Dog training in London

Dog trainers near you in London

If you have searched for a dog trainer near you in London, the quickest route is to tell us what you need help with and your full postcode. We use the postcode to work out which trainer or behaviourist is closest to you, so you are not sent someone an hour away. That covers Camden, Islington, Hackney, Lewisham, Greenwich, Wandsworth, Richmond, Croydon, Harrow, Barnet, Bromley or anywhere else in Greater London.

Most owners ask for one of four things: puppy training, a loose lead and reliable recall, help with a reactive or anxious dog, or help with a dog that cannot be left alone. Each has its own page for London with local places to practise and the rules to know: puppy training in London, recall and lead training in London, reactive dog training and behaviourists in London and separation anxiety help in London.

Walking and training around London

London dogs train in the most varied conditions in the country: tight terraces and flats, canal towpaths, and big open spaces such as Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill and Greenwich Park. Each throws something different at a dog: deer and ground-nesting birds, joggers and cyclists, off-lead dogs coming at yours, and crowds on a sunny Saturday.

City life adds its own tests. Tube and bus noise, busy pavements, café terraces and dog-friendly pubs are part of a London dog’s week, so a good trainer works on settling under a table, walking past other dogs on a narrow pavement and calm travel, not just sits in a quiet garden.

Football days in London

London is home to a lot of football clubs, among them Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Fulham. If you live near a ground, match days mean crowds on the pavements, chanting, road closures and noise that carries a long way.

Dogs that have never practised settling around crowds and sudden noise can struggle. A trainer can build up calm walking through a busy street, a relaxed “wait” at a crossing and a dog that stays settled while the street outside is loud. K9PN has no affiliation with any football club.

Dog rules in London

London has 32 boroughs plus the City of London, and each can make its own dog rules, so what applies on your street can differ from the next borough. Councils in England and Wales can use Public Spaces Protection Orders to require leads, keep dogs out of areas, limit how many dogs one person walks and require you to pick up. Check your own borough’s website.

In the Royal Parks, dogs must be on a lead in Richmond Park and Bushy Park from 1 May to 31 July while the deer are giving birth, because a mother can chase or attack a dog even on a lead.

How to choose a dog trainer in London

Dog training is not a regulated profession in the UK, so anyone can call themselves a trainer. Questions worth asking any trainer in London:

• Which methods do you use? Look for reward-based training and a trainer who can explain exactly what they will do with your dog.
• Do you hold public liability insurance, and what experience do you have with dogs like mine?
• Can I watch a class or session first, or speak to someone you have trained?
• If my dog’s behaviour might have a medical cause, will you work with my vet? For fear, aggression or sudden changes, see your vet first.

The Kennel Club and the RSPCA both publish free guidance on training and behaviour.

Common questions

Which London postcodes can you match?

We take requests from all of Greater London. Put your full postcode in the form, and we will refer you to an experienced trainer or behaviourist as soon as one covers your area.

I live in a flat. Can I still train my dog in London?

Yes. Plenty of London dogs live in flats. A good trainer works on settling, lead manners on busy pavements, being left alone and calm greetings, all of which suit city life.

Do dogs have to be on a lead in London parks?

It depends on the park and the borough. Richmond Park and Bushy Park require leads from 1 May to 31 July, and many borough parks have lead rules. Look for signs and check your council’s website.

Do I need a dog trainer or a dog behaviourist in London?

For skills such as puppy training, lead walking and recall, a trainer is usually right. For fear, aggression or severe anxiety, a behaviourist is often better, and your vet can advise. Tell us what your dog does in the form and we will refer you to the right kind of help.

Is K9PN a dog training company?

No. K9PN is a referral service and does not train dogs. We pass your request to a professional trainer who offers the kind of training you want and covers your area. It costs you nothing to send a request.

How much does dog training cost in London?

Trainers set their own prices and they vary with the format, the trainer and your dog’s needs. The trainer will talk you through pricing when they contact you, with no obligation.

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