Caroline Kjall @ DogBasics Area: Hertfordshire, East Anglia Contact Details | Interview | Updates & Offers | Testimonials Updates and Special Offers from this advertiser: Added 07 Jan 2008 We have now remodeled the Introduction Course and lowered the price from £40 to £35. Please read about the IC course here. Interview with... Caroline Kjall @ DogBasics
What services do you offer?	I hold basic dog training classes, agility and socialisation sessions. My focus is more on teaching the owners, so you can bring puppies and dogs of any age to our lessons and socials. I also offer Dog boarding and Dog Day Care in my house for my training clients. The dogs live with us as part of our family.
If you offer dog sitting or walking, please tell us some specifics.	I usually have between 1-4 day dogs every day, Monday to Friday, and 1 or 2 boarding dogs at the weekend. I take max 5 dogs, plus my own dog. In our county (Herts/Beds) we can't have more than 6 dogs in the house at any one time, or we would have to apply for building permission for change of use of property. They all stay in our house and are allowed on all the sofas. The boarding dogs have access to the whole house at night, but usually sleep with us in the bedroom. Dogs are pack animals and I have found that they are more harmonious when they are allowed to sleep with us at night.
What are your opening hours?	I consider my open hours to be 6.30am to 6.30pm, but I'm flexible.
How long have you run your business for (in months or years)?	I've run my dog training business since I took my dog instructor diploma in 1994 and I've run the dog boarding business since 2001.
What type of pet/s do you have yourself?	I only have one pet, a Saluki cross dog called Toby. He's was born February 2002 and I've had him since he was 6 months old. He is a rescue dog from Battersea Dogs Home.
Do you have any recommendations to other pet owners?	Don't get a puppy / kitten and don't breed from your pet. Get a rescue dog or cat instead and help us stop the increasing number of rescue dogs and cats out there! Just at the Battersea satellite of Battersea Dogs Home, they have 400 dogs and some 200 cats waiting for new homes EVERY DAY!
Do you have any dreams for the future?	Winning the lottery so I can buy a few acres of land, for an agility set and for a communal dog park. There just aren't enough places for dogs to come off lead in the countryside. As weird as that might sound... We live bang in the middle of sheep, cows, horses, game keepers and their birds, farmers with valuable crop... there just are not that many places to let your dogs run in. I also want to find a a way to help more dogs avoid rescue centres...

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Caroline Kjall @ DogBasics

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18 December 2007

I am the proud owner of an obedient, happy and healthy whippet. Friends and family all warned us against getting a whippet as they are supposed to be hard to train, but they are now all eating their words as my dog's good behaviour has amazed them all. I have by far the best trained and most obedient dog of all, with the only exception being when he sees a rabbit - but I guess you can't train instinct and generations of breeding out of them! Caroline's methods are amazing, watching her with the dogs is a real pleasure. The training is entirely reward based, is very kind, and great fun. I would recommend Dog Basics to anyone with a real interest in their dog's happiness and obedience. Gini

20 April 2007

Caroline as been so helpful, even before we collected our new puppy she was extremely approachable and supportive. She clearly has a great knowledge and understanding of dogs which she presents in a clear and accessible way.  The classes are both fun and informative and we are grateful for all she has done for us so far.   Wendy with Pippin Springer Spaniel

28 February 2007

I have never known anyone love dogs as much as Caroline! Lottie loves her just as much and is absolutely beside herself with joy whenever we arrive at Caroline's. Her training sessions and tips have been invaluable. Day care is great and Lottie comes back exhausted - even better! If you want a well socialised dog under training where you can meet other like-minded owners, I have no hesitation in recommending DogBasics. Oh yes, Caroline's really nice as well!! Wendy Wolstencroft

12 December 2006

Caroline is a god-send to us! My partner and I have busy lives which involve quite a bit of travelling. When Pan, our border terrier, needs looking after we drop him around to Caroline's safe in the knowledge he will have all the fun a dog could wish for and plenty of cuddles (which he thoroughly enjoys!). Caroline is also an excellent trainer and although we haven’t done as much as we should have – Pan’s behaviour (when he is being good!) is a credit to her! When he is naughty it’s definitely down to us!! Pan always comes home and sleeps for hours – which for our hyperactive little man is a sure sign he has had great fun! Lara Caine

23 August 2006

Jasper and I went to Caroline for puppy classes, which we both enjoyed immensely and found absolutely invaluable. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience and has a solution for every doggy-related problem under the sun. Jasper has also boarded at Caroline's, he had a fantastic time and came home worn out!! Jasper adores Caroline, he's always over the moon to see her and it's very reassuring that he's in such capable hands. We both feel very fortunate to have found her and I can't recommend her highly enough. Julia Jenkins

