CASE STUDIES | Bear Basics

REAL CLIENT STORIES

find the dog that feels like yours.

Most of these owners had already tried treats, whistles, classes, extra exercise, trainers or advice from every direction. They wanted walks they could enjoy, a dog who stayed connected outside and more freedom to include them in everyday plans.Find the breed, behaviour or starting point that feels most familiar to yours.

PET GUNDOG SPECIALISTS

BEHAVIOUR-LED TRAINING

REAL BEFORE & AFTER RESULTS

IN-PERSON & WORLDWIDE ONLINE

CLIENT STORIES

they had already tried. hear what changed.

"walks are now genuinely enjoyable"

Walks with Dave were so stressful I'd dread them and wait for the weekend when my husband could take over. Now he's off-lead everywhere, comes back instantly to a whistle, and the whole family are enjoying taking him out.

louise g.

DAVE - SHOW COCKER, NOTTINGHAM

"our morning walks are completely different"

I used to hope Gus would come back from the woods. Now he checks in with me, walks beside me, and I can take him almost anywhere with complete confidence.

sally w.

GUS - COCKER SPANIEL, VERMONT, USA

"buttons has so much more freedom"

Our walks have gone from chaos to enjoyable. Buttons has so much more freedom and I have the comfort that he will listen and that he is safe. It feels like we both have so much confidence in each other, and that only blooms more and more each day.

aby s.

BUTTONS - COCKAPOO, BIRMINGHAM

WRITTEN REVIEWS

the details that made the difference.

After three trainers and years of feeling defeated, I came to Bear Basics as a last resort. I'd avoided walks out of pure embarrassment, hurt myself running through bushes just to catch Mable after she'd bolted, and never once been able to let her off the lead. She pulled my arm out of its socket every single time we left the house, and I'd stopped wanting to talk to anyone out and about. Within three weeks of working with Nick, that all changed. Mable was off the lead, her recall was reliable, and she could walk normally without dragging me like a train. The embarrassment was gone. Now she chases squirrels and comes back. She isn't always perfect, but she comes back, and that is everything. Sometimes I just have to pinch myself that this is no longer just a dream.

charlotte. d

MABLE - COCKER SPANIEL, SHEFFIELD

I came to Bear Basics feeling exhausted, with Pearl's energy, impatience and inability to settle taking over my life. I'd already tried another online programme and still felt like I was missing the key to helping her switch off. The change in the first week was remarkable. I was sceptical about the settling period and the advice not to rely on big walks to tire her out, but it worked. Pearl started sleeping through the night and becoming calmer during the day. Over the following weeks, we worked on markers, recall and e-collar training, and we are now enjoying off-leash walks in parks, at the beach, in forests and across grasslands without the struggle we had before. People now comment on how well-behaved she is, and the path forward feels so much clearer. Our future with Pearl is going to be bright, fun and adventurous.

colleen l.

PEARL - SPRINGER SPANIEL, CALIFORNIA

Marley came to Bear Basics as a highly overstimulated, sensitive Springer who'd already been through a five-week residential programme with no improvement at home. His recall was virtually non-existent, at one point we had to chase him for over a mile in wellies and a big coat before finally catching him at a fence line. Fast forward 60 days and Marley is a completely different dog. He's calmer, focused and fulfilled. He walks beautifully on a loose lead, and his recall is something that makes us wish everybody was watching. Everything began to click, became second nature, and now he's living the life he was always meant to have. We only wish we'd started sooner.

steve w.

MARLEY - SPRINGER SPANIEL, LEEDS

Before Bear Basics, walks felt like something to survive rather than enjoy. Cailo was reactive, lunging at every dog, and I dreaded each day. Now I can enjoy walks with him off-lead, trusting him to come back, and he'll walk calmly past other dogs without a second glance.

katie f.

CAILO - GSP, NETHERLANDS

Every walk was stressful, I couldn't take Maggie anywhere new, thought of a café with her was out of the question. Now I walk her with ease, she gets solid off-lead time, and I can take her to any public setting knowing she'll settle. Even something as simple as going for a coffee with her feels life-changing.

leah s.

MAGGIE - GSP, LINCOLN

Ollie had become reactive, unpredictable and anxious on walks — taking him out was something I dreaded. Since finishing the programme, he's no longer reactive, his heel work is amazing, and he's calmer, happier and more settled. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

courtney s.

OLLIE - LABRADOR, LEEDS

different dogs. familiar starting points.

"he's been off lead for the first time ever"

Loki is like a different dog. He settles in the house, listens, and has now been off lead for the first time ever. For a dog with his level of prey drive, this is honestly something I never thought would happen, never mind in 3 months.

becca g.

LOKI - GSP X BRITTANY, LANCASHIRE

"we wake up on weekends now excited"

We went from not being able to take her anywhere to the complete opposite. She walks off-lead, recalls from any distraction, is neutral around dogs, and settles in the office. Going from 'oh my god, your dog is crazy' to 'oh my god, your dog is so well behaved' was just such a big switch.

babsi c.

LIMA - COCKER SPANIEL, NEWCASTLE

"regret not starting sooner"

Walks with Remy were impossible, pulling like a steam train, couldn't be trusted off-lead, and we'd tried other trainers with no luck. Since Bear Basics, walks are calmer, he settles, follows boundaries, and our bond is stronger than ever.

toni b.

REMY - SPROCKER, DRIGHLINGTON

"we have literally got a different dog"

Rex was so prey-driven, we couldn't trust him off-lead and walks were anxiety-inducing. Now he walks by our side without a leash and comes back even mid-chase. The feeling is just absolute relief.

ros c.

REX - SPRINGER SPANIEL, HOLMFIRTH

"absolutely life-changing"

Ruby's prey drive was off the scale, off-lead time never happened outside a secure field and on-lead walks were a struggle. Now we have really enjoyable off-leash adventures, she settles in a coffee shop or pub, and walks beside us on and off the lead..

anne s.

RUBY - SPRINGER SPANIEL, NOTTINGHAM

"life with him is fun"

Walks with Cooper were a nightmare, pulling, chasing birds, and unreliable recall. Since Bear Basics, walks are calm, he recalls reliably even around pheasants, and he's calmer at home. We get compliments everywhere we go.

holly m.

COOPER - GOLDEN RETRIEVER, LEEDS

"i even considered giving him up"

Life with Copa was manic and stressful, and I'd reached the point where I genuinely considered giving him up. Now I understand his needs, our walks are enjoyable, and our relationship has completely transformed

trish w.

COPA - LABRADOR, WALES

"walks are so much more enjoyable now"

Zeus’s recall has gone from 80% to 100%, and he is so much more settled at home. He is happier, we’re less stressed, and everything feels easier.

aisling c.

ZEUS - GSP, SUSSEX

"i’m finally confident walking her alone”"

Saige no longer lunges or barks at people or dogs, and her recall is stronger around prey. She is happier and more confident, and so am I.

lucy h.

SAIGE - VIZLA, CHESHIRE

READY WHEN YOU ARE

ready for a clearer route forward?

Tell us what walks and outings look like right now, what you have already tried and what you would like to be different.Nick will help you work out the most useful next step for you and your dog.

TALK IT THROUGH WITH NICK