Welcome to DogBasics!

About 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 - Introduction Course

To start training at DogBasics, you will be asked to take a crash course in dog behaviour, dog language and dog training. We've called this course the Introduction Course. This course is 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. Once you have finished the Introduction Course, you can choose your training individually, anything from puppy socialisation to clicker training or agility.

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. Once you've started your training at DogBasics, you can sign up for one of our free dog walking groups. If you can't find one in your own local area, maybe you could be the contact person for it? The dog walking groups are a great way to socialise your dog, but also a great way to get advice and support with your dog, from the other dog owners in the group.

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!

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.