Award Winning

Canine Behaviour & Training

Innovative, positive, real-life, results-driven training that has transformed the lives of thousands of dogs and owners.
at our
Bristol-based
locations
5.0 stars based on 105+
reviews
Read why others love us here
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An Overview

What we offer

Bespoke 1-2-1

Hands-on training designed to address your dog's behaviour and weak points from the ground up.
Personally tailored

Group class packages

Combined with a 1-2-1 session, along with on going phone and community support.

Intensive courses

Our intensive group course, for those looking to fast track their dog's training.

Dog School

Picked up in the morning and dropped off later. Complete hands off training.

Constant support

Regardless of what you choose we offer ongoing support.
Watch our video
Weekly Classes
Start straight away - With classes running every week simply join when convenient.
Achievements
One step at a time, your dog collects achievement awards to mark their progress.
Small Class Sizes
Palatable class sizes means you get plenty of 1-2-1 for you and your dog.

Who is our training for?

Our dog training is ideal for owners seeking professional training tailored to their dog's unique needs. We provide effective, practical solutions designed to fit all lifestyles.
Puppies
3-5 months old
Junior dogs
5-8 months old
Adult dogs
9+ months old

New dog owners

Whether you've welcomed either a new puppy into the house or a rescue dog, both can be equally daunting. We lay the foundations that cut early chaos and build consistent behaviour fast, saving you stress and the development of bad habits later on.
Take home a skillset that you can apply to keep your dog controlled.
Reward-based techniques that suit both pups and adult dogs.

Dogs with behavioural issues

Lunging on the lead, barking at guests, or sudden outbursts can make everyday life stressful and unpredictable. We identify the triggers behind those behaviours and remove them from the ground up.
Leave us with a dog you can enjoy without constant worry or tension.
Completely unlock your dogs specific needs. No generic approaches here.

Socialisation needs

Worry-filled walks, anxious greetings, or over-excited lunges can make introducing your dog to new people, pets, and places feel like a gamble. We create calm, positive encounters that replace uncertainty with confidence
Get your dog comfortable with both people and dogs alike even in loud busy spaces.
Easy cues to keep your dog calm when excitement starts to spike.
CASE STUDY

Buddy

Buddy previously viewed the park solely as a place to interact with other dogs, which often made it difficult to maintain his focus on his owners. Through training, he learned that walks aren't just about play, mastering the ability to heel past distractions and remain responsive while off-lead. This shift allowed him to enjoy more freedom, as he now understands how to navigate busy environments without losing his head. His passion for being with his people has grown so strong that he rarely wants to leave their side, preferring connection over wandering.

Reliable off-lead control & heel work.
Increased handler engagement & proximity.
CASE STUDY

Donnie

Donnie’s high energy levels around other dogs and people made trips to busy spots like Victoria Park challenging for his owners. They needed a strategy to manage his excitement and prevent him from becoming overwhelmed by the bustling environment. We focused on channeling his natural enthusiasm into constructive outlets, using high-drive games like tug to build engagement and focus. This approach transformed his walks, allowing him to ignore distractions and stay connected with his handlers through play and positive reinforcement.

Engagement training using play & tug.
Controlled excitement around high-level distractions.
CASE STUDY

Layla

Layla’s fear of other dogs manifested as constant barking, which made living in the centre of Bristol feel embarrassing and disruptive for her owners. They needed help managing her reactivity so she could navigate the city calmly without feeling threatened by every passing dog. We worked extensively on building her confidence, teaching her that she didn't need to be vocal to feel safe in social situations. She has made an incredible transformation and can now walk off-lead in busy parks like Ashton Court without barking.

Confidence building & reactivity training.
Calm, silent walking in high-traffic areas.
CASE STUDY

Albie

Albie’s owner had purchased a bike for city commuting but was anxious that Albie would find the experience stressful or refuse to run alongside. They wanted to ensure that introducing this new mode of transport wouldn't negatively impact his confidence or safety on the roads. In a single targeted session, we introduced the bike positively and successfully got Albie out on his very first ride. Cycling has now become a seamless part of their regular routine, allowing them to navigate the city together efficiently.

Bicycle desensitisation & accompanying training.
Confident, routine city commuting.
CASE STUDY

Bella

Bella’s owners had never been able to let her off-lead, fearing she would immediately bolt to chase other dogs if given the chance. They wanted to give her the freedom to explore open spaces but needed absolute certainty that she would return when called. Over the course of a comprehensive 60-day training program, we focused on building impulse control and establishing a consistent, reliable response to commands. Now, Bella is fully enjoying her newfound freedom at Ashton Court, proving she can be trusted to stay safe and connected.

