Vislor Dog Training - Stoke Golding, Leicestershire

Nic Clarke & Beau (Border Collie x Husky)

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC !!!

I can’t express how pleased we are with the training Beau received from Richard. He worked absolute wonders in the 3 weeks he was with him.

We have gone from a dog that was so reactive on the lead that I wouldn’t take him to popular places or at busy times because I looked like I had an out of control crazy savage flailing on the end of the lead.

Now walks are pleasurable with loose lead walking and a self controlled Beau around other dogs. The level of manners in our home and the ability to send him to a mat to lay down until we release him has made a massage difference to our 4 dog home.

I highly recommend the investment!

Krissie Towers & Nigel (Cockapoo)

I cannot recommend Rich highly enough! Really lovely and extremely knowledgeable guy who has worked wonders for my dog.

My dog became extremely reactive and showed signs of aggression when he turned 2. I tried lots of different trainers, with no success, before I came across Vislor dog training.

My dog did the residential training with Rich and came back so much calmer, happier and no longer reacts to dogs or people. He has now started his training to become a therapy dog, successfully visiting several care facilities over the last few weeks - something I never could have dreamed of before the training.

Rich kept me updated with photos and videos throughout the training and has checked in with me since having my dog back. He’s extremely supportive and helpful in explaining the training and ensuring I could implement everything successfully at home. I would not hesitate to recommend Rich to anyone needing help with their dog!

Shannon Throop & Willow (Belgian Malinois)

I have a 2 year old belgian mali called willow, 5 months ago she was attacked by two little dogs in the middle of a main road. After the attack willow became nervous on the lead and behavior problems kicked in with any small dogs we came close to which became dangerous because not only did I have willow but a pushchair with my 1 year old in.

After doing a lot of searching and calling other trainers I found Rich. After a hour of training with Rich willow became my well behaved mali again, I have continued her trained and today we walked past 7 dogs 4 of the dog were reactive but willow remained focused.

I have my bond back with willow and dog walks are a lot more enjoyable and relaxed.

Thank you to Rich and the team for helping me you have truly been a life saver.

Dave, Jill & Yogi (German Shepherd)

Yogi is our fifth GSD puppy since we were married in 1972. We socialised and trained our previous pups ourselves with no problems, but, as the saying goes “AND THEN CAME YOGI !!!”

Despite months of hard work trying all sorts of training techniques – including sessions with Kennel Club Trainers – we were exhausted and Yogi still pulled like a sled dog everywhere. He was reactive to everything from cars, people, dogs, animals down to ants and spiders !!!

We had to shut him away when friends came, or hang on to his lead to curb his over excitement to welcome them – needless to say they stopped visiting!

He was a very attractive puppy and we dreaded the words “Is he friendly” or “Can I say hello” when we took him out. We were at our wits end when some friends who are involved in the dog world said “You need Trav at Vislor.” We have never looked back.

We contacted Lorraine and arranged a One to One with Trav. After just one session we had more knowledge and understanding of Yogi’s problems and felt we were moving forward. Unfortunately the constant pulling and lunging took its toll on both my elbows, so we decided Vislor Residential should be the way forward for us.

Of course we were uneasy about letting Yogi go and initially felt as if we were letting him down. Lorraine’s advice was “Just go and meet Rich.” Which we did. Rich was a breath of fresh air in a world of problems. He is a softly spoken man with a quiet confidence that inspires dogs and people. After a few minutes we knew we could entrust Yogi into his care with no worries or misgivings. We discussed our hopes and aims for Yogi and Rich told us in detail how he planned to tackle them.

While Yogi was with Rich and his family we received almost daily videos and updates on Yogi’s progress which kept us happy and confident. Rich’s whole family obviously became involved in the training as did his own GSD Loki. (Yogi could learn from the master)

After three weeks we had a partial handover to explain all Yogi’s training in detail followed by a final handover at home and around the local area. Rich explained everything he had done, all the commands and how to consolidate and move on. We know he is there if we have any concerns. He has been in contact regularly since Yogi’s return with advice and support. We know Rich has our back in our journey with Yogi.

Rich has changed our lives and Yogi’s. In Yogi’s first week back we visited the Clent Hills, our local woods, Stourport, the very busy Harborne High Street and many other places. We had a meal on the riverside at Bewdley with Yogi calmly sitting next to us. We now search out dog friendly places and Yogi is part of the family in a way we thought would never happen. Jill has started walking him which was previously impossible. He is far more obedient and sensible at home.

