My wife and I have a lovely Black Lab called Rosie. At four months old, we enrolled into puppy classes but soon became disillusioned with the one size fits all approach and felt we could do better for her. So we did a Google search for dog trainers in Cumbria and came across the person I dealt with . We started training afresh and this time it was in the "real world", as the person I dealt with says. We trained outside and with all the distractions that a dog - and owners - would face. My wife and me certainly learnt with Rosie and I feel that we're better owners as a result. Six months on, we have a young dog who's a joy to own. She's excellent on the lead and very responsive to commands once off it. We also use a whistle for her which is one thing I would never have thought of doing, but it is very effective. I can (and have) recommend the person I dealt with.

I rescued two adult rottweiler dogs in July this year. After having tried some training with another trainer who put an e-collar on one of the boys straight away, I knew I had to look elsewhere. The full day session we had with Janet was brilliant. She asked a lot of questions to make sure she had the full picture - both of me and the dogs as well as how we all work together. I'm fortunate in that my dogs were already pretty good, but it was clear they needed more training, especially as we live in an area with lots of livestock about, which they got a little too excited about! Janet took us back to basics with some heel work, then sitting exercises. I had never seen my boys so calm and obedient. We then progressed to long-line work and eventually work in a field with sheep. I had been worried that could end up with some dead sheep, but everything went fine and by the end of the session, neither of my boys wanted anything to do with them! Janet's approach with the dogs was always firm but fair, and I personally really appreciated the way she listened to what I had to say and was very supportive and encouraging. We left with lots of great tools and tasks to complete for homework and I am confident that both the dogs and I are better for it! Well worth the money.

My 2yr old German Shepherd Milo should be very grateful that I found Janet Ardley when I did as I was seriously thinking of giving him to the local animal rescue centre. He had become too much of a handful and in truth I was starting to become wary of him. Sometimes he would give my hands what I thought were playful nips, even though they could be a little painful. Other times he would race to the door when the bell rang and it would be quite a battle for me to get him into a different room before I could open it. Then out of the blue he started getting into my armchair rather than on his bed or another chair I had allowed him to use. Trying to get him off sometimes provoked him into giving a very quiet growl which was beginning to scare me. When Janet came to my house two days ago, she just sat quietly, listened to my concerns and observed Milo's behaviour. Then she got up and things started to change ! She sorted out the nips, the rushing to the door, my armchair "problem" and a number of other issues. And made Milo realise he has one place to lay - his own bed. Seeing Milo behave as he did with her gave me tremondous confidence. Janet's no nonsense approach to his shenanigans and the way he behaved for her was such a relief. I feel such a weight has been lifted by Milo's behaviour being changed and I'm determined to follow all of the advice Janet gave me. So I would personally like to thank Janet and tell other people that there is someone who can sort out a badly behaved dog - and in a very calm way. Anna Chapman Garstang

Janet Ardley and her Cumbria Dog Training have turned our lives around - and for the better!

She helped to make our dog Bailey into the type of dog we wanted but didn't know how to get.

He has stopped jumping up onto our sofa, our chairs and us !
And he still waits at doors and gates when told to do so.

On Janet's advice we have continued to use the whistle to attract his attention on walks. We just blow it, Bailey's ears go up and he comes running over to us.

We would thoroughly recommend Janet - who is also a lovely person!

Jill & Brian Wentworth,
Grange over Sands

My wife & I have had a really good Christmas made even better in the knowledge that we'd chosen the right place to board our dog Stoker.

Janet Ardley's Cumbria Dog Training was not our first choice. In truth we had already booked him in at his " usual " place, only to be let down very late on!

I then went onto Google where The Review Centre then her website were more than enough persuasion for me to give Janet a call - and she saved the day!

As soon as we met her we felt things were going to be good. She's a lovely person who made us - and more importantly Stoker - feel very welcome.

It was just the same four days later. I think the world of my dog and it was a great feeling to see the way he reacted to Janet when we collected him.
Marion & myself are going away for a fortnight over Easter - and we've already booked Stoker in with Janet.

Jim & Jeanette McCall
Dumfries

Very impressed by Janet Ardley and her set up.
I read a number of reviews on the reviewcentre and the comments about her plus her website persuaded me to contact her.
We took our 9 month old mongrel Alfie to Janet, as we'd not had much success training him ourselves, what with work and so on.
Our lovely puppy had started to give us a few problems as he hit the "terrible twos"!
Thankfully Janet took control and not only taught Alfie to listen to her but showed us what to say and do.
We now have a dog that does as much as we allow him to and who listens and acts on our commands. I couldn't have asked for more.

Judith & Jim Michaels,
Annan