Ringwood Dogs, Three Legged Cross is a dog care service set up by Ringwood based dog trainer Isabelle Papé to provide dog owners in Dorset, Hampshire and the New Forest with: Dog Training, Puppy Training Classes, Dog Day Care and Home Dog Boarding.
Ringwood Dogs has had the pleasure of working with many different owners and their dogs. Some of them share their stories with us, some are taken from google reviews and emailed directly to us.
Name: Ozzy
Breed: Great Dane
Service: Puppy Manners Course
Brilliant classes – Isabelle really knows her stuff, she helped me with our Great Dane pup & it was amazing – not many trainers understand about the giant breeds, it was refreshing to know that she did 😉
Sarah Hooper and Ozzy
Name: Sammy
Breed: Havanese
Service: One to One Puppy Master Class
Isabelle has been the most wonderful Trainer & has been a great font of knowledge to us regarding advice/information for our 20 week old Puppy Sammy – she has guided him with immense enthusiasm & positivity since he was approx 12wks old.
Under Isabelle’s tuition, Sammy responded immediately and positively to all that was asked of him – the Magic Sausage was truly an effective tool she used which can also be obtained directly form her – cant be with out it!! – along with the walking lead and training leash for recall exercise.
At each training session, as soon as Isabelle’s boots on her feet entered our livingroom – Sammy sat by her feet ready for training & all tasks she demonstrated were delivered in her most agreeable and uplifting manner = FUN.
Look no further in your search for the IDEAL trainer, whose results are immediately seen – your dog will deliver in front of your eyes – resulting in you having a happy dog obeying commands = harmonious household and extremely satisfied owners.
Thank you immensely Isabelle – Sammy is our joy and his obedience and our happiness are due to YOU.
In Gratitude to you Isabelle –
Marcella, Kev & Sammy xxx
Service: KAD (Kids Around Dogs)
Reason: Fear of Dogs
Client: Henry – aged 9 years old
Hi Isabelle
I hope you and Chester are well. Just wanted to say…..
Prior to the course our son’s fear of dogs stopped him from wanting to visit the park or beach, made him give up his beloved football (because dogs might be in the park) and even caused him to hide in a wardrobe rather than go visit his aunt and uncle or ran into the road to avoid a dog. Isabelle worked wonders and her patience, nature and superbly structured course gradually reduced our son’s dog fear and anxiety. He went from being absolutely fearful of all dogs, to scared, to nervous and now is only unsure of some dogs which for us as parents is exactly the right mindset to have. Our son walking Isabelle’s dog Chester towards the end of the course was a massive step and he has since gone on to hold and pet other dogs and be happy in houses where dogs are present. A great course that has genuinely changed our son’s life for the better and we can not recommend Isabelle and the course highly enough. Thanks from a once very frightened boy and two extremely grateful parents.
All the best.
Jo, James, Henry and Amelia
Name: Chloe
Breed: Cockapoo
Service: Teenage Loonies Course
Dear Isabelle,
As we’re coming to the end of our Loonies Course, Chloé and I wanted to say a very big thank you for your enthusiasm and talent. Chloe has learnt more in her short time in the Loonies Course than I could have imagined. And we both love attending your class and putting it all into practice with your very helpful manual.
So, we’d be thrilled to move straight onto the Saturday course if possible. And also to arrange a meet and greet with your dogs, with occasional day or holiday care in mind.
Once again, thank you so much for your dedication and professionalism – we really are your biggest fans (in case you hadn’t noticed).
With grateful thanks and warm wishes,
Sue and Chloé
Name: Cassie
Breed: Lab x Retriever
Service: Loose Leash Walking
Dear Isabelle
I have just returned from the loop round Moors Valley that we did, and she was an absolute pleasure. At the start she started to pull, but after about 8 three steps back was brilliant. Attracted to the water twice, magic sausage thrown in front a few times soon brought her attention back to the path. She even managed to sit and look at the lake for a while, before calmly continuing our walk.
