
I’m Sarah Holton, the founder of Holton’s Hounds, based in Claygate, Surrey. This is a place dedicated to helping you and your dog find lasting training and behavioural solutions built on trust, understanding, and kindness.
I have a particular passion for working with reactive dogs and those who are nervous or anxious. These dogs are often misunderstood, and I love helping both dogs and their owners build confidence, clarity, and calm together.
I am a completely force-free trainer, using positive reinforcement methods that are firmly grounded in science and modern behavioural research. My approach prioritises your dog’s emotional wellbeing as well as their ability to learn and thrive.
Instead of just treating symptoms, I take a whole-life approach. I evaluate your dog's environment, daily routine, and unique history to deliver realistic, evidence-based solutions that work in the real world.
While science and qualifications guide my methods, my deepest insights come from my own dog, Janco.
When I adopted Janco as a young puppy, I assumed that because he hadn't faced the trauma of growing up on the streets in Romania, he would easily sail through life. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Janco is a deeply sensitive and complex dog, and early on I realised that he experienced the world very differently. What seemed ordinary to many dogs could feel overwhelming and confusing to him.
Determined to help him feel secure, I dedicated years to studying the unique nuances of overseas rescue dogs, ultimately becoming a certified Romanian Rescue specialist. Applying this knowledge changed Janco's life, helping him safely navigate our busy world.
If you are currently living with a worried, reactive, or hyper-vigilant dog, please know this: you are not alone, and it is not your fault. I have stood exactly where you are standing now. I deeply understand the emotional toll it takes, and I am here to provide the structured, judgment-free support you both deserve to move forward in harmony.

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