Kenny the Labrador: From Pulling on the Lead to the Perfect Family Companion

When Kenny the Labrador first arrived at Kugae Gundogs, he was full of enthusiasm but struggled with one very important skill - walking to heel. His lovely family were expecting a baby, and with a pushchair soon to become part of daily life, they knew they needed Kenny to walk calmly and safely beside them. They wanted a dog who could join them on family walks with confidence, and not one who dragged them down the road.

Starting His Residential Training Journey

Kenny joined us for residential training where we focused on building calmness, control, and responsiveness. From the beginning, he showed huge potential, but he needed guidance, structure, and consistency to bring out his best. We introduced heelwork slowly and positively, ensuring he understood what was being asked of him. As his confidence grew, we expanded the training to include real-life scenarios - pushchairs, distractions, other dogs, and fields full of tempting scents.

A Dog Transformed

Over the weeks, Kenny blossomed into the dog his family always hoped he would be. He learned to walk beautifully at heel, whether beside a pushchair on a quiet road or with his owners across open countryside where game and wildlife are often present. His steadiness, focus, and reliability are now a true credit to him.

The most rewarding part for us is hearing the difference this has made to his family’s daily life. They shared this heartfelt message:

“I can’t thank Carl, Karen and their team at Kugae enough for their hard work with Kenny, my Labrador during his residential training. I now have a dog that I can trust to walk next to a pushchair but also at heel in a field full of game and other dogs, which I thought I would never have. But most importantly Carl has given me my confidence and enjoyment in Kenny.”

The Perfect Family Dog

Today, Kenny is not just well-trained — he’s an absolute joy. He’s the dog his family dreamed of: steady, trustworthy, and ready for the exciting changes ahead as they welcome their new baby. His journey is a wonderful reminder that with patience, the right training, and a little expert guidance, any dog can become the perfect family companion.

Kenny worked hard, his family committed to the process, and together we achieved something truly special.

If you’d like to find out how our residential training could help transform your dog’s behaviour, we’re always here to help.