One smiling dog (and owner). Thank you x 🐾
Lisa and Cassie
Name: Ava
Breed: Lab x Retriever
Service: Puppy Consult
Dear Isabelle,
Thank you so much for your time yesterday, your advice was invaluable.
Today Ava and I have been practicing the training techniques that you showed us with amazing results – knowing how and what to do is such a relief. Your expert knowledge and years of experience gave me confidence and I could see that Ava really likes you – that says everything.
Carla and Ava
Name: Pixie
Breed: Jack Russell
Service: Puppy Manners Course
Hi Isabelle
I just wanted to say thank you so much for an absolutely excellent puppy manners course. Not just your knowledge and skill in understanding how to train dogs, but also your ability to present, encourage and support a bunch of humans.
I really enjoyed it and found it a great experience. So many people I meet with Pixie are amazed that I have an obedient terrier! Now we both know that she’s only a little bit trained at the moment and there’s much more work to do, but I feel we’re in a great position to build on this. We’re going to have a little break from formal training to consolidate what we have learnt but we will be back in your classes soon.
Thank you again, I am delighted with the results so far.
Kindest regards
Sarah and Pixie
Name: Nelly
Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Service: Puppy Manners Course
I really enjoyed the Puppy Manners Course and thought it was very well organised and extremely informative. The homework sheets were very helpful. Nelly has learnt a lot and it was good to interact with the other puppies. Now it is down to me to practise all you have taught.
An added bonus was being able to buy the delicious yak chews!
Many thanks
Sally and Nelly
Name: Maisie
Breed: Shetland Sheep Dog
Service: Lockdown Loonies Course
Just a quick note to thank you for the last 6 weeks of training classes.
Me and Maisie have enjoyed meeting up with other dogs and appreciated the range of new skills we can learn together. The pace of each lesson was just right, with time to practise and have a stroll in between activities – you create a lovely relaxed and accepting environment and you are a very positive and encouraging teacher.
The homework sheets are extremely useful reminders of what to work on, and provide lots of other helpful advice .
Thank you
Marian and Maisie
Name: Olive
Breed: Bulldog
Service: Lockdown Loonies Course
Hi Isabelle,
Just wanted to say thank you very much for this mornings Lockdown Loonies training session. Jem and Thomas had a fab time not to mention Olive. 😁 We have been practicing on and off this afternoon with great results. Olive is totally food driven so is really enjoying herself (even when she just gets praise and no treat!!!) They are all looking forward to next week. Thanks again for a great session.
Annie Baker
Name: Fred and Henry
Breed: Labradoodle and Cockapoo
Service: Doodle Daycare and Boarding
I would only ever leave my dogs with Ringwood Dogs now. The dogs love to stay – they bound in the door and do not look back. . They met first via a dog training class so knew Isabelle already and behave better there than at home. The dogs get lots of long off lead walks in beautiful surroundings. One of our dogs doesn’t transport in a car well and the dog walks are direct from the property which is a massive bonus. The dogs come back happy and tired so we know they had a fun time with family and their own dogs. We have let them stay several times over the past year (day boarding, overnights etc) and have them booked in for a 2 week ‘holiday’ and have no worries about leaving them. We have had professional house/pet sitters one time we did go away before we found Ringwood dogs and to be honest we would never use anyone else now.
Cath and “Fred & Henry”
Name: Fidget
Breed: Cockapoo
Service: Dog Training Classes
Isabelle’s training is friendly and positive – my Cockerpoo Fidget loves the environment she provides and benefits from the classes, so nice to have such positive reinforcement, friendly, training. Well worth it.
Debbie and “Fidget”
Name: Ozzy
Breed: Labrador
Service: Dog Training Classes
We are really enjoying classes with Isabelle and our Lab is responding very well to the training. Isabelle is so good at explaining things clearly and “keeping it real”. Ringwood Dogs was recommended to us by fellow dog walkers and we will definitely be doing the same! Highly recommended.
