SME News Managing Director of the Year 2025 / 28 Dog Training Business Founder of the Year 2025: Paul Ives As anyone who has ever owned a dog will tell you, raising a pup is one of the most rewarding things a person can do in life. Dogs are so much more than just pets – they are our companions and best friends for life. This being said, training a dog is no easy feat, and owners often need a helping hand on their journey. This is where Four Paws Training comes in, with this residential dog training company founded by Paul Ives delivering bespoke training programmes for the needs of any breed. Established in early 2023, Four Paws Training is a subsidiary of Four Paws Walking and Training Ltd., a multi-award-winning operation with a simple mission: to help owners and dogs live the best lives possible together. Founder Paul Ives and the team help strengthen the innate bonds people have with their fourlegged friends, leveraging a network of skilled trainers from right across the UK to deliver programmes crafted from a range of sciencebacked training techniques and underpinned by a real passion for the work. Paul and the team know that the decision of who to trust with training their dog is not one owners take likely, and that is why they only use trainers who are not only qualified, but true experts in their field. The knowledge they have on everything from canine psychology to the latest tips and tricks with training means owners can rest assured that their dog is in the safe hands of a talented professional committed to achieving the best possible results. Of course, this all starts with the recognition that every dog is different. Four Paws Training therefore employs a personalised approach to every client, taking the time to understand exactly what it is an owner is looking to get out of this service, before matching their pup with the perfect trainer to make this a reality. This translates to a suite of comprehensive services, ranging from puppy training and basic obedience to tackling more specific challengers with behaviour, often aggression or anxiety. Across the multitude of options provided by Four Paws Training – ranging from board and train to customised programmes and rehabilitation-based services – all trainers use positive reinforcement techniques. By refusing to rely on outdated techniques that use fear or intimidation, the team are living their promise of building strong and positive relationships between dogs and their owners, with these reward-based methods making keeping their dog in check an enjoyable process once their time with Four Paws Training is over. To ensure the transition is as seamless as possible, trainers take regular videos of dogs during these board-and-train sessions, sharing them with owners so that progress can be monitored, as well as the techniques copied to continue the same calibre of training upon their return. Alongside these daily ‘pupdates’, the complimentary pick-up and drop-off service included as part of the training makes this the convenient option for busy owners. Ongoing support is then even delivered after training, supporting owners through any challenges. The results Four Paws Training offers speaks volumes about the quality of its courses, and just some of the dogs it has helped include Bruno, a three-month-old cocker spaniel who was trained in general obedience across a two-week board-and-train course, and Campo, a two-year-old labrador-greyhound cross who suffered with anxiety before he attended a four-week board-and-train course delivered by one of Four Paws’ talented trainers. It should come as no surprise then that people are quick to recommend Four Paws Training on the back of the real-world results achieved through its training, as was the case with one valued client, Jean, who said: “I would recommend Four Paws Training to anyone struggling with training their slightly boisterous but loveable dog.” Similarly, recounting her experience, Joana, another happy customer, added: “We thoroughly recommended these services to anyone looking for nothing but the best, most loving care for their pet.” Through Four Paws Training, Paul Ives is setting the standard for quality in a space where regulations are few and far between. By upholding excellence across his team, trainers, and services, Paul has grown this business from a one-man operation covering London to a nationwide operation in just two-anda-half years. This alone makes Paul Ives a fitting recipient of the award for Dog Training Business Founder of the Year 2025. Contact: Paul Ives Company: Four Paws Training Web Address: https://www.fourpawstraining.uk/ AIS-Jul25087
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTY1MjM3