During the first four months of their lives, the experiences puppies have play a critical role in their understanding of the world and everything in it.
We want their first learning of people, different environments, other dogs, novel objects etc. to be positive, and so we must proceed carefully when introducing them to the wider world.
At Bailey and Barkers our puppy classes provide a safe and supportive environment for both handler and pup.
Small classes (Max 4 dogs) guarantee individual attention, and individual work spaces mean that the puppies are able to become comfortable and confident in their own time, without being overwhelmed by other dogs, other people or the environment.
Week one is theory week, so puppies need not attend. In theory week we focus on learning to understand our dogs, we look at canine body language, and we discuss appropriate socialisation and how to support our puppies into adulthood.
And in the following six weeks we use kind, ethical and reward-based training methods. We capture appropriate behaviours from the off, using positive reinforcement to ensure our dog’s understanding.
Remembering always, what gets rewarded gets repeated.
We follow a 7-week syllabus looking at life skills such as food manners, loose lead walking, not jumping up, impulse control and much more.
Each dog receives a goody bag, certificate and keepsake upon completion of the course. Each customer receives comprehensive training notes for each exercise, and access to a private Facebook support group.
Before booking onto this course customers are advised to ensure that they can attend each week as missed lessons cannot be refunded. The course runs over 7 consecutive weeks.

For puppies the adolescent stage of development begins between 5 and 8 months, during this time our dogs experience hormonal changes and their breed traits kick in.
As owners we may become aware of this stage of development in our dogs when observing behaviours such as lack of focus and connection, difficulties with over arousal, changes in sociability and struggles with impulse control etc.
It is common for dogs of this age group to also experience a fear period, when things they were once confident and comfortable with, suddenly appear to be scary or concerning.
As owners we must support our dogs through the adolescent stage, understanding that it will not last forever, while at the same time ensuring our dogs do not learn to practise inappropriate behaviours.
This is why at Bailey and Barkers we offer a course catered solely to Junior Puppies.
Small classes (Max 4 dogs) guarantee individual attention, and individual work spaces mean that we are able to set dogs up for success, in managing over arousal, building focus and connection at their dogs’ pace.
Week one is theory week, so Junior Puppies need not attend. In theory week we focus on learning to understand our dogs, we look at canine body language, and we discuss appropriate socialisation and how to support our puppies into adulthood.
And in the following six weeks we use kind, ethical and reward-based training methods.
We capture appropriate behaviours from the off, using positive reinforcement to ensure our dog’s understanding.
Remembering always, what gets rewarded gets repeated.
We follow a 7-week syllabus looking at adolescent life skills such as maintaining focus and connection, loose lead walking, impulse control, managing over arousal, not jumping up etc.
Each dog receives a goody bag, certificate and keepsake upon completion of the course. Each customer receives comprehensive training notes for each exercise, and access to a private Facebook support group.
Before booking onto this course customers are advised to ensure that they can attend each week as missed lessons cannot be refunded. The course runs over 7 consecutive weeks.

It seems that now a days more and more people are getting dogs; we see them in parks, cafes, walking down the street and in next doors garden.
While it is important to train our dogs to live with and around children, it is equally important to teach our children how to live around dogs.
As a Kids Around Dogs Professional, Sara has been trained and assessed to assist with family dogs; and to use the protocol to overcome the fear of dogs in kids.
Sara is DBS checked and a qualified teacher, having achieved a Level 7 PGCE from Edgehill University.
Sara is able to use the protocol to overcome the fear of dogs in kids, with kids of all ages. The protocol takes place over ten weeks, the first eight being via zoom and the final three in person.
Sara’s Shih Tzu Lex will attend the final three sessions having been assessed to be suitably calm to work with fearful kids. During the in-person sessions Sara enables the kids to choose when they meet Lex, and how far they would like to take handling him.
Everything is always done at your child’s pace and only when they decide they are comfortable.
As a KAD professional Sara is well placed to help you train both your dog and your child to live harmoniously together, and to help you train your dog alongside your child.

Small classes (Max 4 dogs) guarantee individual attention, and individual work spaces mean dogs may learn at their own pace, taking a break after any group work.
These classes take place over 6-week blocks, meaning you may attend for 6 weeks or 600 weeks if you prefer.
All customers have access to a private Facebook support group.
To ensure their dogs comfort and happiness in a class environment, customers new to Bailey and Barkers, will be asked to attend a 15-minute trial session before being accepted on to one of these classes.
Beginners Class – £108 per 6-week block.
Suitable for dogs who have completed either puppy or junior class, or dogs over one year of age with little to no previous training experience.
In beginners’ class we focus on the basics. Looking at life skills, general obedience and the odd bit of trick training too.
We work towards class goals, and lay the foundations for our understanding of reward-based training in both the theoretical and practical sense.
Intermediate Class – £108 per 6 week block.
Intermediate class offers a natural progression from beginners’ class. Dogs who have a reasonable training history elsewhere may attend (at Sara’s discretion).
We cover similar behaviours to beginners’ class; however we aim to progress and refine each exercise. Building on our skills as handlers, as well as progressing the skills of our dogs.
Advanced Class – £108 per 6 week block.
Advanced class offers a natural progression to intermediate class. Dogs who have substantial training history elsewhere may attend (at Sara’s discretion).
In advanced class we get really geeky, perfecting our skills as handlers and applying positive reinforcement accurately.
We cover more advanced exercises, moving away from a solely trainer led approach. Owners are expected to be able to problem solve, working out how best to go about a particular exercise for themselves with the support and guidance of Sara.

These are suitable for all dogs of any age, and take place at the Bailey and Barkers training venue, or outdoors in a safe and appropriate location depending on your training priorities.
After speaking with Sara, customers will be asked to complete an engagement form before an appointment can be arranged. Providing as much information as possible is key to the planning and preparation for the session.
After their session customers will receive comprehensive training notes for each exercise / behaviour covered. These are sent out within 48 hours of the appointment.
Payment must be made up front, and cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice will be charged in full.
Q& A
How many sessions will be required?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict how many sessions are required. The answer depends entirely on your dog, you and your ability to learn, the time you can commit to practise and so many other variables.
Can i train more than one dog at once?
In order to maximise learning from the 1-2-1 session it is advised that you handle one dog at a time initially. It is important that you learn to handle one dog successfully before attempting to handle two. That is not to say that in the future you may not bring two dogs to a session, and of course if your training priority requires it Sara may suggest that you bring more than one dog.
Luckily, Lex, Eddie and Cookie are very happy to assist in 1-2-1 sessions when required.