Sarah and “Ozzy”
Name: Charlie
Breed: Cavapoo
Service: Puppy Training Course
I’ve taken my puppy to training classes with Ringwood Dogs and it’s been fantastic. Isabelle Owner)is so knowledgeable with all the puppies and full of advice and support. Charlie stays for doggy daycare too when I’m working and literally runs through the door. Thanks to Ringwood Dogs Charlie is a confident and well behaved puppy.
Emma and “Charlie”
Name: Harley
Breed: Labrador
Service: Dog Training Course
I have been taking Harley my red fox lab to Isabelle since he was 2 months old, and he is now 2 years old. The classes are always very informative and great fun for both me and Harley, apart from the actual training you are able to mix with other dogs and owners, all of whom are learning just as you are. I continue to take him to the classes as I believe both he and I are still learning new things and it helps to keep him focused. I would thoroughly recommend Ringwood Dogs and Isabelle for all of your dog training needs.
Matt and “Harley”
Name: Willow
Breed: Dachshund
Service: Puppy Training Course
Isabelle created a ‘Lockdown Loonies’ course for puppies who missed out on training and socialisation due to lockdown and it has been amazing for my mini dachshund. Isabelle is friendly and approachable and really understands dogs and their owners! It’s a pleasure to go to the group each week and I’ve learnt as much, if not more than Willow. I would highly recommend.
Thank you Isabelle from Jo and “Willow” x
Name: Banjo
Breed: Labradoodle
Service: Puppy Training Course
We took our 5 month old puppy to the 6 week ‘Lockdown Loonies’ course and it was well worth it. He started the course being very nervous and wary of other dogs and by the end he was starting loosen up a bit and building up the courage to interact with the other dogs. All of the dogs were on leads and everyone was made aware that our pup was a bit nervous and not to force interaction. He was allowed to socialise on his own terms in a controlled environment which is hard to achieve when you’re out on a walk so this was ideal for him. We were provided with a little goodie bag and concise and thorough notes on what was covered during each lesson plus a complete guidebook full of information on preparation, training, games and socialising. Isabelle the trainer is lovely and has a friendly, welcoming attitude. She makes the classes fun for both dogs and humans, we even had a giggle here and there! Her training techniques are easy to learn and there’s no pressure in the lessons to get things right on the first go. Of course, practise makes perfect! We’d definitely seek training with Ringwood Dogs again and highly recommend them.
Kathryn with “Banjo”
Name: Remy
Breed: Working Cocker x Springer
Service: Puppy Training
We got in touch with Isabelle after a recommendation from a friend, and I have to say she was worth every penny. We really wanted to get on the front foot in terms of training our Sprocker puppy, so we decided on a 1-2-1 readiness session followed by a few 1-2-1 training sessions once we had Remy. The readiness session gave us the confidence to handle the first tricky few days and weeks and the training sessions have been a revelation – at 18 weeks Remy has a really good understanding of all the basic commands (Look at me, Sit, Down, Leave, Stay, Wait, Drop), a very good recall, and we are working towards nice loose leash walking (well as good as you can get with a Sprocker!) The investment was 100% worth it, and we are armed with the knowledge that we can now keep improving and tweaking things. To summarize, Isabelle was highly professional, an extremely knowledgeable and skilled dog trainer and, as a bonus, a delightful person. Highly recommend.
Steve & “Remy”
Name: Bracken
Breed: Springer Spaniel
Service: Barking, Lunging, Fearfulness (due to deafness)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for your help with Bracken. You helped me understand that he is a lovely dog but has his own worries which I needed to work with rather than feel challenged by. Ironically it is easier with lockdown because people avoid us without knowing that they are also avoiding Bracken which has meant that I have been able to let him off the lead a lot on the Forest. I have bought the harness and long line you recommended which I use as appropriate. I have had great pleasure from both dogs and they seem very content living with me. Bracken is still always on alert so it is hard to move a muscle without him coming to attention but I think that is as much a Spaniel thing as a needy thing. Thank you.
