Transformational Puppy Training

Calmness

True calmness is vital for the type of rest which grows a healthy body. It’s also an incredibly valuable skill to have in the face of distractions. A puppy who can calm quickly – and stay calm – is a predictable dog you can take anywhere.

Optimism

The world is an exciting place for puppies – but exposing them to too much, too early, can quickly become overwhelming and lead to anxiety or even fear-based responses. A puppy with the right amount of appropriate socialisation is an easy-going, confident adult dog.

Impulse Control

Puppies want to explore everything – and that means with their mouths. Teaching impulse control from an early age creates a patient and frustration-tolerant dog, redirects ‘nipping’, and provides a vital puppy safety net with cues like “DROP!”.

 
 
  
 
 
 5.0 
 
  Top Rated Trainer 
 
verified by Trustindex 
 
Trustindex verifies that the company has a review score above 4.5, based on reviews collected on Google over the past 12 months, qualifying it to receive the Top Rated Certificate.
 
 
 
 
 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Jessica A 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+1
We are first time dog owners and decided to bring some joy into the family by getting a border collie XPoodle puppy. We worked with James for 6 fantastic weeks, building on strategies from the week before. Vinnie (our puppy) is a smart, confident dog and we wanted to make sure we were the owners that he deserved. I believe that James delivered this, and more! The confidence in our ability as owners is priceless and watching vinnie thrive as a result is such a reward. I've recommended James to 2 friends already as his methods and understanding make so much sense. They are actionable, and measurable. Every strategy he has given us has worked and we wouldn't be where we are without him. We are so grateful to James for giving us the confidence, and in return a happy, confident and calm (most of the time 😉) puppy.
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Janet S 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+1
Although I live a small village this puppy arrived with lots of anxiety and confusion. People, dogs, cars and oh no those big tractors sent her wild with fear. James helped her greatly. First by explaining what was going on in her brain and then by providing practical measures to move her into a safe space for her mental being. I think he helped me more by enabling me to focus on positive interactions with her. Highly recommended!
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Olly C 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
James at Sussex Dogs is the best dog trainer you could ever want - and a smart, friendly, thoughtful, nice person too!! Bert, our cockerpoo, is a beautiful loveable handful 🤣 and we have - over 6 lessons - made so much great progress. All the lessons are Bert-centric! It has been so incredibly helpful and we would recommend to anyone with a puppy or dog with behavioural needs. 10/10. 100%. A+
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 W M 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
James was amazing! After an initial call we knew his approach was exactly what we needed. His holistic approach to training gave us the knowledge and confidence to recognise and understand our new pup and his boisterous behaviour. Week by week, we gained new skills and tools, and we're delighted at the progress our boy (as well as us!) has made in these short few weeks. 100% highly recommended by Cass too :)
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Sara G 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
As first time dog owners having a puppy in our home was daunting to say the least. The sessions we had with James gave us a thorough scientific insight into how a dogs brain develops and how to use that knowledge to ‘grow a dog’ (James’ words). Our lurcher, Mooki, adored him and was very responsive to his methods. James has given us (and Mooki) a very solid grounding upon which we can build with confidence. He certainly is a dog whisperer.
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 R C 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+8
I had a fantastic and eye opening 6 weeks with James and my cocker spaniel puppy, Ghillie. I used to have a big aversion to dog training from the experiences in my youth of going to the chaos of group dog classes and this had been a long term barrier to getting myself a puppy. I was determined to get one to one help when and I got Ghillie and couldn’t have asked for better with James. His method of training helped me to overcome my previous dog training aversions and fears and I found that I could help Ghillie grow into a calm and lovely boy with relatively little stress. Ghillie is now a loving and happy 6 month old who everyone comments is so well behaved for a puppy. I have a long way to go with him but know what I need to do thanks to James’ teachings. I have attached pictures of Ghillie being calm in situations such as in the pub and my new house to show how well he is doing and that cockers are not necessarily maniacs.
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Izzy K 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+1
We had a wonderful experience with James, he was always attentive, flexible, and genuinely cared about not only our pup, Zelda, but our comfort and knowledge on everything we needed to know. We've come out of the experience feeling fully equipped to tackle anything that being a dog parent can throw at us in the years to come, and Zelda has come out of it as a calm, confident pup! Could not recommend James more!
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Sophie F 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+6
