A cartoon dog dressed as a Jedi warrior, holding a glowing bone-shaped lightsaber, standing on a rocky terrain against a starry outer space background. The text on the image reads "Bark Side of Midlothian where good dogs are made."

Training Services

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Training Services 🐾

At Bark Side of Midlothian we understand that everyone’s training journey and needs are different. We offer the following training levels:

  • Age: 10–20 weeks
    Focus: Confidence, early manners & engagement
    Start your journey the right way. This course builds trust, engagement, and structure for puppies in their most crucial development stage. You'll learn how to prevent unwanted behaviours before they start and teach calmness, name response, handling, and early lead work — all while promoting responsible socialisation.

    • Ideal for first-time puppy owners

    • Prevent jumping, mouthing, and overstimulation

    • Build your puppy’s confidence in new environments

    These sessions are available in both 1-to-1 and group class format.

    Click here to register your interest in our next set of classes.

  • Age: 5+ months
    Focus: Foundation obedience, lead work, and focus around distractions
    For puppies or adolescents ready to take the next step. We build on basic commands and introduce distraction training, loose lead walking, and polite greetings. You’ll also learn how to manage excitement, improve recall, and strengthen the dog-owner relationship through calm consistency.

    • Real-world obedience without bribery

    • Engagement in busy environments

    • Strong lead work and impulse control

    These sessions are available in both 1-to-1 and group class format.

    Click here to register your interest in our next set of classes.

  • Focus: Obedience in real-world environments with high distractions
    Now it gets serious. This stage focuses on reliable recall, off-lead foundations (using long-lines), control around other dogs, and calm behaviour in stimulating places. Think parks, cafés, trails. Perfect for those ready to trust their dog more in public — and want the control to back it up.

    • Long-lead recall and distance control.

    • Focus and obedience around dogs and people.

    • Calmness in high-energy or public spaces.

    These sessions are available in both 1-to-1 and group class format.

    Click here to register your interest in our next set of classes.

  • Focus: Reactivity, aggression, frustration, fear
    Not every dog can go to group classes — and that’s OK. This level is for dogs that struggle with reactivity, fear-based behaviours, or leash frustration. Through tailored 1-to-1 sessions, we build control, confidence, and calmness using structured handling and behaviour management.

    • For dogs who bark, lunge, or shut down

    • Learn to manage and reduce reactivity

    • Empowered owners, safer walks

    Please note that this is available in 1-to-1 format only.

  • Focus: Owner-only course (no dogs), designed to build skill & mindset
    This is where you learn to lead. Designed for dog owners — especially those with large or powerful breeds — who want to improve their leash handling, body language, and mindset around control. Think of it as owner training, minus the pressure of managing your dog at the same time.

    • Hands-on practice with lead techniques & timing

    • Build calm, assertive energy

    • For nervous or overwhelmed owners

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    Click here to register your interest in our next set of classes.