HoundPlus and The Mutty Professor are the trainers Bristol owners rate most

HoundPlus has a perfect 5.0 from 126 people, and The Mutty Professor has 4.8 from 259, more reviews than any other trainer in our directory. Start with HoundPlus if you want group classes. If your dog's behaviour is really worrying you, skip to Co-Evolve at number 8, which is run by a clinical animal behaviourist.

Every trainer on this list uses reward-based methods. I've tried to be as unbiased as possible, so I've mainly stuck to Google reviews to be fair. Everyone here has a rating of 4.8 or higher.

1. HoundPlus, Hengrove

  • Rating: 5.0 from 126 Google reviews
  • Good for: group classes, puppies, scentwork

HoundPlus runs small classes from Christ Church in Hengrove, covering puppy and adult training plus scentwork, tricks, mantrailing and hoopers. Owners like that you can mix and match classes to work on whatever's bothering you, whether that's recall or pulling on the lead. Nick, Livvy and the team also do one-to-one sessions for things like chasing and anxiety.

See HoundPlus in our directory

2. The Mutty Professor, Winford

  • Rating: 4.8 from 259 Google reviews
  • Good for: behaviour help, harness and muzzle fitting

When 259 people have reviewed a trainer and they still average 4.8, you can trust it. The Mutty Professor does training and behaviour work alongside a shop full of good food, treats and kit, and the team will properly fit a harness, muzzle or coat for you. Really useful if you're starting muzzle training and need one that actually fits your dog's face.

See The Mutty Professor in our directory

3. South West Dog Skills, Hunstrete

  • Rating: 4.9 from 90 Google reviews
  • Good for: puppies, adolescents, nervous dogs

Worth the drive out towards Pensford. Matt and Tamara are ACE-accredited and have their own training centre in the countryside, so nervous dogs can learn without a busy park going on around them. They coach puppies, stroppy adolescents and adult dogs, and take on reactive and sensitive dogs too.

See South West Dog Skills in our directory

4. Pawtastic Dog Services, Stapleton

  • Rating: 4.9 from 77 Google reviews

Nearly 80 reviews and almost all of them five stars, which is hard to do. Pawtastic is a few minutes from Generals Dogs Bodies and is open six days a week, with evening slots on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

See Pawtastic in our directory

5. Generals Dogs Bodies, Stapleton

  • Rating: 5.0 from 49 Google reviews
  • Good for: reactive dogs, separation anxiety

A good shout if your dog reacts to other dogs, guards their food or toys, or can't cope being left. It's run by an IMDT-qualified trainer and behaviourist who specialises in exactly those problems. Consultations can be done online too, which helps if your dog finds visitors stressful. Open seven days a week, into the evening.

See Generals Dogs Bodies in our directory

6. Bristol Dog Days, Whitchurch

  • Rating: 5.0 from 32 Google reviews

A perfect score from 32 owners, and handy if you're in the south of the city. Bristol Dog Days is open every day including weekend mornings, so it's easier to fit training around work.

See Bristol Dog Days in our directory

7. Mutleys Dog Training, Redland

  • Rating: 5.0 from 31 Google reviews
  • Good for: puppy socialisation, group classes

Mutleys has been training Bristol dogs since 2005, so there's a good chance a neighbour has recommended it to you. Puppy socialisation is their main thing, with classes at the scout hut on Hurle Road and one-to-ones as well. Dogs can work towards the APDT Good Companion Awards if you like having a goal.

See Mutleys in our directory

8. Co-Evolve, Totterdown

  • Rating: 5.0 from 23 Google reviews
  • Good for: aggression, anxiety, serious behaviour problems

If your dog's behaviour is worrying you, this is who we'd call. Dr Michelle Lord is a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist, a qualification most trainers don't have. She works one to one with owners to understand why their dog is doing what it's doing, then builds a plan from there. Your vet may refer you to someone like her for aggression or severe anxiety anyway.

See Co-Evolve in our directory

Also worth a look

How to pick a good dog trainer

Dog training isn't regulated in the UK, so anyone can call themselves a trainer or a behaviourist. A few things help you tell them apart.

  • Ask how they'd stop your dog jumping up. If the answer involves shock collars, prong collars or spraying water, walk away.
  • Check they belong to a proper body, like the ABTC, APDT or IMDT. Members have to show their qualifications and follow a code of practice.
  • Go to your vet first for aggression or severe anxiety. They can rule out pain and refer you to a clinical animal behaviourist.

Looking for a trainer near you?

Find every trainer we know about in our dog services directory.