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finally end the owner burnout. build a calm, focused gundog and enjoy life together again.

'Calm by Nature' is a clear, step-by-step programme designed to help overwhelmed gundog owners move from constant stress to calm.

If your gundog struggles with overexcitement, reactivity, poor focus, or switching off, this gives you a structured way forward over 60 days.

You’ll work closely with us to understand your dog’s instincts, learn how to meet their needs properly, and channel their energy into things that actually help them settle. With personalised, behaviour-led support, your dog learns how to relax at home, listen more reliably outdoors, manage impulses, and cope better with the world around them.

 

The aim is lasting change, helping walks feel easier, home life settle, and everyday time with your dog feel calmer and more enjoyable. Imagine confident, off-lead walks through the countryside, a dog who settles quietly under the table at a cosy pub, and the joy of hearing people compliment your dog's focus and reliability.

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Over 70 5-star reviews

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Hundreds of gundogs’ lives transformed

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Calm by Nature guarantee

hear from owners just like you who’ve finally got their gundogs under control and are enjoying life again.

Testimonials

from chaotic, uncontrollable walks to a dog that listens and settles outside.

"Before Bear Basics, walks were a nightmare and we couldn’t trust him off-lead. Now he’s calm on walks, follows boundaries, responds to training, and settles at home. He’s happy, engaged, and life with him is finally enjoyable."

toni & remy - @sprocker.adventures

from running on overdrive with no ability to settle, to focused, calmer and confidently off-lead.

"Before Bear Basics, Loki was running on overdrive, unable to settle and walks were a struggle. Now he settles much better, listens to what is being asked of him and has even been off lead for the first time ever."

becca & loki - @itsmeloki24

from pulling, overexcitement, and chasing wildlife to a calm, manageable, and enjoyable companion.

"Since starting with Bear Basics, everything has changed. Walks are calm, he stays on a loose lead, pays attention, and recalls reliably off-lead, even around pheasants. He’s calmer at home, and he gets along with our cat. Changing his diet has even made a positive impact."

holly & cooper

who is this programme for?

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Your gundog has unmanageable energy and no 'off switch', constantly buzzing, struggling to settle at home, leaving you exhausted.

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Walks feel stressful and hard, your dog pulls relentlessly on the lead, and you're dreading every outing instead of enjoying it.

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Your dog ignores you outdoors, they're self-employed, chasing birds and following scents, while you feel helpless and out of control.

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You've tried training, research, and other methods with no lasting results, and you're starting to feel the weight of owner burnout.

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You researched your gundog breed thoroughly and thought you were prepared, but the reality of living with your dog has been completely different from what you expected.

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You want real behaviour change and a balanced life with your dog, not just management strategies, but a true partnership where you both thrive.

you haven’t failed. you just haven’t had guidance that truly understands your gundog, and that’s where we come in.

how calm by nature is different from traditional gundog training

calm by nature

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Whole-dog approach We understand your dog as a whole, their instincts, breed drives, daily stress, diet, routine, and what's actually triggering the behaviour. We work with all of this, not just the commands.

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Focus on underlying drivers We dig into why your dog is reactive, pulling, or won't settle. Is it unmet breed instincts? Overstimulation? Anxiety? Diet? Once we understand the root cause, we fix it.

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Long-term, lasting change We build a system that works for your dog's life. You're not dependent on a trainer or a tool. You understand your dog, and the behaviour stays changed because the root cause is resolved.

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Real-life training We train you to handle real situations, in real environments, in your home, around distractions. You learn how to apply the system in the moments that matter, with your dog, in your life.

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Modern, fulfilment-led methods We understand your gundog's breed instincts and give them appropriate outlets. A fulfilled dog, one whose needs are met, naturally settles, listens, and enjoys life with you.

traditional training

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Training-first focus Focus is on teaching obedience and commands. The dog learns to sit or stay in the session, but the underlying issues (reactivity, anxiety, energy) are never addressed.

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Manages visible behaviour Focus is on managing what you see, the pulling, the barking, the jumping. They teach you how to correct it, but the dog is still frustrated underneath.

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Short-term fixes Often, progress only happens during sessions or with specific tools. Once you stop the training or stop using the tool, the behaviour comes back.

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Session-based training Training happens in controlled environments, a training facility, a class, or a one-off session. Your dog behaves differently at home, and you're left figuring it out alone.