Melanie & “Bracken”
Name: Henry
Breed: Cockapoo
Service: Barking and Lunging at People
Just to say ‘Thank You’ Isabelle for the time you spent giving so much advice and practical help for Henry our rescue Cockapoo. Our scolding approach was getting us nowhere with his lunging and barking habits but you have now given us a clear way forward to help Henry, especially with the disengagement issue. We will continue with the approach you have suggested and look forward to more enjoyable walks and outings in the future. We have no hesitation in recommending your one-to-one dog training services.
Maria, Martin & “Henry”.
Name: Myla
Breed: Cockapoo
Service: Dog Training
Isabelle has been part of our Cockapoo’s training from the very start! She’s firm but funny, a natural trainer who’s techniques work! Highly recommended..
Name: Magic
Breed: Jack Russell x Pug
Service: Barking and General Obedience
Isabelle, it’s only been three days since you came to train our Jack Russell Pug cross and already the difference is amazing. He’s always been a little ball of energy, and is usually a little rascal because of it. But now he is having a whale of a time scavenging for his food, getting used to the noisy box and even starting to learn how to play fetch – and he is so tired that he is asleep at my feet by 8pm! Can’t wait for all your suggested items to arrive from Amazon so we can truly challenge his intelligent little brain – thank you so so so much! We’re so happy!
Sarah and “Magic”
Name: The Chocolate Twins!
Breed: Cocker Spaniels
Service: Training and Boarding
Isabelle is amazing with the dogs. We have been using her services for almost 2 years now for both dog training and boarding. Our two adorable but crazy chocolate cocker spaniel twin brothers have learnt so much in class! They love it too! On the other hand, it has been so wonderful to have our boys so well looked after whilst away. The dog carers are outstanding and fun. Isabelle is so professional and lovely. Our boys love her and so do we!!Susie and Vincent, Verwood.
Susie and Vince
Name: Coco
Breed: Mixed Breed
Service: Barking and General Obedience
Hi Isabelle
We are so happy that we have found you! We are excited about moving forward with Coco (as I typed that bit Coco was watching someone with a dog go past the drive entrances with just a brief low level growl!!!! 😀) . We loved how you ‘got’ Coco and our love for her and Coco is very pleased with how well she taught you to take the ball!
Yesterday our youngest came round to visit. After she had been here a couple of hours, Elizabeth said “Coco seems a lot calmer in the last 2 or 3 weeks. She’s got quieter and is listening to you more than she has done before”. She didn’t know we had seen you! We are happy working on consolidating now, but we’ll be in touch when we want to move on further.
Thanks again
Frances, David & “Coco”
Name: Georgie
Breed: Cockapoo
Service: Doodle Daycare
I am so glad I have found somewhere as brilliant as Ringwood Dogs. Isabelle really is so knowledgeable with them and no ask is ever too big. I was very apprehensive about starting my Cockapoo, Georgie at doodle day care as I felt I was letting her down but my working pattern meant I needed more support. After researching lots of local day cares, I felt Isabelle’s was exceptional and very unique to the rest.
Georgie absolutely loves it there and whenever I drop her off or she is picked up, she runs out the door and forgets who I am! Isabelle makes Georgie feel like a member of the family, so much so I’ve booked a week holiday this year where Georgie will be staying at Isabelle’s, something I never thought I’d feel confident doing! She really understands that dogs are a part of the family and how important they are, she sends photos every time of Georgie and it’s evident how happy she is there, with lots of enrichment with sense training and long walks, to cuddles!
I feel Georgie is very well cared for and feel so lucky to have met someone as brilliant as Isabelle and her lovely doodles, Poppy and Chester! I have been using Isabelle for nearly a year now and can’t imagine what I’d do without her now! She is brilliant and would thoroughly recommend her!
Beth and “Georgie”
Name: Charlie
Breed: Labrador
Reason for Seeing: Loose Leash Walking, Mouthing
Amazing dog trainer, everything she has done so far for me and my 5 month old puppy Charlie has worked a treat and can’t wait to continue working together
Chloe and “Charlie”
Name: Bear
Breed: Pug
Reason for Seeing: Puppy Problems
Isabelle is just fantastic! My husband has been taking Bear to her puppy training classes and she has also just visited us at home to help with toilet training. Can’t recommend her enough!!
