Distinguished Dog Training

After scanning through multiple recommendations on Facebook, we called on Steve's services to help us navigate the training for our staffy Sully. He is mine and my husband's first dog and at 4 months old, entered into a very mischievous, enquisitive and excitable stage which we needed some extra help and support is handling. Steve first gave us some amazing tips on how to provide enrichment, cure boredom and give clear boundaries. These tips encouraged us to meet Steve, introduce him to Sully and get his training on track, inside and outside of the home. Steve from the beginning has been professional, understanding and approachable. His outstanding communication, efforts and skill have made his training programme incredibly easy and fun to follow. His down to earth approach and patience showed Sully he can trust him, which made our sessions very relaxed and structured. Now sully is a bright, intelligent young boy who is the biggest character in our home. Our journey with Steve has been one of the best aspects of bringing up Sully. We would couldn't recommend him more!

Would absolutely recommend Steve! We got our first dog Stella. A very excitable and energetic Labrador puppy and we knew straight away that we'll need help in training her. I got in touch with Steve and it was the best decision. The training sessions were brilliant and really help to understand our puppy's behaviours and how to best manage them. We had 4 sessions with Steve and not only did Stella progress through them but both my wife and I as well we knew very little in how to train a puppy. So if you're new to having a dog or you just don't know how to manage some of your dogs behavioural issues Steve is the trainer you need!

Steve has provided invaluable guidance and help for my very energetic 16 month cockapoo Ralph. We first reached out for guidance and support on some issues such as recall, reactivity towards other dogs and impulsive behaviour (especially when people entered our home). We completed a number of in person sessions in the home where Steve helped educate us on better understanding Ralph’s behaviour along side the training we needed to complete. We then completed a separation anxiety course which has been life changing for us. Ralph would howl, bark and chew items in the house, jump on my kitchen benches/dining table very distressed when left alone. Within 2 months of working along side Steve with weekly virtual sessions Ralph can now stay alone for 20 minutes (for now) relaxed lying down in his bed. As well as training sessions Steve is always on hand via WhatsApp for any concerns we had. Along with this has also provided me with the tools to carry on this training and the rest of the training I have learnt to help Ralph with his development journey. Every penny we have invested has been worth while, thank you again Steve!

He assisted with turning our CollieXGolden from a super growler to a super sitter! I 100% recommend Steve. His approach is patient and understanding with firm and confident direction for our dog and, more importantly, us owners! His flexible and creative approach brought about real and (so far) lasting change to our homes dynamics. If you have found the Distinguished Dog Training service hoping for help with any concerns form resource guarding to lead pulling and more, then you are in for a very positive expeirence. From all of us here, thank you Steve.

We contacted Steve Crisp at Distinguished Dog Training after some difficult incidents with our German Shepherd cross, Meg. She’s a loving dog at home, but anxious and defensive outside, and I was beginning to feel out of my depth and knew for her safety and others I needed to get some professional help. From the very first call, Steve was so understanding and genuinely cared about helping us. He listened to Meg’s history and quickly put together a positive training programme. I was so relieved it was not about aversion or “tough” methods, but about building trust and confidence. Steve taught us how to read Meg’s body language, understand her triggers, and use fun, positive techniques to keep her engaged and focused on us during walks. He helped us see things from her perspective, reconnect on walks, and rebuild her confidence after some tough pre-rescue experiences. The difference has been incredible. Walks are now calmer and more enjoyable, and we can see Meg’s true affectionate and gentle nature shining through both at home and outside. Steve’s patience, knowledge, and practical advice have been a gift, for both me and Meg. I can’t recommend him highly enough!

Great experience thank you! We had a break from owning a dog and wasn't sure where to start again or if we could develop a well rounded dog. Steve is a non judgemental trainer who helps create a bond that will help you and your dog progress together, we have throughly enjoyed the training. Bear has improve greatly and we now have the tools to help moving forward. With the option of life long help is such a reassurance. Much appreciated, thank you!

I really needed some help with my dog Rags. On walk has always been reactive to dogs and sometimes people. Steve supported me to understand Rags and then I was able to support her in her fears of situations. She has come along way and we will continue to use the skills to support her moving forward. I would recommend Steve to anyone struggling with there dog or puppy. I was very happy with all the training for me and Rags :-)

We had the privilege of meeting Steve and getting his help and advice for our two cockapoos, we were having issues with our youngest being reactive to bigger and unknown dogs, then our older cockapoo would become over protective and reactive. Our oldest is an anxious dog and takes a while to warm up to people, especially men, Steve never pushed him and would work at his pace which put him and us at ease. Steve spend hours with us, teaching us skills that will help our dogs but also help us, and also writing everything down before he left. He gave us advice and answered any questions I had. He had time to listen and not rush when I was speaking (even my off topic rambling 🤣) he would always answer my messages back if I had any questions. The help and support he's given us has started a good journey for our dogs and we have seen progress already.

We first got in touch with Steve in April this year due to some concerns over our dog’s reactive behaviour. We had re-homed her from one year old from family members and whilst she had a loving start, it was clear that she hadn’t received any proper training and hadn’t been correctly socialised. From the initial call all the way up until the final session, Steve has been nothing but calm, knowledgable and incredibly understanding towards us and our dog, Morag (who took a very quick liking to him which was a major relief to us). We had already put a lot of training basics into practice and were working on her reactivity and Steve just gave us the extra tools to help us perfect it. Every session we felt listened to but always came away with something new to try - including games/activities to use with Morag to proactively engage with her. By the end of the four sessions we were able to conduct a full hour and a half session with Morag, myself, my partner, Steve and his dog Monty with no issue - including a walk with them side by side which was a miracle to watch! We cannot thank Steve enough for all of the amazing advice and work he put into our sessions - including visiting us in our own home where Morag is comfortable which is top tier service. If you need to talk to someone about an issue with your dog, or just to have someone help you build on training already being given, I would recommend Steve in a heartbeat. 100/10 for service and just all around amazing guy!

I really can’t recommend Steve enough. Steve is extremely knowledgeable and explains everything so well . It’s been very rewarding working with our Bichon puppy and seeing her thrive . Aside from our 1-2-1 sessions Steve has always supported us in between sessions if we’ve needed advice. learning the physiology involved, has made the whole experience more understanding. We now have the right tools to help our puppy develop as she gets older by being consistent in training and keeping it enjoyable for everyone . Thank you Steve !!!!