The Dug Site…?
Hi, and welcome to The Dug Site, Home to everything Dug – The Dug Guy, The Dug Folk and all the Dugs we can find! We’re pretty new to the website game, but you’ll find here, more information on who we are, the work we do and some great testimonials from clients, both past and present.
I’m Ross Gilmour, more commonly known, these days, as The Dug Guy. Specialising in enhancing relationships with canine companion dogs, I have a wealth of experience, and knowledge, spanning 2 decades, of working with breeds of all shapes, sizes and energies.
My day to day job is focussed around working with people and dogs, from all backgrounds, on a one to one basis, coaching new behaviours, developing existing skill sets and delving deep on a multitude of behavioural issues and, with an outstanding track record behind me, I’m confident I can help you have the dog you’ve always dreamed of.
The Dug Guy would be nowhere, without his Dug Folk – Caterina, Carly & Lauren make up the rest of the team and support the day to day running of the dogs and the business. A well devised unit, trained by myself, we work in harmony to ensure all the hard work done in training sessions, and at home, is carried forward on our enrichment outings, a dug walk like no other. Delivering the highest possible standards of behaviour management whilst giving your dog the enrichment, and exercise, they desperately deserve!
Enrichment Sessions
4/5 dog pack outing, lasting 75 Minutes, covering a minimum of 3.5km, using a variety of local locations designed specifically to enrich your dogs life and provide a great balance of exercise and stimulation, comprising of structured socialising, loose lead walking and off lead / long lead controlled exercise.
Providing expertly balanced, environmental exposure; satisfying your dogs exercise needs, improving their behaviour and creating a richer lifestyle, with every outing.
We Cover:
Kilmarnock, Irvine, Troon, Stewarton and Surrounding Areas
Adventure Mornings
Taking our services a step further, we offer a more intense outing for a maximum of 5 dogs, covering much richer environments spread throughout the Scottish countryside, using National Parks and country estates up and down the coast and across the central belt.
These outings will last no less than 2 hours and you can expect your dog to be gone the entire morning because we will travel up to 2 hours from your home.
*Dogs age, health and wellbeing will be considered for all AM outings
WHAT OUR CLIENTS' HUMANS SAY
We’d tried a couple of dog walkers before we found The Dug Folk for our cockapoo. When Ross first assessed him he was a bit of a hyper nightmare, walking him was a chore for us because he wasn’t great on or off lead. After a few walks with The Dug Folk whilst we work from home we noticed a huge difference in him. He’s been with The Dug Folk for about 6 months now and we love them all. Ross is always on hand to answer any quick behavioural question, giving us great tips which has made Wilson into the dog we always hoped for. He’s always shattered after his walks and we love the updates and photos. The dogs get proper walks and play time, mainly in giant puddles it seems. Wilson’s recall is great now. The Dug Folk community is also a great wee thing they’ve built and we recommend them to everyone. 10/10 would recommend! – Wilson’s Human
Roo hasn’t been with you for long but during this time he has loved it. It is hard tiring out our mad lurcher pup who runs like lightning but he is now exhausted after his walks. I have used Carly previously and she recommended The Dug Folk when I had to find someone at last minute. Ross carefully assessed Roo and added him to the pack and we haven’t looked back. The best thing is the WhatsApp chat where you can speak to the other owners and get updates and pictures from your dog’s walks. It makes my day at work seeing him having fun with his doggy friends, as he loves the company. ! – Roo’s Human
Introducing The Dug Folk into his life has been the best for Bear. Great guidance from the team. Love being part of working with Bear to get him to be a well behaved and walkable dog. Can’t recommend Ross and the girls highly enough. Love seeing all the work put into the dogs when they are socialising on their walks. I’d highly recommend Ross and The Dug Folk. – Big Bear’s Human
We wouldn’t trust anyone else with our boy. Ross and the team go above and beyond to help out and make sure every dog gets walked regardless of the weather. We have never been let down and Ross is very accommodating when we have last minute shift changes. Not only does The Dug Folk walk, they also train whilst walking. We would be lost without them.
– Dexter’s Human
We have been using Ross and the gangs services for a couple of months now after rescuing our German shepherd Bella and in all honesty we wish we had met him so much sooner as we have seen a massive difference in our dog in such a short space of time.
Everyone involved are all extremely friendly and easy to get along with and more importantly they all have our doggos interests as their number 1 priority.
