Expert dog training
Meet Sam
Head Dog Trainer
Sam Allnutt is an accredited reward-based dog trainer of 15 years and is the owner of Minds Alike Dog Training.
Prior to joining the Minds Alike team Sam worked for Dog Trust, initially as the Training and Behaviour Adviser at their West London Rehoming Centre and then as an Education and Community Officer visiting schools to educate children on dog safety and ownership.
She has also worked as a tutor on the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Instructors Course.
Accreditation:
Full member Association Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) No.01177
Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) Accredited Animal Training Instructor
Animal Training Instructor member of The Canine Training and Behaviour Society (TCTBS)
Membership of these organisations means that Sam has undertaken a written and practical exam illustrating that she possesses the skills and knowledge required to apply training techniques based on up to date, researched, methods, whilst being empathetic and considerate of the animal’s emotional state.
Meet Sue
Agility Instructor
Sue White is a Kennel Club Approved Agility Instructor. Sue has been an Agility Instructor and Competitor for over 20 years and has owned 10 Championship Level dogs.
Sue’s list of achievements include:
Trainer/Owner/Member of UK ParaAgility Team
ParaAgility Gold Medalist (team/individual)
Agility Club Approved Instructor
Crufts winner
Official Kennel Club Senior Measurer and Judge
Licensed human remains detection handler, with two licensed dogs.
Meet Amy
Dog Trainer
Amy Wathen is a student member of the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT).
PACT members use up-to-date, science-led methods, to promote the importance of understanding and appreciating canine behaviour, ethology and learning.
Amy has always had a love of animals and grew up in a busy animal household with dogs, cats, cockatiels, hamsters, guinea pigs, chickens, rabbits and horses!
Amy has experience with rescue dogs, including those with extra challenges, and has previously volunteered as a dog walker for Stokenchurch Dog Rescue.
Amy also offers house/dog sitting.
Membership of these organisations means that Amy will have undertaken a written and practical exam illustrating that she possesses the skills and knowledge required to apply training techniques based on up to date, researched, methods, whilst being empathetic and considerate of the animal’s emotional state.
Meet Emma
Dog Trainer
Emma Bagley has always had an interest in animal training and behaviour. She pursued a foundation degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and then completed her honours degree in Animal Biology and Conservation at Oxford Brookes University.
After finishing her studies Emma worked at Battersea Dogs and Cats home for four years where she gained a wealth of hands-on experience working with dogs of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds. She worked in both the rehoming department and the busy intake department, working with dogs to overcome behavioural issues so that they could find their forever homes. Emma then went on to work at the Dogs Trust as part of the behaviour team, working with dogs that had a range of complicated and challenging behavioural issues.
Emma really enjoys teaching obedience classes and trick training. She has a 2 year old
Dalmatian who keeps her on her toes!
Qualifications:
FdSc Animal Behaviour and Welfare
BA (Hons) Animal Biology and Conservation
Dog Training Services
Dog training can be tough at times, if you are struggling with jumping up, recall, loose lead walking, general obedience, car travel issues etc, please see the options below.
Please note:
Behaviour problems can be tricky to spot from regular training issues. Struggles with behaviour can look like anxiety, aggression, reactivity, guarding, fighting or separation related issues. These are classed as behaviour issues. Head to our Animal Behaviour page to get help with these issues.
If you are not sure, please get in touch through our Contact Us page and we can help figure out the right solution for you.
It’s good to note that before booking a class:
Dogs must be friendly with other dogs
Dogs must have had their primary vaccinations
This is appropriate for dogs from 10 weeks old. If we have any large breed dogs (i.e. Labrador or larger) we will be mindful of their age and not wishing to over exercise their joints.
All training is carried out by qualified and accredited instructors (APDT UK, TCBTS and ABTC) using kind, fair and effective methods.
Classes
Dogs love to learn and attending classes with your puppy can be a great way to start to ensure your puppy has the best start to life.
Cost of classes range from £15 to £160 depending on type of class & class length. Prices are clearly shown on booking.
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Our Puppy Social Sessions are held in the Hub at The Wheelhouses’ Chalfont St Giles Surgery and are suitable for puppies aged from their 1st vaccination until 16 weeks of age.
These controlled socialisation sessions are tailored to each group, this means every puppy has a positive and fun experience and doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
We pride ourselves on providing a relaxed and welcoming environment to support you and your puppy during this early stage of your life together.
Your puppy will have the opportunity to explore different surfaces, play with other pups and meet new people.
We will teach you how to read your puppy’s body language so you can understand how they are trying to communicate with you and with other dogs.
You will have the opportunity to discuss any worries or challenges you are having.
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This 6 week course will teach you basic obedience, how your dog learns, how to read your dog’s body language and ensure s/he is socialised correctly. You and your dog will learn a variety of attention, stay, recall and lead handling exercises, sit, down, leave, appropriate toy play and drop exercises. Homework hand outs and videos will be available.
