Over 60 5-Star Reviews from Happy Dog Owners
About Me
Certified Dog Trainer South Petherton | Dog Training with Laura Mars
Sometimes loving your dog doesn’t feel easy.
You might feel overwhelmed, frustrated or unsure what to try next. Perhaps recall has disappeared, lead pulling has crept back in, or things just don’t feel as connected as they once did.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
I’m Laura — a qualified dog trainer with a background in both canine behaviour and human coaching. My work centres around reward-based, force-free training that supports both ends of the lead.
I believe behaviour makes sense when we slow down and understand it. My role isn’t to judge what’s come before — it’s to help you move forward with clear, kind guidance that feels achievable and aligned with your values.
With a strong foundation in both canine learning and human education, I design bespoke, science-backed plans that reduce stress, build confidence and create skills that hold up in real life — not just during sessions.
Training should feel supportive, not stressful. Dogs learn best when they feel safe. People learn best when they feel understood.
My aim is simple: to help you feel calmer, clearer and more confident — while helping your dog thrive.
Accreditation
Kind, Ethical Training That Works in Real Life
An experienced, science-based dog trainer, Laura is dedicated to building calm, confident partnerships through ethical, reward-based methods. Her approach is modern, thoughtful and relationship-first — helping owners understand their dog’s behaviour and feel confident supporting them long term.
With a Master’s-level background in adult learning, Laura tailors each session to suit your learning style — ensuring the process feels clear, supportive and achievable for both ends of the lead.
Drawing on over three years of experience mentoring student trainers nationwide, Laura is also the founder of Mars & Spence Mindful Mentoring, blending a passion for education with a deep commitment to canine wellbeing.
Her work reflects a simple philosophy: clear, kind training builds confident dogs and empowered owners.
Best Rated Dog Trainer inSouth Somerset 2023 & 2024 & 2025
Key Facts About The Dog Trainer
✅ Canine Behaviour & Training with Sarah Whitehead
✅ Graduate of Canine Principles
✅ Accredited Pro Dog Trainer with Absolute Dogs
✅ Former Senior Mentor with the Dog Training College (3 years’ experience supporting student trainers)
✅ Founder of Mars & Spence Mindful Mentoring – private, values-led mentoring for dog trainers
✅ Gold Member of the Pet Professionals Network
✅ Qualified in Adult Learning Theory at Masters level
Corporate Alliances
Laura Mars
A Passionate Dog Trainer with a Wealth of Experience
If your dog’s behaviour is leaving you feeling stressed, overwhelmed or unsure what to do next — you’re not alone, and I can help.
I’m Laura Mars, founder of Dog Training with Laura Mars. With over 20 years’ experience as a registered Social Work practitioner — including 11 years as a Senior Social Worker in Learning and Development — I understand not only how behaviour works, but how people learn and cope under pressure.
That background means I support you just as much as your dog — helping you feel calm, confident and capable throughout the training process.
After following my childhood dream to become a qualified dog trainer, I now specialise in 1:1 training and behaviour support for dogs of all ages. Whether you’re navigating life with a puppy who struggles to settle, an anxious dog who finds the world overwhelming, or behaviour challenges that are affecting daily life, my approach is designed to bring clarity and steady progress.
Using modern, science-led, reward-based methods, I focus on:
• Reducing stress and unwanted behaviour
• Building skills and confidence for both dogs and owners
• Protecting and strengthening the bond you share
• Creating practical, lasting solutions that fit into real life
Alongside working with dog guardians, I also run Mars & Spence Mindful Mentoring, supporting trainers nationwide to grow in confidence, clarity and ethical practice.
If you’re ready to move from frustration to connection, I’d love to help you and your dog find calm, confidence and joy together.
Learning Through Milo
Laura’s own dog, Milo, has been one of her greatest teachers.
Once a nervous, reactive pup navigating his own fears and big feelings, Milo’s journey towards becoming a calmer, more confident dog has deeply shaped Laura’s approach to training. Living through the uncertainty, setbacks and small wins firsthand means she truly understands what it feels like to be in your shoes — the worry, the frustration and the quiet hope that things can change.
That experience didn’t just make her a more skilled trainer. It made her a more empathetic one.
She knows how powerful the right guidance, structure and reassurance can be — and how much difference it makes when someone supports both ends of the lead.
If you’re ready to move from feeling stuck to feeling steadier, to rebuild confidence and enjoy a calmer, more connected life together, Laura will support you every step of the way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions
What training methods do you use?
