About Us
Leaps and Hounds offers a variety of dog training and behaviour services in the Exeter and Devon Areas.
All support and advice aims to be humane and science led. Emotional, mental and physical well being is at the heart of our ethos. We take a dog centred and person centred approach when working with individuals and groups.
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Whether you are looking for general training support, challenging behaviour support or group activities, we can help.
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If you’re not sure what service you need, feel free to get in touch and have a chat.
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Our Philosophy
We believe, like our human relationships, all relationships with dogs should include communication, trust and mutual respect.
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We believe in-person connection and communication, trumps any other form of connection. There is huge value in being present, in the moment, with the dog and person in front of you.
We help you to set out clear consistent boundaries, fair expectations, to avoid conflict and misunderstanding and to learn practical skills you can apply to everyday life with your dog.
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We use positive methods that are based on the latest science, neuroscience, biology, behaviour analysis and philosophy. We help you to better understand your dogs behaviour to enhance life together in a positive way.
We offer training skills that fit within the concept of obedience, but come from a calm communicative approach that promotes agency and autonomy, rather than force and control.
We know dogs can think for themselves and encourage owners to facilitate this through appropriate guidance and choice making to enable learning, whilst being safe and calmly behaved.
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We believe all education should be fun and accessible for all ages and learning styles.
Who are we?
TRAINING & BEHAVIOUR COACH
Howard Barnes
Howard began his career in dog training in 2016 after adopting a Romanian rescue dog Lola. Although having experience with dogs throughout his life, the challenges presented in supporting and living with a very tricky rescue case gave Howard the motivation and drive to formally study and train in dog training and behaviour.