West Lancs Canine Centre

“We first came to West Lancs Canine Centre with our Vizsla, Léna, for Puppy Foundation classes. We enjoyed it so much, and felt so comfortable with the trainers, that we continued onto the Kennel Club Good Citizen scheme and have since progressed together through Bronze and Silver, recently achieving Gold. The centre is set on a four-acre site near Formby, within easy reach of Liverpool, Southport and Ormskirk. There’s a large car park, indoor and outdoor training areas, exercise paddocks and dedicated areas and equipment for activities including agility and scent work, so it’s a really well-equipped centre. What has particularly stood out to us, though, is the approach to the dogs themselves. The trainers are friendly, approachable and explain things in a way that makes you feel comfortable asking questions. They take the time to understand the individual dog in front of them and offer practical strategies to suit that dog, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. The centre’s trainer, Vicky, talks about wanting every dog to reach their own unique potential, whether that means mastering the basics or going further, and that ethos really shines through in our experience. The approach has always felt kind, encouraging and centred around helping both dog and owner succeed together. They also offer a Tuesday daycare and training option, with half or full days available. We haven’t used this ourselves, but others we’ve met through the classes speak very positively about it. We’ve learned so much during our time here, not just about training but about understanding Léna better too. We’d very happily recommend West Lancs Canine Centre to anyone looking for knowledgeable, supportive and dog-centred training.”