Dakota's Choice - Animal Behaviour & Training

Dakota's Choice - Animal Behaviour & Training We are a small team of behaviourists, trainers, dog walkers and pet sitters. This is evident to the people I meet when with any of my dogs.

Helping you get back to real life situations!
🐶 Behaviourist & trainer
🤝 1-1 services & group classes
🧭 Canisports including; Canicross, Scent work and SUP
🏔 Dog Walks Our business has been running since 2021 but our individual experiences started long before that! An introduction to Lucynda (the owner and lead behaviourist); I have a Masters degree in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law

, and I have a BSc in Animal Management. I have completed additional courses such as Canine Fear and Aggression, canine communication and am looking to top up my upon Feline knowledge to ensure I am always up to date with the latest information. Nearly 8yrs of my experience has been working with RSPCA centres, from Animal Care Assistant to Animal Care Manager. I have lead puppy training, obedience training, social play sessions and one to one training since 2019 and have owned, and been training, my own dogs since 2006. Dakotas Choice refers to my first Siberian husky and how we formed our strong bond with each other. I learnt a lot with Dakota and she was always been given a choice, especially when it came to training. By this, I mean that she was never made to do any training or forced to go somewhere she was uncomfortable with... I always listened to her (sometimes quite literally) and allowed her to make her own decisions. I feel that this is due to Dakota choosing to participate in training and our bond grew from there, so I want to share that experience and knowledge with as many people as possible so that you can have the same connection and understanding with your dog. Now, when I talk about understanding your dog and having a bond, I am talking about you being able to understand what your dog is trying to tell you (e.g. when they are nervous or uncomfortable), and your dog knowing what you want from them; this is generally to be a well mannered member of the family. You don't want them to interrogate visitors at the door, to 'help' you eat your dinner, or to do everything at 100 miles an hour. Your dog will only learn what you teach them and, taught right, they will remember forever. Google business - https://g.page/DakotasChoiceABT?gm

Is anybody missing this dog toy?It has appeared in my back pack and I know it doesn’t belong to any of mine so it must h...
09/12/2025

Is anybody missing this dog toy?

It has appeared in my back pack and I know it doesn’t belong to any of mine so it must have been dropped in there by a clients dog at some point in the last week 😅

Let me know and I will return it to you ✉️

07/12/2025

Social Focus

Last session for the year!

A session suitable for reactive dogs who are ready to be in a small group of controlled dogs in a secure environment. You will focus on your own training and activities whilst maintaining a comfortable distance away from the other dogs. All dogs stay on lead.

These sessions are a great way to try agility, practice keeping your dogs focus around distractions and are suitable for nervous and reactive dogs as we have a maximum of 4 dogs in these sessions 🐶

Social focus
🗓️ Sunday 21st December
⏰ 11:00
📍 k9_funtime Field TS15 9PY
💸 £20 per dog

Message us to book 💚💜

06/12/2025

🐕Agility Fun session🐕

2 spaces left!

Want to just have some fun with your dog? Want to learn some agility to boost confidence? Fancy learning something a bit different?

In our parkour sessions you will learn how to use agility to boost your bond with your dog, increase interaction during walks and start taking your walks to the next level!

This will be a 50 minute session held at k9_funtime where we will use the amazing agility facilities provided.

Sound good?
You can book online or message us to book
🗓️ Sunday 21st December
⏰ 10:00
📍k9_funtime Dog Field
💸 £20

The perfect Christmas gift for dog lovers! Do you know someone who loves their dog and you’re struggling to get them the...
05/12/2025

The perfect Christmas gift for dog lovers!

Do you know someone who loves their dog and you’re struggling to get them the perfect gift this year?

Well look no further… we have gift vouchers available to post, classes that can be prebooked for next year and our Canisports membership options are also available to prepay for and they start in January 👀

So whether that special someone is into a dog sport already or they’ve been wanting to give one a try the Canisports membership is perfect to do just that 🏃‍♀️ 🏄 🐾 🐕

Initially there will be two options;

Canicross club membership £10 p/m
This allows you access to as many social runs and Canicross training sessions as you’d like in a month. Access to our private WhatsApp group and a Canicross training plan to get started.

The full Canisports membership £18p/m
This allows you access to Canicross socials, Scent workshops, Agility sessions and SUP meets. Plus 10% discount on Scent detection courses

YOU CAN EVEN JUST TREAT YOURSELF 🎄

If you’d like any further information on the memberships then please message us. 💜💚

Confidence in Water!The dark and cold nights are in full swing and it can be hard to motivate yourself for that evening ...
03/12/2025

Confidence in Water!

The dark and cold nights are in full swing and it can be hard to motivate yourself for that evening walk 🌑 So why not try an alternative? A minute in the pool is the equivalent to a 1 mile walk, plus it’s easy on the joints and is a great confidence booster! 💦

With the help of Canine Hydrotherapy Teesside we’ll be offering a short two week course to introduce your dog to swimming, wearing a life jacket and an introduction to Stand Up Paddleboarding : SUP with your Pup 🐕 🏄‍♀️

Details for the two week course;
📍 Canine Hydrotherapy ltd. Thornaby Ind. Est.
🗓️ Sunday 25th January
⏰ 11am
💸 £50 for the course

Your dog will be in the pool with a qualified hydrotherapist at all times, provided and fitted with a life jacket. Training advise and support will be given by a fully qualified behaviourist.

You just need your dog!