Intensive off-lead & recall program.
Trustworthy freedom around distractions.
CASE STUDY

Scout

Scout’s intense prey drive meant she was strictly kept on-lead, as she couldn't resist the urge to hunt animals or chase anything that flew. Her owners wanted to provide her with more freedom but needed to ensure she wouldn't vanish after wildlife the moment the clip was released. Over a focused nine-week period, we worked on overriding those predatory behaviors through rigorous impulse control and engagement training. The hard work succeeded, and Scout was finally able to enjoy her first off-lead run without chasing the local wildlife.

Prey drive management & impulse control.
Safe off-lead freedom around wildlife.
CASE STUDY

Maggi

Maggi struggled with a deep fear of other dogs from a young age, which often presented as barking and lunging due to her German Shepherd instincts. Her owners wanted to curb this reactivity and help her feel safe rather than defensive during social encounters. Through participation in our classes, she gradually learned that other dogs weren’t scary, building her confidence step by step. Now, she has completely overcome her fears and happily maintains a circle of dog friends she enjoys seeing.

Structured socialization classes.
Overcoming reactivity & making friends.
CASE STUDY

Dillon

Dillon, a nervous Romanian rescue from Holly Hedge, initially found the outside world so frightening that he often refused to go for walks. His owners wanted to help him overcome his deep-seated anxiety so he could feel safe and enjoy a normal life. We focused on building his confidence at his own pace, integrating him into the community and introducing him to mantrailing to give him a positive focus. He is now a central part of our pack with plenty of friends, loving his scent-work classes and his new life.

Confidence building for nervous rescues.
Social integration & mantrailing success.
CASE STUDY

Obi

Obi presented as a typical out-of-control adolescent retriever, struggling with constant pulling and an intense desire to greet every dog he saw. His owners needed to curb his frustration and lack of focus to make their daily walks manageable again. By committing to a structured training plan, they worked tirelessly to teach him better impulse control and loose-lead skills. Their dedication has paid off brilliantly, transforming him from a chaotic puller into a well-mannered, calm companion.

Adolescent impulse control & lead training.
Polite greetings & relaxed walking.
CASE STUDY

Buddy

CASE STUDY

Donnie

CASE STUDY

Layla

CASE STUDY

Albie

CASE STUDY

Bella

CASE STUDY

Scout

CASE STUDY

Maggi

CASE STUDY

Dillon

CASE STUDY

Obi

More than a club

Be part of a community

HoundPlus goes beyond traditional dog training classes. We know that dealing with dog behavioural challenges can feel overwhelming, especially for new owners. Our group sessions bring together like-minded individuals to share experiences and tackle challenges together.
OUR EXPERIENCE

About the team

At Houndplus, we help pets and their people get the most from their bond. Every animal is different, so we work with you to deliver tailored guidance that creates lasting change - whether you’ve just welcomed a new pet or you’re navigating behavioural challenges.
Nick holds a BSc (Hons) in Canine  Behaviour and training from the University of Hull, giving him in-depth knowledge across breeds and a strong focus on welfare requirements. He continues to tackle a wide range of behavioural issues, and has professional experience working across all breeds and behavioural issues. His expertise pairs solid science with proven, hands-on results across diverse cases.

Nick

Dog Behaviourist
Nick Benger is an expert dog trainer and behaviourist, host of the Dog Talk with Nick Benger podcast and Amazon Prime’s The Pack trainer, regularly featured in major media and backed by a degree in Canine Behaviour & Training from the University of Hull.

How we compare

Traditional dog training
Award Winning

Our award-winning approach guarantees top-tier dog training, recognised for excellence in the industry.

Dog Behaviourists

Our certified dog behaviourists specialises in understanding and addressing complex behavioural issues, ensuring your dog’s well-being and harmony in your life.

Positive Reinforcement

We focus on positive reinforcement techniques that build trust and strengthen the bond with your dog.

Customised Programs

Each dog is unique, so we offer tailored training programs to meet their specific needs and goals.

Proven Results

Our training methods are proven to deliver lasting results, with countless success stories from happy clients.

Trusted by over 2,500 owners since 2021
5.0
65+ ratings
100+
Dog breeds

What our customers say

We're rated 5.0 stars on Google by 105+ reviewers

Laura. S
4 months ago
We know Livvy and Nick for about 5-6 years now and they helped every step of the way from puppy classes to dealing with a 55kg male adolescent, to working through reactivity ... They truly are the best. Especially dealing with a lazy and very anxious human (me) that over-reacts a lot more than the dog.There are no words that can express how thankful I am and how much I recommend them and their team.
Ryan Hicks
4 months ago
We know Livvy and Nick for about 5-6 years now and they helped every step of the way from puppy classes to dealing with a 55kg male adolescent, to working through reactivity ... They truly are the best. Especially dealing with a lazy and very anxious human (me) that over-reacts a lot more than the dog.There are no words that can express how thankful I am and how much I recommend them and their team.

