“Alex gave me reassurance that my dog's problems could be dealt with and helped me understand signals that my dog is giving so that I can correct his bad behaviour. I left feeling much more confident.”
Dog behaviourist · Chelmsford, Brentwood and all Essex
Dog behaviourist in Essex
If your dog's behaviour has you worried, find out why it happens and what will change it.
5.0 on Google from 250+ reviews
Sound familiar?
- Your dog growls, snaps or has bitten.
- It barks or lunges at other dogs or people on walks.
- It can't be left alone, or it's frightened of noises, people or places.
- You've been told your dog can't change.
What changes
You find out why your dog behaves the way it does and what will change it. You leave knowing how to keep everyone safe now and what to practise next.
How Alex fixes it
- AssessmentA 1.5-hour session at our secure Chelmsford field (or at your home, extra). We watch what your dog does, when and why.
- A plain explanationWhat is driving the behaviour and what will change it, in plain English, with no jargon.
- Practise togetherYou do it with your own dog there and then, with Alex coaching, until it works for you and not just for him.
- Follow-ups when you need them£100 an hour at the field, £120 at home, or where the problem really happens, such as your street, the park or your home.
What it costs
- First 1.5-hour session at our Chelmsford field
- £160
- Home visits
- £190
- Follow-up sessions
- £100 an hour (£120 at home)
- Residential training, if it suits your dogNew dogs stay a minimum of three weeks; for puppies and behaviour problems we suggest four. Dogs who have trained with us before can book shorter stays, for example while you are away.
- £850p/w
- You deal with Alex directly, from first message to the last session
- Master Dog Trainer, Guild of Dog Trainers
Tell Alex what your dog is doing
We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour, by email.
Thanks, .
We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour, by email from hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk.
Can't see our reply? Check your junk or spam folder, and mark it "not junk" so you get the rest of our emails.
What happens next:
- Alex asks what happens and when. A short video helps, but never set your dog up to react just to film it.
- He tells you where he'd start and what it costs.
- You agree a time, at your home or at the field.
If your dog has bitten, keep them behind a gate or on a lead until you’ve spoken.
Nothing by the next working day? Email hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk.
Preview only: this copy of the site is not connected to the enquiry inbox, so nothing was sent.
More about behaviour help
Reactivity, growling and bites (including dogs with a bite history), guarding, panic when left, fears, nervous rescues and teenage dogs that pull and stop coming back. Big, strong breeds are a big part of his work. Pick the closest to yours:
- Calm. No shouting, and no flooding your dog with what it fears.
- Practical. Things you can do on your next walk, or the next time the doorbell goes.
- No judgement. Many owners feel embarrassed or worn out. Alex has seen it before.
- Works with your vet. If pain or illness could be behind it, Alex asks you to see your vet and fits the plan around what they find.
- Tell Alex what happens. Use the form: when it started, where it happens, what you've tried. Never set your dog up to react just to film it.
- 1.5 hours together. At our secure field at Roxwell, west of Chelmsford, or at your home if that's where it happens. Alex looks at history, health, routine and the moments that go wrong.
- Why it happens, in plain words. Most behaviour has a reason: fear, frustration, stress, sometimes pain. Alex explains it so the whole family can follow it.
- What to change first. You leave with practical first steps you can start that day.
- You leave knowing exactly what to do. Alex shows you the plan and you practise it together in the session, so everyone at home does the same thing.
- Follow-ups, if you want them. £100 an hour at our Chelmsford field, £120 an hour at home, to practise in the real places the problem happens.
Tell Alex what is happening: Reactive Growling or biting Can't be left alone Something else
If the behaviour changed suddenly, or pain could be part of it, Alex will ask you to see your vet as well. If you plan to claim on pet insurance, check your policy first: some insurers want a vet referral before they pay.
Reactive dogs
“Alex is amazing! My German Shepherd is reactive to other dogs. After having a 1-2-1 training session with Alex he has taught me how to correct my dogs behaviour and given me so much confidence. …”
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“Alex is amazing! My German Shepherd is reactive to other dogs. After having a 1-2-1 training session with Alex he has taught me how to correct my dogs behaviour and given me so much confidence. We did lots of interaction with other dogs and I could not believe the difference in my dog after just 2 hours! I have a lot of work to do with my GS but I'm confident with Alex's training and advice we will get there. I would highly recommend Essex Dog Trainer.”