We worked with James for 6 weeks this Autumn when we were ready to train our first whippet. While both of us are “dog-people”, it amazed both of us how much we could learn about the shared importance of mindset/regulation/neural development for the dog-human-relationship. James has lovingly overhauled our understanding of what it takes to be a good dog-parent, and we’re so glad he did! Our whippet Newt is now 8 months old and is a total joy to own. “You’ll never be able to stop a sighthound chasing chickens/running off/[insert limiting statement here]” - said the many! Newt peacefully lives with a variety (and mass) of free-range chickens, ducks, cats and horses. He’s calm and gentle with our elderly cockerel and trots alongside my horse when we ride together. He calmly and confidently turns his hand (or paw) to any adventure with any new friends! He’s now calm and regulated in public and is so well behaved in all manner of situations. He is just such a cool character! James’ help has not only helped us both to create, in the words of many, an “easy” dog, but he has also helped us to be more mindful, aware and advocating for our boy. I often struggle with anxiety, and working with James has helped me to feel confident in my abilities to care for Newt in difficult situations. With brain-based concepts and surprisingly simple to implement strategies, James’ methods are a breath of fresh air in the minefield of dog trainers! We can’t recommend James enough, and look forward to working with him again on a refining our skills as Newt gets older. Thank you James!!
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Coachsam S 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
Having recently got a new puppy, I looked around for puppy classes and stumbled on James’ website and his approach of 1:1 concept training really appealed. Having previous experience with an anxious dog, which in turn made me an anxious owner, it was really important that we both received some behaviour training to ensure she had the best start. James has helped me understand the theories behind dog behaviours and has taught us lots of ‘games’ which help manage every day situations which, if not addressed, would have resulted in bad routines being embedded. I also appreciated the opportunity to ask questions between sessions as things cropped up. Some of the techniques were things I had never heard of and felt very strange initially – like ‘bin the bowl’, however, they really do work and I have a very calm, well-behaved dog to prove it! I highly recommend James and will be keeping in touch as puppy continues to grow and develop. Thank you James!
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Kateinthe  
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+2
We contacted James when Doug was 8 weeks old. He was (and still is !) a very lively Rhodesian Ridgeback. James is hugely knowledgeable and is very good at explaining why certain behaviour happens and how to deal with it. Within a very short time Doug’s recall was amazing. James will set you tasks to do In-between visits and always writes in detail on cards for every task. We could not have got through the early months of Doug without him!! The ‘tools’ we have been given to improve Doug’s behaviour are invaluable. Thank you so much James for all of your patience with us and Doug!
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Ruth K 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
So pleased we decided to undergo structured training early on with our lovely, crazy PBGV pup. Discovered Sussex dogs in a google search and after a brief introductory video call with James it was clear that his approach was exactly what we all needed. Inviting a pup into a home with 2 kids can be a very stressful and tiring situation but the change in a few short weeks has been remarkable. James’s training is uncomplicated and extremely effective. He doesn’t train the dog, he teaches you to train the dog by understanding their psychology and what makes our canine friends tick. Hounds are notorious for their strong hunting instinct and I was nothing short of amazed when at a mere 21 weeks of age our dog returned off lead on a training walk with James. We have been given games to play to reinforce the techniques which are fun for everyone and we are really looking forward to implementing James’s recall training. I can not recommended Sussex dogs highly enough and would love to continue our training as there is so much more to learn. Thank you James!
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Jo W 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
Training a puppy takes work and dedication but with James’ help it isn’t complicated. He understands both dogs and people. He teaches you to teach your puppy to be a great, confident, independent companion. James observes and lets you know how to adjust your actions to align with the principles that encourage your puppy’s best development.  I have felt very supported in these sessions with James. He’s given me the tools to make the best of my puppy and the dog she is fast becoming. I strongly recommend James to anyone who wants their dog to be the one they dreamed of!
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 James H 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
We had a great experience that went beyond specific tasks for our puppy to learn and delved into the motivations and psychology of dogs. It’s resulted in a good baseline to build on for an increasingly calm and confident dog.
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Sandra G 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
+0
We had no idea what we were taking on when we agreed to  adopt our border collie puppy. We soon fell in love but felt quite inadequate to cope with such an active insecure destructive dog. 6 visits from James and we feel more confident and knowledgeable about what makes our collie tick and how to handle it. Following the plan James gave us has changed our lives. Ongoing work has become so enjoyable. We now have a beautiful, calm loving and obedient dog. (most of the time). We can't thank James enough, his expert help and advice has been invaluable.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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⚠️ Important

❤️‍🩹 I only work with vaccinated dogs

(unless they are puppies awaiting their first vaccination)

🚭 I only work in non-smoking households

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