How quickly will I see results from puppy training?

Most families see initial improvements within the first week, with significant progress achieved within 4–6 weeks of consistent implementation. Every puppy is different, and some challenges take longer to resolve than others.

What areas of North London do you cover for dog training?

Sara is based in Mill Hill (NW7 ) and covers all of North London including Barnet, Finchley, Hampstead, Hendon, Edgware, Stanmore, Whetstone, East Barnet, New Barnet, Totteridge, and surrounding areas. Online consultations are available for families outside the travel area.

Are Doodles easy to train?

Doodles are intelligent and food-motivated, which helps with training — but they're also sensitive, easily overstimulated, and quick to pick up habits (both good and bad). With the right approach they can be brilliant to train. Without it, things can feel chaotic quite quickly. Sara specialises specifically in Doodle breeds including Cockapoos, Labradoodles, Cavapoos and Goldendoodles.

Why does my Doodle puppy bite and nip so much?

Puppy biting is one of the most common challenges for Doodle owners. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and with Doodles it's often made worse by excitement, frustration, and tiredness. It is not aggression — it is a lack of impulse control, which can absolutely be taught with the right positive training methods.

What training methods do you use?

Sara uses exclusively positive, reward-based training methods that are scientifically proven and endorsed by the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers). She never uses shock collars, prong collars, or intimidation-based techniques.

Do I need a professional dog trainer or can I do this myself?

You can make progress on your own — especially with the right guidance. But if you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or like nothing is working, getting the right support early can save a lot of time and frustration. Sara offers a free 20-minute discovery call so you can find out whether 1-2-1 training is right for you before committing.

About Sara Perceval | IMDT Certified Doodle Puppy Trainer

A woman sitting on a black outdoor sofa holding a small brown and white puppy, with a green cushion placed beside her. She is smiling and wearing a light grey hoodie and black leggings. The background shows a garden with trees, a wooden fence, and some garden supplies.

Meet the Trainer

Hi, I'm Sara Perceval — IMDT Certified Dog Trainer and Doodle Specialist based in Mill Hill, North London.

I didn't always plan to be a dog trainer. After fifteen years working in corporate, I knew I wanted something more meaningful — I just didn't know what that looked like yet.

Then we got Lenny. A Cavapoochon puppy, arriving into our home just after Covid in 2021, full of energy and absolutely no idea what he was doing. I threw myself into training him — and realised two things almost immediately. First, that I genuinely loved it. Second, that there was almost nobody in North London who specialised in Doodle breeds specifically. The advice available was generic, and Doodle owners were being left to figure it out on their own.

Around the same time, my son was diagnosed with ADHD, and I began researching whether Lenny could be trained as an assistance dog. That research led me to a Level 3 Correspondence Course in dog training — the foundations of how dogs actually learn. I got my licence to walk dogs, spent time working with dozens of different personalities and breeds, and from there went on to complete my practical training with the IMDT, qualifying as an accredited trainer.

I built Doodle Doggies because I know what it feels like to be a busy parent with a Doodle puppy and not enough of the right support. That's exactly who I work with — and it's exactly why I love what I do.

Work With Me

5 star client testimonials

Would highly recommend Sara! She was incredible in not only supporting us with the initial madness of owning a puppy but she gave us so much support as a family in welcoming a dog into our home when we had no experience. She was kind and patient and worked with us closely to help us train our puppy. She also helped with bathing which was a big worry for us the first time! She made things simple, was always available and was just all round brilliant. I would recommend you hire her to help with all your puppy training and support - you'll be so happy as we were. Our puppy was always so happy to see her too! Thank you Sara! :)

— Heena Thanker, Cavapoo, Mill Hill

Sara created a personalised training plan for us after really listening to our needs during consultation. We are seeing great progress with our dog! Very personable trainer and would recommend!

— Davina Cracknell, Cockapoo, Mill Hill East

Sara was recommended to me via another happy customer who saw I was struggling to settle my new puppy. She has looked at us as individuals and has explored finding the best methods to help us within our lifestyle. What works for one puppy does not necessarily work for another and is prepared to think out of the box to find solutions (in our case, separation anxiety).

Sara is warm, practical, and knowledgeable and clearly has a love of dogs. I thoroughly recommend Sara.

— Jacqueline Krafchik, Australian Labradoodle, Finchley

Read more below

“As a first time dog owner with a strong willed puppy Sara has been instrumental in creating a structure to settle down our doodle. Following her plan has allowed us to enjoy a calmer and more obedient pup. We are so lucky to have found someone who is realistic, and who cares deeply”.

— Dione Smith, Double Doodle, Mill Hill

“We have been using Sara since we first brought our puppy home, and from the get go she has been absolutely amazing. In the early stages, whatever we focused on in our sessions we would see immediate progress with, and left with training guidance for us to do between sessions.

Now he has reached adolescence we have had other challenges to contend with, but through a combination of training sessions and walks with Sara his behaviour has been improving dramatically.

We couldn't recommend Sara more highly and will definitely continue to use her for training sessions to keep our pup going in the right direction..”

— Bobby Difore, Labrador, Mill Hill East

“We recently got a Matipoo puppy. It’s been very hard to get our puppy to use the crate and also get him to toilet outside. Sara from Doodle Doggies came today and help and literally within a few hours our puppy Benjin now happily goes into his crate and toilet outside.

I had to give Sara an outstanding review, if you need a puppy trainer please book Sara or follow her on Instagram or facebook.”

— Lauren Latner, Maltipoo, Mill Hill