My business is transforming your dog’s behaviour with impactful solutions.

Come to my Dog Training and Boarding Facility, in the beautiful Shropshire hill, for better dog behaviour.

Whether you choose to Board-and-Train your dog, or Stay-and-Train with your dog, I’ll provide training progress via positive, scientifically-sound techniques.

Dog Training | Animal Training | Shropshire

Board-and-Train or Stay-and-Train – pick the package that works best for you.

Board-and-Train: I Train Your Dog For You

If you’re struggling with your dog’s less-than-perfect behaviour and a busy schedule, this programme is for you. After I assess your dog’s behaviour, I’ll design a personalised plan for accelerated training progress. Whether you want better manners, loose lead walking, or rock-solid recalls, I’m happy to train your dog for you.

When you Board-and-Train your dog, you’ll get:

A thorough assessment of your dog’s behaviour
Tailored, positive training plan based on your dog’s behaviour and your needs
Two customised daily training sessions (one hour each) designed for maximum improvement
Off-lead playtime in my dog-safe field, because happy dogs learn faster
Relaxing nature walks
A private, cosy kennel to rest before her next training lesson or playtime
Two-hour transfer lesson so you maintain your dog’s new skills at home
Detailed training notes to make sure you continue to enjoy your training results

Here’s your dog’s 6-day Board-and-Train itinerary (Saturday to Friday):

Saturday afternoon:

You’ll arrive at Heath House for your dog’s scheduled behaviour assessment. Please allow two hours for my evaluation, so I can tailor your dog’s training plan to her needs and your goals.

After we discuss your dog’s customised training programme, she’ll stay in my care. When she’s not training, she’ll enjoy walks, playtime, belly rubs, and lots of love.

Sunday through Friday:

One-hour training session (based on assessment and progress)
Relaxation, walk and playtime
One-hour training session (based on assessment and progress)
Relaxation, walk and playtime
Sleep in her private, cosy kennel

Friday afternoon:

I’ll demonstrate your dog’s improved skills during our planned appointment. Please allow two hours for your transfer session so I can show you how to maintain your dog’s good behaviour at home and answer any questions you may have.

6 nights’ accommodation for your dog, assessment and training plan,11 personalised training lessons, transfer session and notes to take home with you so you can continue your dog’s training.

Total cost – £840.00

Terms and Conditions

Stay-and-Train: I Train You to Train Your Dog

If you want to teach good manners (from the start) or improve troublesome behaviour like jumping, barking, pulling on lead, and more while enjoying the beautiful Shropshire Hills—this programme is for you. After I assess your dog’s behaviour, I’ll customise a results-based training plan, for you and your dog. When we are not training your dog, you’re free to explore nearby trails and dog-friendly attractions in the Shropshire Hills, The Long Mynd, Wenlock Edge, Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Much Wenlock, Church Stretton, and Bridgnorth. Improve your dog’s behaviour and enjoy a holiday, together.

When you Stay-and-Train with your dog, you’ll get:

A thorough assessment of your dog’s behaviour
Tailored, positive training plan based on your dog’s behaviour and your needs
One-hour daily training sessions, customised for maximum improvement
Restful, self-catering accommodation in my spacious, light-filled studio flat
A safe, dog-proof play field so your dog can play in-between lessons
Access to my lovely gardens, orchard, and more
Detailed training package to make sure you continue to enjoy your training results

2 or 6-night packages available.

Here’s your 3 day Stay-and-Train itinerary (Friday – Sunday):

Friday afternoon:

3.00pm – Arrive at Heath House for three days of training, relaxing, and exploring. Once you’ve settled in with your dog, I’ll assess her behaviour to tailor a training plan that meets your dog’s needs and your goals.

After we discuss your dog’s customised training plan, you’re free to explore the nearby attractions and walks with your dog.

Saturday:

10.30am – One-hour training session
11.30am – 2.00pm – Relaxation and playtime
2.00pm – One-hour training session (based on your dog’s assessment and your goals)
3.00pm – After your training session, explore the tranquil Shropshire Hills or find fun, dog-friendly destinations in nearby historic towns of Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Much Wenlock, Church Stretton, and Bridgnorth

Sunday:

10.30am – One-hour training session (based on your dog’s progress and your goals)
11.30am – 2.00pm – Relaxation and playtime
2.00pm – One-hour training session (based on your dog’s progress and your goals)
3.30pm – Depart or extend the holiday with your dog.

2 nights self-catering accommodation and 4 customised training lessons: £380.00

Here’s your 7 day Stay-and-Train itinerary (Saturday – Friday):

Saturday evening:

5.00 – 8.00pm – Arrive at Heath House for six days of training, relaxing, and exploring. Take the night to settle in and rest in my studio flat, with your dog.

Sunday:

10.00am – I’ll assess your dog’s behaviour to assure I tailor a training plan that meets your dog’s needs and your goals.

2.00pm – one hour-training session (based on your dog’s assessment and your goals)

After we discuss your dog’s customised training plan, you’re free to enjoy Heath House gardens, our dog proof play area, or explore the countryside at your doorstep.

