Our Bristol team are currently looking for volunteers! Get in touch to find out more!
Dog School Bristol is here to support our community, learning about dog behaviour in a fun and interactive way! Our aim is to pass on the knowledge and skills needed to help dogs fit in with modern life, whilst being happy and confident. Welfare is always at the forefront of any advice or training we recommend, and we use the most up-to-date techniques provided by qualified dog behaviour and training professionals.
We would love to have you have you on board! Get involved by bringing your own dog to our weekly training classes, specialised for puppies, adolescents, rescue dogs and adult dogs.
Looking for some more specialised information about dog behaviour, or a class to attend without your dog? We also run regular seminars aimed at giving everybody the opportunity to learn more about dog behaviour. We cover a range of topics, so please keep an eye on our upcoming events and book quickly to avoid missing out!
Wednesday (50 mins) Starting April 2019 |
10:00 and 11:00 |
St Philip & St James' Church, BA2 2QF |
Thursday (50 mins) |
17:30, 18:30 and 19:30 |
Headley Park Community Centre, BS13 7NW |
Friday (50 mins) |
12:40 and 13:40 |
Saltford Hall, BS31 3BY |
Friday (50 mins) |
17:00, 18:00 and 19:00 |
Pucklechurch Community Centre, BS16 9RH |
Saturday (50 mins) |
09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:20 |
The Beehive Centre, BS5 7AW |
T: 07393 141746
T: 07393 140406
Please email us with your enquiry at: BristolDogSchool@dogstrust.org.uk
Sophia Fensome
Maria Madjirska-Mossop
Giulia Danielis
Sophia previously worked as a Training and Behaviour advisor with the Dogs Trust in Newbury, helping many dogs in need find loving homes. Before coming to Dogs Trust she ran her own business as a dog behaviourist in the UK and Ireland, providing individual consultations for owners as well as running mixed classes where her emphasis was on positive training techniques and life skills.
Sophia has a degree in Animal Behaviour Science from Lincoln University and a Certificate of Higher Education in Companion Animal Welfare and Rehabilitation. Her previous jobs include Puppy Socialiser for an assistance dog charity as well as being a Behaviour Advisor for Bath Cats and Dogs home.
Maria is a graduate of Bristol University’s Animal Behaviour and Welfare BSc degree and is currently studying for her Masters in Clinical Behaviour with Edinburgh University.
Before joining Dog School, Maria worked at rescue centres where she has helped many dogs overcome behavioural problems and eventually find their forever homes.
Giulia moved to the UK after completing her Masters in Law and started working in marketing within the Sustainability sector. However, after getting her first very own dog, she realised her true passion was working with dogs. Being a self-motivated individual, she enrolled on multiple courses to ensure she had the required knowledge to make this happen.
After completing her Level 3 Diploma in Dog Training and volunteering for Dog School Bristol for a few months, she joined as their brand new Coach in August 2018.
Enthusiastic about sharing positive reinforcement training methods, she enjoys helping owners develop a strong and happy bond with their dogs.
Want to know the secret to fun training? Read on to find out!
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Bristol Dog School Do you want to socialise your new puppy in a safe environment and learn more about dog to dog interactions? Here at Dog School we help you understand how your puppy communicates and how to ensure his happiness and wellbeing when encountering other dogs and people on your daily walks 🐶👩💼👨💼Enquiry now to enrol into one of our courses www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk/dog-school/bristol #bristoldogtrainers #bristoldogcommunity #puppyclasses #positivetraining #puppysocialisation #politegreetings #wellbehaveddogs
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Bristol Dog School Stanley is currently attending our puppy classes and as you can see he’s doing very well showing off his super elegant sit 👏 We have just a few spaces left for our courses starting over the next couple of weeks - get in touch now to book and secure your space www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk/dog-school/bristol #bristoldogs #bristoldogtraining #dogtrainingbristol #wellbehaveddogs #positivereinforcement #dogsofinstagram #dogschool
Anybody who is involved in the care of your dog is encouraged to come along to class, including children. Please bear in mind that your coaches will be talking to the class on a group level to teach you valuable key messages about behaviour, so it is important that anybody attending is able to listen quietly (if young children are attending it could be a good idea to bring something to keep them occupied with at these times). Let your coach know if you have any special requirements or will have more than 3 people attending with your dog, so that they can prepare and make sure there is enough space. To make sure you can concentrate on training your puppy, we would ask that you leave any other pets (including other dogs) at home.
Please bring the following to each class: your dog’s bed/blanket, a selection of your dog’s favourite treats and one or two of his/her favourite toys. If your dog requires any medication or has a specialised diet, please bring these to class – it’s also important to get in touch with your coach to let them know about this before the class as well.
We will try our best to make sure you see the same coaches each week for your classes, because we think it is important for us to get to know you and your puppy. The coaches work in teams of three, so you should get to know all the team members over your course. Occasionally there may be a change in one coach because of sickness or holidays, but if this is necessary, we will try to ensure that you are introduced to your new coach the week before the change so that they are familiar with you and your dog.
We only use positive training methods supported by the most up to date research on dog behaviour. We will never use methods that intimidate or harm your dog.
We aim to teach you to understand how your dog communicates and learns in a fun, interactive environment. We will support you in developing the skills needed to help them become happy, confident, well behaved canine citizens. We will achieve this through practical training and support for both you and your dog.
When you arrive to class we ask that you keep your distance from other owners and dogs, we will guide you over to your personal ‘pod’ which will be a small area reserved for you and your dog. This will give your dogs the best chance to feel comfortable and calm at the start of class. Once everyone has settled in their own areas your coach will start the class, there will be some time set aside for practical training and discussing key messages. In puppy classes there will also be some time scheduled for socialising with other class members.
At the end of class we will again ask that you keep your distance from other owners and dogs. We will guide you out of the class one at a time, please remember to keep your distance from the other students as you are leaving the building and returning to your cars.
Yes! Please feel free to contact your coach between classes if you would like further support or have any questions. The best way of getting in touch is via email so that your coach has the time to give your response their full attention. Your coach will advise you on the best course of action. They should be able to provide you with some basic advice that you can put in place straight away and may recommend a 1-1 session if you require more in depth behavioural or training support.
Dogs Trust recognise the need for affordable behavioural and training support in the community. We believe that Dog School will help raise awareness of dog behaviour, strengthen the bond between owners and their dogs and help to address and prevent the development of unwanted or problematic behaviours. We are hopeful that this service will improve the welfare of dogs in the UK, both by providing owners with support in the home environment and by reducing the number of dogs being relinquished for behavioural reasons.
Our training classes are aimed at giving you information and skills that you can apply to your puppy’s behaviour in any situation. If you have an existing issue that would require help with please contact your local coach and describe the problems you are having. It may be possible for us to help you in a class setting, or it may be that your coach will recommend a 1-1 session with a trainer or behaviourist. We will aim to give you the advice that we believe will be of the greatest benefit to you and your dog. In some cases, the class environment may not be the most suitable for your dog, in which case we will always strive to offer an alternative plan of action!
Please try to let your coach know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a class. You will be provided with the training guide for the week you missed so that you can catch up at home. We are not able to offer replacement classes or refunds but will help you catch up in time for the following class. If you require help in understanding or practising the guide for the week you missed get in touch with your coach for advice.