I use modern, science-based, reward-focused methods that are kind, ethical and effective. My approach is often described as force-free training — meaning I never use fear, pain or punishment.
Instead, I focus on setting dogs up for success, reinforcing the behaviours we want and helping them feel safe and confident as they learn.
This approach isn’t just about teaching skills. It’s about building understanding, reducing stress and strengthening the bond between you and your dog — so behaviour improves in real life, not just during training sessions.
We use modern, reward-based methods that set your dog up for success and protect your bond.
Can you help with recall struggles?
Absolutely! Recall is one of my favourite areas of training to work on. Many dogs find coming back when called tricky — especially with all the distractions of the outside world — but with the right approach, it can become reliable and fun.
I use positive, reward-based methods to build your dog’s motivation, confidence and focus, so that returning to you becomes the best choice they can make. Together, we’ll turn recall struggles into recall success, giving you peace of mind and your dog more freedom to enjoy the world safely.
Will you judge me if I’ve tried other methods?
Absolutely not. Many owners come to me feeling frustrated, confused or unsure, especially if they’ve tried advice that didn’t sit comfortably or didn’t work as hoped. You are not alone — and you won’t be judged here.
My role isn’t to criticise what’s come before. It’s to help you move forward with clear, kind guidance that feels aligned with your values and supportive of your dog’s wellbeing.
Dogs — and humans — learn through experience. If something hasn’t worked, that’s simply information. Together, we’ll focus on reducing stress, rebuilding understanding and creating a plan that feels both ethical and achievable.
Training should feel supportive, not shaming. My priority is to help you feel confident, capable and hopeful again — while strengthening the relationship with your dog.
Absolutely! We specialise in recall training to improve your dog's responsiveness.
Do you work with dogs who struggle around other dogs?
Yes. I offer 1:1 behaviour support for dogs who find interactions with other dogs difficult—whether that looks like barking, pulling, overexcitement, or worry when another dog is nearby. My approach is tailored, kind, and science-based, focusing on reducing stress, building confidence, and helping both you and your dog feel calmer and more in control on walks and in everyday life.
Do you offer online training support?
Yes — I offer online training sessions via Zoom, providing the same calm, supportive guidance you would receive in person.
Online sessions work particularly well for behaviour support, recall training, adolescent challenges and foundations, allowing us to look closely at what’s happening in your dog’s everyday environment. You’ll receive clear, step-by-step guidance, practical exercises and ongoing support to help you feel confident implementing the plan.
For many families, online training is a flexible, effective option that fits around busy schedules — while still delivering real-life results for both you and your dog.
Yes, we provide online courses and behaviour consultations for convenient training from anywhere.
How long will it take to see results?
Every dog — and every family — is different. Some changes can happen quite quickly once we introduce clear structure and consistent reinforcement, while other behaviours take more time, especially if they’ve been practised for a while.
My focus isn’t on quick fixes. It’s on creating steady, sustainable progress that holds up in real life. During our sessions, you’ll have a clear plan, achievable steps and ongoing guidance so you always know what to work on next.
Most importantly, you’ll start to feel more confident and more in control of the process, which often brings relief long before the behaviour is fully resolved.
What if there has been a relationship breakdown between my dog and me?
First of all, you’re not alone. Many loving owners reach a point where things feel tense, frustrating or disconnected — especially during challenging phases like adolescence or after repeated struggles with behaviour.
The good news is that relationships can be rebuilt. Through clear, kind training, thoughtful structure and positive experiences, we can restore trust, understanding and confidence on both sides of the lead.
My approach focuses on reducing stress, rebuilding communication and helping you both feel successful again. It’s not about blame — it’s about creating small, achievable wins that gradually bring back connection, calm and partnership.
With the right support, it’s absolutely possible to move from feeling stuck to feeling hopeful — and to enjoy your dog again.
We specialise in training solutions to rebuild the bond and strengthen the relationship.
Are you qualified and accredited?
Yes — I am qualified in Canine Behaviour and Training and accredited by respected professional organisations within the dog training industry, including:
Sarah Whitehead - Canine Behaviour and Training, Canine Principles, School of canine science
I am committed to ethical, force-free practice and ongoing professional development, ensuring my methods remain modern, evidence-based and effective.
Continuing education and reflective practice are an important part of my work, so you can feel confident you’re receiving informed, up-to-date support grounded in both science and compassion.
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