Our mission is to help dog owners get their training right first time and help them correct any unpredictable behaviours that occur during their dogs development.

We have both always had dogs in our families. We lost our first Black Labrador Gemma to old age.

On 1st July 2024 we lost Indy, the reason Family Dog Services exists today, her legacy lives on in everything we do.

We currently have the pleasure of owning three Black Labradors from working lines, Dude, and Rose, who have achieved their KC working gundog certificate, and Genie our youngest recruit.

Although initially we trained our working dogs as a hobby and for the joy of watching our dogs do what they were bred to do, we have, over the years become passionate and committed to dog training and behaviour on many levels.

In 2015 Family Dog Services was born. We are thrilled to be able to put our passion and knowledge to good use helping owners of varying breeds and issues with their training needs.

People are often unprepared for what is required to develop a well mannered, obedient pet, and even when you get everything right, circumstances beyond your control can give rise to challenges. For that reason we decided to learn to teach key skills that your dog should have, provide assistance and advice to enable you to correct any issues you are having and help your dogs become well mannered members of your family.

Our focus is to show you, how, through changing your own behaviour and attitude towards your dog, your dogs behaviour and attitude towards you will be rewarding. Our aim is to offer you the skills to develop a well mannered, obedient and respectful dog.

We have both advanced and further developed our knowledge and skills training alongside behavioural trainer Robert Alleyne, undergoing his instructors course, and his Canine Instructors Academy, and various work shops and seminars.

We studied with Lez Graham, author of The pet Gundog series of books and DVDs and completed the accredited Pet Gundog instructors programme with distinction.

We have attended various workshops and seminars including canine first aid, dog aggression, Tellington ttouch, Zoopharmacognosy, and studied dog training and behaviour with the CIDBT (Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training) .

John is a level 4 certified True 2 Life International trainer, and a featured expert on the Ladies Working Dog Group .

Claire is the author of the puppy book 'The Life of Rose' (Raising puppies the family dog services way) and is a group expert, and trainer for the Ladies Working Dog Group.

Claire and John both regularly assist and lecture on Robert Alleynes 5 day residential Canine Instructors Academy course.