Dog Training Classes in Birmingham | Wolverhampton | West Bromwich
1-on-1 Dog Training In Birmingham
Lydia Harrison, Director of Trainapup, is a highly qualified and experienced canine behaviour professional with an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Training and a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing.
She brings 16 years of expertise in behaviour modification, combining scientific knowledge with extensive hands-on practice to support dogs and their owners in achieving lasting behavioural change. Alongside her professional work, she is the co-breeder of Swiftanbold Malinois and an active competitor in both working trials and obedience, giving her a deep understanding of canine performance and welfare. Lydia has also taught and mentored multiple apprentices over the years, sharing her skills and supporting the development of the next generation of trainers and behaviour practitioners.
Unique Training
We are available to provide you with bespoke training designed to tackle a variety of specialised dog behaviours.
No pet is untrainable
Here at Trainapup we are firm believers that no pet is untrainable and any behaviour can be changed, regardless of age or breed. With each private lesson our trainers will develop a detailed understanding of your pet and your needs, creating a personalised training plan to help achieve the best results.
Evidence-Based Behaviour Change
Using scientifically supported methods to reshape unwanted behaviours by addressing their underlying emotional causes such as fear, anxiety, frustration, or over-excitement.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Teaching dogs appropriate alternative behaviours through clear, consistent reward-based training, helping them build confidence and improve decision-making.
Counterconditioning & Desensitisation
Gradually introducing triggers in a controlled, non-overwhelming way while creating new positive associations, reducing reactivity and stress over time.
Fully Qualified Professional
Lydia Harrison, Director of Trainapup, holds an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Training and a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing, ensuring expert, science-led behavioural support.
About Me
Lydia Harrison, Director of Trainapup, is a highly accomplished canine behaviour specialist with an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Training and a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing. She brings 16 years of dedicated experience in behaviour modification and has mentored and supported multiple apprentices, helping to shape the next generation of trainers and behaviourists. Lydia is also the co-breeder of Swiftanbold Malinois and owns an Afghan Hound and Malinois who work in TV and film under the guidance of Charlotte Wilde, a respected animal trainer in the industry. Her own dogs train and compete in agility, tracking, and trick training, reflecting her passion for developing confident, motivated, and mentally enriched canine learners. As a member of the BVNA (British Veterinary Nursing Association), the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons), and the BVBA (British Veterinary Behaviour Association), Lydia maintains a strong professional foundation within the veterinary and behavioural sciences, adhering to high standards of welfare, ethics, and evidence-based practice.
Lydia’s enthusiasm for working with a wide variety of breeds fuels her belief that most behavioural challenges arise not from the dog itself but from misunderstandings, unmet needs, or inconsistent human behaviour. Research consistently shows that canine behavioural issues are closely linked to owner knowledge, training methods, communication patterns, and emotional responses, meaning that supporting the human end of the lead is often the most critical component of successful modification (Blackwell et al., 2008; Hiby, Rooney & Bradshaw, 2004). Effective behaviour change relies not only on altering the dog’s learning environment but also on helping owners develop clearer communication, better timing, improved management strategies, and more realistic expectations - principles widely recognised in applied behavioural science (Overall, 2013; Lindsay, 2000). Lydia’s practice therefore places significant emphasis on educating and empowering owners so that dogs can learn and thrive within a structure that meets both their emotional needs and natural behavioural tendencies.
What My Clients Say