Monday – Thursday:

10.00am – One-hour training session (based your dog’s progress and your goals)
11.00am – 2.00pm – Relaxation and playtime
2.00pm – One-hour training session (based on your dog’s progress and your goals)
3.00pm – Enjoy the evening with your dog – explore the many footpaths around you, walk along the river, or just relax

Friday:

10.00 – 11.30am – Final training session
3.00pm – Depart or extend the holiday with your dog

6 nights self-catering accommodation, 10 customised training lessons: assessment and training plan and notes to take home with you so you can continue your dog’s training. £1,120.00

Terms and Conditions

Let me be your personal dog behaviourist. I’ll provide relief in every session.

CONTACT

My lovely clients agree.

Having one dog that ran off and chased deer and one that had become aggressive towards other dogs turned walks into something that I dreaded. Valerie has been a life saver, understanding, encouraging and very practical, not just giving the theory, but coming out on walks to help me put her amazingly effective advice into practice. I would wholeheartedly recommend Valerie to anyone wanting help with their dog’s behaviour.

Sue Buys

Just completed the Grumps & Growlers course with my Border Terrier. So beneficial for me as much as my dog. Great being able to learn and practice skills in a controlled environment with people who understand the issues. Valerie is very positive and calm and gave helpful course notes each week. Would definitely recommend.

Rachel and Ghillie

Valerie is flexible with appointments, and is very easy to deal with. The advice she offered was in-depth, comprehensive, and really well tailored to our needs, whilst also being simple, understandable and effective.

A Happy Customer

The support we received from Valerie while training Bailey was invaluable. Bailey was a rescue dog with a difficult start in life – he had a few bad experiences in his previous home and when we got him he was terrified of pretty much everything! We were at our wit’s end as Bailey couldn’t even step outside the house without becoming extremely stressed and frightened.

Another Happy Customer

Valerie’s support and guidance has been invaluable, giving me the coping mechanisms I need for my two beautiful, but very different, sausage dogs. The behaviour consultation gave a good starting block and provided a greater understanding of ‘why?’ and pointers on how to handle difficult situations. The mini group sessions (both Grumps and Growlers and Hooligan Hounds) are great as you meet some lovely people/dogs and get to try out the techniques first hand. I feel confident about managing potentially difficult situations and walks are now a much more pleasant experience – and the dogs just love her. Thank you.

Louise, Rosie and Margot

Valerie is wonderful. We find her approach perfect for our four very individual rescue dogs. She has come into our home and without judgment or criticism she has delivered professional and clear guidance enabling us to stop tearing our hair out and become confident dog owners. We look forward to our sessions and truly enjoy Valerie’s professional teaching style and likeable nature. Our dogs love her too!

Betsy, Roxie, Jerry, Franky, Lexie and Joe Sparks

Valerie worked with us and Bailey and helped us understand why he behaved as he did, and also helped us to see things from his point of view. She was so kind and patient with Bailey and taught us ways to help Bailey cope with the outside world. Valerie’s knowledge, empathy and practical solutions have turned our walks from daily nightmares to enjoyable outings which are fun for Bailey and a million times less stressful for us!

Bailey and the Connor Family

A few months ago we got a rescue kitten to keep our other cat company! The introductions did not go well and the fur literally flew! Valerie helped us to understand how cats interact, and how to go about reintroducing the two cats to one another. She gave us strategies to help the older cat accept the kitten into her territory. Valerie’s knowledge, humour and empathy turned what was a nightmare situation into a happy two cat-household.

Claude, Clive and the Sinclair Family

My puppy Mabel and I have just completed a Puppy Life Skills course with Valerie which has been excellent. My puppy has learned so much on the course and so have I! Valerie is patient, encouraging and supportive – she is very happy to discuss any concerns you have with your dog or answer questions about training – it’s obvious she is very knowledgeable and an experienced dog behaviourist/trainer. Highly recommended! Thank you Valerie.

Sarah and Mabel

Thank you for all your help, you have done an amazing job, and if it wasn’t for you Nelson would’ve been rehomed.

Chelsea Young

We absolutely recommend Valerie if you and your pet are need of some coaching and support. I lacked confidence as a first time pet owner – good to read books but putting puppy skills into practice is a different matter altogether. Valerie patiently (and with great humour) helped us to understand our Vizsla better giving us great tips and techniques to bring about better behaviours (in all of us!) A big thumbs up for and thank-you to Valerie; we think you’re fab:-)

Debbie & Timm

My whippet puppy Scout and I have just completed the puppy life skills training.

Valerie is calm, helpful and very knowledgeable. We both thoroughly enjoyed our training and completed the course with us both having learned a lot.

Would highly recommend.

Lisa and Scout

Our dogs had developed some intractable bad habits, and Valerie gave us a completely different approach to tackle them. The dogs adored her and eagerly awaited every session. They have responded surprisingly quickly and have now turned a corner. We now have the confidence to continue reinforcing the new regime.

Esther Peacock

Working with Valerie gave me so much confidence as a first-time dog owner. She listened to everything I had to say about what we were looking to gain from the one 2 one sessions and based our training around it as well as adding in training she believed to be useful to us. I fully recommend the Animal Behaviour Business and I can’t thank Valerie enough for the well-behaved puppy we are left with.

Lizzi Hewer-Connelly

She manages to tread a fine line about being realistic regarding goals, and what can be achieved, with positivity that makes improvement seem possible. We have really valued her input, and have seen improvements already, both in our knowledge of how to deal with our dog’s behaviour, and the behaviour shown by our dog. We thoroughly recommend the Animal Behaviour Business!

Sarah, Rob and Choccy Simmons