About The Whole Hound Academy
Understanding dogs as individuals.
The Whole Hound Academy is built on the belief that behaviour is information. When we understand why a dog behaves the way they do, decisions become clearer and meaningful change becomes possible.
Our work focuses on observation, context, and understanding the dog in front of us, rather than applying one-size-fits-all approaches.
The Whole Hound Academy has grown out of Avon Dog Services, building on twenty years of working with dogs and the people they live with across the local area. As the work developed, the focus naturally moved beyond training sessions alone.
More time was spent helping owners understand behaviour, apply their learning in real-life situations, and make sense of what they saw day-to-day. The Whole Hound Academy reflects that progression.
While the name has changed, the values and experience behind the work remain the same. Existing clients of Avon Dog Services will recognise the approach, with a clearer emphasis on understanding behaviour, practical application, and learning that fits into everyday life.
The Whole Hound Academy brings this work together under one name, offering training, behaviour work, group classes, and learning opportunities shaped by clarity, consistency, and realism.
Adam Daines
Adam has worked with dogs for over twenty years and has supported families both on screen and behind the scenes during Channel 4’s The Dog Academy.
His work centres on helping people understand why behaviour is happening, rather than focusing only on what a dog is doing. Adam’s approach is practical and grounded, combining clear explanation with real-world application so that learning makes sense outside of a training session.
Rather than simply demonstrating exercises, Adam coaches owners through how and when to use them, what to look for in their dog, and how to adjust when things don't go as expected. Time is spent checking understanding, building confidence, and helping people apply learning in everyday situations, not just in controlled environments.
By stripping things back and looking at the whole picture, Adam helps owners make informed decisions based on clarity and realism. The aim is not perfect performance, but skills that are understood, usable, and meaningful in daily life with a dog.
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Claire
Claire brings a complementary approach to The Whole Hound Academy, with a strong focus on careful observation, clear communication, and practical application.
Her work centres on helping owners understand what they are seeing in front of them and how behaviour shows up in everyday life. Claire takes time to explain not just what to do, but why it matters, how to apply it in real situations, and how to adapt when things do not go exactly to plan.
Rather than relying on rigid instructions, Claire works collaboratively with owners, checking understanding and helping them build skills they can use confidently beyond a session. The emphasis is on clarity, consistency, and learning that fits naturally into daily routines, without pressure or unrealistic expectations.
Claire is a full member of APDT UK, and her approach reflects a commitment to thoughtful, evidence-informed practice and ongoing professional development.
How we work
We do not offer quick fixes or rigid programmes. Our work is shaped around the individual dog, their environment, and the people they live with.
Clarity, consistency, and confidence guide everything we do. These principles make learning clearer, decisions easier, and change more sustainable.