Modern. Practical. Safe. Built for real-world professionals.
Handling and behaviour courses for veterinary teams, kennels, groomers and dog walkers.
Corporate rate bundles.
Predictable, affordable, ongoing behaviour support for businesses that work with dogs every day, from £295 a month.
Professional handling courses, the D.O.P.E way.
These aren’t theory-heavy seminars. They’re hands-on, confidence-building, behaviour-driven handling courses designed to make staff safer, calmer and more effective with every dog they touch.
| Course | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary teams: Low-Stress, High-Control handling | Half day, up to 6 staff, on site | £395 |
| Kennel staff: Handling and Behaviour Basics | Half day, up to 4 staff, on site | £695 |
| Groomers: Calm Grooming workshop | One session, on site | £300 |
| Dog walkers: Handling and Multi-Dog Control | 4 sessions | £300 a session, £1,200 the course |
| Trainer visit service | 1 to 5 hours, tailored | On enquiry |
Veterinary teams
Half-day “Low-Stress, High-Control” handling training | Up to 6 staff | On site | £395
A calm dog makes a safe clinic. This workshop gives your team the techniques to reduce fear, prevent escalation, and handle difficult cases cleanly and confidently.
What we cover
- Approaching, assessing and reading dogs quickly
- Reducing stress in waiting rooms and consult rooms
- Clean restraint techniques (no wrestling, no panic)
- Handling anxious, reactive or pain-sensitive dogs
- Using pressure and release, leverage and body position
- Improving handler timing, tone and teamwork
Outcome
A smoother clinic, safer staff and calmer dogs, every appointment.
Kennel staff
Half-day Handling and Behaviour Basics | Up to 4 staff | On site | £695
Perfect for kennels that want to level up safety, reduce incidents and work with dogs more confidently.
What we cover
- Safe entry and exit protocols
- Lead handling and movement management
- Reading high-arousal or stressed dogs
- Safe feeding, cleaning and corridor routines
- Preventing barrier frustration and kennel reactivity
Outcome
Staff who know how to keep dogs calm, safe and predictable, even in a busy kennel environment.
Trainer visit service
Book 1 to 5 hours of tailored support. Bring problems, questions or cases and Chris works hands-on with your team: behaviour cases, intake assessments, staff coaching, handling refreshers and behaviour modification strategies. On-demand expertise without formal training days.
Groomers
“Calm Grooming” Handling and Behaviour Workshop | £300
Groomers see the full spectrum of stress: fear, movement, sensitivity and aggression. This workshop gives you the tools to manage it safely. A calmer dog is a safer groom.
What we cover
- Safe, low-stress handling that dogs tolerate
- Setting behaviours before starting: stand, stillness, foot work
- Reading early signs of escalation and shutting it down
- Using tables, restraints and tools correctly
- Managing fear, barbering and over-arousal
- Creating a calm environment dogs trust
Outcome
Safer grooms, easier dogs and fewer stress incidents, for both sides of the table.
Dog walkers
Basic Handling and Multi-Dog Control Course | For solo walkers and small teams | 4 sessions, £300 a session
Walking dogs is easy. Walking other people’s dogs safely, legally and calmly is a whole different skill. Professional walking isn’t “just walking”. It’s energy management, group dynamics and real handling skill.
What we cover
- Clean lead handling
- Multi-dog control and movement
- Reading group energy before it breaks
- Interrupting tension, conflict and excitement
- Safe road crossings and “pressure zones”
- Recall and regroup drills for field walking
Candidate Assessment Workshop
Not every dog is suitable for group walks. This workshop teaches you how to screen them properly: assessing temperament, thresholds and triggers, spotting red flags early, evaluating handling history and owner claims, compatibility with your existing pack, and trial walks and safety protocols. Better group selection, safer walks, fewer headaches.
Corporate rate bundles
Professional behaviour support for organisations that work with dogs every day. These bundles make the service predictable, affordable and ongoing.
Quarterly Behaviour Support Bundle: £895 per quarter
Perfect for vets, kennels and groomers wanting regular access to expert support. Includes two half-day staff training sessions (any department), one on-site behaviour audit (layout, handling routines, workflow), priority phone and email support for staff, a one-hour case review consultation (remote or in person) and an annual certificate to display in the business. Ideal for businesses wanting ongoing development without full staff downtime.
Monthly Handler Skills Subscription: £295 per month
Perfect for dog walkers, groomers and kennels who want steady support and upskilling. Includes one 90-minute staff training session per month, one dog-specific case or behaviour consult (remote), access to training resources and handling guides, and priority scheduling for incidents or behaviour escalations. Ideal for small businesses managing mixed dogs, changing groups or inconsistent staff experience.
Annual Staff Training Contract: £2,995 per year
A full-service corporate contract for clinics, kennels or multi-site grooming businesses. Includes four half-day in-house training workshops (handling, reactivity, low-stress techniques, aggression prevention), two on-site behaviour audits, four case consultations through the year, unlimited staff email support and an annual accreditation certificate. Ideal for businesses wanting a training partner rather than one-off attendance.
Incident Response and Behaviour Safety Package: £650 one-off
For businesses who have had bites, escalated aggression, staff safety concerns, unstable group dynamics or difficult kennel and grooming cases. Includes an immediate on-site assessment (up to 3 hours), handling correction and risk-reduction coaching, staff retraining on safety and behaviour management, written behavioural recommendations and an optional follow-up consult (£75). For when something has gone wrong, or nearly has, and the organisation needs quick, authoritative action.
Multi-Site Corporate Partnership: from £4,500 per year
For vet groups, kennel chains, grooming franchises and dog-walker collectives. Options include annual training calendars, multi-site visits, standardised handling procedures, bespoke staff manuals, a central behaviour support hotline and on-call trainer access. Outcome: consistent, safe animal handling across an entire organisation. Price on application.