• Behaviourist
• Pet gundog trainer
• Puppy specialist
Helping families & dogs thrive in & around Essex 🐶
Full Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers - MAPDT 01512
AODT - a lifetimes passion for Dog Training! Experienced, Practical, Qualified, Passionate, Knowledgeable and Proven. We love what we do, and we could not be more driven about producing well trained, happy dogs, fabulous bonds & understanding. The AODT Story
Alicia was lucky to be born into a dog owning family. As a child she kept
various animals from fish, to guinea pigs, and even a pet duck. Her love of animals, forming a bond with them & inevitably spending a huge amount of time with them shaped her outlook on life, animal care and compassion. At the age of 9 she joined her Father training the family dogs at a local obedience school. She had already been training her pet rats on agility courses (in lieu of being allowed ponies), and the rabbits to come when called - but dog training took her on a whole new journey, & her enthusiasm to a whole new level. Always the child who would question everything she found herself both enthralled and disappointed. There was nothing better than training a dog to get something right and the level of teamwork that was required. But the ways in which she was tutored by dog trainers of the time, and the methods they suggested she use on her ‘friends’ left a sour taste. Like a sponge she soaked up experiences and advice, watched closely & took great delight as a teenager in rebelling against the norm, and introducing play, fun and huge amounts of praise to her training. She was rewarded & encouraged to realise this slightly ‘odd’ approach paid dividends. The dogs she worked with learnt quicker, were more reliable competition dogs and were eager to please. During this time she worked as a Kennel Maid, a stable hand and attended many courses and events. She went on to work with Adults with Learning disabilities and qualify as a Certificated Advocate with a specialism in Learning Disabilities. From her mid twenties she shadowed and was mentored in various training schools while embarking on Instructing qualifications and starting to teach. Fast forward to 2011 & Alicia realised she could no longer instruct under programs dictated by others, and that struggled to keep pace with both scientific evidence and her own ethos and growing determination to change the way people trained their dogs. Alicia’s Obedience Dog Training was born - and going back to her own roots Alicia started with young handler classes, hoping to inspire the next generation, before embarking on companion obedience classes later the same year. Since then Alicia has grown the areas she serves, the services she provides, her own knowledge even further and the team around her. Whilst initially named as a person ‘Going Solo’ AODT is now so much more than that - it’s a family, a format and a growing ambition to change the quality of life for dogs, and their owners. When you entrust AODT with training you and your dog, you benefit from years of experience, backed up by the latest available information & studies, combined with a super supportive structure to help you both succeed.
05/11/2025
🙋🏼♀️ Confession time
There is nothing more triggering as a dog Mum (yeah, I’m one of those) than having a dog who is anxious.
♥️ Let’s be really clear; it isn’t a lack of training, a lack of care or through any fault of your own if your dog struggles.
Malcolm (pictured) has never had an issue with fireworks previously. He works with shot all the time, was introduced to noise in a positive way from the moment his little ears worked (he was born here 🥰)
He will be 3 in March.
😩 He was caught out just after Diwali when a close neighbour had fireworks on a random night.
That caused him to pair his fear with the dark & he refused to leave the house & became sensitive to ‘bangs’ of an evening.
I’ve used some of my toolkit and an ample sprinkling of ‘normalisation’
Plus calmness & reassurance in abundance🫶🏻
He’s doing well. It will take continued careful management and planning to hopefully make a recovery that doesn’t affect him long term ❤️🩹
Oh and also, I hope one day they ban the
b!**dy things
03/11/2025
😗 Whistle while you work
Our recent intro to Whistle Training workshop looked at pairing the whistle to a preferred response & how to build up a super reliable recall with it.
🤗 With a handout to follow we’re hopeful these teams will be using their whistle in no time, we’ve already received positive feedback of improved recalls!
We can deliver whistle training 1-1 or in small groups, or if you’d like to go on the waiting list for the next AODT workshop drop us a line
02/11/2025
☺️ We couldn’t leave you hanging
We’ve added an additional Pup & Beginner course just in time to get your pooch some training before Christmas!
🗓️ Starting Saturday 15th November
For 6 consecutive weeks
🕰️ 10am start
🌳 Belhus Woods Country Park
🚗 Free parking included!
💰 £99
Limited spaces already available! Drop us a message to grab your place quick!
30/10/2025
🎓 Glorious Graduates
Check out our latest Pups & Beginners to graduate from their 6 week course at the beautiful Belhus Woods Country Park under the watchful eyes of Dionne & Carley.
🎉Congratulations to;
(Clockwise from top left)
Alex, Lee & Evie
Jobin & Kuttus
Craig & Simon
CJ, Gavin & Hela
Lee & Stanley
💟🤗🥳😍
Very well done all! We hope to see you again soon!
