Kirby Dog Training offers accredited, reward-based dog and puppy training across London, Brighton and Sussex, working with families, individuals and high-profile clients.
In an unregulated industry, you can feel confident that your dog is in safe, experienced hands. We are fully accredited, insured, trained in canine first aid and, above all, passionate about what we do.
Do you want your dog to calmly travel when on the tube or train?
Settle nicely when you’re in a pub or cafe?
Walk nicely on a loose leash?
Come back to you when called?
Be able to handle the hustle and bustle of city life with ease?
Or perhaps you have just brought your new puppy home or are just about to!
We can help you and your dog or puppy learn all of the above and more using kind, reward-based training methods that are backed by science and proven to work.
Ella Camps-Linney
Ella’s passion for dogs began at just seven years old, when a tiny abandoned terrier puppy named Kirby came into her life after being rescued from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. From that moment on, her curiosity and fascination with dogs began to grow.
Kirby lived an incredible life and sadly passed away in February 2014 at the grand age of twenty. His legacy continues to inspire Ella’s work today, shaping her dedication to helping dogs and their owners build happy, lasting relationships.
This passion led to the creation of Kirby Dog Training, where Ella now works full-time supporting owners to get the very best from their dogs using modern, kind and effective training methods.
Ella is an accredited Animal Training Instructor (ATI) with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), an organisation that sets and maintains high standards of knowledge and practical skills within the animal training industry. She is also a full member of the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT).
Her approach is centred around ethical, reward-based training, using the latest science to ensure both dogs and their owners learn in a positive, supportive and enjoyable way. Ella is committed to continuing professional development and regularly attends courses, workshops and seminars with leading trainers and animal behaviour professionals.
Alistair Mackenzie
Alistair, Ella’s husband and co-owner of Kirby Dog Training, has been working with dogs and their owners for several years. He began taking on his own clients in 2020, supporting puppy owners through one-to-one and virtual training sessions, helping them build strong foundations and essential life skills.
Alistair has been closely involved in Kirby Dog Training since 2017, assisting in puppy and adolescent classes as well as shadowing both in-person and online sessions. This hands-on experience has allowed him to develop a strong practical understanding of dog training and behaviour.
He is currently working towards his accreditation as an Animal Training Instructor (ATI) with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) and is a member of the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT).
Alistair is committed to ongoing professional development and is passionate about using kind, ethical and reward-based methods to support dogs and their owners.
Ella and Alistair live in Hassocks, West Sussex, with their dog Banjo and their two Cornish Rex cats, Whinnie and Wilfred. Their beloved Collie x Kelpie, Byron, is dearly missed.
They work with clients in London Monday to Friday, as well as throughout Sussex.
Philosophy & Methods
Ethical
Training that adheres to animal welfare laws and standards.
Science based
Training methods founded in the latest scientific research
Positive Reinforcement
Using treats, toys and praise to motivate and reward your dog to make the desired behaviour more likely to happen.
Top Rated
Robbie (miniature dachshund x miniature Schnauzer) and I have absolutely LOVED our time with Ella. I booked 6 one to one sessions with Ella when Robbie was 10 weeks old and have spread the sessions over the past 6 months as Robbie has grown and matured (he's almost 1 now) or when occasional 'problem' behaviours have arisen. Although mostly we have managed to avoid too many of those because Ella has been so good at anticipating potential issues and offering training solutions that mitigate the risk of bad habits being formed (in either Robbie or me!)
Having the support from Ella has made me a better dog owner, without a doubt. She has helped me to build a foundation of knowledge and understanding of Robbie's wants, needs, behaviours and communication style that means I feel confident and equipped to tackle most training or behavioural situations that arise with Robs based on a grounding of good practice, a solid bond and a force free approach that prioritises Robbie's wellbeing. Good dog trainers don't train dogs, they train people to train dogs, and that is exactly what Ella has done for us, in the kindest, warmest and most enjoyable way I can imagine.
Her instagram is endlessly helpful and encouraging and I genuinely couldn't recommend her more highly. If you have a new puppy - don't wait until you have 'issues' to solve to engage a good trainer because we have found that it is far easier to raise a dog with good manners than it is to train a puppy out of bad habits.