I'm an owner of a dog who was, I REPEAT, was reactive until he attended "Reactivity Resolved" with Nick Benger of hound +. Here, in a group session Scamp and I had the fortunate experience in a safe setting to be around other dogs and learn how to NOT be reactive. So much confidence has been unleashed in me I can now take him to places I would once have avoided in the knowledge that my young boy will look to me despite what other dogs are doing, he's the calmest, happiest boy I have ever seen. I can even take him to "good dog training" where he learns all he needs to walk without any frustration or angst with both Livvy and Nick. With confidence comes the ability to attend yet more classes such as trick training with Rachel helping me to form a bond that I would never have thought possible.

Marcia Tidbury
4 months ago

We first encountered HoundPlus just after we adopted our very cute but very naughty rescue pup and were clueless about what to do – and terrified we were just going to make him worse. We signed up to obedience classes and Nick, Livvy and the rest of the team were so supportive and knowledgeable –  I slept well for the first time in weeks. The other lovely thing about it is the HoundPlus community, who make you realise you're not the only one wondering what the hell you were thinking bringing this feral creature into your lives. Mingus is now on his way to being a level 2 Bristol Good Dog. And the man-trailing, hoopers and scentwork sessions are brilliant too.

Louise Banbury
4 months ago

I've worked with Nick and Livvy for a number of years with my reactive Spanish rescue, they are fabulous in every way, not just for the dog but a huge support for the owner as the caregivers burden can become detrimental to your own wellbeing some days. I cannot rate them highly enough for the level of support they have provided us and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to any dog owner.

Rebecca Roberts
4 months ago

I've really enjoyed working with Nick and the team. I wanted to build confidence in my 1 year old sprocker who's very shy in new situations. The scentwork course has been the best thing for her! She's learnt a great new skill and has come on leaps and bounds in her confidence. She's gone from cowering behind me to interacting with all the other dogs and humans. Nick, Rachel and Livvy are really encouraging and knowledgable and I've really enjoyed the bonding experience with my dog.I've already booked on to our next course! Would recommend to any dog owner!

Kelly O'Connor
3 years ago

I have a dog who looks like an angel but isn't. Nick and his staff have been great. The ethos is to use kindness with the dog and there is no making the owner feel bad either. Some of my dog's behaviour is due to my reaction to her bad behaviour and they are happy to train me too.

Sue Ashman
2 years ago

We approached Nick after adopting our rescue dog, Diggle.  We didn't know much about his background, but we believe he had been used for Badger baiting in his previous life, and has the scars and missing teeth to back this theory up. Within a few weeks of him coming to us his issues started to surface.  He was extremely anxious, which presented as aggression, and we had several  fairly serious incidents with other dogs, and an occasion where he was triggered by my dad approaching him, which unfortunately resulted in my dad being bitten.We contacted Nick who came and visited us in our home, and my parent's home to assess Diggle.  He gave us insight into what Diggle's triggers were, and advice and guidance on how to deal with it.  The change in in our little dog is amazing, we can now have enjoyable, relaxed walks with him.  He is still cautious of other dogs, but with Nick's guidance we have taught him that dogs = treats, so he now looks at us for a dog treat when another dog approaches, instead of going into meltdown - he even has several doggy pals that he walks with on a regular basis.  He is so much more relaxed with people now, he is on excellent terms with my Dad, and instead of growling at visitors to the house, he is excited to see them and wants cuddles.  I honestly can't thank Nick enough, he has changed our lives and given Diggle a quality of life that we don't think he has ever had before.  Would highly, highly, recommend him. Thank you so much Nick!

Laura Jackson
2 years ago

We had a lovely experience with our whippet puppy and HoundPlus. Friendly, approachable, relaxed and non-judgemental! We had a really great time and was a fab way to social our pup. Only wish we could have done more than 4 weeks of classes! Would love a follow up course if there are plans to do them in the future. High recommend HoundPlus!

Abi Canterbury
2 years ago

Hound plus has been great since we started puppy training class. The training we received was excellent, they not only helped with our puppy but trained us too! We have now singed up for hoopers and trick classes and like the puppy training they are really fun and informative! Hound plus have such a wide range of knowledge and they are always happy to answer questions on their app. There is always plenty to do from training classes to a free pack walk on Sundays. I would highly recommend Houndplus to all that ask for the best dog trainers who know exactly what they are doing and have a passion for what they do. Everyone is super friendly and approachable, just a super lovely group of people!

Camille Mitchell
2 years ago
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