Residential Training

Our lovely one-year-old Vizsla Stanley went to stay with Helen for a week’s residential training as we were struggling with his behaviour both at home and on walks. Looking after him was hard work and was making family life stressful. On walks he had very little impulse control. As soon as another dog (or any other creature) was in sight his recall was poor, and he was full-on and quite dominant with other dogs, meaning he could rarely be off lead. On a lead he pulled a lot so taking him out was stressful. At home he was hard work too, constantly stealing things and unable to settle, he’d follow us around and whine if we even left the room, and was boisterous and jumped up if anyone visited.

Helen worked on Stanley’s behaviour with the help of her own and visiting dogs, teaching him how to be gentle and socialise with dogs of all temperaments. She did lots of recall and manners training with him, and taught him to settle without needing constant attention.

It’s been a week since his stay and we’ve been AMAZED at the dramatic change in Stanley!! At home he is so much more relaxed and able to settle, he is more obedient and is it’s much easier to correct his behaviour on the rare occasions he needs it. If he’s left in a room alone he doesn’t whine or bark anymore, and he doesn’t jump up at people. On walks he’s like a different dog, he always stays close to us and his recall is excellent, even with the distraction of other dogs, horses or pheasants. We are trying hard to keep the boundaries and expectations Helen has put in place and use the commands she has taught us, and so far Stanley has behaved brilliantly.

I would not hesitate to recommend Helen to anyone needing help with their dog, whatever the issue. She clearly has an incredible understanding of dogs and how to get the best out of them. We are so grateful for what she has done for Stanley!

Tora Marcello and Stanley

I have a 7 month old Doberman x Doberman GSD who was nervous and reactive. After a residential stay, where she was thoroughly pampered as well as worked, she is now a calmer and more confident girl. Helen has helped me to understand her unique personality and taught me how to carry on with the training. If you are thinking of seeking Helens help for whatever reason, I couldn't recommend her highly enough.

Katie Hayley

5* and then some!! What can I say other than she has transformed our dog! We will forever be so grateful!

Our beautiful Vizla went to stay with Helen for a period of two weeks as a residential program. She was welcomed into the family with open arms and communication with us was daily. We travelled from afar to seek Helen's professional training because we just could not get the help we needed locally. We are a busy family of five + our lovely Vizla. Family life is complicated & challenging and the dogs behaviour meant a mum of three was even more stressed out! I wasnt able to walk my dog becauser of her behaviour and how other dog walkers treated us. And really was at the end of the road. I was only able to walk her in one place & at certain times to avoid people & dogs & comments!!! Stressful & not fun for me or the dogs! My children, especially my four year old adore the dog & would have been heartbroken to lose her to another family - along comes Helen!! We are now able to go anyplace we like for a walk, she's calmer in the house, she's calmer out & about, follows commands (although I'm still working on my training, I'm trying my best to channel my inner Helen!!) and genreally seems so much happier!

I would highly recommend Masterclass Dog Training. Helen cares so much for the dogs & the support after my dogs stay has been invaluable! Patients, kind & amazing!

Laura Frost

Marty was an out of control hooligan when we took him to Helen.

He was 3 years old and his behaviour had got gradually worse to the extent that we were embarrassed to take him out.

He was aggressive and attacked other dogs seemingly for no reason. On the lead he would scream and bark while pulling and tugging in all directions. We could never let him off the lead because he would run for the hills, causing havoc on his way to the nearest road. He wasn't much better around the home, growling at us and jumping up at visitors.

We were bewildered by his behaviour as we had dogs for many years and none that behaved like Marty.

Luckily for us we found Helen and after talking to her on the phone I felt very relieved and hopeful that she could help Marty. He went to stay with Helen and her pack for 3 weeks where she found out that he was a very insecure little dog. Helen helped him overcome all of his problems. She really is a miracle worker and we now have a calm, confident very well behaved dog who to my amazement can be let off the lead in open spaces. Helen has transformed Marty's life and we are so pleased that he can now be a happy dog.

Tonia Evans

Jock is a 3 year old West Highland Terrier, that we adopted from the Westie Rescue Scheme. He seemed absolutely fine, very well house trained and so on, and no outward physical signs of having had problems in the past, although he had been re-homed twice already. The problem came when we introduced him to other people, and particularly other dogs. He was aggressive, barking and snapping, and generally vile! I contacted Helen and explained the situation, who said there was no such thing as a bad dog, just a dog that had not had the proper training. She also totally understood that because of his background, he quite possibly had other issues that were affecting his behaviour to other dogs and people generally. My daughter was 11 at the time, so I could not have an aggressive dog in the house, but I was not prepared to give up on him.

The first time I took him to Helen’s class, he barked for the entire hour he was there, and could not be trusted to walk past anyone’s dog without snapping at them. Letting him off the lead was out of the question! I was mortified, and thought I couldn’t possibly take him back again as he was so disruptive. Helen refused to let him get the better of her, and with commendable perseverance, she managed to get him through that first traumatic hour! Each time we went, Jock improved, and the classes became something to look forward to, rather than dread.

Now, after attending the classes regularly, and then weekly one on one sessions for the last year, with Helen and other dogs that she trains, Jock is a pleasure to take out, and a totally different dog. He is good with all the other dogs, thanks in no small part to the amazing temperament and patience of Boycie, Helen’s long suffering, gorgeous English Mastiff, he responds to commands, and most importantly, he doesn’t seem to hate everyone and everything any more. The aggression, was based on fear, and with Helen’s calm and patient attitude, he has finally overcome that fear, though we will never know what caused the fear in the first place. I would not hesitate to recommend Helen to anyone who needs help with their dogs, whether it be training a puppy, or taming a mad Westie!

Intensive live in training