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!
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 to do all of the above and loads more via force-free and positive reinforcement training that is backed by science and that really works!
Ella Camps-Linney
Ella’s passion for dogs started when she was only seven years old. It came into her life in the form of a tiny furry bundle called Kirby. Kirby was a six-week-old terrier puppy who had been abandoned on the curb, and who she rescued from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. As their lives began together, so did her curiosity and fascination for this species.
Kirby sadly passed away in February 2014 at the grand age of twenty years old, after a long and amazingly fulfilled life together, Ella is still passionate about dogs and the fascination and curiosity that began all those years ago continues to be a big part of her life. So much so, that helping dogs and their humans live happily together has become her full-time job as a dog trainer and so Kirby Dog Training was born!
Knowing that Kirby’s legacy lives on through her dog training work, enabling owners to get the very best out of their dog via the most modern, kindest, effective and scientifically proven dog training is extremely rewarding.
Ella is accredited through the ABTC as an ATI (Animal Training Instructor). The ABTC sets and maintains standards of knowledge and practical skills needed to be an animal trainer, so in short; she uses kind, ethical, choice, and reward-based training to teach you and your dog, and it also means that she keeps up to date (CPD) with her own training. Ella is also a full member of the Pet Professional Guild.
Ella has been trained by the world-renowned Dog Behaviourist Gwen Bailey and is a fully certified Tutor with Puppy School.
Ella is constantly looking to improve her dog training skills, so she regularly attends training courses, workshops and seminars held by leading animal scientists, world expert dog trainers and animal scientists.
Alistair Mackenzie
Alistair (Ella’s husband and co-owner of Kirby Dog Training), started taking on his own clients in 2020 during the pandemic, and conducted zoom puppy training sessions helping puppies and their humans with essential puppy training skills.
Alistair has been shadowing Ella’s in-person sessions, virtual sessions and has been assisting in Kirby Dog Training’s puppy and adolescent dog classes since 2017. He brings a wealth of dog training experience to the team. Alistair regularly updates his knowledge and learning with continuous professional development. Alistair is a full member of the Pet Professional Guild.
Ella and Alistair live in Hassocks in West Sussex and share their home with their Collie X Kelpie called Byron, their Bedlington x Whippet x Greyhound called Banjo and their two Cornish Rex Cats Whinnie and Wilfred.
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 & Classes
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.
Puppy School Classes
Join our group Puppy School classes for pup’s 20wks and under.
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
My passion for dogs started when I was only seven years old. It came into my life in the form of a tiny furry bundle called Kirby. Kirby was a six-week-old terrier puppy who had been abandoned on the curb, and who we rescued from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. As our lives began together, so did my curiosity and fascination for this species.
Kirby very sadly passed away in February 2014 at the grand age of twenty years old, after a long and amazingly fulfilled life together I am still extremely passionate about dogs and the fascination and curiosity that began all those years ago continues to be a big part of my life. So much so, that helping dogs and their humans live happily together has become my full-time job as a dog trainer and so Kirby Dog Training was born!
Knowing that his legacy lives on through my dog training work, enabling owners to get the very best out of their dog via the most modern, kindest, effective and scientifically proven dog training is extremely rewarding.
I am accredited through the ABTC as an ATI (Animal Training Instructor). The ABTC sets and maintains standards of knowledge and practical skills needed to be an animal trainer, so in short; I use kind, ethical, choice and reward based training to teach you and your dog, and it also means that I keep up to date (CPD) with my own training. I am also a full member of the Pet Professional Guild.
I have been trained by the world-renowned Dog Behaviourist Gwen Bailey and I am a fully certified Tutor with Puppy School.
I am constantly looking to improve my dog training skills, so I regularly attend training courses, workshops and seminars held by leading animal scientists, world expert dog trainers and animal scientists.
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, I am fully accredited, insured, qualified in canine first aid and just generally mad about dogs!
I’d love to talk to you about your dog and how I can help! Contact me on ella@kirbydogtraining.com or call me on 07990 571 593. I aim to respond to every query within 24 hours.
Say hello!
via the form below, via ella@kirbydogtraining.com, alistair@kirbydogtraining.com or via phone 07990 571 593
We can discuss how we can solve your issue together, one paw at a time.
