Dog Boot Camp Residential Training

Hannah Makay & Arlo (Cockapoo)

Arlo is our 1 year old cockapoo pup who had developed reactive tendencies ie lunging / barking at other dogs, traffic and people. After wasting time and a lot of money with other trainers and feeling very disheartened, we spent hours of research and found Vislor.

We got in touch with Lorraine who was very helpful and prompt in getting an assessment booked in. Dan at Winchester was fantastic! After all the other failed attempts at training we were a little apprehensive that we would get the results we wanted.

We had our assessment and Dan spent time with us explaining the process and watching how Arlo behaved. He could tell we were still a little hesitant so he offered us a few minutes there and then to show us what he does. In just a few minutes Dan proved then that he was the guy for the job. He effortlessly walked Arlo and his dog Todd together with no reaction from Arlo at all!

Arlo stayed for the 3 weeks and we have seen a massive change since bringing him home, still some work to do but walks are much more enjoyable now and not worrying so much if another dog comes round the corner. Arlo can calmly walk past groups of people, other dogs and the loud traffic also doesn’t bother him now.

I’d highly recommend Dan to anyone who needs help with their dogs, they’ll definitely be in safe hands. Your dog will feel like one of the family in a loving homely environment, Dan even made Arlo’s first birthday a special day!

Thank you so much Dan for the work you’ve done with Arlo.

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!

A Hall & Mabel (Cockapoo)

John has worked wonders with our three year old cockapoo Mabel. We’re extremely impressed with how much progress was made over her stay. She was welcomed into John’s family - we felt she was in very safe, experienced hands.

Mabel is a very anxious dog - particularly with other unknown dogs - and we’d started to avoid situations where her anxiety appeared exacerbated. John was able to gradually build her confidence, teaching her how to walk calmly on a lead, improved her recall and exposing her to places and experiences from which we’d shied away.

We received daily messages and videos showing the new techniques used with explanations of what went well or needed further work.

We had a thorough handover with details of what we need to do to continue to maintain the new techniques learned and make improvements. John has been very supportive since Mabel has come home, answering questions and offering advice.

We thoroughly recommend John and the Vislor team.

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!

Penelope Dukes & Shadow (German Shepherd)

Our very reactive GSD went to Mo for 3 weeks and this morning I walked him for the first time ever without feeling like I had done a full body workout trying to stop him barking and lunging at well just about everything and everyone.

Mo was brilliant not just with Shadow but with us too - he rightly told us that there is no quick fix but he has laid the very best foundations for us to build on.

I was unsure about sending Shadow away as we are his second home and he is not yet 2 but it was the best decision ever - Mo and the other Vislor trainers who have worked eith Shadow have done an amazing job they are the ultimate professionals and I would absolutely recommend them 💯 % to anyone

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.