Fun & Ethical Dog Training in Midlothian & Edinburgh

Thank you for visiting my website! How exciting that you’re looking for help to train your dog - no matter their age or stage of life. Whether you’re raising a puppy, navigating adolescence, or looking to have some fun with your dog, I’m here to guide you in building a stronger bond with your four-legged friend.

​

Meet your Midlothian dog trainer

I’m Avril, a certified and accredited professional dog trainer based in Gorebridge, Midlothian, although I work in various areas across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife with the training I offer (Training in Edinburgh/Midlothian, Mantrailing/Scentwork across the Central Belt). I work with each dog guardian to determine the needs of the individual dog/family in front of me, in order to tailor training sessions designed to build confidence, motivation and solid foundations from day one.

​

I hold formal qualifications in positive, reward-based training methods, and I also act as a judge and assessor for several recognised scentwork and mantrailing organisations. My specialisms lie in early puppy socialisation and bonding, scent detection and mantrailing, and enrichment-based training for adolescent or reactive dogs. I always prioritise a kind, force-free approach - no pain, intimidation, or fear - only clear communication and payment for a job well done!

​

Over the years I have lived with a variety of dogs (puppies and rehomed) and over the last 20yrs, been owned by Ridgebacks and more recently greyhounds.  I currently share life with Mika (my hombred Rhodesian Ridgeback), Argento and Izzy (our retired Greyhounds).

 

I have been training dogs professionally for 15yrs and my experiences with my own dogs over the years (training for life, the show ring and various sports) reflect the kind of real-world knowledge I bring to training. I believe in giving each dog - and each family member - the time, guidance and support they need, whether you’re welcoming a new puppy or exploring scentwork, mantrailing, or enrichment, or need some extra help with every day skills like walking nicely on a lead.

​

If you’re ready to build a trusting, confident relationship with your dog and enjoy training that’s fun, fair and effective, I’d love to help.

​

What I offer

​

Life with a dog is wonderfully individual, and your training should be too. This is why I prefer working with you on a 1-to-1 basis, where we can ensure the best training, designed to support you and your dog in a way that truly fits your world - no rigid class structure, no battling with set agendas, and no pressure to keep pace with anyone else.

​

Working privately means we can focus entirely on what your dog needs right now. Whether that’s early puppy foundations, building confidence, navigating adolescence, or problem-solving behaviour at home or out and about, every session is tailored to your goals. You set the priorities, and together we build a plan that feels achievable, kind, and rooted in understanding your dog as an individual.

​

There’s also the practical side - flexible times to suit busy lives, no need to commit to specific class days, and the freedom to train in the environment that matters most to you and your dog. If your puppy thrives at home first, great. If your adolescent needs space away from the buzz of a group, even better. Bespoke training gives us room to breathe, learn, and progress at a comfortable pace.

​

Scentwork and mantrailing are not reserved for “well-behaved” dogs or those who have completed a set training pathway. They are suitable for dogs of any age, breed, ability, or stage of training, and can be introduced at any point in a dog’s life. These activities tap into natural canine behaviours, supporting learning across the board — from confidence building and emotional regulation to focus, resilience, and engagement with the handler. Used alongside everyday training, they become another valuable tool in your training toolbox rather than a standalone discipline that requires perfection first.

​

For shy, nervous, or reactive dogs, scent-based work provides a safe, structured outlet that allows them to work at their own pace, often with increased distance from triggers and reduced social pressure. For energetic puppies and high-drive dogs, it offers a calm but deeply satisfying way to tire both body and brain. In all cases, scentwork and trailing support the dog’s overall development, making learning in other areas feel easier, not harder.

​

​

• Puppy Training: Helping you through the "pupodile" stage by introducing foundational skills that set your puppy up for success.

• Teenager/Adolescents Training: Providing extra support and guidance as your dog grows into their teenage phase and begins testing boundaries.

• Everyday Skills Training: Covering essential life skills like loose-lead walking, recall, jumping up, settling, enrichment games, and more.

• Scentwork and Trailing: Tapping into your dog’s natural abilities to provide mental stimulation and build confidence. In scentwork we teach your dog to find a specific odour, in Trailing we teach your dog to find a hidden person.

• eBooks to help you in Preparing for your New Puppy and Cheap & Easy Enrichment Ideas (you can download these right away! just click the link)

 

My philosophy/ethics

I believe in using fun, ethical, and effective methods to train dogs. I don't use pain, force, fear or intimidation to teach your dog new skills - "the things we learn with pleasure, we never forget".  My approach focuses on:

​

• Building trust and understanding between dogs and their guardians.

• Addressing challenges with compassion and tailored solutions.

• Creating engaging learning experiences that both you and your dog will enjoy.

 

Whether it’s teaching a puppy to settle at home, helping an adolescent dog stay focused, or guiding an adult dog to channel their energy productively, my aim is to empower you with the skills and confidence to work with your dog effectively and with fun!

 

Let’s train together!

Whether you’re tackling loose-lead walking, mastering recall, or diving into the world of nosework, I’m here to help you and your dog thrive together. My goal is to create an enjoyable, stress-free training experience that lays the foundation for a lifelong friendship and bond.

​

Check out my blog for helpful tips or explore our shop for valuable training resources. Let’s turn challenges into opportunities and help you build the relationship you’ve always wanted with your dog.