Although during our initial planning with Rich we had specific goals (recall, loose leash walking, people skills) we have realised that Rich’s training has given Yogi general good manners e.g. he gets in and out of the car calmly and safely now. There are 101 other things that make life easier, happier and less stressful for us and Yogi.

Rich has given us an excellent base on which to build and we are working hard to reinforce the excellent training Yogi has received from him. We will be taking Rich’s advice for our next steps and I am sure Yogi will be back in Rich’s capable hands whenever we go on holiday so that he can consolidate and move on.

Without Lorraine, Travis, and especially Rich I don’t know where we would be – or more importantly where Yogi would be now.

Thankyou Rich for all your hard work with Yogi. You have changed his life and ours.

Rheo Uno & Braede (French Bulldog)

Persistence is Key!

We have 2 dogs, a young French Bulldog and a mature Dogue de Bordeaux. It was the Frenchie causing us issues with his obstinate personality and over exuberant character. No problem inside the home, but a totally different dog once outside on a lead, super reactive (in a friendly way) to anyone and everyone, with 2 or 4 legs.

We have had 3 sessions with Rich, (more than he anticipated) and our Frenchie is transformed, not perfect yet but we now have the tools to tackle his unwanted behaviours, and they are lessening by the day.

We are able to loose leash walk with him to heel, he doesn’t bother when meeting/passing people on walks. Does not concern himself with wildlife and most other dogs. He may occasionally be interested in other noisy, excitable dogs, but he is now easily redirected, making our walks a pleasure, rather than an absolute challenge.

We found Rich had a perfect combination of calm, but assertive energy that the dogs responded to. Rich never lost patience when our Frenchie persistently challenged the redirections, and he definitely won through in the end.

I would recommend Rich’s training services to anyone who is struggling with a dog with behavioural issues, his knowledge, experience and access to a variety of “decoy” dogs has been invaluable to us all.

Dawn Matthews & Sid (Golden Retriever)

I contacted Vislor Training as our 8 month Golden Retriever Sid was very lively on the lead. He pulled and jumped up at every opportunity. He is definitely a people and dog lover, but when you’re heading for 30kg and have muddy paws it isn’t a desirable behaviour.

Rich had Sid for 3 weeks and the change is remarkable. He no longer pulls on the lead, will walk close and is able to deal with all types of distraction. His obedience is much improved and we are progressing well on his recall.

One important lesson that I have learnt is that training is as much about the owner as the dog. Consistency, follow through and a positive approach are key.

Sid was treated as part of Rich’s family and will return when we go on holiday.

Judith Rogers & Brinkley (Labrador)

A huge thank you to Rich to have a calm happy boy back hes like another dog.

Brinkley is not just a 100% better more like a 1000%

Nothing was a problem with getting touch with Rich plus we are welcome to get in touch if we need any advice.

Once again thank you so so much Rich you are a super star 🌟 🤩

Caitlin Hamilton & Marshall (French Bulldog)

My partner & I adopted Marshall back in July 2021, when he was 6 months old. He came to us unable to socialise safely with other dogs and young children, we had previously used another trainer to rectify these issues and accepted that this was just way that Marshall would be.

Since, there were a number of incidences which could have had serious consequences for both the dogs & children involved, as well as on Marshall and we were truly at our wits end. Walking him became unenjoyable and we were always nervous taking him out in public, to the point where he wasn't getting the quality of life a dog needs. We were even considering rehoming him to somewhere remote, away from other dogs as we live in London as keeping him was becoming a burden on our lifestyle.

I gave my partner an ultimatum as I couldn't look after Marshall by myself anymore due to his behaviour and the stress it was causing me as my partner is based in the office 5 days per week, but he found Vislor & Rich and we had a call the next day and Marshall was all booked in for the training. Rich was clear & concise but realistic with the results and we knew that we had to continue the training when we had Marshall home.

Throughout the stay, Rich kept us updated with Marshall's progress with pictures & videos and we genuinely couldn't believe how quickly Rich was able to help Marshall. Whatever we mentioned was an issue for Marshall previously, Rich went out of his way to practice and rectify for us (eg reactive around trains). We were shocked at the progress in such a short time.

At the end of the training, we had an in-depth handover and since he's been home, Marshall has continued to grow and learn and is truly a different dog. We've got from hating walking him for 5 minutes round the block to comfortably taking him to cafe's, parks, pubs & on trains where he is no longer reacting the way he used to. We know that the responsibility is still on us to keep Marshall at the level he is at but we couldn't have done it without Rich's help, and would recommend his services to absolutely anyone who asks.

Thank you so much Rich & Vislor!!