You will learn to communicate with one another, all in a fun and motivating way, with training broken down into bite size chunks. Clarity means success, and success equates to happy dogs!
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This 6 week course is a perfect follow on for the puppy foundation or adult foundation course.
We will strengthen and build on the skills learnt in your previous course and help you to understand how to apply your training skills in the real world, by challenging your dog to work around distractions, increase impulse control and practice calm controlled behaviour in an exciting environment.
We also work on your skills as a handler, ensuring your handling and direction is becoming clear and fluid and work on new exercises, including obedience and target training exercises to help to develop these training skills.
This course is ideally for those who have attended a Minds Alike puppy/beginners course or equivalent elsewhere, or reached a certain standard via 121 training.
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This 6 week course is a perfect follow on for the BRONZE follow on course
We will continue to strengthen and build on the skills learnt in your previous course and help you to understand how to apply your training skills in the real world, by challenging your dog to work around distractions, increase impulse control and practice calm controlled behaviour in an exciting environment.
We also work on your skills as a handler, ensuring your handling and direction is becoming clear and fluid and work on new exercises, including obedience and target training exercises to help to develop these training skills.
You MUST have attended a Minds Alike BRONZE Follow On Course prior to joining our SILVER Follow On Course
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This 6 week course is a perfect follow on for the SILVER follow on course
We will strengthen and build on the skills learnt in your previous courses, continue to challenge you and your dog to work around distractions, increase impulse control and practice calm controlled behaviour in an exciting environment.
We also work on your skills as a handler, ensuring your handling and direction is becoming clear and fluid and work on new more advanced exercises.
Classes can be booked from our Book a Class page.
Specialised training:
Whether you have a dog that needs a bit more stimulation or a dog new to the family or even a rescue, then these course can help.
Cost of classes range from £80 to £160 depending on type of class & class length. Prices are clearly shown on booking.
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Our walk n' train sessions are perfect if you struggle with recall and keeping your dog's attention whilst around other dogs. It is also great for socialisation purposes.
We will look at how the dogs are interacting and walking together, what is (and isn’t) appropriate play and socialisation, and learn to read the dogs’ body language and understand their interactions.
This also a great opportunity to meet other like-minded owners, who may become future walking buddies that also want to instil good training and behaviour!
Please note:
The class will be between 45-60 minutes, depending on the dogs present.
Dogs must be friendly with other dogs
Dogs must have had their primary vaccinations
This is appropriate for dogs from 5 months old. If we have any large breed dogs (i.e. Labrador or larger) we will be mindful of their age and not wishing to over exercise their joints.
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Training your puppy/dog to come back when called is one of the most important lessons that you need to teach them. Reliable recall is essential for the safety of you and your dog and for the safety of others around you.
During this workshop we will use scientific and modern training methods to help you achieve a successful recall when out walking.
Hosted by two ABTC registered Animal Training Instructors in a friendly approachable and picturesque learning environment.
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Dogs love to be outside, and their walk is an exciting part of their day, so the desire to pull ahead is strong.
This workshop will help you to train your dog to walk on a loose lead by your side, ensuring walks are safe and enjoyable for both of you.
We will cover focus exercises to help gain your dog’s attention and spend time learning about the importance of consistency and rewards. You will learn a number of different ways to ensure your dog understands what is expected of them when on a lead walk.
Hosted by two ABTC registered Animal Training Instructors in a friendly approachable and picturesque learning environment.
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The workshop is taught by Sam Allnutt (ABTC ATI, MAPDT UK, MTCBTS). Sam is a parent herself so have first-hand experience of managing children and dogs in the home. Sam also previously worked as an Education Officer for Dogs Trust where she delivered fun and informative lessons to KS1 and KS2 children.
Our aim is to encourage positive attitudes and safe behaviours between children and their family dogs. There will be games that children can safely play with their dogs. We will also discuss what dogs do and don’t like when interacting with us.
The session will be split into two parts with a break mid-way through. The break will give your dog time to relax and rest. For us it will be a time to chat and have some refreshments!
Places are allocated per dog, up to 3 children can attend with their dog (this must be children who live with the dog and not friends)
Your dog MUST have attended a Minds Alike Course or 121 session prior to joining our Children’s Workshop and all children MUST be accompanied by someone OVER 18 YEARS of age for the entire workshop.
Fun classes:
There are a lot of things you can do with your dog, its a great way to form a really strong bond as well as have a bit of fun.
Cost of classes range from £80 to £160 depending on type of class & class length. Prices are clearly shown on booking.
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Dog agility is a dog sport in which the handler directs their dog through an obstacle course.
Minds Alike Dog Training offers both Introduction to agility and progression classes for those already with agility experience.