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Traditional obedience-led methods Focus is on control and obedience through traditional methods. The dog learns to comply, but they're often still frustrated, anxious, or unfulfilled.

what owners like you are saying

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kip went from anxious and reactive…

…to a confident, happy dog who can walk off-lead, handle busy towns, and enjoy boat rides.

"We’d tried other trainers with poor results.

 

Kip was anxious, reactive, and we felt lost.

 

After our first session with Nick, everything made sense, and we finally knew how to help him feel calm and safe.

 

Now he’s confident in every part of his life, even on holiday in the Lake District!"

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hannah & kip (rescue labrador) - sheffield

from stuck and frustrated…

…to confident, engaged, and making real progress at home.

"I was struggling with a lack of progress with our previous behaviourist and unsure about trying a balanced approach.

 

Nick and Yas’s guidance was exactly what we needed. The WhatsApp mentoring works brilliantly, even from afar, and my cocker spaniel is already thriving.

 

I only wish we’d started sooner!"

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jess & journey (cocker spaniel) - essex

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from chaotic walks and unreliable recall…
…to calm, responsive walks and a dog who listens.

"I reached out to Nick because my spaniel struggled with recall, loose lead walking, and some reactivity on walks.

 

After just a month of 1-2-1 sessions and ongoing WhatsApp support, everything has improved massively!

 

Clear guidance and practical advice made all the difference."

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carrie & margot (cocker spaniel) - sheffield

from limited walks and constant stress…

…to confident, enjoyable outings with a happy, engaged dog.

"After wasting 18 months and lots of money on one-size-fits-all trainers, Bear Basics changed everything.

 

Now I can take Eric anywhere, knowing he’ll heel, engage, and play with confidence.

 

The coaching, classes, and supportive community have made all the difference."

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emily & eric (fox red labrador) - pontefract

many owners feel stuck. here’s how i turned things around.

There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re failing the dog you love.

When I first brought Seidon home, I thought life would be long walks, adventures, the perfect bond. But honestly, it was nothing like that.

Seidon was reactive, wired, and full of energy I couldn’t control. Walks were stressful, and I kept asking myself, “Am I just not cut out for this?”

The truth? His behaviour wasn’t “bad dog” stuff. It was his instincts screaming out, drives he was bred for pushing him to chase, hunt, bark, and stay on high alert. That tension wasn’t just annoying, it was exhausting for both of us.

I tried everything. Endless Facebook advice, YouTube videos, tools, gundog trainers telling me to slap on a slip lead and correct him… nothing worked. The more I pushed, the worse it got. I felt like I was losing him instead of building the connection I wanted.

Then it clicked. The problem wasn’t Seidon. It was that I wasn’t working with his instincts. Once I started understanding the deeper why behind his behaviour and gave him the right outlets, everything changed.

Walks became calm. He grew confident. The tension faded. We reconnected in a way I didn’t think was possible. And the best part? I finally started enjoying life with him again.

As a specialist in gundog behaviour and instinct-led training, I created Calm By Nature for owners who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like they’ve tried everything. There’s a way forward: a calmer, happier, confident dog, and a bond that actually feels like a partnership again.

here's exactly what you'll get

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The 7-Pillar Behaviour System - Our complete framework for raising a calm, balanced, and fulfilled gundog. Every strategy builds on solid foundations, so progress sticks.

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Onboarding Call - We'll review your goals and daily routines to give you a clear, tailored plan for using the Calm by Nature programme effectively from day one.

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Three Private 1-2-1 Sessions - In-person or Zoom coaching tailored entirely to your dog and their biggest struggles. Real guidance from someone who understands gundogs, not generic advice.

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Weekly WhatsApp Support - Direct WhatsApp access to Nick, 5 days per week, your private support line throughout the programme.

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Weekly Group CallsLive sessions each week to work through challenges, get support, and keep progressing. You're never alone in this, you've got a community and expert guidance.

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60-Day Personalised Roadmap - Follow a clear, step-by-step plan so you can see real and meaningful progress every step. No more guessing if you're doing the right thing.

