Puppy Training Durham

Looking for puppy training in Durham that sets your dog up for a lifetime of good behaviour? At Rewards Dog Training, we offer positive, reward-based training designed to help your puppy grow into a happy, confident, and well-mannered companion.

Puppy Challenges? We Can Help!

From mastering the basics, such as recall and loose-lead walking, to building focus and social skills, our friendly classes and one-to-one sessions provide both you and your puppy with the tools to succeed.

I’ve been training puppies of all breeds, sizes, shapes and temperaments for many years — and I’ve trained lots of owners, too! I love teaching people to understand their dogs and start their journey to getting the well-behaved family pet they want.

Why Choose Our Puppy Training in Durham

Whether you’re just welcoming your pup home or struggling with early behaviours, I offer a flexible approach to help set your puppy up for life, with both group classes and private home sessions available.

I love teaching people to understand their dogs and start their journey to getting the well-behaved family pet they want.

As a Royal Kennel Club Accredited Instructor in Companion Dog Training, I know exactly what skills you should be learning, but I also tailor every course to suit individual needs and interests. I’ve worked with autistic and disabled clients too, ensuring every owner feels supported and included.

Our Puppy Training in Durham

Home Start Puppy Package

Give your puppy the best possible start with our Home Start Puppy Package, designed for puppy owners across County Durham. Perfect for very young puppies or owners who can’t attend classes. I’ll come to your home for personalised, 1-to-1 training.

With years of experience running classes at vet clinics and local community venues across County Durham, I’ve learned that the very best foundation for training begins before your puppy is exposed to the hustle and bustle of the wider world. Teaching key skills like focus, calmness, and connection in the home environment means your puppy is prepared for the sights and sounds of post boxes, shops, other dogs, and strangers, without being overwhelmed.

What’s Included in the Home Start Puppy Package?

The package includes four 45-minute sessions delivered in your own home, covering essential training such as settling in, house training, nipping, building independence, and more, all tailored to suit your lifestyle. You’ll also receive weekly homework sheets, guidance on nutrition and routines, and advice on creating a calm, enriching environment. Most importantly, you’ll be building a relationship based on trust and understanding, which will give your puppy the confidence to handle any situation.

Beginner Puppy Classes

Give your pup the best start with our 4-Week Puppy Course, designed for puppies up to 6 months old (after their first vaccination) across County Durham.

Our classes are calm and relaxed, with no noisy, overcrowded halls. You’ll receive direct support to work on your puppy’s individual needs while learning practical skills to set your pup up for success. With small groups, we strike the perfect balance between structured training and safe socialisation, helping your puppy grow into a confident, well-mannered companion.

What’s Included in our Puppy Classes?

Our courses are 4 weeks long, during which your puppy will learn the foundations of training, receive guidance on house training, nutrition, and exercise, gain confidence for stress-free vet visits, and enjoy safe, fun socialisation with other pups.

Where are the beginner puppy classes held? The group puppy classes are held at Wilson Vet Group’s surgery on Tenters Street, Bishop Auckland. Contact us to find out our next available dates.

Group Advanced Puppy course

Our group advanced puppy training course in Coxhoe is designed for pups up to 12 months old and runs every Sunday at 11.30 am at K9 Freedom Fields.

What’s Included in the Advanced Puppy Training?

Building on the foundations from our beginners’ course, this next stage focuses on loose lead walking, reliable recall, and safe socialisation in outdoor settings.

You’ll learn how to manage greetings, when to let your dog interact, and when to walk away, all while helping your puppy navigate the challenges of the teenage phase. Sessions are relaxed, supportive, and controlled, giving your dog the chance to practise good behaviour in public and stay calm around other dogs.

After completing the four-week course, you can either continue attending at a reduced fee or progress to our social sessions with older dogs.

Social session with older dogs

After completing our puppy and advanced courses, you and your dog can move on to our social sessions with older dogs. These classes provide a safe, controlled environment where dogs of all ages can continue to practise their manners, build confidence, and enjoy positive interactions with others. With guidance on reading body language, managing play, and encouraging calm behaviour, these sessions are a great way to keep your dog well-socialised while strengthening the bond you’ve built through training.

Dog Owner Reviews

The Hitchens Family

“Soon after bringing home our delightful cockapoo pup, Twiglet, we had a Preschool Puppy Session with Sara in our home. She met the family including our slightly bemused cat! This visit gave us reassurance that we were on the right track and also tips and advice for the forthcoming days and early weeks with a new pup.I would thoroughly recommend Sara’s dog training skills and, importantly, her friendly and approachable manner ensuring that each encounter is enjoyable with laughs along the way!”

Chris

“We have been delighted with the training and advice provided by Sara in helping to train the fabulous addition to our family – our beardie Harley. He attended the puppy foundation class and we also had several 1-2-1 sessions in the park, which has achieved virtually 100% recall with Harley. Sara is really not only an expert, but a lovely person to deal with, and would recommend her to any dog owners.”

Steve and Angela

“I wanted to have some basic training for our 12 week old English Bulldog called Mabel and opted for some 1-2-1 lessons as primarily, she wouldn’t be awake for the classes in the event so having them at home really helped. Sara clearly has a vast and in depth knowledge of dog training techniques and tips/advice etc. and Mabel absolutely loved her. I would have no hesitation in recommending Sara and can only thank her for the help and advice shared for Mabel.”

🐾 Puppy Training FAQ's 🐾

What age can my puppy start training?

We can start home training as soon as your puppy has settled in – usually from 8 weeks old. Group classes are ideal for puppies who have been fully vaccinated. Early training helps prevent unwanted behaviours and sets your puppy up for success.

What areas do you cover for puppy training in County Durham?

We provide our home start puppy training across Durham, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Bishop Auckland, Seaham, Houghton-le-Spring, and surrounding areas. Our puppy training classes are in Bishop Auckland and Coxhoe.

If you’re unsure if we cover your location, just get in touch.

Is holistic training suitable for puppies?

Absolutely! Starting puppies on a holistic approach means they learn in a way that supports their development, builds resilience, and creates a strong bond with you from day one.

Can you help with puppy problems like biting or toilet training?

Yes, we can. We’ll show you how to manage and reduce unwanted behaviours like nipping, chewing, jumping up, and house accidents.