25/10/2025
🤗 Our Golden Girl
Dionne snuck off to Stoneleigh this week where she took and passed her Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold Examiner award! 👏🏻
A combination of theory and practical exams under the watchful eye of the experienced KC Good Citizen team the Examiner Tests are no walk in the park.
💟 We are super proud that Dionne will now be able to represent the Kennel Club as an examiner for all levels both for AODT and other clubs too
23/10/2025
😙 Looking for a stronger recall?
ℹ️ Introduction to Whistle Training
🗓️ Saturday 25th October
⏰ 11am (60min duration)
🌳 Belhus Woods Country Park
💰 £18
🅿️ Included
In this workshop we will look at introducing and pairing a whistle for quick responses and stronger recalls 👏🏻
Drop us a message asap to grab a space!
22/10/2025
🎶 Lullaby’s for Lando
We love when dogs are settled and calm in our presence, but it’s always that bit sweeter when it’s at a second visit and in stark contrast to the first!
😴 When looking at unwanted behaviours it’s always wise to look at how much down time your dog is getting. If they are unable to settle well themselves you may need to make some small tweaks to help them.
For Lando this, plus other training & management strategies has worked a treat! Happy sleeping Pup 🥰
19/10/2025
☔️ Finally a hat review!
Plus some reminder re Fireworks! 🧨
11/10/2025
😩 Help! My dog pulls
We hear it a lot, but you’d be surprised how many times the reason why the dog pulls is us.
😳 You heard that right
Whether it’s confusion of your expectations, handling techniques or equipment choices.
There is so much WE are responsible for that could be causing your dog to pull.
⬇️ Check out Revan just 20 mins into his 1-1 session with a simple equipment change and some guidance for his handler.
07/10/2025
⭐️ New Weekday Course!
Our next intake for Pups & Beginners starts on the 13th of October, perfect for young dogs or those with minimal basic training.
🏠 Bulphan Village Hall Rm14 3RU
⏰ 11am Mondays
💰 £99
Spaces are limited and filling fast, don’t miss out.
06/10/2025
🐾 Clever clogs
Check out our latest pups to graduate from their 6 week Beginner Course!
Join us as we congratulate;
Carley & Evie
Ian & Carley with Ace
Kirsti & Daisy
Connie & Alfie with Maggie
🙌🏻😍🎓☺️👏🏻
😳 We have just 3 courses left this year with availability & spaces are filling fast!
03/10/2025
🌳 Save the Visitor Centres!
Our beloved Belhus Woods Country Park is one of the parks identified in a new feasibility study looking to close the Visitor Centres :(
🚨 Be very clear, the impact this will have will be huge to those using the park.
✍️ You can read more and sign the petition to stop closure here;
Stop the closure of visitor centres and cafes in Essex parks
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Contact The Business
Send a message to Alicia's Obedience Dog Training:
Experienced, Practical, Qualified, Passionate, Knowledgeable, and Proven.
We love what we do, and we could not be more driven about producing well trained, happy dogs and fabulous bonds & understanding.
We are delivering friendly, professional pet dog obedience classes, 1:1 home & location visits, behavioural consultations, Agility, Scent & Trick Training - across Thurrock & Havering.
The AODT Story;
Alicia was born into a dog owning family. As a child she kept various animals from fish, to guinea pigs, and even a pet duck. Her love of animals, forming a bond with them & inevitably spending a huge amount of time with them shaped her outlook on life, animal care and compassion.
At the age of 9 she joined her Father training the family dogs at a local obedience school. She had already been training her pet rats on agility courses (in lieu of being allowed ponies), and the rabbits to come when called - but dog training took her on a whole new journey, & her enthusiasm to a whole new level. Always the child who would question everything she found herself both enthralled and disappointed. There was nothing better than training a dog to get something right and the level of teamwork that was required. But the ways in which she was tutored by dog trainers of the time, and the methods they suggested she use on her ‘friends’ left a sour taste.
Like a sponge she soaked up experiences and advice, watched closely & took great delight as a teenager in rebelling against the norm, and introducing play, fun and huge amounts of praise to her training. She was rewarded & encouraged to realise this slightly ‘odd’ approach paid dividends. The dogs she worked with learnt quicker, were more reliable competition dogs and were eager to please.
Fast forward to 2011 & Alicia realised she could no longer instruct under programs dictated by others, and that struggled to keep pace with her own ethos and growing determination to change the way people trained their dogs. In 2011 Alicia’s Obedience Dog Training was born - and going back to her roots Alicia started with young handler classes, hoping to inspire the next generation, before embarking on companion obedience classes later the same year.
Since then Alicia has grown the areas she serves, the services she provides, her own knowledge even further and the team around her. Whilst initially named as a person ‘Going Solo’ AODT is now so much more than that - it’s a family, a format and a growing ambition to change the quality of life for dogs, and their owners.
