Canine Behaviour Practitioner
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Dog Trainer
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Former Psychotherapist
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Board + Train
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Daycare
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Perfect Puppy Advice + Training
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Solve Reactivity Issues
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Loose Lead Walking
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Loving Leadership
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Obedience Training
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Crate Training
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Canine Behaviour Practitioner | Dog Trainer | Former Psychotherapist | Board + Train | Daycare | Perfect Puppy Advice + Training | Solve Reactivity Issues | Loose Lead Walking | Loving Leadership | Obedience Training | Crate Training |
Canine Behaviourist & Dog Trainer in Brixton, SW2
Hi, I'm Nick, founder of South London Dog Training. I'm a Level 4 certified canine behaviourist, an experienced dog trainer, and a former psychotherapist, based near Brockwell Park in Brixton, South London.
My approach to dog behaviour and training is genuinely different — and that difference comes from an unusual combination of backgrounds. Before I became a dog trainer, I spent over 11+ years working as a psychotherapist. That experience shapes everything about how I work with dogs and their owners.
My Dog Story
My dog journey started about a decade ago when I adopted Spencer — a rescue from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Like many rescue dogs, Spencer came with some significant challenges. Working through those challenges with him revealed something I hadn't expected: a deep, natural ability to connect with and understand dogs on an emotional level.
That experience changed everything. I threw myself into learning everything I could about canine behaviour and psychology, and eventually made the decision to retrain professionally. Since then I've dedicated myself entirely to helping dog owners across South London build better, happier relationships with their dogs.
Spencer remains the reason I do what I do — and a daily reminder of what's possible with the right understanding and approach.
Why a Psychotherapist Makes a Better Dog Trainer
This is the question I get asked most often — and it's a fair one.
The honest answer is that most dog behavioural problems aren't really just dog problems. They're relationship problems. Dogs are extraordinarily attuned to human emotional states — your anxiety, your inconsistency, your communication patterns all directly shape how your dog behaves. A trainer who only looks at the dog is missing half the picture.
As a qualified psychotherapist, I understand people as well as I understand dogs. I work with both ends of the lead — helping you recognise the ways you might be unintentionally reinforcing unwanted behaviour, while simultaneously addressing the root causes in your dog. It's a holistic approach, and it gets results that more conventional training simply can't match.
This is also why my sessions feel different to most people who've worked with other trainers. There's no judgment. No blame. Just a calm, honest, collaborative space where we figure out what's really going on and build a plan that actually works for you and your dog.
A Balanced Approach to Dog Training
I'm a balanced trainer. I use positive rewards as my first choice — building motivation, confidence and a strong working relationship with your dog. Where corrections are needed, I use them minimally, calmly and precisely, only when the situation genuinely calls for it.
In my experience, a purely positive approach leaves many dogs — particularly those with anxiety, reactivity, or ingrained behavioural issues — without the structure and clarity they're genuinely asking for. Balance isn't about punishment. It's about honest communication.
I believe there are three foundations that, if you get them right, will resolve most behavioural issues before they take hold:
Loving leadership — Dogs need structure and clear guidance from their owners. Not dominance, not harshness — but calm, consistent, confident leadership that makes them feel secure enough to switch off and relax.
Obedience — A dog that understands and responds to basic commands is a dog that can be kept safe, managed in challenging situations, and trusted in the world. Obedience isn't about control for its own sake — it's the foundation of a relaxed, confident dog.
Loose lead walking — This is where most owners struggle, and where so much tension in the human-dog relationship originates. Getting this right transforms daily life for both dog and owner.
When these three things are in place, the vast majority of behavioural issues either resolve themselves or become much easier to address. Most of my clients reach their goals within 3 to 4 sessions.
Sessions begin at my home near Brockwell Park — a calm, distraction-free environment ideal for early learning. As your dog progresses, we move into real-world settings including Brockwell Park itself, building confidence and reliability in the situations that matter most in daily South London life.
Why Training Matters |
Why Training Matters |
Qualifications & Credentials
I hold the Level 4 PETbc Accredited Advanced Canine Behaviour Diploma — one of the highest qualifications available in canine behaviour in the UK. Combined with my 11+ years of professional psychotherapy practice, this gives me a depth of understanding that very few dog trainers can offer.
Level 4 PETbc Accredited Advanced Canine Behaviour Diploma
Institute of Modern Dog Trainers - Practical Instructor Course
Qualified psychotherapist — 11+ years of clinical practice
Fully insured with Protectivity
Committed to ongoing professional development and the latest evidence-based methods
I work to a strict code of conduct and use balanced training grounded in a thorough understanding of canine behaviour and psychology.
Not sure what to look for when choosing a dog trainer? I've written a guide to help you make the right decision. Read: What to Look for When Choosing a Dog Trainer