Frequently asked questions

No. You don't get progress with one-off lessons, as most dogs take 4–8 weeks to embed a new behaviour. One-off advice sessions are offered.

No. The truth is an in-person trainer is a distraction to your dog — dogs behave differently around unfamiliar people. Most of a dog's training should come from their own human, not a stranger. Spogan gives you the skills and support to train your dog yourself in your normal environment, which gives better, more reliable results. The bonus is you can keep using the skills you learn to maintain your dog's training for years, without having to spend money and time again on an in-person dog trainer.

Every training & behaviour option is delivered online via video call — so you can work with Spogan from anywhere in the world.

Never. No e-collars, choke chains, prong collars, or tightening leads, harnesses or headcollars. With the right understanding, they're simply not needed — along with dogs, we have trained a huge boar pig and an ex-racehorse by voice alone.

That's exactly who Spogan is built for. Biters, reactors, destroyers and rescues written off elsewhere — we have lived with and worked through all of it. Some of our most "hopeless" cases are now stooge dogs who help other dogs.

If you're dealing with just one straightforward issue, the Advice Call is a solid starting point. The Dog Behaviour & Training Plan is the option I'd recommend for most owners — a full consultation, a written plan, two follow-up calls, and 10 weeks of WhatsApp support to help you put it into practice, with an optional add-on if you have more than one dog. It's a complete programme in its own right, and once you've finished, Graduate Support and Graduate Support Plus are there if you'd like to keep going.

Yes. Online training can be highly effective because it allows us to discuss and observe your dog's behaviour in their normal environment. It also keeps the focus on coaching you to understand and support your dog between sessions. Location is never a barrier.

Both the Advice Call and the Dog Behaviour & Training Plan book straight into my calendar — just pick a time that works for you. Either way, you'll get a short questionnaire about your dog before we speak, so we can make the most of your time together.

Pet dogs of any age or breed, including those labelled "reactive" or "untrainable" elsewhere. We don't offer protection, sport or medical-alert training, and we ask for the same commitment and kindness from owners that we bring to every dog.

We'll talk through your dog's history, routine and the behaviour you're seeing, then work through what's driving it. You'll leave with clear next steps.

It depends on the package. In an Advice Call, all information is discussed verbally only. The Dog Behaviour & Training Plan includes a comprehensive, personalised written behaviour and training plan to work through over your 10 weeks.

The Dog Behaviour & Training Plan includes 10 weeks of WhatsApp support as standard, so you've got direct access throughout your 10 week plan. Once that's finished, your support is complete — plenty of owners are all set to continue independently from there. If you'd like to keep working with me, you're welcome to apply for Graduate Support for ongoing WhatsApp coaching, or Graduate Support Plus if you'd benefit from a monthly call as well.

Your programme simply finishes — there's no pressure either way, and no follow-up sales call. For most dogs, 10 weeks is enough to see real, lasting change, and you'll have a written plan to keep working from. If you'd like to stay connected, graduate options are there for you to explore whenever suits — entirely optional, and only ever offered, never required.

Send a message or a short video the moment something happens — a reaction on a walk, a tricky moment at the door — and I'll tell you what I'm seeing and what to adjust, within 2 working days. It's best for staying on track between sessions and catching small issues before they become habits. Bigger or new issues may still need a full advice call, and I'll always let you know if that's the better route. For urgent welfare or safety concerns, contact your vet or an appropriate emergency service.

Each package's follow-up calls are scheduled within the stated window (10 weeks or 6 months) so momentum doesn't stall — but life happens, so just get in touch if you need a short extension and I'll always try to be flexible.

I want every client to feel this is the right fit. If, after our first session, either of us feels it isn't, we'll talk it through honestly — and I reserve the right to recommend another professional, or end the working relationship, if I don't believe I'm the right fit for you and your dog.

Yes. Graduate Support and Graduate Support Plus are both reserved for owners who've completed the Dog Behaviour & Training Plan. That way, everyone I'm coaching afterwards has already worked with me directly and understands how I coach — which makes the support better and more focused for everyone in it.

Both Graduate Support and Graduate Support Plus involve my direct time each month, so I keep a limited number of spaces on each so I can give everyone proper attention. Apply via the contact form and I'll let you know honestly whether it's the right fit.

Both Graduate Support and Graduate Support Plus are reviewed month to month, so either of us can decide when the time is right to finish — no minimum term, no notice period, no awkward conversation required.

Send a message or a short video when something needs adjusting on your existing plan, and I'll tell you what I'm seeing and what to try next, usually within a couple of working days. It's continuing coaching on the plan we've already built together, not an always-on line or a route to diagnosing brand-new issues — bigger or new problems may still need a scheduled call or a fresh consultation, and I'll always let you know honestly if that's the better route.

Graduate Support (£39/month) is WhatsApp coaching only. Graduate Support Plus (£69/month) includes everything in Graduate Support, plus one private 30-minute video call each month for closer, more hands-on coaching. If your dog is doing well and you mainly want reassurance and light adjustments, Graduate Support is usually enough. If you're working through something more involved, Graduate Support Plus gives you dedicated time to go deeper.

Many guests travel to stay with us. Get in touch early — we take one household at a time, so availability is limited and books up well in advance.