Oxford behaviour specialist launches one-day workshop to help owners reset their relationship with their dogs
Many dog owners begin their journey with the best of intentions: training classes, YouTube videos, advice from friends, and a growing collection of treats in their pockets.
Yet despite all that effort, life with their dog can still feel chaotic.
Walks become stressful. The dog pulls, reacts, or seems unable to settle. At home there may be barking, overexcitement, or constant demands for attention. Owners often find themselves repeating commands, raising their voices, or wondering why their dog behaves perfectly in class but struggles in the real world.
According to canine behaviour specialist Anthony, Founder of the Oxford Dog Training Company, the problem is often not a lack of training, but a lack of calm.
“Most behaviour issues I see aren’t about dogs refusing to listen,” Anthony explains. “They’re about dogs who are overwhelmed, overstimulated, or simply never taught how to regulate their excitement. When the emotional state changes, the behaviour changes too.”
After working with hundreds of dogs across a wide range of breeds, ages, and behavioural challenges, Anthony has seen a common pattern: modern dogs often live in environments full of stimulation but lacking clear structure.
“Dogs are incredibly sensitive to our energy and environment,” he says. “If everything around them is busy, loud, and reactive, they mirror that. When we introduce calm leadership and clear boundaries, most dogs begin to settle surprisingly quickly.”
To help owners understand this process more clearly, Anthony is hosting a One Day Calm Dog Workshop in Oxfordshire; an immersive training day designed to help both dogs and owners reset their relationship.
Rather than focusing on tricks or obedience routines, the workshop centres on understanding canine behaviour and teaching practical skills that owners can use in everyday life.
Participants will spend the day learning how to:
- cultivate calm behaviour through clear, kind leadership
• understand what is really driving their dog’s behaviour
• replace stress and shouting with structure and calm communication
• build a stronger, more reliable bond with their dog
“This isn’t about dominating dogs or bribing them with treats,” Anthony explains. “It’s about learning how dogs actually think and feel, and using that understanding to create a calmer household.”
The workshop will take place at Shellgrove Farm in Horton-cum-Studley, Oxfordshire, providing a relaxed countryside setting where dogs and owners can learn together.
The event is intentionally limited to small groups, allowing participants to receive individual guidance and real-time feedback. Throughout the day, Anthony will demonstrate techniques with dogs, coach owners directly, and answer questions in an open discussion format.
Participants can expect:
- small group learning with individual feedback
• live demonstrations and real-time coaching
• guided practice with their own dog
• open Q&A with honest behavioural advice
• lunch and refreshments provided
• a gift bag with training resources and treats
The workshop is particularly suited to dogs who struggle with excitement, reactivity, or nervous energy, but it is equally valuable for owners who simply want a deeper understanding of their dog.
“Many dogs aren’t aggressive or badly behaved,” Anthony says. “They’re just overstimulated and confused about what’s expected of them. When owners learn how to create calm structure, the transformation can be remarkable.”
For owners who feel that walks have become more stressful than enjoyable, or who feel disconnected from their dog despite trying multiple training approaches, the workshop offers a chance to step back and reset.
As Anthony puts it:
“Sometimes what both the dog and the owner need most is simply a day to slow down, understand each other better, and learn a different way of working together.”
More information for the workshop can be found at:
One Day Calm Dog Workshop – Oxford Dog Training Company