27 February 2006

Caroline's home is heaven for our labrador Millie. Having attended puppy training and Basic Obedience classes, we have a delightful and well behaved dog. Millie attends weekly creche which she loves, and leaps out of the car at her house at high speed and without a backward glance!! Dorothy Wood

12 January 2006

I can't recommend Caroline too highly! Mia goes to her once a week and stays with her when we are away. She adores Caroline and has a great time with the other dogs she meets there. I never worry when I am at work or away as I know Mia is having a fantastic time: lots of cuddles, lovely walks and friendly playmates. I can't imagine life without Caroline. Kirstie Siedlecka

3 November 2005

I've just collected our Golden Retriever from Caroline, after four days boarding. She clearly had a wonderful time, and looked beautifully groomed too. I could tell Rosie had bonded with Caroline, she even had her 'smiley face' on which I thought she only kept for me!! Caroline and Dogbasics come highly recommended. Marilyn (fellow dogsitter)

8 September 2005

Molly was only 12 weeks old when she went to stay with Caroline. I was really worried about leaving her at such a young age, but Caroline made Molly feel extremely welcome and went out of her way to accommodate her. Molly loved playing with the other dogs and running around the garden, she had all the attention she could have wished for. I was absolutely thrilled with Dog Basics and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone wishing the very best in care for their dog. Katie Tysome

7 September 2005

Caroline consistently provides a home from home for my labrador, Barley. She has constant fun, games, mental stimulation and the chance to play with all her doggy friends. The love, care, attention and fun Barley gets being with Caroline is absolutely fantastic! Helen Freeman

5 September 2005

Caroline looked after my labrador bitch twice for me this year. She was clearly well looked after and loved during her stays - so much so that I don't think she actually wanted to come home with me! I was very worried about leaving her to start with - but I needn't have worried. Caroline did an excellent job and even sent me text messages during my holiday telling me how Molly was getting on. I would thoroughly recommend Caroline to anyone looking for a dog sitter. Nikki Annison

3 September 2005

My dog loves it here and I would think of sending her nonwhere else. Caroline is fantastic with all the dogs - they have so much fun with her. My labrador leaps out of the car as soon as we arrive and seems depressed to leave when we pick her up. Such a joy to know we can go away and know she is in such safe and capable hands. Christina Tyson

1 September 2005

Jax, our Labrador has stayed with Caroline for her holidays since she was a puppy and couldn't be happier. Not only does Caroline provide a loving home with lots of TLC, but she also walks, grooms and feeds them with such care that when Jax comes home again she needs to 'rest' from all the fun she's had... although I think she misses Caroline and the other dogs so much that she is just in a bad mood when she gets home! Being a professional dog trainer also enables her to give dogs training and more structure to their playtime. Caroline is a pleasure to deal with and talk to and handles her job with incredible professionalism and perfection. I can only recommend her with the highest praise. Bele Duenas

1 September 2005

Frida our golden retriever has been boarding with Caroline for three years and she always comes home healthier and happier than we we've left her. She seems completely loved and at home at DogBasics and Caroline has always gone out of her way to accommodate Frida and our hectic schedule. We'd be lost without her! E. Goldner

1 September 2005

Caroline has taken wonderful care of my 2 Australian Shepherds and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone. She understands and cares deeply about dogs, and has taught me how to keep my dogs well exercised and happy! Jo Parker

1 September 2005

We would recommend Caroline to any dog and their owner. We first met Caroline when we were looking for help with our second dog Holly who was then five months old . Holly is a Besenji cross who has a strong character and goes "deaf" once she smells a rabbit! Caroline taught us a great deal as a family and we carry on learning new skills from her all the time. We have learnt to understand Holly and to manage her. Holly and Sandy have been going to Caroline's for day care once a week for two years now. Caroline has a real love of dogs and is completely trustworthy,extremely knowledgeable, calm, caring and fun! Sandy is an anxious dog who usually follows me everywhere but he loves it with Caroline and the other dogs and will even stay the night! Caroline walks the dogs more than once each day and has a number of toys and activities to stop them being bored. I have recommended Caroline to all our friends who have got puppies in the last two years and I know that they have found her classes invaluable. I often choose to go for walks with Caroline when I can as they are fun and I pick up lots of tips about ways to play with the dogs.We are extremely thankful that we met Caroline. Kathy and Craig Lucia

1 September 2005

We have known Caroline for over 4 years now. She helped us with basic training when we first got our dog (Flat Coated Retriever) and has looked after him on several occasions over the years. Caroline is basically a really kind and compassionate person who is undoubtedly absolutely dedicated to dogs and their welfare. She is a fantastic dog trainer (and trainer of people too) who can instantly communicate with dogs and establish a report with them. Any dog that she was looking after would benefit not just from the exercise and companionship but will probably go home having learnt a few tricks or even a little bit more obedience. I believe her to be a very capable person who I would trust with any dog no matter how challenging. Caroline is also great fun. Kathryn Wolkind

