Where ever you need help, be it from group classes and 1-2-1 Sessions in your own home or out in the community or more stubborn behaviours through to separation anxiety or aggression right through to competitive scent and agility, our sympathetic expert trainers will help you every step of the journey.
Whether you’re starting with a new puppy, need help with behavioural challenges, or want to take your dog’s training to the next level, we offer tailored support to suit your needs.
07742 432 441
Passionate about dogs and ready to turn it into a career? Join our award-winning team through our franchised business model, or train as an independent dog trainer with our Spirit™ Dog Trainer Accredited Courses.
With full training, ongoing support, and a recognised accreditation behind you, you will be empowered to grow either independently or as part of the Essential Canine Life Skills family.
07742 432 441
Supporting Children with their emotions with short in person sessions and kind dogs as support.
Children experience a range of different emotions as they are growing up and this can be an incredibly difficult time.
Spirit™ & Friends, is a series of small stories and activities developed by Emma to bring together her vast experience with alternative education children and Essex County Council and her love of dogs.
This book is available through our shop for you to work together at home or in schools
Also available to be delivered directly in small focused groups in halls or schools. The group will carry out a range of activities and read stories together, and on hand will be our hand picked therapy dogs as trained to cope with emotional support.
Available to schools, parents and other learning providers please make contact directly to discuss your needs.
07742 432 441
Welcome to Essential Canine Life Skills, a long established award winning dog training company. Renowned for helping all types of dog owners achieve an amazing all round well balanced pet dog.
Dog Trainers since 2012 and home to the original and well recommended Essex Dog Training, our exclusive area trainers will work with you (using non aversive methods) to achieve all your goals.
The company’s original ethos of trying to help reduce the rate of dogs into rescue through lack of education still stands strong today, and is echoed throughout the business.
All dog trainers in their own franchise area are fully qualified, insured, and have had to undergo rigorous vetting prior to them training in their own franchised areas.
All have passed our Accredited Spirit™ Dog Trainers Course, which we have proudly developed, accredited by the Skills & Education Group, and read by industry specific experts.
Whether you are welcoming a new pup into the home, rescuing an older dog or experiencing difficulties with your existing dog we are here to help with the best trainers in the industry supported by an award winning company.
We are proud to be regularly recommended by other dog professionals across the UK.
The Essential Canine Life Skills Accredited Dog Trainers Course is available to external candidates.
Essential Canine Life Skills offers trusted, award-winning training using kind, modern methods tailored to you and your dog. Our small local classes help build confidence, focus, and control, while offering full trainer support throughout your journey. From basic to advanced training, we are here to help.
Essential Canine Life Skills Ltd received awards for these amazing packages. All are available as books and supported pdfs in our shop or as direct packages with your local trainer.

A great puppy
supporting you with the first 8-16 weeks at home. For direct training, contact your local franchise.

Amazing basic training
supporting you with the all important first steps of having a well mannered pet at home. For direct training contact your local franchise

Fantastic loose lead walking
so you want your dog to stop dragging you down the road, for direct training contact your local franchise

Incredible dog recall
so you want your dog to have instant recall in all situations. For direct training contact your local franchise
At the heart of Essential Canine Life Skills are two dedicated dog lovers who’ve turned their passion into a nationally respected training company. Emma, our founder, Managing Director and Head Trainer, brings over a decade of teaching experience and world-class agility success, while Candisse keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes with her sharp organisation and shared love of dogs.
Join one of our incredible training courses and become a Spirit™ Dog Trainer
Are you interested in running a successful dog training business in an exclusive area?







We have a growing network of trusted, experienced trainers ready to support you and your dog across several regions. Whether you’re starting with the basics or tackling specific behaviour challenges, our trainers are here to guide you every step of the way. Simply select your location to connect with your local trainer and discover the classes, workshops, or one-to-one support available near you.
Our Spirit™ Dog Trainer Course Series is years of experience bought together in one course.
Checked by industry professionals and quality assured by an external verifier the course has been accredited by the Skills & Education Group and you can be assured you will be ready to help us spread the word in educating others and their dogs. Other relevant courses are also available
Tips, advice, and stories for every dog owner.
Explore helpful articles written by our experienced trainers and dog lovers. From training techniques and behaviour insights to inspiring success stories, our blog is packed with practical tips to support you on your journey with your dog.
EXCELLENT Based on 26 reviews Posted on Jenna TilleyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Have attended with my puppy from him being 9 months old. He has loved it and I’ve picked up some wonderful tips and it’s really helped him to socialise and he’s learnt many tricks along the way! Everyone comments on how calm and well behaved he is for his age and I definitely credit these classes for that. Buster and I Would highly recommend.Posted on Nicola OldfieldTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Enrolling in puppy obedience class. Emma has created a positive and encouraging environment that helped both me and my puppy feel at ease. The class is well-organised, engaging, and filled with practical tips that I can apply immediately at home.Posted on Diane MoggridgeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been attending agility group lessons at Chelmsford for the last 2 years and recently had some private lessons too. Emma is always ready to provide extra support and guidance when I’ve needed it. I’ve also attended some obedience lessons which have been really helpful.Posted on Ben WhiteTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Having a great experience learning how to understand our dog and helping her understand us. Shadow is progressing well and it's great to see her thinking her way through our instructions. Thanks to Emma and Helen in the Rochford franchise!Posted on Molly KoncheskyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Came to Emma with a dog that struggled to cope massively and have left with what seems like a completely different pup! Couldn’t recommend her enough. Thank you!Posted on keeleyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Emma came to our rescue when we became hugely overwhelmed with our two dogs and needed support and guidance to not only manage and train, but most importantly, all live together happier and calmer. It has made a phenomenal difference to simply understand why our dogs behave the way they do, and the skills and education to tackle certain challenges that we faced, have been a game-changer. Emma has made our lives a million times better, I can't sing her praises, nor thank her enough, for her guidance, support and care to our family. Thank you Emma XxPosted on Chloe HarrisTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have trained with all the trainers at Essex dog training and have had a great experience, we have been training here for almost 3 years and have had amazing support throughout in both agility and obedience with my puppy, helping with everything from at home with a puppy to now competing at agility with my dog xPosted on Siobhan WattsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have been on only three 1-1 sessions with Emma & cannot believe how far our little Winnie has come since our 1st ever session! Emma is so lovely and it is so easy to understand what she is saying & how we can incorporate the training sessions into our daily lives. I love that she messages you after each session with videos & information on what we practised in the 1-1. Highly recommend & cant wait for our next sessions to come xPosted on Natalie BarnettTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Loving the puppy classes in Hadleigh with Emma on a Tuesday night.....very patient with us ...great trainer 👍👍Posted on Darren MarshTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have been with the club over 2 years now, I was new to dog agility and I was taught the basics and over the past years the staff have improved my ring skills by leaps and bounds and my dog absolutely adores agility and the staff. I found the staff very helpful and knowledgeable always quick to respond to any questions even if it's out of the normal office hours highly recommendedVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
"More Than Just A Dog Trainer"