Building a stronger bond with our dogs is high on the list with most dog owners, just like schooling for children, pet dog training is an integral part of a dog's socialization and development process. Dogs, who have not had the right education, can develop unhealthy and sometimes dangerous behaviours. Knowing what's safe to do and what's not is stress relieving in its self. .

A lot of stress and anxiety that an untrained dog feels comes from not knowing what behaviours are ok. By working with your pet dog to develop positive behaviours, you're strengthening the bond between you and helping to ensure your dog will be a positive member of your family. In addition, well-trained dogs are not only more fun to be around, they're also less likely to cause harm to themselves and to others, especially with the Dangerous Dog Act and the soon to be passed Animal Welfare Bill.

The difference between getting an okay and an exceptional pet dog training education is all about experience and qualification and having an empathy with the animals that your are working with. That's why our pet dog trainers are accredited professionals of the APDT who have been assessed according to a strict code of practice and have agreed to abide by kind and fair principles of training. To this end the use of coercive or punitive techniques and equipment are not used. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, that, in addition to they're previous training experience, continue to study as part of their membership condition. The curriculum of learning includes: canine behaviour, learning theory, problem solving, handling skills, and much more.

Our Director of training is Stephen G. King who is a specialist dog-trainer, consultant to Redbridge Borough Council dog section and a qualified Agility instructor and has a Diploma in animal psychology.

His practice specialises in puppy training and dog behavioural problems and he works on the referral of Veterinary Surgeons as a behaviourist. He is also a founder member of the APDT, whose code of practice allows only Kind, Fair and Force-free methods of training.

Stephen is a leading light in the use of operant conditiong (clicker training) and has had students from all over the UK , including Holland , Belgium and Finland for his Clicker Workshops. Most of the dog societies such as the National Canine Defence League, Battersea Dogs home, Dogs for the Disabled, Guide dogs for the blind to name a few are now using these concepts in their training programs.

Stephen is also a publisher and a video producer. His two videos, Clicker Train Your Dog and Your Puppy's Early Learning have been the top two videos sold in the UK in the last two years. His new book Ready, Steady, Click! An introduction to Clicker Training has already become one of the UK 's top selling dog training books.

Stephen has also been a guest speaker on radio and TV, talking about solving problem behaviours. He has recently lectured in Holland and Germany the principles of his new book, Ready Steady Click!

Information is freely available of services and courses pop in and discuss your pets training program. No appointment needed our constancy is open between 9.00am to 5.00pm Mon to Friday and 9.00am to 4.00pm Saturday.

Clickability Classes at Four Paws Hotel
Classes are structured by different ages and skill levels, so the class you choose will fit both your needs and your dog's development stage. From learning the fundamentals to complicated behaviours, we make training fun and effective so that your pet dog can be a better member of your family. We offer a variety of courses including: Clickability Classes at Crosskeys

All Clickability classes use Positive reinforcement techniques (clicker training) and offer the most modern, enjoyable and satisfying methods of training available.
Because Crosskeys values the importance of pet dog training for a healthier, happier pet, our training curriculum uses positive reinforcement techniques. Not only is it more humane, it's more fun and effective. Just like most people, dogs are more motivated by rewards than deterred by punishment.

All classes are small in number to ensure that we can offer the best in individual attention. Our aim is for you to have a successful and rewarding relationship with your dog, and believe that classes should be interesting, rewarding and enjoyable as well as kind, fair and effective! All courses are five weeks' in duration and last for one hour per week.
For times call the booking number on 020-8590-3604

Your Puppy's Early Learning Classes
(Puppies need to be 18 weeks or under at the start of the course - but the earlier the better!) Don't leave it too late! Puppies learn amazingly fast and these classes are intended to allow them to build confidence and social skills with adults, children and other puppies in a controlled environment as well as learning their ABC's of training.

Beginners Training Classes
(For older puppies, which have missed out on puppy class and dogs, which need basic training) This beginners course is intended to help you understand how your dog learns and to give you both an opportunity to enjoy some training with our help.

Graduate Training Classes
The classes are exclusively for dogs, which have already taken a puppy or beginner course at Crosskeys Further skills, tricks and individual training goals are the focus for this course. If you want your dog to join the ClickAgility class or go into Film work- this is the course for you!

Individual Behaviour Consultations
One-to-one training is offered for owners who want that extra personal service. These sessions varying in duration and price, according to your needs. Call the office for more details.

Aggression Control Classes

Stephen’s favourite group! This group consists of dogs in the early stages of their rehabilitation.

Each dog has been through one to one training where they have learned to accept the presence of a strange dog/person.

Under strict supervision four to six dogs learn canine and human social skills.

Each dog and handler is finally faced with their individual worst scenario and taught how to cope with it.

We use our 1½-acre field for these rehabilitation pupils so that they get only as close to each other as they can cope with. Most of them will eventually progress to being able to join in with “normal” training groups.

Residential Dog Training

We are happy to offer all this service with the emphasis being on providing individual care and attention to your dog. We have a three acre doggy play / training area. Places are strictly limited. Your dog will be exercised, played with and be greatly stimulated by the training centre staff making his or her stay a great experience. We offer a FREE assessment service for your dog at our premises, which takes about 1/2 hour. After the evaluation and assessment of your dog, if suitable, he/she can be booked into the Residential Dog Training Centre.

What do you get?
Three weeks of intensive training to your requirements

We train in the real world - that means we begin training out and about around the town - learn how to walk nicely on a lead amongst many distractions, how to sit at the pavement, and how to sit and be calm while you are distracted. We go to the park to play and train sit, stays recalls and retrieves. Your dog will learn to sit to have his lead put on, how to go calmly out of the house, how to behave when visitors arrive and how to play nicely with other dogs. How to come away from playing with other dogs. They also learn to walk on a loose lead, to come when called, sit, down, stay and leave it. Plus if there is anything specific that you want your dog to learn let me know and I will see if I can accommodate your requirements.

Our methods are based on Clicker Training. (timely, consistent, positive reinforcements)
We train dogs as efficiently, effectively & humanely as possible
We operate the highest quality accommodation
We provide extensive feedback throughout the training process
We teach the procedures for continued success
We offer unlimited post-training support
We guarantee full control, both on and off the lead - even with distractions!

Dog Training Pricing
The cost of our 3 week residential dog training course £639 + VAT and 10-day, intensive course is £510 + VAT and. These charges include training, accommodation, owner tuition and follow-up sessions.

A £100 deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance due at the start of training. Once confirmed, deposits become non-refundable, but confirmed course dates may be changed without penalty if necessary subject to agreement.

For further information please contact the centre on 020 8590 3604 or 020 8599 3317 E mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

AGILITY Classes at Four Paws Hotel

Beginners from Westie to GSD, the fun agility classes offer a chance to have fun with your dog in a relaxed outdoor environment. The emphasis on these ClickAgility classes is gentle control, not on competition agility. This means that even young puppies can take part, using the obstacles for confidence building. All the agility takes place outdoors, off-leash. We strongly advise that you attend a basic course of lessons first.

Intermediate. This class is for the competition type trainer where precision and reliability is a must!

Small Groups For Individual Tuition
All our courses are small and limited to just six/eight dogs to ensure everyone gets proper care and attention at all times. The courses are specially designed to get the right dogs and owners in the correct programme to achieve the very best results.