Testimonials

Lesley & Phil run a superb canine care service. Their back garden abuts Clowes Wood so exercising can be local. They have their own dogs and on site are horses and pigs. Careful selection of dogs wishing to be looked after are vetted to make sure they will be happy with all the residents.

Lesley runs training sessions for dogs and her understanding of canine psychology ensures a happy pack of animals. 8am to 9.30pm gives owners a lengthy break from their animals and overnight stays can be arranged.

I think their service is excellent – I hope it doesn’t get too busy!!

I have a young Pomeranian, Nandos, who was attacked at six months by a large dog which made her scared of dogs – barking manically whenever one came in sight. Upon moving to Kent in late 2016 we needed somebody to look after her for 10 days. By a massive stroke of luck I was put in touch with Lesley. Over a period of a few weeks Lesley gradually built up how long Nandos stayed at her house with other dogs present. After a couple of months we were able to leave her for 10 days with no problems and no barking!!

We are now about to start working on stopping or curbing barking on walks and I’m hoping to join one of the walking trains.

I really cannot recommend Lesley enough, not only is she a genuinely lovely person she has a natural affinity with animals and a whole lot of knowledge on how to solve any issues they may be having.  I trust her completely with Nandos and in turn Nandos is happy to see her whenever we go round. You really couldn’t find a nicer or more experienced person to either help you solve a problem or to look after your pet.

Dylan is always happy to stay at Red lion Canines and we can go away and enjoy our holiday knowing that he is content and well looked after. Lesley has always been so helpful in arranging drop off and pick up times.

I am very happy to recommend Red lion Canines.

Our chocolate Labrador “Hudson” was from the very start a character and a bit of a handful, as a result he didn’t do well in kennels. After a traumatic stay, for the kennels not Hudson, the kennels recommended that we speak to a lady who looked after dogs called Lesley where he might be better suited. From then on, whenever we went away, Lesley, Phil and their family took Hudson in, we would drop him off and he would bound in to his home from home. We could not be more happy with the way he was looked after.

Sadly we lost Hudson a year ago. We have just taken on a new puppy after a break of almost a year. When we were making the decision to get a puppy the first person we spoke to was Lesley to make sure she would take him if we went away, and fortunately she said she would. Being responsible dog owners we enrolled “Barney” in for puppy socialising and obedience classes through Animed vets, to our delight Lesley was taking the classes.

Our Cocker Spaniel Chorney had a second, quite serious op, and it was touch and go, so we wanted him to be safe and happy when we were away. We didn’t want him to go to a regular kennel, he seemed to deserve better than that after all he had been through. Also his social skills with other dogs weren’t great, seeming to get worse with his op and we wanted to improve this.

A friend recommended Lesley, she was straight talking and had a good settling in plan. Chorney went for a visit and a sleepover, he seemed to take like a duck to water to the set-up and mixed very well with the other dogs, making lots of new friends. He stayed with Lesley and Phil for two weeks while we were on holiday and then a long weekend a few weeks later. When we took him to stay the second time, he pulled with great excitement when he realised where he was going, not bothered at all that he was being left – a good sign that he was more than happy to be staying with Lesley and Phil and the other dogs for company.

On holiday Lesley sent us videos, so we knew Chorney was happy, she also monitored his weight and adjusted his food, so he was perfect size on return and a much more sociable dog after his trips.

Lesley came to visit us at home to help with a behavioural problem I was having with Roscoe. During the visit she made suggestions which really helped me to resolve the problem and we also got a bit of clicker training that helped with Roscoe’s recall.

As we were chatting I mentioned how, as he’s a sociable pup, I was looking for some way that he could socialise with other dogs. Lesley told me about the Walking Train and we went along, I even felt confident enough to let him off lead for the first time. We both enjoy meeting up and it’s lovely to see him running freely with the other dogs, he can’t wait to get out of the car when we arrive! After a tester visit Roscoe has now spent his first day with Lesley and further visits are booked.

With her knowledge, experience and friendliness, I can’t think of anyone that I’d be happier to leave him with.

Two years ago we moved into our new home in Seasalter with our two dogs, Golly and Rosie . Moving from countryside to seaside was a big change for us as was moving away from old friends and family.

We had booked a special holiday which was going to mean that we had to find suitable care for our girls and find somewhere we where we would be sure they would be happy. After phoning round several local kennels someone recommended that I should try phoning Lesley. That phone call was the call that put our minds at rest.

Lesley is a very caring and professional animal lover, and after meeting her and Phil I had no doubts that our girls would be happy to stay with them. After boarding with them for some 4 weeks (including Xmas and New year ) we picked up Golly and Rosie, complete with Xmas presents, and with no problems settling back home.

I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending Lesley and Phil, a caring, professional and a thoroughly lovely couple.

We were so lucky to receive a recommendation to contact Red Lion Canine – one of those chance conversations that positively impact on your life.

In the run up to some major surgery we decided to get our first ever puppy. Being the person that I am I went full tilt and went for a bumptious, energetic breed, with an enormous heart. Our Maisy, an Old English Sheepdog has stolen our hearts and has been great emotional and physical therapy for me. Three months after the long awaited surgery I was so looking forward to two nights away but worried about where we could leave our girl. Enter Lesley at Red Lion Canines.

Lesley is one of a kind. Not only an animal lover; she has pigs, horses and dogs, but a dog trainer with huge amounts of knowledge and skill. Combined with her natural talent and skilled approach we felt totally confident leaving Maisy with Lesley and Phil. Lesley has a very thoughtful and considered approach to new dogs in her care. As part of Maisy’s work up, we met for an informal chat and doggo play as a first step, then tested out a
sleepover for Maisy before we made any commitment. This made perfect sense to me – for this to work, the owner, the dog specialist, and the dog, have to be happy. Needless to say owner and doggo were very happy.

I was extremely confident that Maisy would have a lovely time with Lesley and her family, but I was thrilled when we picked her up after her holiday. I knew that Maisy had not only been superbly cared for but had huge fun. Maisy loves fun and I am so very happy that we have found such a tremendous place in Red Lion Canines.

Maisy is already booked in for some play dates over the summer while we do some non-dog-friendly days out. Without a doubt we will be making use of Red Lion Canines in the future.

A massive thank you to Lesley and Phil… Red Lion Canines already feels like a home from home.

In March 2017 I joined Lesley’s Walking Train with my then one year old cockerpoo Max.

Max has thrived amongst the other dogs and learned a lot of good behaviours from them. Lesley’s advice is always at hand right when you need it.

I had difficulties teaching Max recall and during the Walking Train Max learned the recall in next to no time. The dogs enjoy running through the woods and playing together.

The Walking Train is a great learning time for dogs and owners alike whilst having the freedom of the countryside and the help from a very knowledgeable trainer.

Max loves the Walking Train and so do I.

I first met Lesley when Bertie my cockapoo puppy had just finished socialisation classes at Animed Veterinary Centre in Whitstable.

Lesley was going to take on the Puppy Foundation classes at the centre but unfortunately I had already booked Bertie on another puppy training course. However I was so impressed not only with what she said but her whole compassionate and caring manner and so when Bertie’s first puppy training classes finished I got in touch with her to carry on training.

I am so glad that I did as she has been extremely helpful with many little problems I have experienced with Bertie and has always been ready to listen and give knowledgeable advice. Bertie and I have recently joined the Walking Train a really unique experience, which we both thoroughly enjoy.

Although Bertie has not yet boarded at Lesley’s I would have no hesitation in leaving him with her as I am confident he would get the best care and love.