Welcome to Dog School!
We are an energetic and dynamic team of trainers, with a wealth of experience and knowledge between them.
From rebel without a cause to your friend on four paws – we’re here to provide you with the tools that you and your pooch will need to tackle everything that life may throw at you!
At Dog School, there’s no such thing as a “bad dog”. We’ll give expert advice and practical training to help you and your dog understand each other better. From loose lead walking to recall, we’ll provide reward based training and make sure you have fun along the way. Absolutely everybody is welcome, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and we look forwards to meeting you soon!
Tuesday (50 mins) |
12:30, 13:45 and 15:00 |
The Albury Village Hall, GU5 9AN |
Wednesday (50 mins) |
17:30, 18:45 and 20:00 |
Bellfields Community Centre, Guildford, GU1 1NS |
Friday (50 mins) |
16:00, 17:10 and 18:15 |
Nork Community Centre, SM7 1JB |
T: 07788 709953
T: 01372 224766
Please email us with your enquiry at: SurreyDogSchool@dogstrust.org.uk
Sian Hornigold
Angus Healy
Alice Freeman
Sian started working for Dogs Trust as a Canine Carer at the Basildon Centre in 2014. She soon realised that working with the more challenging dogs and helping with the rehabilitation was what she wanted to work towards. By 2015 became a Trainer for the centre and by 2016 became the Assistant Training and Behavioural Advisor. After over 3 ½ years of working at the centre Sian wanted a new challenge which she found in Dogs School and is currently starting up a Dog School In Surrey, excited to put her practical experiences with rescue dogs and training knowledge together to help owners and dogs bond and learn together. Though she has left the centre, over the years she took with her 2 rescues!
Despite loving big dogs and previously owning a hefty 9 stone Russian Black Terrier, Sian ended up rescuing; one camera loving Staffie X Frenchie (at a guess) and a year later an emaciated (grumpier looking) Frenchie that definitely needed a big bro! Both have been featured in the Wag magazines and shamefully have their own Instagram account!
Angus has a BSc in Animal Behaviour, and spent his first postgraduate year as a live in dog carer/ trainee trainer in Hampshire.
Angus has raised his young lilac border collie, Juno, from the day she was born. The two are never happier than when they are exploring new areas in the beautiful Surrey Hills. In his spare time, Angus likes to learn new songs on his guitar.
Alice graduated Kingston University with a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare having previously qualified and worked as a chef after achieving her Cordon Bleu Diploma.
Throughout her degree she continued to work in the catering industry however made the jump into the animal care industry in 2017 when she began working as a canine carer for the Dogs Trust Ilfracombe rehoming centre. It proved difficult to decide between a love of cake and a love of animals, however the animals won the battle!
During her time with Dogs Trust she quickly identified her key interest lay with the training of the dogs. This came in particularly useful with her own dogs! A Bichon cross, Stevie and an extremely excitable Labrador, Frank.
They ain't nothin’ but hound dogs… and that’s why we love them!
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dogschoolsurrey 🐻 Dog School Surrey’s Beautiful ‘Bear’ asks that you all keep your 4 legged friends in the shade with access to plenty of water in this lovely weather ☀️💦 #keepdogscool #hotdogs #stayintheshade #bear #choclab #labrador #chocolate #dogschoolsurrey #surreydogs #dogtraining #epsom #nork #guildford #bellfields #albury
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dogschoolsurrey #HOTDOGS ☀️🐕 Remember your dogs won’t make decisions to run around less in the sun, or to drink more, or to avoid pavements because they’re too hot! ☀️🐕 So WE as owners need to make sure we take extra care whilst the weather is glorious!😎 #hotdogs #hotcars #dogsinthesun #dogstrust #dogschoolsurrey #takecare
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.