Welcome to DogBasics!

We are mainly a dog training school serving Hertfordshire / Bedfordshire, UK, but we also offer a few other dog services for the caring dog owner. Our aim is to help you give your dog a better, more enjoyable dog life, from puppy stages to their old age days. Read about our services on the Courses page.

Dog Training Lessons

For your younger puppies we offer puppy socialising sessions , held in a secure outdoors environment.

For puppies and older dogs, we offer a Basic or Intermediate Obedience Pay As You Go lessons.

We also offer more specialised PAYG lessons, with different themes. For example; clicker training, search, agility, lead work or walk lessons. You can read more about these specialised lessons on the Courses page.

To start training with us, or to come to the socialising sessions, you need to take an Entry lesson. This is a one off lesson where we go through all the basic exercises you will need. Just to make sure you understand our way of training (all reward based, no tugging the dogs around on the leads, no pushing their bottoms into a sit or their shoulders into a down position).

Our courses are aimed to help you understand your dogs behaviour and language, so that you can make educated decisions about the type of training you do with your dog.

To make sure the classes at DogBasics offer the right type of training for you, please come along and watch a lesson or two before you sign up to your course. Let us know if you would like to come and watch a lesson and we will give you instructions on how to find us.

Other recommended dog trainers

For advanced dog training classes, private training, behaviour consultations or agility, please contact Pam Haynes at TheDogSchool.org.uk. Pam comes highly recommended by DogBasics!

For puppy classes and Basic Obedience courses in the Ware (Hertfordshire) area, or private training in Herts and Beds, please contact Alison Milner at MilnersMutts.co.uk. Alison comes highly recommended by DogBasics!

Socialise your dog!

One of the most popular services we offer, are the socialisation sessions and dog walking groups. The socialisation sessions are held in a secure outdoors environment. You can read about the socials here.

Please also read our article about puppies.

Dog walking groups is another way that we socialise our dogs. It is a great way to get advice and support with your dog, from the other dog owners in the group. Once you've started your training at DogBasics, you can sign up for one of our free dog walking groups.

No need to bully your dog...

We do not agree with the currently so popular dominance theory, that dog trainers and even Vets on TV are trying to drum into your head. They are wrong to say that dogs will always try to take over the leadership of your family... that couldn't be further from the truth!

Picture of the week!

Dora and Mallie Labrador pups having a bath during a puppy class, on a hot day. Dora has claimed the bathtub as hers!

Dogs want 3 main things; food, somewhere comfortable to sleep (which is why they often choose our sofas and beds!) and they want to have fun!!!

Please don't place your puppy on it's back in a so called 'alpha roll', you could do more harm than good. A little puppy who's just arrived in your home shouldn't have to go through such trauma.

Make sure he feels completely safe and loved by you and you will have a much easier job teaching him to behave, than if you violate him by forcing him on his back. There are so many old fashioned ideas out there...

Dog training should be fun, not just in puppy class, but on all levels. We aim to show you how to make recalls, walking to heel and retrieving fun and enjoyable for both you and your dog.

Go to our dog training pages for information on puppy classes, basic dog training, behaviour consultations, our ideology, free advice, dog training book reviews and more.

Shopping for your dog

To get the best fitting harnesses and the best leads for your dog, visit our friends' online pet shop - ActivateYourDog.com