I recommend the YCA to everyone I know. Atlas is almost 2 and struggles with dog reactivity. Before we started training with the YCA his recall sucked, I used to dread walks and I constantly felt like I was failing to give him the life he deserved. Atlas initially did 3 days training at the YCA & we went for 2 in person 1-1s where he leant the basics of loose lead walking, and we left with a clear plan & training exercises to do & had lots of WhatsApp support. We then did their online training with instinct programme and the e-collar course. I used to be very uneducated about e-collars and would never have even considered using one previously. However, after learning about how it is introduced & used in the course, I can honestly say that any misconceptions I had about them only being used in a “cruel” way went out the window. The course has been life changing for us and Atlas has been off lead on walks around the countryside, past dogs, cows, sheep and people for the first time this week since he was 5/6 months old. Seeing him run around off lead, genuinely loving life, is the most amazing thing. I can also now fully enjoy our walks as I’m not constantly stressing about not having control over him and him not having reliable recall. In my opinion, training with the YCA is the best decision I ever made for me & Atlas ❤️ Thank you!
Most importantly: If you’re unsure about the YCA - don’t be. It will change your life.When we adopted Goose, our little rescue, we weren’t prepared for the level of reactivity he had. Despite our dedication and regular obedience training, we couldn’t get within 50 metres of another dog without a full-on reaction - barking, lunging, no focus, and no way to reach him. We were constantly avoiding certain streets, trails, or parks, and Goose was always on leash. We felt discouraged and quietly wondered if we’d taken on more than we could handle.His reactivity wasn’t aggressive - it was social reactivity. He was overly friendly and didn’t know how to regulate his excitement around other dogs. But that didn’t make it any easier to manage, and it still kept him - and us - from enjoying the life we wanted together.Then we found the Yorkshire Canine Academy.It started with their YouTube videos - for the first time, we understood that Goose’s reactivity wasn’t just an obedience issue. It was about how he felt around his triggers.. and until we addressed that, nothing would truly change.Since joining the TWI Program, everything has. With the support of Ian Kirk, Elisha King, and the entire YCA team, Goose has transformed - and so have we. We now enjoy fully off-leash hikes, confidently pass other dogs on trails, and live a life of freedom together. Goose has perfect recall, a solid heel, and clear understanding of helpful commands that keep us both safe and connected. We trust him - and he trusts us.And best of all - YCA helped us achieve all of this without changing who Goose is. His friendliness and love for other dogs are still part of him, but now he has the structure, confidence, and understanding to navigate the world calmly and respectfully.What makes YCA so special is that they didn’t just help us “control” Goose - they helped us learn who he was at heart. They showed us how to understand his needs, his temperament, and what fills his cup. This wasn’t about creating a dog who’s obedient because he’s scared to disobey - this was about building a confident, fulfilled dog who wants to listen, because he feels safe, understood, and free.Goose is now the happiest, most balanced version of himself: curious, calm, goofy, and fully present with us. The bond we share today is because YCA taught us not just how to lead, but how to connect.And the course isn’t just for your dog - it’s personal training for you. It teaches you how to be the kind of leader and trainer your dog truly needs. The skills, mindset, and theory you learn don’t just improve your dog’s life - they help you grow into the best version of yourself for your dog.The program itself is brilliantly structured with step-by-step video lessons for every single training point. Jacob Morgan’s instruction in the videos is in a league of its own - he doesn’t just show what to do, he breaks down the why behind it, the timing, the mindset, and how it all fits together. His clear, detailed explanations paired with real-life examples make everything click - whether you’re brand new to training or feel like you’ve tried everything.And through every group call and 1-on-1 session, Ian and Elisha were patient, thoughtful, and fully invested in our success. They never rushed an answer. They gave us their time, their guidance, and their belief - even when we weren’t sure of ourselves.YCA didn’t just help us train our dog - they gave us back our joy, our freedom, and a bond with Goose we didn’t know was possible. If you’re struggling with reactivity or just want more from life with your dog, YCA will change everything.Big thanks to the YCA.
The YCA boot camp for reactive dogs was a great experience. We made a lot of progress in a short space of time with our 9 year old Australian shepherd dog, Skye. Her age made no difference to learning the new behaviours.The techniques are well taught and thoroughly explained. The training was varied and well structured. This allowed us to progress and build our confidence throughout the week.The consultation, booking process and pre-course training was easy and well delivered.The team are really friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.Thank you YCA for helping us to give Skye a more relaxed quality of life.
Simply outstanding results!Bespoke training, with no BS.It wasn't long before I realised that they utilise everything at there disposal to tailor their methods to each dog and their owners.Multiple trainers, dog handlers, and fellow owners ( and their dogs) are all utilised in fluid training exercises and even improv to get desired outcomes. I was and am still blown away with the speed and efficacy of how far we have progressed.Having a highly reactive pet is soul destroying. I feel like a heavy weight has been lifted from me, truly.But the "Real Deal" is now my dog has begun to live a life full of fun and even more happiness. The new things he is getting to experience for the very first time each and every day is astounding.Non of this is possible without the trainers, and other staff in the background supporting both them and all the clients online and at the academy day to day.Take your first step. We did.There is no looking back is there "Dodi"?
We've just finished YCA's Training With Instinct programme and they've managed to help us with every issue we set out to address with Ted, our two year-old Malinois cross. We really cannot recommend them highly enough. The training documentation is fantastic and the accompanying video tutorials are easy to follow, the 1:1 sessions we had were transformative, and we were supported brilliantly throughout via WhatsApp and group calls. Ted arrived with us from Dog's Trust as a super-reactive whirlwind; beautiful temperament but wanting to chase everything that moved. As a result he pulled ridiculously on the lead, was far too boisterous around other dogs and had no self-control around footballs, basketballs etc...not a good look in the local park. He now walks brilliantly on a loose lead, ignoring other dogs with bad manners (we now notice how many of them there are!); he recalls superbly and is just way calmer in general thanks to the boundaries and thresholds YCA have helped us put in place. One particular moment to call out happened about 6 weeks in. We were really struggling with a particular step in the course and feeling quite dejected, which we conveyed via our private WhatsApp group: Jacob, Kirky and Elisha jumped straight on it with a plan, but more importantly, encouragement. A week later we were in a 1:1 with Kirky, and turning a corner. We were told right at the start to expect challenges and then a collective lightbulb moment when we and Ted would click, as all the foundations began working together, and that's exactly what happened. We're looking forward to staying in touch as 'graduates', as more than anything else YCA are just good people to hang around and natter about dogs with. Thanks everyone.
I’m so grateful to YCA they truly changed everything for us.Before going to YCA, Finn was reactive to dogs, people and tried to chin anything that moved. He pulled like a train when on lead and had a recall when nothing was at stake. We needed help.I signed up to the Focus in Four course and saw improvements but I wanted more freedom for Finn to be a dog. So I signed up to the Training with Instincts course, and started it. It took awhile to work through Finn's issues but Elisha, Kirky and the team at YCA walked me through every step.We started with simple play and moved to addressing his reactivity, and then his recall and using an e-collar. The videos and resources they provided me with were so helpful, almost holding my hand and walking me through the processes, how and why they work.I absolutely recommend going to YCA to get help for your doggy troubles.Finn is now living his best life, on and off lead, I can take pretty much anywhere without worrying. And is so much happier now being able to live his best life.
Rohan Hariharan
One month ago