Book direct by messaging us 🐾
(Even if you have attended this course before, you can book again to keep up the practice 😉)

Updated ⛄️ Winter classes ⛄️ BASIC TRAININGPuppy classes (4 wks) £75Saturday 24th January @ 9:30St Cuthberts hallFoundat...
01/12/2025

Updated ⛄️ Winter classes ⛄️

BASIC TRAINING
Puppy classes (4 wks) £75
Saturday 24th January @ 9:30
St Cuthberts hall

Foundation training (4wks) £75
Saturday 24th January @ 10:30
St Cuthberts hall

REACTIVITY TRAINING
Social Focus £20
Sunday 7th & 21st December @ 11am
k9_funtime Field

CANISPORTS
Agility £20
21st December @ 10:00
K9 Fun-Time Field

Introduction to Canicross £25
Saturday 6th December @ 11:00
Cod beck

Introduction to Scent Detection £90 (4 weeks)
Sunday 11th January 2026 @ 10:00
k9_funtime Dog Discovery Barn

Time Trial for scent detection
Saturday 13th December @ 10:00
K9 Fun-time Barn

Introduction to Scent Detection CourseSniffing, searching and finding is naturally highly rewarding for dogs. Dogs incre...
30/11/2025

Introduction to Scent Detection Course

Sniffing, searching and finding is naturally highly rewarding for dogs. Dogs increase in confidence, become calm and focused. Dogs who are normally highly distracted by the environment learn to search with no loss of attention and dogs often fall into a deep state of relaxation afterwards.

WHAT YOU GET
🐾 4 x 50 minute classes with a small group of dogs under the expert guidance of a scentwork instructor
🐾 A Scent Kit to keep and practice with at home
🐾 1-1 support each week
🐾 Request feedback or advice throughout the course

The next block starts;
🗓️ Sunday 11th January 2026 @ 10:00
📍 k9_funtime Dog Discovery Barn
💴 £90

READY…SET…SNIFF!

Foundation classes 🐕 For dogs aged 6m+ and typically entering their teenage phase or in full blown hormonal swings!This ...
29/11/2025

Foundation classes 🐕

For dogs aged 6m+ and typically entering their teenage phase or in full blown hormonal swings!
This is one of the most challenging times of your dogs life and most say it’s harder than puppy stage because now they’re closer to being fully grown and acting out.

In this course we will help you;
✔️ stay sane
✔️ understand what’s going on with your dog
✔️ work with your dog so they work with you and not against you

Over this 4 week course we’ll cover;
🐶 Teaching your pup impulse control
🐶 Lead manners
🐶 How to settle in different environments
🐶 How to relax and promote calm behaviour
Plus much more

You also get 1-1 time each week with one of the trainers 👀 All in a safe and secure indoor environment.

Sound good?

🗓️ Saturday 24th January
⏰ 10:30
📍 St Cuthberts, Marton
💸 £75

*Full payment secures your place*
FOR UNDER 6m check out our puppy classes!

Social Focus Just a few spaces left for our December dates!A session suitable for reactive dogs who are ready to be in a...
27/11/2025

Social Focus

Just a few spaces left for our December dates!

A session suitable for reactive dogs who are ready to be in a small group of controlled dogs in a secure environment. You will focus on your own training and activities whilst maintaining a comfortable distance away from the other dogs. All dogs stay on lead.

These sessions are a great way to try agility, practice keeping your dogs focus around distractions and are suitable for nervous and reactive dogs as we have a maximum of 4 dogs in these sessions 🐶

Social focus
🗓️ Sunday 7th & 21st December
⏰ 11:00
📍 k9_funtime Field TS15 9PY
💸 £20 per dog

Message us or visit our website to book 💚💜

❄️ Puppy Training ❄️ Our next 4 week puppy course where you will learn to;✔️ stay sane✔️ understand puppy behaviour and ...
26/11/2025

❄️ Puppy Training ❄️

Our next 4 week puppy course where you will learn to;
✔️ stay sane
✔️ understand puppy behaviour and how to prevent future issues
✔️ work with your dog so they work with you and not against you

We’ll cover;
🐶 Leave it and Drop it
🐶 Lead manners
🐶 How to settle in different environments
🐶 How to relax and promote calm behaviour
and more!

All in a safe and secure indoor environment.

🗓️ Saturday 24th January 2026
⏰ 9:30
💴 £75 per dog for the 4 weeks or £22 per session for individual sessions
📍 St Cuthberts Parish Centre, Stokesley Rd, Marton-in-Cleveland, Middlesbrough TS7 8JU

Meet Bette and LolaBette came to puppy classes with us years ago and recently her family took on a new member, Lola. The...
24/11/2025

Meet Bette and Lola

Bette came to puppy classes with us years ago and recently her family took on a new member, Lola. They haven’t had multiple dogs previously and wanted some advice on how to deal with any potential issues.
We also implemented some basics with Lola to see how she likes to learn and she did really well!
They were both great with each through the session and I can’t wait to see how they progress 💜💚

We are proud to announce that we’ve created a partnership with Pet Remedy!This means that you can now get 25% off your o...
23/11/2025

We are proud to announce that we’ve created a partnership with Pet Remedy!

This means that you can now get 25% off your order by using our discount code DAKOTASCHO25

Or you can use our unique URL https://petremedy.co.uk/ref/DakotasChoice/

We regularly recommend these products to our clients so we’re very pleased to become an affiliate for them

💚🤍💚

Address

Middlesbrough

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 9am - 7pm

Telephone

+447496879278

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