a 1-to-1 behaviour training session? 

Answer a few simple questions about you and your dog, and we’ll check to see if these sessions are right for you, and get you booked onto an in-person or virtual session.

Start your booking

Cost: £135

Helping reactive dogs handle tricky situations  

Does your dog bark or lunge when out on walks? Does this behaviour make them hard to manage? 

This support package starts with a 1-to-1 session with an expert coach to better understand your dog’s needs, before joining an in person or virtual small group course. 

What’s Included:

• Initial 1-to-1 session with a behaviour coach to explore your dog’s behaviour and goals
• A five week small group course (first session is for owners only)
• Expert guidance: all sessions are led by experienced behaviour coaches who specialise in reactive behaviours
• Confidence building: learn practical techniques to help you and your dog feel safer and more in control in challenging situations
• Education: you will gain skills and tools to better manage your dog's reactivity.

Call the Behaviour Support Line or fill in the enquiry form to find out more. Our team will help you choose the right session.

Cost: £290

Specialist behaviour support for dogs who need extra help

Some behaviours need more in-depth support to understand and overcome. Our Specialist Behaviour Package is designed to help you and your dog when things feel particularly challenging. 

With this service, you’ll benefit from:

• Expert guidance from a qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist, who will explore and identify the reasons behind your dog’s behaviour
• A tailor-made behaviour and training plan, designed specifically for your dog and your circumstances
• Personalised coaching from one of our expert behaviour coach team, helping you put the plan into practice with clear, achievable steps.

What’s included

• A two-hour online consultation with a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, followed by a written behaviour and training plan, with practical next steps
• A one-hour follow-up session with a Behaviour Coach (online or in person)

Important: veterinary referral required

Clinical Animal Behaviourists work under veterinary referral, as required by their professional code of conduct. This protects your dog’s welfare by ruling out any underlying health issues, keeping your vet informed, and ensuring we work together to give your dog the best support.

Call the Behaviour Support Line or fill in the enquiry form to find out more. Our team will help you choose the right session.

Our behaviour services can help with all kinds of issues, including:

Training

- Toilet training 
- Recall training 
- Crate training 
- Attention seeking

Help with behavioural issues 

- Excessive barking 
- Fear of other dogs 
- Fear of people 
- Over-excited around other dogs 
- Over-excited around people 
- Separation anxiety 
- Sound sensitivity
- Biting and mouthing 

Giving up your dog

Dogs at high risk of being given up are our first priority, especially if the reason for making this decision is related to training or behaviour problems.

We'll do everything we can to support you with your dog’s training or behaviour issues that might lead to you having to give them up. 

The first step is to Fill in the enquiry form to request a callback or give our Behaviour Support Line a call on 0303 003 6666. There is no obligation to book, and you can start with a free call.  

When you give us a call, one of our friendly dog experts will assess what support your dog might need. Based on our conversation, we may be able to help over the phone and send you resources by email. If you need more in-depth support, we’ll discuss what to do next and we can book you in with one of our expert services. 

In certain circumstances, we can provide financial assistance and discounted services.  
Discounts include: 
- 50% discount for low-income households 
- 85% discount for dog owners in receipt of means-tested benefits

Apply now

Yes. Most of our services have an online option if you’d prefer to talk virtually, or if you can’t get to a face-to-face session. We also have a range of expert advice available on our website to help with common behaviour problems. 

Before we can begin the specialist behaviour package, we need a signed referral from your dog’s primary care vet. This is an important step that helps us to provide your dog with the safest and most effective support.

Professional standards

As accredited Clinical Animal Behaviourists, we are required to work under veterinary referral.  

This forms part of our professional code of conduct, and ensures that your dog’s physical and behavioural health are considered together. Find out more about behavioural referrals.

Health and behaviour are linked

Just like in humans, medical conditions can affect behaviour in dogs. Working with your vet means we can be confident that your dog’s health has been checked and, if necessary, treatment can be planned alongside behaviour support.

Keeping your vet in the loop

A referral also means your vet is aware of the support your dog is receiving and can stay updated on their progress. In some cases, we may also need to discuss behaviour treatment options directly with your vet.

Do I need another vet appointment?

This depends on your vet practice. If your dog has had a recent health check, your vet may be happy to complete the referral without another appointment. However, the final decision rests with your individual vet practice. 

Find out more about puppy training to make sure you get your young pup set up for success.

If you’re seeking puppy trainers, we recommend you visit The Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Yes. If your dog is adopted from Dogs Trust, we’re here to support you for the rest of your dog’s life. If you need advice, contact our post adoption support team.

If you are struggling and think you may need to give up your dog, please give us a call. We’ll listen without judgment and help you find the best way forward. More information about giving up your dog. 

We understand that plans can change, and we want to make things as clear and straightforward as possible.

Cancelling within 14 days

You have the right to cancel your booking within 14 days of payment and receive a full refund.

- Example: if you pay on 1 July, you can cancel up to and including 15 July.

- To cancel, simply email us at behaviourbookings@dogstrust.org.uk with your full name, address, and your dog’s name.

Please note: If you attend or miss an appointment and/or class within 14 days of payment, no refund can be given.

Cancelling after 14 days

Once the 14-day cooling-off period has passed, no refunds will be issued. However, we’ll consider refunds in certain circumstances, such as:

- Your dog sadly passes away

- You no longer own your dog

- Our Behaviour Services team feels your dog is not suitable or able to continue with sessions. In this case, we will provide a pro-rata refund based on what you paid, and the services already delivered.

Kind reminder: Refunds are not available for sessions or classes that you've already attended or missed.