INTRODUCTION
Rainbow Dogs was founded by Mike Garner in London in 2004. Having left behind the urban life Rainbow Dogs now operates in Brighton & Hove, Sussex.
EXPERIENCED
Mike has extensive experience with dogs having worked as a behaviourist and rehomer at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and as a trainer of assistance dogs at Canine Partners and Dog A.
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78 customer reviews
Gabriel Chan
All I can say is without Mike, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy 8 years of fun filled life with Mr Darcy, a rescue springer who had as many behavioural problems as you can name, who was later joined by Lord Nelson, another rescue. Mike is particularly experienced with helping owners adopting rescue dogs. And Perfect Harness are excellent too. Not only do they fit perfectly unlike many others that come in standard sizes, they also have incredible quality. I still have several in good conditions after 10 years of spaniels’ life - hiking, swimming, city walks… Both Mike and Perfect Harnesses are highly recommended! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Emma Hynes
I really recommend Mike! We have had three sessions and they've been incredibly useful. In just a few weeks, my scared rescue dog has made wonderful progress. I can tell he is happier now too! The advice Mike gives is easy to follow and really makes you think about things from the dog's point of view. We've seen real results quickly because it's all force free, at the dog's pace, with tips that actually work. Even though we'd read lots of books and had support from the rescue charity, nothing beats having an experienced professional walking through situations with you and assessing your pet in real life. Having Mike on board really guided us through those tricky early weeks.I can't thank Mike enough and will definitely book his services again. More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Kerry Jean Lister
We went to Mike because our 1yr old lab cross Marvin was pulling like a train on walks and it was starting to give us bad backs! Mike was fantastic and showed us the best way to train Marvin without having to resort to snacks. Marv took to the training really well and that combined with the great harness that Mike recommended made a real difference. Can’t recommend Mike and Rainbow Dogs enough! More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Emma Criddle
I went in yesterday with my new rescue dog - the lovely woman that served and helped me with harness advice was so so kind and supportive. I don't normally like to shop in big chain stores but she has changed my mind. Thank you! More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Christine Sampson
Rainbow dogs are very efficient. I’ve ordered harnesses for Toby twice from rainbow dogs and have been impressed with their swift delivery and excellent customer care. Brilliant service!
Reviewed on Facebook
Christine Hampton
Mike was very helpful and kept me updated during my recent purchase of a perfect fit harness. i really appreciate it. Thank you.
Reviewed on Facebook
Grace Nicole Clements
Mike was thorough, patient and knowledgeable, helping me to transform the way I walk my high energy Saluki Lurcher. Using a perfect fit harness I now have so much more confidence walking him, and I would highly recommend Mike to anyone. Buck is now calmer on the lead and now he has properly learnt how to interact with other dogs his manners are improving every day. Thank you Mike! :) More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Duncan Disorderly
Mike from Rainbow dogs came to visit me with my Mum and Dad. He showed them how to walk me on a long lead which would give me the freedom of being off the lead but it still gave them some control over me. He also fitted me with a really nice harness which had to be blue, to suit my Dads favourite football team. I have to say I do look quite fetching in it. Since Mike has seen me and gave my hoomans some tips, I can feel they are more confident when walking me, which in turn makes me more confident. However I still don’t like walking on the pavement alongside a busy road. Those pesky cars and busses make such a rumble. I am such a happy little Duncan and a lot happier since we met Mike. Thank you so much Duncan Disorderly More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Dave Hay
Great service and the harness worked beautifully.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Finndog Hay
Excellent shop and service.
Reviewed on Facebook
Angela Walker
Staff are extremely helpful and friendly.
My tyre was going flat due to a leaking valve on my X1 which was made safe until I get the part.
Thank you very much will definitely get our custom in future.
Highly recommend.
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Reviewed on Facebook
David W
Very helpful staff
Reviewed on Facebook
Matthew Hedges
Reviewed on Facebook
Charlie Edwards
Always closed with no indication of when its reopening.
Reviewed on Facebook
Mark Webb
Friendly and helpful. Great price s.
