WELCOME TO

FAMILY DOG SERVICES

Family Dog Services is a family run business providing training and behavioural services for gundogs, and pet dogs. We predominantly train gundogs for working, breed fulfillment, and competition. We start with puppy foundations right through to working level gundog training.

We also offer puppy foundations, basic obedience and life skills for all breeds and ages of dog, tailoring our training for your specific needs. No dog is too old to learn and our training classes or one to ones are available for every age and ability.

“Owning a dog is an exciting and fulfilling experience…”

Owning a dog is an exciting and fulfilling experience, and, training your dog should be fun and rewarding. Part of owning a dog includes training them to be obedient and well mannered.

We offer a variety of training options, training outside in one of our training fields in Maidstone or online with our puppy foundation, and gundog training courses.

At our training classes our purpose is to teach you to train your dog so you will need to be committed to training your dog at home to continue what we cover in the classes.

Our aim is to give you lots of encouragement and information. We will give you guidance to help correct any problems that occur.

Our training classes take place in a safe, controlled environment. We are friendly and approachable and we want you and your dog to enjoy training with us.

THIS IS US

ABOUT US

Family Dogs Services is a family run business comprising of married couple Claire and John Denyer.

“Our mission is to help dog owners get their training right first time and help them correct any unpredictable behaviours that occur during their dogs development.”

Meet the Team

Claire Denyer

I am a gundog and behavioural trainer who works with every dog and owner individually taking a holistic approach to training. I have been training dogs professionally since 2016 including pet dogs and working gundogs.

I have enjoyed training and working my own gundogs since 2012. I work my dogs on shoots picking up, but occasionally beating too. I have experience working my dogs on both driven, and rough shoots. I have achieved the Royal Kennel Club working gundog certificate with my own working dogs, and have competed in working tests with good results.

I am proud to have trained alongside and with some incredible dog trainers and behaviourists including dog behaviourist Robert Alleyne (attending his 12 week instructors course in 2016) John Rogerson and have continued to attend various courses, workshops and seminars including pet gundog training, canine first aid, dog aggression awareness workshops, dog on dog aggression courses, dog on human aggression courses, Zoopharmacognosy, and Tellington Ttouch to name a few, and studied dog training and behaviour with the CIDBT

I am passionate about gundog training for breed fulfillment, working, and for fun. In my gundog work I am passionate about educating owners on how appropriate training can help prevent behavioural problems with pet gundog breeds. I believe that gundog training can create a very unique bond between dog and handler, and doesn't require harsh handling. Gundog training should be enjoyable for both dog and handler

I specialise in working with reluctant retrievers. Whether the owner wants to work their gundog or not, having a reluctant retriever can bring unwanted behavioural problems, and, potential risks.
I work with many dogs who are anxious, and with sound sensitivity issues, especially gunshy dogs. Using a blend of behavioural modification techniques, play, and resilience building strategies we have successfully helped hundreds of dogs overcome their anxieties and sound sensitivities, and watched them go on to successfully compete in working tests, and work out in the field.
I offer 121s, gundog classes, workshops, and training days, as well as running walked up training days and KC working gundog certificate days for our clients. In 2027 I will offer Canine Cognition clinics following my instructor course with Endeavour Canine in 2006. I believe that understanding how individual dogs learn and their unique personality traits will help my handlers communicate with their dogs more effectively and tailor training for the individual dog.
I am proud to be a featured expert and group expert for the LWDG and also a Canine Instructor Academy Trainer
I am the author of two books puppy 'The Life of Rose' (Raising puppies the family dog services way) our puppy book based on the life of Rose our puppy, and 'The Life of Rose' (becoming a gundog) which follows Rose's training from puppyhood to becoming a working gundog. Both are available on our website
https://www.familydogservices.co.uk/shop/p/thelifeofrose-becomingagundog
https://www.familydogservices.co.uk/shop/p/a-life-of-rose
Indy, Dude, Rose & Genie
John Denyer

I have been training dogs professionally since 2016 including pet dogs and working gundogs, and have enjoyed training my own gundogs since 2012
I am a behavioural trainer, and I am passionate about improving dog owners relationships with their dogs.
At Family Dog Services we work with every dog and owner individually taking a holistic approach to training.
I have trained alongside and under some incredible dog trainers and behaviourists over the years including dog behaviourist Robert Alleyne (attending his 12 week instructors course in 2016) John Rogerson (both in the UK and in China) and have continued to attend various courses, workshops and seminars including pet gundog training, canine first aid, dog aggression awareness workshops, dog on dog aggression courses, dog on human aggression courses, and studied dog training and behaviour with the CIDBT
I believe in educating owners on how appropriate training can help prevent behavioural problems with pet dogs.
I have a passion for and specialise in working with gundogs. Whether the owner wants to work their gundog or not, gundog training is a great way to build self control, and off lead control, and can help prevent unwanted behaviours.
I work my dogs on local shoots, usually picking up, but occasionally beating too.
I run puppy classes, 121s, gundog classes, workshops, and training days, as well as walked up training days and KC working gundog certificate days for our clients.
I am proud to be a level 4 certified True2Life International trainer and Canine Instructor Academy trainer.

Find out more about us

SERVICES

We offer a wide variety of services for our clients. Click on any of the services to find out more.

Classes & Group Sessions

Puppy Classes

Puppy training classes are an excellent way to ensure your dog starts life with a good foundation of the skills required to become a content and social-able dog. A small class environment can teach your puppy how to behave responsibly around other dogs, whilst giving him/her a chance to learn basic obedience skills, patience and focus on you. Getting these things correct at an early age before bad habits are learnt will strengthen the bond between you and your dog and make life much easier in the future.

Gundog Classes

Our gundog training is fun and educational. Classes run fortnightly to give plenty of time to practice what is being learnt between classes.

Bespoke Group Lessons

We will continue to put together small group sessions (2-4 dogs) with bespoke exercises (for those wanting to concentrate on more specific exercises or wanting to train with friends) this can be specific exercises like - retrieving, recall, loose lead walking to name a few. Contact us to enquire about booking.

1-2-1 and Consulations

1-2-1 Lessons

Private 1-2-1 lessons can be arranged to assist with your training and are a great way to address specific training concerns that you may have.

Behaviourist services

A dog's life can be confusing, fitting in with an owners family life and routine can sometimes be stressful and lead to undesirable behaviours. Similarly despite our best efforts our dogs can occasionally be exposed to situations for which they are unprepared which again can give rise to problematic behaviours. These behaviours are best addressed early to prevent them becoming a habit or escalating.

A behavioural consultation will include up to 4 hours practical consultation, preparation of a full report and training plan, coupled with ongoing support.

Puppy Consultation

Just purchased a puppy and want some guidance? We also offer a puppy specific consultation providing training advice, guidance on avoiding common problems and answers to any questions you may have. The puppy consultation is ideal for puppies under 4 months old and includes up to 2 hours practical consultation, preparation of a full report and training plan, coupled with ongoing support.