The Compassionate Canine – Force-Free Dog Training That Actually Works
Ethical. Informed. Affordable. Because they’re family.
Real-life training that helps you feel confident, in control, and supported while raising a calm, happy, resilient dog.
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4 customer reviews
John Bruce
Dog Training
Maria is an excellent teacher and our two dogs have come a long way under her guidance. She is a very patient lady and needed to be as my memory is not great.
Although we have kept dogs for more than 40 years, I learned a whole lot more about their psychology from Maria
Thank you Maria. Your efforts are very much appreciated
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Reply from The Compassionate Canine
It's been lovely working with you all! Thank you so much :)
Maxine
Dog Training
Dog training and behaviourism is a completely unregulated profession in the UK and with so many conflicting opinions, training styles and information out there - finding The Compassionate Canine was such a relief!
Maria is a wonderful human being and wonderful dog trainer. She is as empathetic and patient with the owner as she is with the dog. So very understanding of the harmonious balance that must be struck between the wellbeing of the dog and the wellbeing of the owner in light of demanding and dynamic personal circumstances and lifestyles.
As she is a positive reinforcement trainer I fully support her methods and her services are very reasonably priced! She has experience working with reactive dogs so when my puppy became suddenly reactive at 8 months old, I felt at a loss until I began working with her. I can message her between sessions to ask questions and get advice which is such a comfort.
Whether your dog has behavioural issues or not, the dog training journey is a long one but having someone like Maria at your side makes it much more enjoyable and constructive for all involved.
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Reply from The Compassionate Canine
Thank you so much, this warms my heart!
Charlotte Beale
Dog Training
Maria has been amazing at providing an understanding of Billy's reactivity issues around people and other dogs. She has been great at giving us all the tools needed to help Billy build his confidence in situations he finds fearful making them easier for us to navigate. I could not recommend Maria enough, she has completely changed Billy's life! More...
Reply from The Compassionate Canine
Thank you so much, I have so much love for Billy!!
Mrs. J.Procter
Dog Training
Maria has been brilliant in understanding my rescued dog who has multiple issues. She has let Tilly decide how much was too much and is building her confidence with each visit! I would highly recommend Maria.
Reply from The Compassionate Canine
Thank you so much for your kind words and I look forward to seeing you both soon!
What do you love most about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is helping owners truly understand their dogs—watching that moment when everything clicks, and they see their dog’s behaviour in a new light. Seeing the relief and confidence grow in both the dog and their owner as they learn to communicate effectively is incredibly fulfilling.
I love working with reactive or anxious dogs and showing their owners that, with patience and the right approach, their dog can thrive. Helping a dog go from overwhelmed and frustrated to calm and engaged is an amazing transformation to be a part of.
Every dog is unique, and no two cases are ever the same. I enjoy problem-solving, tailoring my training to each individual, and continuously learning to provide the best possible support. Ultimately, my passion lies in strengthening the bond between dogs and their humans, creating happier, more harmonious lives for both. ?✨
What inspired you to start your own business?
The inspiration to start my own business came from my own experience with a rescue dog who struggled to adjust to family life. Watching him battle with fear and prey drive, I knew I had to help him have a better quality of life—one not completely dictated by his fears. This journey sparked my passion for dog training, and the more I learned, the more I became fascinated with the science behind it.
After working in pet care for a London-based company, I realized how much I loved canine care and combined this with my background in psychology to deepen my understanding of animal behavior. Training dogs became not just a passion but a calling. The most rewarding part of my work is helping dogs overcome their challenges and see them begin to truly enjoy life—whether it's going for a walk, meeting new people, or simply feeling more relaxed at home.
This journey led me to The Compassionate Canine, where I could use my expertise to help other dogs and their owners build stronger, more positive relationships. I’m driven by the belief that every dog deserves the chance to live a happy, fulfilling life, and I want to make that a reality for as many dogs and families as possible. ?
Why should our clients choose you?
Clients should choose me because I am genuinely empathetic and flexible, allowing me to fully understand your unique needs and tailor my approach to meet them. I believe in building a strong, trust-based relationship with both you and your dog, so you can feel confident that we’re working together towards a common goal.
My priority is to ensure you get the most out of our time together, which is why I pride myself on being accessible and responsive. I’m always here to offer guidance and support, whether it’s during a session or in between, to make sure any challenges that arise are addressed promptly and effectively.
I understand how important it is to feel supported throughout the training process, and I’m committed to providing a personalized, flexible approach that helps you and your dog overcome hurdles and build a stronger, more positive bond. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares and will work closely with you every step of the way, I’m here to help. ?
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Yes, I do offer online and remote services, which can be an excellent option if you're unable to meet in person or if you're located outside of my 35-minute travel radius.