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Exclusive Pet Gundog Hub Access -  On-demand videos, deep dives, and extra lessons for real-life behaviour wins, not available anywhere else. Everything you need to maintain progress long-term.

other owners have transformed their gundogs, see what they’ve achieved

Megan & Molly The Cockapoo - Lincoln

"I reached out to Nick as we were struggling with controlling our dog Molly around prey. We had recently moved house and now our daily walks are quite remote, with lots of rabbits and pheasants. Molly would completely switch off from us and charge off after the wildlife. We were concerned that she would get lost or injured as we just couldn’t control her. Her recall was excellent apart from around prey (even just the scent was enough) so we were really struggling with how to implement the training. We found Bear Basics via a recommendation from someone I found on TikTok. I got in contact with Nick and we very quickly had a plan put together and a clear end goal. Life got in the way so we were a bit slow to get the ball rolling, but Nick was understanding of this and guided us through. Nick taught me how to use training tools effectively and we are now coming out the other side again. Molly is able to run, chase and flush out wildlife as she pleases, so she is fulfilled, BUT we are now able to call her out of a chase and regain her focus when needed. I wanted to make sure she could still do what she wanted to do, but only when safe and appropriate. Walks with Molly are now enjoyable once again and I feel that we have our dog back. All I ever wanted was for her to be happy and safe on our walks. I would highly recommend Nick to anyone who is struggling with any element of their training. The remote programme was ideal for us as we are not local to him and we could check in and gain feedback when required. It was easy to follow and Nick’s instructions and feedback were very clear. If there are ever any other elements of our training that I am stuck with, I would not hesitate to get back in contact with Nick.

@maisie.molly.the.cockapoo

apply for 'calm by nature' today, and you’ll…

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Stop guessing and finally see progress, because you’ll know what actually works with your gundog.

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Avoid the common mistakes that make problem behaviours worse (things most owners don’t even realise they’re doing).

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Build a clear communication system so your dog actually understands what you want, and responds reliably.

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Turn stressful walks into calm, manageable outings, even around dogs, people, and wildlife.

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Give your gundog the right outlets for their instincts, so they’re fulfilled, confident, and engaged.

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Finally have a dog who can switch off at home and enjoy life with you, without constant stress or frustration.

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End the owner burnout. Lift the overwhelm. Ease the pressure. Enjoy a system and support that actually works for you and your dog.

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Understand your dog’s behaviour on a deeper level, so you can handle new challenges with confidence and ease.

imagine being the owner everyone asks, “how did you do that?” or hearing, “i wish my dog was like yours.”

The fastest way to get a calm, reliable gundog isn’t by guessing, Googling, or spending years figuring out what works.

Lucky for you, we’ve already done it.

Over years of working with reactive, anxious, and wired dogs, we’ve tested, refined, and perfected a system that actually works, so you can stop guessing, stop stressing, and finally see real results.

Calm by Nature is a step-by-step programme that shows you how to stop wasting time on methods that don’t work and start seeing real, lasting behaviour change.

Once you apply the system, you’ll have a clear, repeatable playbook that makes walks calmer, recall reliable, and life with your dog genuinely enjoyable.

You’ll finally feel confident, in control, and actually able to enjoy your dog, without the stress, guessing, or constant frustration.

That’s exactly why we built Calm by Nature.

You are here

Next step

2

Overwhelmed

Your dog isn't where you want them to be

Book a quick 30-min chat with Nick

Talk about your issues and see if we can help

Next step

4

Onboarding Zoom call

Start the programme

Where you'll finish

6

Calm, confident dog

Stress-free walks

Enjoyable life together

Fill in an application form

Tell us about your dog and your goals

1

First step

Full support throughout 60-day programme

Weekly guidance and ongoiong check-ins

Pay to secure your place on the programme

Full onboarding (booking sesessions, sending resources etc)

3

Next step

5

Next step

risk-free calm by nature

Risk-Free Calm by Nature – Try it for 60 days, if you've followed our plan and don't see a real shift in your dog's behaviour, we'll refund you. 

see the difference for yourself. these owners transformed their gundogs with calm by nature.

from fearful, frustrated walks and zero recall to confident, calm, and reliable outdoors.

"From the moment we got started everything clicked into place, and now Saige’s recall, lead walking, and day to day confidence have all completely levelled up."

lucy & saige - @arloandsaige

from pulling and overexcitement to calm, focused walks and a confident dog.

"From day one, we felt understood and supported. The 3-month plan was spot on. It wasn’t a generic training plan, it was tailored to us, with plenty of flexibility. The one-to-one sessions, ongoing feedback and guidance were all invaluable. Nick helped us see not just how Ozzy could improve, but how we could improve as owners, too."

shell & ozzy

bonus feature - rapid recall

A reliable recall isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential. It keeps your dog safe, gives them freedom, and finally lets you enjoy walks without worrying if they’ll bolt.​

When you join Calm By Nature, you’ll get exclusive access to our Reliable Recall Course, designed to:

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Build an ironclad recall that works anywhere, every time.