From the bottom of our hearts I would like to thank all the team for helping and looking after ma wee Bella ♥
– Barky Bella’s Human
The Dug Folk are amazing! Total miracle workers with my fear aggressive rescue Bear, he has gone from being terrified of other dogs and humans to being calm and sociable, he is still a bit timid around other dogs but is making progress. Ross has even managed to remove his muzzle. I can’t recommend Ross and his team highly enough, they are just what Bear needed.
Such a massive improvement in his behaviour, his physical and mental wellbeing in just a couple of months. If you have a difficult or reactive dog, The Dug Folk are definitely the ones to call, fantastic service at a really reasonable price, they all go above and beyond. The no nonsense approach from Ross along with his humour and daily updates really puts him in a different league. It’s more than a walk, it’s an essential part of Bears week now. – Wee Bear’s Human
Relationship based, behaviour training for you, your family & your canine companion.
Implementing dependable and sustainable methods to develop, enhance or repair the
communication between human and dog.
In depth approach to:
Confidence building & behaviour modification in fearful, anxious and aggressive dogs.
The Dug Guy Covers:
Ayrshire, Glasgow & Surrounding Areas
TRAINED: CERTIFIED: TRUSTED
Puppy Training
Consultation
Welcoming a new puppy into your home can be an experience like no other… They’re cute, full of fun and sure to brighten up any day. However, albeit an exciting prospect, you’d be foolish to consider it an easy one! Especially if you want to do it right and raise the perfect companion; with unrivalled obedience, exceptional manners and behaviour that turns heads every time you leave the house.
The Puppy Consultation is designed to prepare you, and your young dog, for all walks of life, from 8 weeks – right the way through to adulthood.
A tried and tested, balanced, approach to raising your companion, teaching all the required commands, utilising key boundaries around the home, setting limitations and expectations, creating a composed and obedient outdoor lifestyle, but moreover learning how best to shape your relationship to ensure lifelong happiness – avoiding behavioural hiccups along the way.
6 Week Puppy Basics
Puppy Consultation
On Hand Guidance & Advice
x1 Socialisation session
x3 2 hr sessions (2 weeks apart)
Free Lead
6 Month Puppy Advanced Fundamentals
Puppy Consultation
On Hand Guidance & Advice
10 x 2hr session – 2 P/month
2 x Socialisation Sessions
3 x Half day training w/The Dug Guy
3 x Enrichment Mornings w/The Dug Folk
Free Lead
Behaviour Consultations
STRAIGHTFORWARD SOLUTIONS & ONGOING SUPPORT FOR COMMON ISSUES SUCH AS:
- Detachment from Attention
- Fears and Phobias
- Extreme Reactivity
- Barking / Lunging / Growling
- Hyperactivity / Arousal
- Nervousness / Anxiety
- Lead Pulling
Although the above are the most common issues we tackle, it’s not uncommon for us to hear from people with very particular problems and seemingly no solution.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us regarding any behavioural issue you’re experiencing – even if just to put your mind at ease.
Ongoing Training
Working with The Dug Guy, for every new customer, starts with the Behaviour Consultation.
Usually around 2 hours in length, and held at your home address, this is an evaluation of your dogs current home-life set-up, outdoor routine, behaviours and expectations, a run-through of all current issues, and the opportunity for Ross to properly breakdown the numerous ways in which to address all of the above of, on an ongoing basis.
More often than not, he’ll resolve the issue(s) on the day and further input isn’t required… however, should you and your dog need further training or support, there are a wide range of options available with Ross; from single sessions, to block bookings and intense training programmes.
CET Session
with the DUG GUY
- Designed to bring the best of both worlds together, combined enrichment and training sessions will be held to a maximum of four dogs, consisting of a 15-minute, video-recorded, solo training session for each dog, working on current issues, developing required behaviours, providing adequate feedback and homework to owners, and working towards a common goal based on predetermined parameters – before heading out on a structured pack walk focused on further developing these behaviours.
