Testimonials

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.

Having had a very difficult experience with a previous dog, we had lost our confidence when walking near other dogs. When we decided to have a pup, Jackie, we wanted to make sure it was going to be a pleasure to take her for walks.

We first met Lesley when we decided to give Animed puppy socialisation sessions a try.

She very quickly helped us to feel at ease and Jackie loved her. We then went on to the puppy foundation course, and also joined some of the walking train walks to the woods where we met Lesley’s husband Phil.

Throughout, Lesley has always been understanding and on hand to help us deal with any little problems or questions that we may have. She has played a major role in helping us to regain our confidence, particularly when, in the woods, Jackie encountered a horse for the first time and I went into panic mode.

It is quite clear that Lesley loves animals and wants both owners and dogs to have the best experiences together.

When we got our second puppy, Annika, we were only too pleased to take her along to Lesley’s Socialisation and Puppy foundation courses and as she gets older we will join the walking train with both Jackie and Annika.

We never felt that we would trust anyone, apart from family, to look after our dogs, but, when we feel ready to leave Jackie and Annika, we won’t hesitate to contact Lesley for boarding.

We are confident that both Lesley and Phil are trustworthy and reliable and that our dogs would get as much love and care as they get at home.

We were initially a little apprehensive about leaving Honey at the puppy minders but we packed her suitcase and off she went to Red Lion Canines and spent the day with Lesley.

The biggest problem was trying to tear her away when I collected her. She was having a great time and didn’t want to leave.

She has now stayed on a number of occasions and pulls me through the gate in her desire to get in. I would certainly recommend.

My partner & I have found Lesley’s knowledge & attention to detail so helpful.

She always has a watchful eye on the dogs’ body language & is aware of what’s going on. Very professional, laid back & all the written information was so well presented & informative. Our Two Thai Ridgebacks have enjoyed all the classes & so have we.

We will use Lesley for some more 1 to 1 help & hope to progress onto the Bronze award.

Ned our black lab puppy, really enjoyed his puppy training class and came on in leaps and bounds!

It also helped me have more confidence in training him and being able to practise what we’d learnt at home. It’s a friendly, fun class with plenty of chance to discuss any worries or concerns about your dog and it’s also good to meet other puppies and their owners. It’s a really helpful and stimulating class for dogs (and owners).

Red Lion Canines home boarding is a great home from home experience for dogs!

It’s great that our dogs can also have a lovely holiday while we’re off enjoying ourselves. They have so much fun and stimulation meeting other canine buddies, having exciting woodland walks and all under the careful close care of an experienced and lovely host. We can have peace of mind knowing that our dogs are well looked after and cared for in every way.

We moved to Kent in July 2017 and just by chance we found Lesley where Fudge could stay. Fudge loved her weekend, and further stays and is always so pleased to see Lesley.

We have also joined Lesley’s puppy walk and her walking train every week. Not only is it good for Fudge but helps me from being lonely.