Georgie and “Bear”
Name: Buddy
Breed: Labrador
Reason for Seeing: Puppy Problems
Isabelle helped us with our unruly Labrador Puppy – Buddy.
After only one session the training tips she has given us have helped turn our boy from a delinquent in to a well behaved obedient dog.
We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Isabelle and her training methods and should we have more dogs in the future we will be sure to contact her again.
Emma and “Buddy”
Name: Mia
Breed: Labrador
Reason for Seeing: Puppy Course
Mia attended the puppy classes. They were great fun very informative and the training was unbelievable. Mia loved the command of going round the back of you and sitting at your side. We just need to give her the command. Amazing training and a great way to meet others with puppy’s the same age. Mia still meets Oscar. Xx thank you
Sarah and “Mia”
Name: Neville
Breed: Dachshund
Reason for Seeing: Puppy Course
We’ve just completed the four week puppy course at Ringwood Vets and would highly recommend. Each week we learnt a new skill and were given homework sheets to take away and continue the training. These have been invaluable to look back at – it’s been as much about training us, the owners, as it is about training our puppy! The sessions were a good mix of training, socialisation and games and we look forward to starting the follow-on course.
Louise and “Neville”
Name: Thor
Breed: Crossbreed
Reason for Seeing: Boisterousness
I have a Shetland pony sized rescue puppy who needed a fair bit of rehabilitation work on nervousness and fear. Once I’d done that I realised that with his new found confidence and massive size I could really do with some help in being reminded what I needed to do and learning new ways of training and helping my now confident puppy, to still be confident but also to be respectful and not such a handful.
I got in touch with Isabelle and on our first visit she came prepared with a sheet of things we could work on (which was a godsend when she left coz I have a ridiculously bad memory!) In the following month or so the puppy (who now weighs 8 stone or thereabouts) had started re-directing his energy and excitement on to me and had started jumping up at me as well as pulling me across the road when he saw other dogs he wanted to play with. Isabelle came out again and in a short space of time identified that Thor would react very responsively to a clicker and taught me how to use it and when. It’s been a couple of weeks since then and he is slowly but surely getting the picture and the clicker has helped immeasurably (well I haven’t nearly been run over since!)
The greatest thing about Isabelle is she listens, if you are worried or insecure about your ability to train and help your dog, she will help you do that, with encouragement and sheets detailing what you need to do and how as well as actually showing you when she is with you. Whether you are an experienced dog owner or a first timer or something in between Isabelle can help and in a way that builds your confidence and makes you feel excited about what you are doing with your dog – I would and do recommend her to anyone who even thinks about needing help with their dog.
Xenia and “Thor”
Name: Coco
Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Reason for Seeing: Barking/Howling for Attention
Isabelle came to help us with Coco’s barking and howling when her harness was brought out. We were shown how to reward her if she didn’t bark and walk away and ignore if she did.
The change in Coco has been amazing and she is much quieter and calmer when her harness is brought out and also in general.
We would not hesitate to recommend Isabelle and Coco would too if she could I am sure. A much calmer home than before Isabelle visited. Thank you Isabelle!
Margaret and “Coco”
Name: Odin
Breed: Groodle
Reason for Seeing: Fear of Humans
Ah…what can I say? All the words I have are not enough…4 weeks ago we got a gorgeous Groodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle) 10 week old pup. He was calm and quiet…little did I know that this was due to terror…he’d not been handled at all and had basically shut down. He was terrified.
My sister recommended Isabelle. I really didn’t think anything would be able to help him…well… Isabelle came, helped and gave me the confidence to be able to help the gorgeous Odin…we booked another appointment 2 weeks later…Isabelle came today and the change is really noticeable…we now have brain training exercises and will keep going. I’m so glad I didn’t give up (not that it was an option really…but you know…) patience, stubbornness (on my part), willingness to learn and change on Odin’s part (along with a very helpful 9 year old Misty Labrador girl) and we WILL get there.