WHAT MY CLIENTS' HUMANS SAY
It was a sad day today saying goodbye to Ross. Virgil, Tom and I will miss you greatly. When we contacted you 8 weeks ago we explained we got Virgil when he was aged 11 months at which point he was very nervous and hugely reactive towards other dogs and people he didn’t know. We explained he is now almost 4 so therefore has been behaving in a reactive manner for over 3 years despite all our efforts and those of our friends nothing we tried seemed to work. We thought it was unlikely Virgil could progress or change at this stage in life but contacted you in the hope of the outside possibility of making even a little bit of an improvement to his and our lives. You have gotten to know Virgil, understand him and have worked tirelessly in a fun, confident and passionate admirable fashion. Week 2 of you working with Virgil possibly only the 5th time you met him I will never forget the emotion I felt seeing the trust he had in you when you sat him nose to nose with a husky interacting like a dog with no fear or aggression. I was gobsmacked. Virgil, Tom and I have learnt a lot from you and will be forever thankful. We look forward to continuing working with Virgil as you have shown us so that we can continue to improve on the new behaviours you have taught us all. You have exceeded our expectations and changed our lifestyle for the better. It was very stressful taking Virgil outdoors and is now much more manageable. On a personal level you are a truly lovely funny guy who radiates positivity and confidence and having you in our life was an absolute pleasure. We cannot recommend you highly enough. – Virgil’s Human
Ross and Caterina, Joe and I cannot thank you enough for all the work you’ve put into Zeus, you’ve literally saved our marriage. Zeus is a good dog but was unmanageable, we were at breaking point in every sense but with your hard work and patience he’s now manageable we can enjoy our dog. If anyone needs help and guidance with their dog no matter breed or size Ross is the man the man has a gift, loveliest big guy too, can’t do enough for you. His job means the world to him and you can tell! I honestly can’t recommend this guy enough and also recommend The Dug Folk for your dog walking needs, they’ve changed our lives so much for the better, once again thanks guys. – Zeus’ Human
I went to Ross on a recommendation from a few friends who couldn’t speak highly enough of ‘The Dug Guy’. Our cockapoo Dexter is full of energy and was becoming a bit too much for Megan, my mum and gran when out walks due to his pulling.
Ross came and did almost an interview with Megan and I to get a a better understanding of us and Dex. During which he highlighted some things he would recommend we did differently and just general advise for us as first time parents (dog parents). Needless to say, we were both incredibly impressed and Dexter also responded fantastically to Ross and his training. We returned for further training with Ross.
Ross (The Dug Folk) has also helped us out with walking Dexter when we are both working, and he never let us down. He’s brilliant at his ‘job’ and you can tell he has a real understanding with his dog and yours. Couldn’t recommend him enough!
– Dexter’s Human
Some 7 months ago I fostered a Mammut Bulldog, she was 3 years old I had no idea what I’d taken on, she came to us with so many issues, too many to mention, but the main one being taken a walk, if you could get the lead on her that was, she continually snatched and tugged the whole walk, Ross Gilmour The Dug Guy has been a godsend helping us pretty much from day 1 and continues to do so, we still have a mountain to climb but we are well on our way now with Ross’s professional help.
We wouldn’t be where we are now without him, instead of throwing the towel in and giving up with her, I’ve adopted her, I’m sure one day we will look back and laugh at her antics, take a bow Ross you are a genius with dogs! 😊 Looking forward to the socialisation classes (The Dug Folk) next.
– Skye’s Human
I never do this kind of post guys and you know it but Ross Gilmour – The Dug Guy deserves it more than anyone. To say that Alys adores her doggy trainer Ross would be an understatement.
Rick and I can’t recommend this guy enough. He’s made a world of difference. We have the most beautiful, so well behaved, loving pooch in the world. She gets compliments on her behaviour everywhere we go.
If anyone’s is struggling with their pup and you are looking for help- he is your guy! The transformation you’ll see is phenomenal.
Thank you Ross, we don’t know what we’d have done without you with our little handful
– Alys’ Human
Only had 2 training sessions so far, a second walk with Ross “The Dug Guy” from The Dug Folk and Rudi is muzzle free already!
So emotional to see him have friends again and have the best time out and about.
Anyone that knows Rudi, knows how reactive he was and how amazing this is for him.
– Rudi’s Human
READY TO EMBARK
on an exciting journey of dog training and unlock your dog’s full potential? Whether you have questions, need training guidance, or want to learn more about our sessions, our dedicated dog enthusiasts are only a phone call or email away.
07494 435 605
Email: info@thedugsite.co.uk!
GET IN TOUCH TODAY
and let’s make your dog’s training journey extraordinary!