Life Skills Dog and Puppy Training and Dog Behaviourist

General information

Welcome to Life Skills Dog Training. We are a small dog training company covering Dorset and Somerset, that also offers behavioural consultations and one to ones.

Our training classes are held in Clapton Village Hall (nr Crewkerne).

Our aim is to teach you and your dog to work together and be able to face the daily challenges that the world throws at you using positive, reward based training methods. We do not use any methods that cause dogs pain, fear, or distress.

Life Skills Dog Training is run by myself, Rachel Hayball. I started my life with dogs as a young child helping my parents care for their dogs, and got my first dog at the age of 14. When i left school i studied animal care and canine behaviour at Kingston Maurward college, and a few years later got involved in dog rescue.

I have since set up a national dog rescue charity called Hounds First Sighthound Rescue. We rescue, rehabiliate and rehome hundreds of dogs each year, and many troubled souls pass through our doors. Many of these dogs have issues that would have preventable with the correct training and socialisation, and of course, and understanding owner.

I try to attend conferences on dog behaviour and training when i can, and found the Dog bite prevention conference (held by Victoria Stilwell) to be a real eye opener.

I have experience working with many different breeds of dogs, and will adapt my methods to suit.

I have also studied with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers and am current studying with the International School of Canine Psychology and Behaviour. I am the only ISCP behavioural practitioner in Dorset.

I am a member of the Victoria Stilwell Positively dog Trainers, Pet Professionals Guild , INTO dogs and am an Registered Accredited canine Behaviourist