Laura Kendall
Head Trainer

Hi, I'm Laura and I'm the head trainer with Hound Life.

A narrow escape from an overly-inquisitive beagle on my 6th birthday left me terrified of dogs, and I mean terrified! However, as a teen I was borough club runner and fortunately, my coach had guide dogs and gently introduced me to the wonders of the well trained canine. Having then dog sat for a few friends, I slowly started to come round. I then found myself in a relationship with a dog lover and, before I knew it, I was the proud guardian of a beagle puppy called Beefy. Yes, a beagle! 


Unfortunately (or fortunately?), Beefy was a devil pup! He made the lab from Marley and Me look like a winning Cruft's candidate and, like most of you, I really needed help, and fast! I immediately signed Beefy and I up for training classes with a very well-known TV dog trainer and, with a lot of dedication, by the time we finished the course, he was my perfect dog (please excuse some possible bias!). He even became my right hand dog in my own training classes! I guess I discovered that both Beefy and I had a flair for this dog-training malarkey! I think most trainers have that one dog that utterly converts them to this way of life and Beefy was mine. At that time, I was working in finance, but as soon as a trainee dog trainer position arose with our trainer, I jumped at the opportunity and so began my career in dog training.


For the past decade, I have trained and worked with a number of high-profile dog trainers, a renowned rescue centre and, more recently, The Company of Animals, where I was fortunate enough to benefit from the considerable knowledge of Dr Roger Mugford. Beefy passed away in 2012 and I will never forget him, but fortunately, I'm kept very busy by Brie and Branston (spotting a pattern?), the two amazing dogs with whom I am now privileged to share my life.  I raised Brie from puppyhood, but I rescued Branston when he was an older boy and, bless him, he has really put me through my paces but we got there.


I train puppies, adults and oldies, and their owners, both in the class setting and in one-to-one behaviour consultations and from basic to advanced obedience training, aggression to separation anxiety, and everything in between, I honestly believe that I've seen it all. I may understand dogs, but more importantly, as someone who was terrified of dogs and had no clue what to do when a miniature bundle of canine energy entered my world, I understand you too! I look forward to working with you!

"To have a dog is a privilege, enjoy every day with your best friend."
Laura, Head Trainer