1 September 2005

We rescued our Boxer cross, Jasper from Battersea when he was 8 weeks old. We are a couple who work extremely long hours at our own business and debated long and hard over taking on Jasper. However, what a find in Caroline at Dog Basics who loves Jasper as much as we do. Jasper has day care twice a week and holidays with Caroline on a regular basis, and we never give a second thought about leaving him. In fact it is us who get a bit tearful about missing Jasper when we go away, he is more than happy to jump out the car and runs into Carolines as if he owns the place, it is definitely his second home. We are blessed that Jasper is an extremely well behaved, loving dog, however, his interaction with the other dogs at Dog Basics and Caroline's devoted attention to all the dogs who stay with her has meant Jasper never seems to have a care in the world as, like us, he trusts Caroline completely. We would have no hesitation in recommending Caroline at DogBasics. Sharen and David Broughton

1 September 2005

After putting our seven month old Working Cocker Spaniel (Jaffa) into a kennel whilst we went on holiday for two weeks we vowed never to do it again. Seeing the Dogbasics web site, offering personal care and lots of walks, we knew we had found his holiday home. We had struggled with Jaffa, who is extremely energetic, and were on the verge of rehoming him when he stayed for a week in Hitchin. However, Caroline proved to be our savior as we found someone that could provide advice as well as boarding, and for the past two years Jaffa has not only stayed during our holidays but has one day a week burning off some energy with country walks and playing with the other dogs. He has clearly benefited as well from the socialisation and informal training and clearly loves being there, to the extent that he often does not want to come home. That said our home life also changed radically, as he became the dog we always wanted. I would have no hesitation in recommending Dogbasics to potential customers. Dave Rawlings

1 September 2005

My parents have sent me to Dog Basics for the last 13 Months and I really love it there. My name is Murphy and I am not normally very bright, but Caroline has taught me lots of things, like how to sit and stay and how to come back to someone who calls me. Whenever I go to see Caroline there are always lots of other Dogs around for me to play with and Caroline ensures that we always play nicely together! My parents love it when I come back from a day at DogBasics as I'm so tired from all of the fun I've had that they always seem to go out for dinner and leave me to snooze. Please don't tell them, but when they do that, I use their bed and not my basket! If you have a Dog who needs looking after for anything from a day to a month, or who would like to learn some new tricks and skills like me, then DogBasics is great. I have moved recently so can't go to DogBasics as often as before, but I will still go back for holidays, and I'm really looking forward to it. Murphy (black) Labrador

1 September 2005

Whether we need Noodles (Border Collie) to be looked after for the day or overnight we never hesitate in contacting Caroline at DogBasics. We know that not only will Noodles be cared for and enjoy a home environment but she will also really enjoy herself whilst there. She loves all the walks, the attention from Caroline and of course playing with the other dogs. Noodles loves her time at DogBasics and whenever we are approaching Caroline's house she immediately knows where she is and is raring to get out of the car and inside to meet up with all her doggy chums! Joanne Walker

1 September 2005

Caroline has known our dog since he was a puppy.....and has looked after him for a couple of weeks for the past four years ..she is superb and loving towards him at all times and he always come home looking healthier than when he is at home ..i cant recommend her enough. Gareth Sager

23 November 2004

DogBasics gave me and my Westie puppy, Billy, so much more than training. Always a warm welcome, great class mates and their dogs, sound advice and tips on any concerns we had along the way, but most important each and every class was fun for the owners and the dogs. Caroline offers so much more than training classes. Her boarding facilities are second to none and as a first time dog owner who had to leave her puppy for a couple of weeks when he was relatively young, it was wonderful to be able to leave Billy with Caroline knowing that he would not only be cared for, but genuinely loved and welcomed into her home. Having Caroline to Email and ask for help and always receive such a positive response and lots of encouragement is so reassuring and she never makes you feel silly or an inadequate owner. I believe everyone who has a puppy or dog of any age would gain so much knowledge and understanding by attending even one class at DogBasics. Thank you, thank you, thank you Caroline and I look forward to my future visits, classes and walks. Liz Madden

10 December 2002

Caroline, we are booking DogBasics up for all of our future holidays. Isobel our Border Terrier really seemed to enjoy her stay with you and we would never put her in kennels. Staying with you proved to really be a home-from-home, the company of a small group of dogs, a structured environment with training and the love and care of individual attention. Paula & Daniel

1 October 2002

We searched for somewhere to leave our four month old black labrador puppy, Guinness, for ages before seeing the advertisement for DogBasics. We felt comfortable knowing that he was going into a "home-from-home" environment and that he would actually continue to have some training whilst we were away rather than just being locked up in a kennel. We had a great holiday and so did he! His toilet training and dog-to-dog social skills had improved, and he hadn't forgotten anything that he had been taught. It was not the cheapest option but it was well worth it to see how happy he was. Best wishes. Shirley Cooper

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