Thank You Ella! xx
Lizzie Brown
Ella came to us to help myself and my 2.5 year old whippet with her confidence around children and focus while out in busy noisy places. Not only was she incredibly easy to work with but a total joy. She gave us valuable tips and techniques that we went away to practice between each session and it’s made a huge difference on our walks with my dog acknowledging a small person and completely disengaging to focus on me and the treats I had. If you’re looking for an accredited and supportive trainer to work on all different types of behavioural hurdles you face, I would 100% recommend Ella. She gave me the space to talk about my concerns, gave me the tools I needed to make training possible and fun, and made me feel a lot less alone in what can be a trying time if your beloved pet has reactive tendencies. We’ve had two very valuable sessions and can’t wait for our third!
Danielle Louise-Watt
Barney the 5 year old leash-reactive Labrador
"We are still working with Kirby Dog Services and are really pleased with the work we are doing and realise it will take quite a long time to train Barney as he is a 5 year old rescue Chocolate Labrador and has some naughty habits but we feel confident we will get there."
Jenny Anderson
Mabel the Miniature Poodle
"Extremely helpful and caring, with brilliant practical help and advice to solve any problem with your dog. Couldn't recommend Ella more!"
Alex Kelly
"Ella is the most friendly, approachable trainer!
I wish I had met her years ago."
Training Options
In-Person Puppy Training
Work with us in-person at your home and surrounding areas. We have a variety of training packages for you and your new puppy, aged 8 weeks to 6 months old. We can show you how to train your puppy effectively. This is training that will last your pup’s whole life!
In-Person Dog Training
Work with us in-person at your home and surrounding areas. We have a variety of training packages for you and your dog, 6 months old and up. We can show you how to train your dog effectively, working in a variety of environments on a whole range of behaviours.
Online Puppy & Dog Training
Online training can be super effective for a whole host of training, especially separation related training.
FAQs
What types of dog/puppy training do you offer? We offer a variety of training packages tailored to meet the needs of every dog and guardian, including general obedience training, behaviourial modification, puppy training, and more.
What methods do you use for training? We use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behaviours in dogs. We focus on building a strong bond between you and your dog while promoting trust and understanding. We do not use harsh or punitive methods.
How long does it take to see results from the training? The timeline for seeing results depends on various factors, including your dog's temperament, previous training, consistency in practice, and the specific training issue we are working through. However, many clients notice their dog's behaviour improves within the first few sessions.
Where are your dog training sessions held? Our dog training sessions can take place in various locations to suit your preferences and training needs. We offer in-home training sessions for personalised training in familiar surroundings and is a really good place to start training where distractions are limited. We also conduct outdoor sessions in parks, streets, cafes, pubs or quiet natural settings to provide real-world training experiences.
Can you conduct training sessions virtually or remotely? Yes, we understand that not everyone can attend in-person sessions, so we offer virtual training options via video calls. Virtual training allows us to provide guidance, support, and personalised help from the comfort of your own home and is ideal for separation related training.
Ella & Kirby's
Story
Hi! I'm Ella and that little woofer is Kirby...
This is the story of Kirby Dog Training
Ella’s passion for dogs began at just seven years old, when a tiny abandoned terrier puppy named Kirby came into her life after being rescued from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. From that moment on, her curiosity and fascination with dogs began to grow.
Kirby lived an incredible life and sadly passed away in February 2014 at the grand age of twenty. His legacy continues to inspire Ella’s work today, shaping her dedication to helping dogs and their owners build happy, lasting relationships.
This passion led to the creation of Kirby Dog Training, where Ella now works full-time supporting owners to get the very best from their dogs using modern, kind and effective training methods.
Ella is an accredited Animal Training Instructor (ATI) with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), an organisation that sets and maintains high standards of knowledge and practical skills within the animal training industry. She is also a full member of the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT).
Her approach is centred around ethical, reward-based training, using the latest science to ensure both dogs and their owners learn in a positive, supportive and enjoyable way. Ella is committed to continuing professional development and regularly attends courses, workshops and seminars with leading trainers and animal behaviour professionals.
Kirby Dog Training offers accredited, fun, positive reinforcement dog and puppy training throughout London, Brighton and Sussex and works with high-profile clients, families and solo dog owners. You can be assured that your dog will be in the best hands because, in an industry that is unregulated, we are fully accredited, insured, qualified in canine first aid and just generally mad about dogs!
Contact us:
ella@kirbydogtraining.com -07990571593
alistair@kirbydogtraining.com -07540381180
Say hello!
via the button below, via ella@kirbydogtraining.com, alistair@kirbydogtraining.com or via phone 07990 571 593 or 07540 381 180
We can discuss how we can solve your issue together, one paw at a time.
