Dog training can make a huge difference to everyday life.
Not because every dog needs to behave like the star pupil at school, but because good training makes it easier for dogs and their owners to understand each other.
That is very much the thinking behind ABC Dog Training, a Swindon based dog training business run by owner and head trainer Mya.
Mya originally studied Biomedical Science and had plans to become a doctor. Then she got her first dog, fell completely in love with dogs and life took a slightly different turn. She now has three dogs of her own and has built ABC Dog Training around something she cares deeply about, helping owners build a stronger relationship with their dogs.
The focus is not simply on teaching a dog to sit, stay and come back when called. Those things matter, of course, especially when a particularly interesting squirrel appears on the horizon. But the bigger aim is to create trust, confidence and better communication between dog and owner.
Here are three reasons why ABC Dog Training could be a great choice for owners looking for dog training in Swindon.
1. Training is built around your individual dog
Dogs are all different. Anyone who has lived with more than one will already know that.
One dog might happily wander into a busy room without a care in the world. Another might need a bit more time to settle. Some dogs are highly motivated by food, some love toys, and some seem to have their own very specific ideas about what counts as worthwhile.
That is why ABC Dog Training does not use the same approach for every dog.
Training is tailored around things such as breed, temperament, age and individual needs. It means owners are not expected to force their dog into a fixed training method simply because that is how everyone else in the class is doing it.
This is especially useful for puppy owners. The first few months with a puppy can be brilliant, funny and occasionally exhausting. One minute they are asleep looking completely innocent, the next they are running away with something they definitely should not have.
Puppy classes at ABC Dog Training are designed to give young dogs a gentle introduction to training and useful everyday skills. Puppy Advanced classes are then available for dogs aged four months and above, whether they are continuing from puppy training or starting their training journey slightly later.
There are also individual sessions available for owners who would prefer a more personal setting or whose dog has specific behavioural needs.
That flexibility matters. Training should make life easier for both the dog and the person holding the lead, rather than becoming another source of pressure.
2. The focus is on building trust, not punishment
One of the biggest parts of the approach at ABC Dog Training is the relationship between dog and owner.
Mya wanted to create a training business that helps people build a genuine connection with their dogs. She is particularly proud when people notice the bond she has with her own dogs, and that idea has helped shape the way her classes are run.
The training uses force free methods and positive reinforcement. There is no focus on punishment or making a dog behave through fear.
Instead, the aim is to help dogs understand what is being asked of them while giving owners practical ways to communicate more clearly.
That can have benefits far beyond the training session itself. Better communication can make walks calmer, help with everyday routines and give dogs more confidence when they are learning something new.
And training does not have to feel overly serious either.
ABC Dog Training wants dogs and owners to enjoy the process. Upcoming trick classes, for example, are designed around learning new skills while giving dogs extra enrichment and helping owners spend positive time working with them.
There are also plans for obedience classes, giving owners another option if they want to develop more structured and reliable skills.
The overall idea is simple. A well trained dog is useful, but a dog that trusts and understands its owner is even more important.
3. Classes are small, friendly and backed by real knowledge
Walking into a large dog training class can feel daunting, particularly with a young puppy or a dog that is easily distracted.
That is another area where ABC Dog Training keeps things personal.
Group classes have no more than six dogs and are held at Christ Church Community Centre in Swindon. Classes are booked in blocks of four weeks, with one 50 minute session each week.
Keeping numbers small gives owners more opportunity to receive support rather than disappearing into a crowded class. It also helps create a friendlier environment where Mya can get to know the dogs attending and understand what each owner is working towards.
And if a group environment is not suitable, individual sessions are available too.
Accessibility is also taken seriously. Clients with visible and non visible disabilities are welcome, and adjustments can be made where needed. Owners can contact ABC Dog Training beforehand to discuss anything that may make attending a session easier.
Behind the friendly approach is a strong interest in learning and professional development.
Alongside her Biomedical Science degree, Mya is an IMDT Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy qualified trainer and is working towards her IMDT Dog Trainer accreditation, which is expected in November 2026. She continues to develop her knowledge and pursue further instructor qualifications.
That ongoing learning is important because dog training is not something that stands still. Different dogs bring different challenges, and a good trainer needs to keep building their own knowledge too.
For owners, it means there is a balance between practical experience, continued education and a genuinely personal approach.
There are plenty of reasons people look for dog training. It might be a brand new puppy that needs some basic guidance. It might be an older dog that would benefit from brushing up on a few skills. Or it could simply be an owner who wants to understand their dog a little better.
Whatever the starting point, ABC Dog Training puts the relationship between dog and owner at the centre of the process.
With small classes, individual sessions, positive reinforcement and training shaped around the dog in front of her, Mya has created an approach that feels personal rather than rigid.
Because the end goal is not a perfectly programmed dog. It is a happier relationship, clearer communication and a dog and owner who understand each other that little bit better.