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Our Residential Dog Training Retreat provides positive, behaviourist-led training in a calm luxury hotel environment, with daily progress videos for owners.
Residential Dog Training at The Dogchester
A luxury, fully transparent residential training programme, personally designed and overseen by Clinical Animal Behaviourist Nanci Creedon MSc. No fear. No pain. No intimidation. Just science-based training, respect and kindness – with your dog staying in our VIP suites.
Most Residential Dog Training Happens Behind Closed Doors
Many traditional residential training programmes still rely on punishment, fear and intimidation to force fast results. Owners may see a “well-behaved” dog at the end – but never see what the dog went through to get there.
Quick Fixes vs. Your Dog’s Emotional Wellbeing
A dog can appear obedient because they are afraid to make a mistake. Tools and tactics such as harsh leash corrections, shock collars, spray collars, prong collars, intimidation and “flooding” may stop a behaviour in the moment – but they do nothing to help the dog feel safe or understand what to do instead.
This often leads to:
- ⚠️ Short-term compliance based on fear, not learning.
- 💔 Increased anxiety, shutdown behaviour or hidden stress.
- 🔁 Problems returning or worsening once the dog is back home.
At The Dogchester, we refuse to train this way.
Our Residential Training Promise
Our programme is built around emotionally safe, positive reinforcement training. We care about the way your dog feels just as much as how they behave.
Strictly No Punishment
We do not use fear, pain or intimidation. That means no shock collars, prong collars, spray collars, harsh physical corrections or “dominance” techniques – ever.
Emotion-Led Behaviour Change
We work on the underlying emotional state driving your dog’s behaviour – fear, frustration, anxiety, over-excitement – and help them feel safer and more in control.
Fully Transparent Training
You stay involved. We provide regular video updates, written notes and honest feedback so you always know exactly how your dog is being handled and what we’re working on.
Residential Training Designed by Nanci Creedon MSc
Your dog’s programme is created and overseen by Clinical Animal Behaviourist Nanci Creedon, a highly respected voice in the positive reinforcement world.
About Nanci
Nanci is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist with a Master’s degree in Animal Behaviour and a degree in Zoology. She is widely known and respected across the dog training and behaviour industry for her kind, evidence-based approach.
- 🎓 MSc in Animal Behaviour & BSc in Zoology.
- 📺 Regular TV expert on Channel 4’s “The Dog Academy”, Channel 5’s “Cats and Dogs at War”, ITV’s “Good Morning Britain”, RTÉ’s “Today Show” and more.
- 🌍 Recognised within the international positive reinforcement community for welfare-focused training.
- 🤝 Committed to making sure both dogs and humans feel supported throughout the process.
Every residential training plan is either directly handled by Nanci or created under her guidance and supervision to ensure that your dog receives the highest standard of care.
What Can Residential Training Help With?
As a clinical behaviourist, Nanci is equipped to help with simple training needs through to complex behaviour cases. We always assess suitability on a case-by-case basis.
Common Training Goals
We can incorporate everyday training goals into your dog’s stay, including:
- Loose-lead walking
- Reliable recall
- Manners around visitors
- Calm greetings (no jumping up)
- Focus and listening skills
Behaviour Challenges
For suitable cases, we can work on more complex behaviours such as:
- Reactivity to dogs or people
- Fearful or anxious behaviour
- Resource guarding
- Frustration and over-arousal
- Multi-dog household tensions
Welfare & Lifestyle Issues
We can also support dogs who struggle with:
- Separation-related problems*
- Rescue dog adjustment
- Handling and grooming worries
- General confidence building
- Over-excitement and impulse control
*Full separation anxiety cases may require a different structure – we’ll advise honestly on suitability.
How Our Residential Training Programme Works
From first enquiry to going home, we want you to feel informed, empowered and confident in the plan.
We start with a short intake questionnaire and email/phone discussion to check whether residential training is the right option for your dog and your goals.
Before your dog stays with us, we ask for a full behaviour history and veterinary history. This ensures we consider any medical, pain or welfare factors that may be affecting behaviour.