Aggression and biting
“We asked for Alex’ help when we had a guarding issue with our 8 month old Cockapoo. …”
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“We asked for Alex’ help when we had a guarding issue with our 8 month old Cockapoo. Alex came to our home for a 2 hour visit and gave us some practical advice as well as some lead training practice which was incredibly beneficial and made us feel that we had the tools and confidence to tackle any issues we’ve had. Alex is very friendly and very professional and we would highly recommend him for any dog training needs or issues.”
Anxiety and being left
“Our 11 month old miniature poodle's anxiety and aggressive coping mechanisms were almost keeping us confined to the house before we pursued these sessions. I had tried almost everything, and after only three training sessions, his confidence and behaviour are vastly improved. …”
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“Our 11 month old miniature poodle's anxiety and aggressive coping mechanisms were almost keeping us confined to the house before we pursued these sessions. I had tried almost everything, and after only three training sessions, his confidence and behaviour are vastly improved. We are so impressed and incredibly relieved that we are able to resume a more normal quality of life with a much happier dog!”
Nervous and fearful dogs
“I saw Alex today for our first session and within 10 minutes he had my dog doing what I thought would be the impossible! …”
Read the full review
“I saw Alex today for our first session and within 10 minutes he had my dog doing what I thought would be the impossible! He made me feel so at ease and helped not only her but me and we both left feeling so much more comfortable and confident. I couldn’t recommend enough! Thankyou so much & we can’t wait for our next session.”
You deal with Alex Cooper directly, from first message to the last session. He has over 15 years' experience and has worked with more than 10,000 dogs, and he is a Master Dog Trainer approved by the Guild of Dog Trainers. In October 2025 Alex and Banzai won the RSV World Championship in Korbach, Germany, with 293 points, the highest score by a British competitor at an RSV World Championship. More about Alex
Questions owners ask
What does it cost?
£160 for the first 1.5-hour session at our Chelmsford field (£190 at your home), then £100 an hour for follow-ups at the field (£120 at home). You only book follow-ups when you need them, and every price is on our prices page before you start.
Will it last once we're home?
That is what the sessions are built for. You practise with your own dog until it works for you, not just for Alex, and follow-ups (£100 an hour at the field, £120 at home) can happen where the problem really happens: your street, the park or your home.
Is the training kind?
Yes. Training is done calmly, because frustration, anger and harsh methods only slow progress. We never punish a growl or fear, we explain everything we do and why, and you see exactly what we're doing. Alex is a Master Dog Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers.
Why not just do it myself with videos?
You can, and our guides are there to help. Where owners get stuck is timing and reading their own dog. In a session you practise with your dog while Alex coaches, so you see what works for your dog, not a dog in a video. Alex has worked with more than 10,000 dogs in over 15 years.
My dog has bitten. Can you still help?
Yes. Tell Alex before the visit, and he'll plan it so everyone stays safe. Keep your dog behind a gate or on a lead when he arrives. Bite history is common in the dogs Alex sees.
Should I see my vet first?
If the behaviour started suddenly or Alex thinks pain or illness could be involved, he'll ask you to see your vet as well. Otherwise you can book the first session straight away.
Can you come to my home?
Yes. If the problem happens at home or on your street, it often helps for Alex to see it there and meet everyone your dog lives with. You can also meet at our field at Roxwell, where Alex controls how close other dogs and people get.
Will one visit be enough?
Sometimes it's enough to get you going. Many dogs need follow-up sessions to practise in the real world. Alex will tell you at the end of the visit what he thinks your dog needs.
From the blog
How to stop a dog barking
How to stop a dog barking at the door, in the garden, at other dogs or when left alone. Find the cause first, then the fix that works.
Dog behaviourist or dog trainer: which do you need?
Dog behaviourist vs dog trainer: what each does, why the titles aren't regulated in the UK, and the questions to ask before you book. Read the guide.
How much does a dog behaviourist cost?
How much does a dog behaviourist cost in the UK? What you pay, what's included and what to ask before you book. See Alex Cooper's own prices.
Get help
Tell Alex what your dog does
A few lines is enough. We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour.
Dog training in Chelmsford, Brentwood, Basildon, Southend-on-Sea, Billericay, Colchester, Braintree, Harlow and across Essex · All areas