Thank you Isabelle…I would shout to the rooftops if I could … but you know Odin’s still wary of sudden movements and loud noises 🙂
Brigid and “Odin”
Name: Wiggins
Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Reason for Seeing: Growling and Snapping when Putting on Lead/Collar/Harness
You are an amazing dog trainer! The difference in Wiggins’ lead/harness/collar attitude is astounding!!! I have been doing the clicker training with every meal and by Saturday lunchtime, he was just sitting there, letting me put on his collar without moving at all!
It was going so well that I tried the harness on Saturday evening and the greedy little monster just sat there gazing up at me adoringly, waiting for the next click and tasty morsel of food!
Lee did the training with last night’s meal and, again, Wiggins just sat there without flinching. We will keep going, but I can’t believe the results!
Thank you!
Andrea with “Wiggins”
Name: Puppy Vala
Breed: German Short-haired Pointer (GSP)
Reason for Seeing: Introducing new Puppy to Older Resident Dog
I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for spending time with me a few weeks ago to help us plan how to settle our German Short-haired Pointer puppy Vala in with our older Pointer Nelly. Your advice was invaluable! We followed your expert steer and now, on week 3, the two of them are getting on well. Nelly is of course telling Vala off when she gets too much but on the whole they are playing together and laying together at night in front of the TV. I am amazed we have reached this point so quickly!
Becky with “Nelly and Vala”
Name: Darcey
Breed: Spaniel
Reason for Seeing: Dog Day Care / In Home Dog Boarding
I would just like to say a huge thank you to Isabelle for looking after my spaniel Darcey for half a day, she was really happy and content to go with Isabelle when she picked her up from my home and she came home very content and relaxed.
I can safely say I am more than happy to leave Darcey with Isabelle over Easter while I take my other half away for his 50th.
I have found someone I can completely trust with my girlie.
Thank you.
Justine and “Darcey”
Name: Brontë
Breed: Labradoodle
Reason for Seeing: Puppy Training / In Home Dog Boarding
If you have a new puppy and are looking into obedience dog training, then you should contact Isabelle Papé at Ringwood Dogs.
A key part of dog training is training the owners. Issy has helped us to train our puppy to master the “8 Essential Obedience Commands”, namely: Watch Me (Reflex to Name), Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Leave It, Drop It, Heel (Walking to Heel) as well as my favourite: A-Side. We’ve also had help with excited puppy nipping, jumping and persistent barking.
We would highly recommend anyone considering a new puppy or dog to invest in obedience dog training with Issy. We have loved Issy’s approach and highly recommend her. Issy was our dog trainer in Hong Kong and now that she and we are UK based Brontë now boards with Issy when we are away on holiday. We love getting the regular pictures of Brontë and Issy’s dogs having fun while we are having fun too.
Peter, Susan, Lottie, Conrad and “Brontë”
Name: Clearwater Bay School
Reason for Seeing: Talk to Class about Dog Safety
Thank you so much for taking the time to come in and talk to the children in my class about dog safety and training. Your talk was fascinating and really helped to explain our central idea. It is very hard to keep a room full of 30 children interested and you managed to do so from the moment you began to the moment you finished.
After you left, the children also had a lot to talk about and reflect on. I have to say that your enthusiasm for your work and your love of dogs came across so well. Making our inquiries meaningful to children is such an important part of developing their understanding.
Your talk has been so helpful in making this possible.
Many Thanks.
CWBS Teacher
Name: BB
Breed: Mixed – Rescue Dog
Reason for Seeing: Boisterousness – jumping, mouthing, chasing
It was really great to see your expertise and professionalism at work and to put everyone on the same page.
Thank you! My husband and my son were impressed and we can’t wait to learn more!
Josie with “BB”
Name: Mowgli
Breed: French Bulldog
Reason for Seeing: Toilet Training & Howling at Night
Thanks so much for your advice. We followed your instructions and he slept through the night – 8 hours without messing in his cage and he barely grizzled – we are ecstatic (and much less tired!).
We very much wish that we had found out about you sooner – it was good to have someone to speak to who understands what is going on in his head and how we should deal with it.
Thanks again.
Catherine and “Mowgli”