Testimonials

I was lucky to meet Lesley when I took my new puppy Rottweiler to her puppy socialisation and enrichment sessions. She gave me fantastic advice and we went on to complete puppy foundation training with her.

Both my dogs Roxy and Stig now go on regular walks with her as a group and have stayed with Lesley and Phil whilst I was away. There is no one else I would leave my dogs with, Lesley understands their individual personalities and needs and my energetic Rottie had a fabulous week with them where I was worried she wouldn’t want to come home!

Highly recommend Red Lion Canines

I am happy to recommend Red Lion Canines as a fabulous doggy holiday home.

It was reassuring that Red Lion had met and got to know my dogs before their stay. I was able to have a relaxing holiday knowing that Teddy and Izzy were being so well looked after.

Loki, our 2-year-old Labradoodle absolutely loves his time with Lesley and Phil. It is so important for us to know that he is in a safe, loving environment. Lesley truly creates a home from home for her furry guests. She is so knowledgable and always has great advise. Feel very lucky to have found Red Lion Canines and highly recommend them.

I have always owned dogs, so wasn’t daunted when I got my new puppy Nellie, who is a German Wiredhaired pointer.

When Nellie was about five months old, I wanted to socialise her with other puppies, so was recommended Lesley’s puppy walking train.

I started walking with the puppy train, which she loved, being with the other dogs, but I was struggling when taking her out on my own.

She was jumping up at other dogs and people, not listening, and easily distracted by anything that moves & would take off at high speed. I was getting stressed & really worried about losing her.

I discussed with Lesley one to one Training and what a difference it has made to my dog & myself!

Lesley‘s approach is professional, knowledgeable & above all calm & kind. She always keeps in contact after training to see how you are doing.

I would thoroughly recommend Lesley if you need that extra help.

Just wanted to say how glad we are to have found you and Red Lion Canines since getting Buddy. You have helped us in so many ways.

I really enjoy the puppy train as it’s given me the confidence to walk Buddy & to let her off lead which she loves. It’s so nice to meet other people & their dogs & to learn in a safe environment how to deal with my crazy cockapoo. Buddy loves meeting all the different dogs & sleeps so well after her adventures.

Buddy absolutely loves going for walks with you & on the odd days when I’m home she still sleeps with 1 eye on the door in the hope Auntie Lesley will come to take her out. She is behaving so much better on the lead – still gets over excited but calms down fairly well.

Going away & leaving Buddy is no longer a stress as she loves her holidays at Red Lion Canines where she is fussed & made to feel part of the family. It’s wonderful to know she is happy to be away from us & in such safe hands.

Having attended the Bronze level puppy training with you I’ve learnt a lot about my affect on Buddy’s behaviour and am gradually learn to relax and enjoy her company. She is a bright & happy puppy who gets a little nervous & stressed so not naughty as I previously thought. Now I’m relaxing so is she!

It’s lovely to know we have found someone who cares as much about our pup as we do so thank you Lesley it is much appreciated.

We are so pleased to have found Lesley’s Red Lion Canines and have used their dog boarding and house visiting service for our two Border Terriers, Alfie and Macy since moving to Whitstable a few years ago.

Lesley has always been extremely accommodating, flexible and helpful with the arrangements and we return home from our trips away to find our two elderly dogs have always been well cared for and are calm and happy. In the home visits, Alfie and Macy have been fed, taken for walks and been given medication when needed.

When they have been boarded at Red Lions, it was nice to know it was like a home-from-home for the dogs and that they could potter about in the secure garden as well as resting inside when they wanted. So much nicer than the enclosed and sometimes stressful setting of some kennels.

When initially preparing to stay at Red Lions for their first visit, I was impressed by the preparation that went into ensuring they would settle in well. They were offered a free short day session and a free overnight stay to ensure they would get on with any other dogs there and to familiarise themselves with the setting. Lesley is extremely friendly and always seems happy to discuss the wellbeing of your pets.

I have always felt that the dogs will be in good hands as Lesley has a genuine interest in all animals and this is reflected in her having undertaken a number of courses dealing with the health and behaviour of dogs and other animals and feel she would be able to care for them holistically in any situation. I would have no hesitation in recommending her excellent services!

I would not hesitate to recommend Red Lion Canines.

I got Harry as a puppy for company after my husband died after a long illness. With my family living in Texas I felt very lonely. I first met Lesley at puppy socialising and was very impressed how she could read the pups’ behaviour. We then went on to basic training and we joined the puppy train. This was the best thing I could possibly have done. Not only did Harry get to meet other dogs, I got not only exercise but a social life as well. We have now progressed to walking with the older dogs and always have a lovely time as Lesley always keeps an eye on the dogs’ behaviour.

When Harry was quite small I had a holiday booked and Lesley and Phil did a three part step ending in an overnight sleepover to see if Harry was happy staying there. Luckily he behaved and has been staying with them whenever I go away. Lesley sends me pictures and always replies promptly if I ask how he is getting on. Why I do this, I don’t know as he always has a wonderful time and comes home tired out from walking and playing. I feel very fortunate to have found Lesley and Phil. They are very special people who make you feel part of an extended family.

We were in need of someone to look after Trafford as we celebrated our wedding day. After speaking with our local vets, they recommended Lesley & Phil.

After our initial visit to chat about our wedding plans and introduce Trafford to them and their home, we knew we were onto a winning combination.

Lesley made us and Trafford feel very comfortable from the start, after informing her of Trafford’s epilepsy and the routine he needs to follow, there was at no point any indication of any problem of Lesley & Phil looking after him and that made us very much at ease that he would have a great time staying at their home.

Lesley & Phil brought Trafford to our wedding location in Chilham and we were able to get some great pictures with him, he looks forward to further stays at his home from home.

Jasper and I first met Lesley when we were out for a walk in the woods. I clipped Jasper’s lead on and apologised to Lesley, explaining that although he has never bitten, Jasper was scared of bigger dogs and may be aggressive towards her Rottweiler. This is due to a history of himself having been attacked when he was younger and his apparent aggression is a defensive tactic.

Lesley explained that she was a dog trainer and offered help with behavioural issues she encouraged me to let Jasper off the lead. Tentatively I did and as Lesley predicted after an initial episode of barking and snarling, Jasper settled himself down. He continued to be wary of Lesley’s dog as we walked but Lesley pointed out to me some of the calming techniques he was using to control his nerves.

Since then, we’ve regularly met with Lesley and the walking train to encourage more socialisation for Jasper. He’s faced some personal challenges amongst his walking companions but has overcome his fears and I am gaining tips and techniques from Lesley on how to deal with situations when they arise.

We were put in contact initially with Lesley through our vets when we brought home our new puppy, a miniature labradoodle, Luna-lu.

I took Luna to socialisation classes run by Lesley and we also attend the puppy train walks regularly, where Luna has made lots of new pals as have I. Luna loves her walks and, Lesley, she is excellent with all the dogs, very calming and knows and treats each dog individually.

Although I have had dogs previously they were rescue dogs and I had never had a puppy and I have to admit I struggled somewhat with her in the early days. Lesley was brilliant, she was so helpful and reassuring and gave myself and Luna extra confidence and good advice.

Luna has also been to Lesley’s home as build up sessions for boarding when we are ever going to be away. Luna has a fantastic time there playing with her best pal Buddy in their lovely home with beautiful surroundings.we will go away knowing she will be happy and very well cared for and loved by Lesley and her husband.

So thankful that our vets recommended Lesley to us.