Dog Training & Behaviour Support in Elm
I’m Michelle LeBourn, and I offer one-to-one support for people in Elm who want to understand their dog better or make daily life a little easier. You might be welcoming a puppy, trying to improve recall, or feeling unsure how to respond when your dog pulls or reacts. We’ll start with your concerns, without judgement, and build a plan around your dog rather than a generic idea of what training should look like.
Puppy foundations, without a rigid formula
The early weeks can bring a surprising number of questions. I can help with settling, toilet routines, mouthing, confidence, handling and introducing a lead or harness. We’ll prioritise what is most useful to your household and consider how your puppy responds, including when they need a break.
A puppy’s first consultation lasts 90 minutes. That gives us time to talk through your questions and try practical steps at a comfortable pace. If you want continued help, follow-up sessions last one hour. Sessions can be at home or another location we agree is appropriate.
Make everyday skills more useful
Recall and loose lead walking are not single tricks that every dog learns in the same way. I’ll help you look at what makes it easier or harder for your dog to stay with you, notice you and respond. We can work on engagement and calm routines as well as the skill itself, with steps you can practise in ordinary life.
The surrounding village lanes or farmland may be relevant to your routine, but outdoor training is considered individually. We’ll choose a suitable setting rather than assume that a challenging environment is the best place to begin.
When a dog feels anxious or reactive
Reactivity can make even a familiar walk feel tense. Anxiety may show up in ways that are difficult to interpret, and lead pulling can add to the strain. I’ll ask what your dog encounters, how they respond and what you currently do to help them cope. We can then consider sensible management and small, reward-based training steps.
My aim is not to make a dog endure something frightening. I’ll work at a pace that respects their comfort and your circumstances. If a particular plan or location does not seem suitable, we can talk about alternatives.
Ways to meet and check availability
I’m based in Marshland St James, near Wisbech. Please tell me your Elm address and what you hope to work on so we can confirm a suitable face-to-face arrangement and travel details. A page covering the village doesn’t mean every appointment is automatically available.
Online sessions are available too. They can be a practical way to discuss routines and training questions from home. The free 20-minute consultation lets us consider together whether that format fits your needs.
Qualifications and considerate guidance
I hold BCCSDip.ProCanBhvPct, am fully insured and canine first aid qualified. I’m recommended by local veterinary practices, the RSPCA West Norfolk and Second Chance Spaniel Rescue. I bring an ethical, reward-based approach to training and consider the dog’s feelings as well as the behaviour a person can see.
You don’t need to have the right terminology or a finished list of goals before contacting me. A conversation about what is happening is enough to begin working out an appropriate next step.
Questions about support in Elm
Is a home visit available in Elm?
We can discuss your precise location and whether a home appointment is appropriate. Please share your address during the free 20-minute consultation so I can confirm availability and travel arrangements.
Can recall practice begin somewhere quieter than farmland?
We can choose a suitable starting point for your dog, rather than expect them to respond immediately around difficult distractions.
Do you provide online puppy guidance?
Yes, where appropriate. We can consider online sessions during the free consultation; in-person puppy consultations are 90 minutes with one-hour follow-ups.