Dakota's Choice Animal Behaviour, Training & Canisports

Dakota's Choice Animal Behaviour, Training & Canisports 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

15/06/2026

Sundays are for socials and chilling 🧘🏼‍♀️

Yesterday was my third run back from injury and it felt really good (back at the physio this week) and then just walks, studying and Sunday dinner 😋

Everyone was brilliant at the social run and we picked the right time and location! Shaded woodlands before it got warm 🌲

SUP with your Pup 🏄‍♀️ Want to try something new this summer? Ever wanted to try your hand, and balance, at paddle board...
14/06/2026

SUP with your Pup 🏄‍♀️

Want to try something new this summer?
Ever wanted to try your hand, and balance, at paddle boarding?

As part of our Canisports services we’ve teamed up with Yarm Paddle Boarding and designed a session just for you! You’ll be accompanied by a fully qualified and experienced paddle board instructor and behaviourist to help keep you and your dog safe both on the board and in water. We’ll give you the knowledge you need to start enjoying adventures out on the water together

Your dog must be fully vaccinated (or TITRE tested) and able to swim, although they will be provided with a life jacket. The session will teach you;
🏄‍♀️ How to plan ahead for weather
🏄‍♀️ Safety on the water
🏄‍♀️ Standing up!
🏄‍♀️ How to get your dog comfortable on the board
🏄‍♀️ How to get yourself and your dog back on the board
And more…

These sessions are one of a kind and will be available to book through www.yarmpaddleboarding.co.uk but you’ll need to message us for your PASSWORD to book first!

🗓️Friday 19th June 1 SPACE LEFT
🗓️ Sunday 21st June 2 SPACES LEFT
⏰ 9:30am
📍 Preston Park, Yarm

If you’re not sure whether your dog can swim then why not try our Confidence in water course first?

All new Track and Trail course!Track and trail really puts your dogs nose to the test outdoors!Scent training is natural...
13/06/2026

All new Track and Trail course!

Track and trail really puts your dogs nose to the test outdoors!
Scent training is naturally calming for dogs and can help give dogs focus so being able to implement a scent related activity outdoors provides huge benefits
🐾 Increase focus outside
🐾 Improve confidence outside
🐾 Promote positive approaches to people
🐾 Tune into your dogs body language and build independence

How will we do this?
🐾 Tracking a target scent through woodlands
🐾 Trailing and finding a people out in the moors

In this 3 week course you’ll be introduced to the world of Track and Trail and better yet you’ll be doing it in some stunning locations 🌲

The details
🗓️ Starts Saturday 18th July
⏰ 9:00
🗺️ Gribdale car park, Great Ayton

I’d just like to remind everyone of our terms and conditions when booking;We take a 50% deposit upon booking to secure y...
08/06/2026

I’d just like to remind everyone of our terms and conditions when booking;

We take a 50% deposit upon booking to secure your 1-1 and a deposit/full payment when booking classes. Deposits are non-refundable and must be paid within 72hrs to secure your appointment. Full payment will be due for any appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 72hrs notice. You may only reschedule an appointment once and then full payment is due even if it does not go ahead.

This is my business, it is my sole income and if you don’t pay me then I may not be able to pay my bills. This includes when people cancel within the cancellation period when I cannot refill that slot.

Last month one of my dogs was quite ill and on top of an almost £400 vet bill I also lost over £300 in cancellations (she’s all good now and yes I paid the vets bill).

Please be mindful 🐾

🌻 Puppy Training 🌻JUST 3 spaces left!Our next 4 week puppy course where you will learn to;✔️ stay sane✔️ understand pupp...
07/06/2026

🌻 Puppy Training 🌻

JUST 3 spaces left!

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 25th July 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

06/06/2026

Loved our social run this morning!
A 4k all in at st Mary’s, my second run back and my first social run after stress fracture 🤞🏻 feeling good
Well done Bella, Bash, Fred, Lola and Sansa and humans! Everyone was amazing today 🐕

05/06/2026

Agility Taster sessions are back!

Do you want to have a bit of fun with you dog? We offer an agility fun session which allows you to explore agility set ups in a secure field with hand outs to help you explore the options to the full potential!

It’s £20 per dog at K9 Fun-Time. Secure indoor & outdoor dog exercise facilities (the barn In Hutton Rudby)

Sunday the 14th of June at 11am!

🐶

Confidence in water sessions start back up as of the 14th of June. This is a course that helps to build you dogs confide...
03/06/2026

Confidence in water sessions start back up as of the 14th of June.

This is a course that helps to build you dogs confidence with a paddle board and a qualified trainer, it also helps your dog to practice getting in water with a hydrotherapist who can help to build your dog up positively with swimming and water activities.

It’s £50 for two sessions both 14th of June and 21st of June at Scuba Doo

Just message the page to book!

‼️

03/06/2026

This block of puppy classes has such a beautiful range of pooches 😍
From a Dachshund to a Great Dane and we are loving it. Everyone was so good in week 1 and rather tired towards the end of the class too 😴

Well done all, can’t wait to see you again on Saturday 🐶

01/06/2026

Our current group of level 4 scent detectors are doing fantastic and what a mix of dogs we have!

We added obstacles, moving luggage and moving humans to their searches and they are blowing me away with their search skills 🐕

This is the point where I feel it all comes together in Real life situations and we can see the level of confidence each dog has developed too.

We’ll be releasing more scent dates soon 🐾

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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