You’ll have an in-depth consultation (online or in person) with Nanci. Together you’ll clarify priorities, agree realistic goals and outline the training programme for your dog’s stay.
Your dog stays with us at The Dogchester – enjoying VIP accommodation, structured training sessions, rest, enrichment and gentle exposure work as appropriate.
You’ll receive regular video updates, written notes and honest feedback about your dog’s progress, what we’re practising and how they are coping emotionally.
At the end of the stay, we have another 90–120 minute session where we walk you through what your dog has learned, demonstrate key exercises and provide a structured home plan.
You’ll go home with a clear written plan. Optional follow-up sessions (online or in person) are available to support you as you maintain and build on your dog’s progress.
Behaviour change is a journey. We’ll always be honest about what’s realistic, how long things may take and how we can best support you as a team.
VIP Accommodation for Residential Guests
While your dog is working hard on their behaviour, they’ll also be enjoying The Dogchester’s famous VIP suites – a true luxury dog hotel experience.
Comfort That Supports Learning
A dog that feels safe and relaxed can learn more effectively. Our residential training guests stay in beautifully themed VIP suites designed for calm, comfort and recovery.
- 🛏️ Human-style beds and soft furnishings for maximum comfort.
- 🌿 Access to their own outdoor space or garden for gentle pottering and toileting.
- 🎵 Relaxation music and soothing routines to help them unwind after training.
- 💆 Plenty of kind human interaction, cuddles (for dogs who enjoy them) and decompression time.
Luxury accommodation ensures that your dog’s stay feels like a positive, enriching experience, not a bootcamp.
A Typical Residential Training Day
No two dogs have exactly the same schedule, but here’s an example of how training, rest and enrichment may be blended throughout the day.
🥣 Breakfast in a calm, controlled way (sometimes including enrichment feeding).
🎓 First training session focusing on priority skills such as loose-lead walking or settling.
🧠 Brain games and gentle enrichment tailored to your dog’s needs.
🛏️ Rest in the VIP suite to allow processing and recovery.
🐾 Carefully structured work on behaviour goals (e.g. reactivity setups, confidence-building, handling work), always at your dog’s pace and emotional comfort level.
🍽️ Dinner and calm time in their suite.
📹 Video updates and notes prepared for you so you can see what we worked on that day.
Residential Training – Frequently Asked Questions
A few of the questions we’re most commonly asked about our positive, behaviourist-led residential programme.
Do you ever use punishment, shock collars or harsh methods?
No. We are a strictly no-punishment facility. We do not use shock collars, prong collars, spray collars, physical corrections, intimidation or any technique that relies on fear or pain. Our work is based on positive reinforcement, safety and respect for your dog’s emotional wellbeing.
Will I be able to see what happens during my dog’s stay?
Yes. Transparency is non-negotiable. You will receive regular video updates and written notes so you can see what we are doing, how your dog responds and what progress we are making together.
How long does my dog need to stay?
Most dogs stay with us for 1–2 weeks, depending on the nature of the behaviour and your goals. During your initial 90–120 minute consultation, Nanci will discuss what is realistic and recommend an appropriate length of stay.
Will the training “wear off” when my dog comes home?
Behaviour change is a partnership. We will show you exactly what we have done and provide a clear home plan. Your handover session and any follow-up coaching are designed to help you maintain and build on the progress your dog has made.
Is every dog suitable for residential training?
Not always. Some dogs – for example, those with certain separation-related conditions – may be better served by a different structure. We will always be honest in our assessment and will not recommend residential training if we do not believe it is in your dog’s best interests.
Where does my dog stay during residential training?
Your dog stays in one of our VIP suites, enjoying the same luxury care as our hotel guests: comfortable human-style beds, beautiful surroundings, relaxing music and plenty of kind, attentive handling.
Ready to Explore Residential Training for Your Dog?
Tell us about your dog, your concerns and your goals. We’ll help you decide whether our behaviourist-led, positive residential training programme is the right fit – and, if so, create a plan that supports both you and your dog.