Online sessions are perfect for those who need guidance on behavioral issues, training tips, or general advice. These sessions are conducted via video call, allowing us to work through challenges together in real-time, while I provide you with tailored support and solutions.
For clients further afield or with busy schedules, remote sessions are a flexible and convenient way to continue progress without the need for in-person meetings. Whether it’s helping you work through reactivity, basic obedience, or any other behavioral issue, online sessions are an effective way to support you and your dog’s training journey.
In addition to video consultations, I provide notes, resources, and follow-up support to ensure that you can continue your dog’s progress between sessions.
Feel free to reach out to discuss the best option for you and your dog! ?
Behaviour Consultations
A behaviour consultation is the most important first step in any behaviour modification journey.
Whether walks feel stressful due to reactivity, home life feels unpredictable, or something simply doesn’t feel right, you are not alone. This is a space to feel supported, understood, and hopeful. Together, we focus on rebuilding confidence, restoring calm, and helping you better understand and meet your dog’s needs so life feels more manageable and enjoyable again.
Your initial consultation includes:
A pre-session assessment questionnaire to help me understand you and your dog before we meet
A full two-hour in-person session focused entirely on your dog and your goals
Personalised written notes so you always know what to do next
Practical management strategies and lifestyle adjustments to support immediate improvement
Guidance on understanding why your dog is behaving this way and how best to respond
Breed-specific enrichment to support emotional regulation
Diet and sleep considerations to support overall wellbeing
Advice on working alongside your vet and other appropriate professionals where needed
First training steps so you can begin to feel back in control
After the initial consultation, a block of five one-hour follow-up sessions is available for £275. These can be spaced to suit you and include;
Ongoing personalised notes after every session
continued support liaising with veterinary professionals when appropriate,
access to a video library,
WhatsApp support five days a week between sessions.
This programme is designed to give you clear guidance, ongoing support, and practical tools to create lasting change for you and your dog.
Recall and Lead skills
This programme is designed to help you enjoy calmer, more connected walks by building a reliable loose lead walk in real-life environments. We work on creating clarity, engagement, and better communication between you and your dog.
Over a structured programme over six sessions, we progress step by step, starting in low-distraction environments before gradually building up to more challenging real-world walks. Each stage is designed to set your dog up for success while building your confidence and handling skills at the same time.
The focus is on teaching your dog how to stay connected with you, respond to pressure calmly, and choose to walk with you rather than against the lead. This creates a more enjoyable experience for both ends of the lead.
Included in the programme are:
An initial consultation,
Personalised training notes after each session,
Access to a video tutorial library,
WhatsApp support throughout to help guide you between sessions.
This is about turning stressful walks into calm, enjoyable outings where you and your dog can move together as a team.
Puppy Help!
When it comes to puppy training, we focus on setting up a strong foundation that will serve both you and your puppy throughout their life. Our programme is designed to cover the essential skills and behaviours that will guide your puppy as they grow and develop into a well-rounded adult dog. Over the course of six and a half hours together, we’ll work on the following primary areas:
Socialisation & Body Language Understanding
Breed Enrichment & Unlocking New Ways to Play
Building Calm & Emotional Regulation
Potty Training
Recall around distractions
Lead skills
Basic Obedience
The full course costs £320 and includes:
6.5 hours together at your home or local park
Detailed & personalised notes after every session
WhatsApp support between sessions (and for life)
A price cap - even if our prices change, if you come back for more sessions, you will never pay more!
We know this is a big commitment, so we offerTaster sessions at £65 for 1.5 hours that include notes too!
You can then pay for the next 5 sessions separately afterwards for £265.
If you are on income support from the goverment please let me know so we can discuss financial options for you.
Scentwork, Enrichement & Bond Building
Discover new ways to play, connect, and truly engage with your dog. This package focuses on fun, purposeful activities like scent work, refining skills such as retrieves, and teaching you how to mentally enrich your dog without simply running them into the ground.
The goal is to re-establish you as the source of all the good things, building a stronger partnership where you and your dog work together to solve problems and have fun doing it. This kind of enrichment is valuable for every dog and is key to deepening your bond.
While key skills are covered, every programme is bespoke and designed around you and your dog to ensure the best possible results.
Each package includes
A free inital consultation call
An assessment questionnaire so that each session is tailored to you
Detailed notes after every session
Access to a video tutorial series to support your progress
Sessions held at your home or in nearby open spaces at times that suit you.
Includes 3 x 1-hour sessions.
Ideal for dogs with a solid training foundation who want to expand their skills and enjoy new challenges. Suitable for all dogs, young or old, as there is always something new to learn.
Free Call
Feeling overwhelmed? Schedule a free call to discuss your families needs. No presssure to commit just an honest conversation to make choosing the right trainer easier!
More Services
To see our full list of services and prices please go to our website!
www.thecompassionatecanine.com