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Overcome distractions without bribing your dog with endless high-value treats.

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Skip months of long-line struggles and fast-track true off-lead freedom.

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Understand why your dog runs off or has selective hearing (most owners get this completely wrong).

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Give your dog freedom to make great choices, while still listening to you.

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Fulfil your gundog’s instincts in a way that keeps them calm, confident, and engaged.

bonus feature - gundog fulfilment formula

Pet gundogs have instincts and energy that need a proper outlet, but most owners have no idea where to start. That’s where the Gundog Fulfilment Formula comes in.

​This complete playbook keeps your dog mentally satisfied, confident, and calm, with practical exercises, step-by-step guides, and video demonstrations showing you exactly how to:

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Satisfy hunting drives and natural instincts without carnage at home.

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Manage energy so your dog is calmer on walks and at rest.

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Build engagement that actually lasts, not just a few minutes at a time.

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Turn everyday life into opportunities for mental stimulation and confidence-building.

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Follow a clear, no-BS system for fulfilling your gundog that actually works and that you’ll actually stick to

see what past clients have said

Luce & Vinnie The Half Show - Half Working Cocker Spaniel - Wakefield

"My partner and I came across Bear Basics Canine Academy on Instagram and were really interested in Nick's training, as he mainly works on working/high energy breeds. My partner and I brought home our little cocker spaniel, Vinnie ( half show, half working ), in feb this year. We didn’t fully understand how much work he would be. We understood the lifestyle of having one, but didn’t understand the breed-specific training we would have to do. So this is where Nick and Yas helped out massively. Before the training, we really struggled with demand barking, settling at night, pulling on the lead, and no impulse control. Once we started training, Nick gave us certain training methods which were suited for cocker spaniels. We understood that we weren’t fulfilling Vinnie mentally enough. We started to see the difference in Vinnie once we started to fulfil him mentally. Nick would give us homework to do and check in with us on WhatsApp. The biggest difference we have seen in Vinnie is that he can settle on his own at night now. Before the training, he would just run around and chase his tail. I’ll include a pic of Vinnie settling ( if you have a cocker spaniel puppy, you know it can be challenging once they’ve reached adolescence). I would 100% recommend the training programme for anyone who is struggling with their pup.

real updates from real owners seeing results with calm by nature.

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we can help you if...

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You’re feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or quietly embarrassed by your dog’s behaviour and know something has to change.

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You live with a high-energy gundog (Spaniel, Lab, HPR, etc.) who struggles to settle, gets overexcited, or switches off outdoors.

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You’re open to doing things differently and want to understand your dog properly rather than guessing your way through it.

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You have the flexibility to apply changes consistently in everyday life, not just during sessions.

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You’ve tried other routes and are ready to follow clear, specialist guidance instead of hopping from tip to tip.

we cannot help you if...

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You’re hoping for a quick fix without putting in the work between sessions.

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You’re not open to changing how things are currently done at home or out on walks.

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You mainly want reassurance rather than being guided through change.

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You’re unwilling to use practical tools or strategies that support progress.

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You’re not ready to make changes yet and prefer to live around the problem for now.

with calm by nature, you won't have to...

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Waste time on endless trial-and-error at home

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Scroll through conflicting advice on YouTube and Facebook

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Struggle through group classes that make your dog worse

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Figure it out alone without support or guidance

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Correct your dog into doing the right thing instead of building a partnership where you're both working together

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Feel guilty that you're failing your dog

ready to stop guessing and start seeing results?

This isn’t one of those programmes where content trickles out week by week. You get everything on day one, the full toolkit, the roadmap, and support, so you can start making real change with your gundog straight away.

We only take a limited number of owners each month to make sure everyone gets proper hands-on guidance. No generic advice, no cookie-cutter plans, just tailored support that actually works.

So ask yourself: are you going to keep hoping your dog will “grow out of it,” chasing endless advice online, and spinning your wheels?

 

Or are you ready to finally walk calmly, get recall you can trust, and have a confident, engaged gundog that actually enjoys life with you?

Click ‘apply’ to fill out a short form. We’ll check if we’re the right fit for you and, if we are, invite you to chat with Nick about next steps.

pricing starts from £399 with our payment plan

you may be wondering...

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