If you are interested in this class, please Contact us to register your interest.
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The beginners Scentwork course will get you started with teaching your dog odour discrimination, independent searching and passive indication.
Scent-work is fantastic for:
Bonding and team building - You will learn how to handle your dog so your dog views you as an asset, not a hindrance to his search
Understanding the subtleties of your dog’s scenting abilities and how to read his body language
Confidence building - scent-work stimulates the reward centres in brain resulting in endorphin and dopamine release. The search for some dogs is more rewarding than the reward at the end. For this reason, it is great for rehabilitation.
Improve focus - for those speedy busy pooches, this game will help them learn to slow down and approach the problem in a more cognitive manner
What you will gain from this course:
Be able to mentally stimulate your dog at home, in a manner which helps to build focus and does not stress the joints
Attendees can go on to do the progression workshops. These will take place at the same location, but there will also be others arranged at different venues for the more advanced dogs.
Move onto compete or achieve levels of achievement at our Scentwork UK trials (either with us or anywhere in the country)
Scentwork - Progression Course
This course is for clients who have already completed our beginner’s course/workshop or had 121 Scentwork training, and learned to detect clove, gun oil or truffle oil. If you unsure if this course is right for you and your dog please contact us and we will be able to advise you.
To book a place please visit the ‘book a class’ page of the website
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The beginners course will teach basic whistle cues and retrieving exercises.
This course is for you if:
You have some basic training already underway (e.g. the beginnings of recall, stay and heelwork but it doesn't have to be reliable).
You have a breed who has a desire to learn, work and particularly retrieve (don't worry if they are not delivering to hand or dropping yet).
You are struggling with recall and focus on walks and would like to work on whistles cues creating mentally stimulating walks.
You are struggling with retrieve or possessive issues, and would like to a) improve and b) learn how to vary exercises to make play more mentally stimulating.
Gundog Progression
This course is for people who have completed our Introduction to Fun Gundog course and wish to progress further.
To book a place please visit the ‘book a class’ page of the website
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Hoopers is an all-ability, low-impact sport, therefore it is suitable for dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds and abilities. Handlers and their dog work together as a team to navigate through tunnels, hoops, and to go round barrels.
The beginners course will teach you and your dog the foundation skills needed for Hoopers.
Hoopers Progression Course
This course is for people whose have completed our beginner’s course OR for people whose dog has basic equipment value and has previously been trained on all Hoopers equipment.
In our Progression Course we are looking to build distance and length of sequences as well as preparing for a full course.
To book a place please visit the Book a class page of the website
All classes can be booked from our Book a Class page.
Bespoke training
Sometimes classes may be a bit too much for our dogs & need a less distracting environment. A 121 consultation with a qualified instructor could be a better solution.
121 sessions can be available in person or via Zoom. To book a 121 session please send an email to training@mindsalikeanimaltraining.com.
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Suitable for: Individual, tailored training plans for a variety of training issues.
Common topics we can help with:
Pre puppy purchase advise: what breed would fit your lifestyle best, how to choose a breeder and what to look for in a puppy
First time owners: for those who may be feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice they are receiving via family, friends and online
Homecoming: are you prepared for your new puppy/dog. What essentials do you need to purchase and how to cope with the very first night home
How to introduce children to your new puppy/dog
Pre and post dog adoption advice
Puppy behaviours: jumping up, puppy biting, toilet training
Basic Obedience & Life Skills: jumping up, recall, lead walking etc..
Getting Started With Separation Training
Socialisation
Our in person sessions may be arranged at your home, at a local walking space or at our field.
You can also see us via Zoom! Training via Zoom enables you:
To get advice and support sooner as waiting times are shorter than for our in person training sessions
To work with one of our trainers from the comfort of your own home· Greater flexibility in the days and times in which you can be seen
To book a 121 session: please email training@mindsalikeanimaltraining.com
Why choose Minds Alike?
Minds Alike Dog Training Ltd is dedicated to helping pets and their owners understand one another. Training enhances the lives of dogs by ensuring a clear communication system between man and dog, reinforcing appropriate behaviour and self control and providing much needed mental stimulation.
Minds Alike Dog Training believes that the behaviour and training industry should be regulated just as veterinary nursing and other medical and counselling professions are.
Currently, it is not a legal requirement to subscribe to a professional organisation or follow any sort of code of conduct. However, our trainers are affiliated with the organisations supporting industry regulation.
All our trainers are ABTC registered Animal Training Instructors and follow a code of conduct which aims for best practice, scientific and modern training methods and strives for a friendly and approachable learning environment for both dog and owner. We are also passionate about mentoring up an coming students of training to ensure high standards of practice are met in future generations.
Have a question?
Head to our Contact page and we’ll be happy to help.
Testimonials
Kind words from our customers