Reviewed on Facebook
Paul O Reilly
Decent but has limited opening hours and has not been reliably open.
Reviewed on Facebook
Adam Wheeler
Excellent gym.
Reviewed on Facebook
James Chatfield
Reviewed on Facebook
Toni Stidever
Very helpful staff.. I always use perfect fit they are great for not slipping when your walking so no rubbing on the skin. Also looks good on the dog. Thank you More...
Reviewed on Facebook
MS Dhoni
Reviewed on Facebook
Paul Roberts
Reviewed on Facebook
Jamie Thornton
Reviewed on Facebook
Carol Speakman
Excellent service, highly recommended
Reviewed on Google Maps
Nicola Jane Wilson
I ordered Perfect Fit Harnesses for my two 4 month old Cocker Spaniel puppies and they are fabulous. They are easy to put on and look very comfortable. The rings at the front and back make walking two boisterous pups much easier. I would definitely recommend. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Nicola Jane Wilson
I ordered Perfect Fit Harnesses for my two 4 month old Cocker Spaniel puppies and they are fabulous. They are easy to put on and look very comfortable. The rings at the front and back make walking two boisterous pups much easier. I would definitely recommend. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Stephen Rigby
Excellent dog trainer. Brilliant and easy to follow advice!
Reviewed on Facebook
Els Boardman
Mike has fantastic knowledge which he evidently shows within his dog training. He has brilliant people skills and fantastic dog training techniques. You can't not warm to mike and he will make a real difference to yours and your dogs life! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Catherine Williams
Superb customer care from Rainbow Dogs. I brought a Perfect fit harness for my Yorkipoo. After establishing the correct size wth the help from Mike, I now have a harness that really does what it says...It fits perfectly!!
Reviewed on Facebook
David Carson
Mike has been brilliant with helping our dog Murray with a few areas (separation anxiety, children and walking nicely on the lead). Murray has come on leaps and bounds since the training sessions and is much more confident now. Will definitely be booking some more sessions when we move flat! Thank you! David, Bex & Murray More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Elizabeth Henderson
Absolutely fantastic service, the harness for my dog was brilliant, and the great thin is parts can be replaced as my dog is small normal shop harnesses do not fit. Excellent advise have recommended to others. Thank you More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Whitworth PaulandJo
Such a great service from Rainbow Dogs. Mike answered my many questions very promptly when I was buying a perfect fit harness and I was amazed when it arrived the next day.
He then helped with explaining how to adjust it to get the best fit. Thank you - will be using this website again
Jo
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Reviewed on Facebook
Katie Edmonds
The rainbow man rocks! He is so patient, kind, and full of empathy - he really helps you to see life through the dogs perspective.
We have been lucky enough to have Mike with us for both our dogs ; firstly my beautiful billy, who he helped train from a crackers, irrational puppy, who lept from sofa to sideboard, into a well behaved mummy's special soldier who held up his paw, sat, waited for treats and was a delight to us all. R.IP. Billy x
Now we have the gorgeous cookie who is teeny and sweet, curious yet cautious, so thanks to the rainbow man, we are learning how to look after her and get to know her. Like I said, he rocks...
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Reviewed on Facebook
Dina Tester
I have 2 dogs,brothers 19 months old called Cooper and Bertie.I found Mike on the internet because I needed help with Cooper whilst out on our walks. From being such a cuddly,loving dog indoors he became the devil incarnate once his lead was put on-people,bikes and especially other dogs,no-one was spared from his barking and growling. With Mikes patience and training walks are now much more pleasurable as I am following the tips and advice that Mike taught me.So thankyou Mike and it's good to know that you're on the end of the phone if I encounter any more problems. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Dennis Owen
excellent service , would highly recommend
Reviewed on Facebook
Caroline Still
Mike made it easy to find the right size harness for my poodle. I needed one for other people to use when walking him, and it's spot on. Thanks x
Reviewed on Facebook
Lisa Jane
I contacted Mike for help with Tia shortly after i rehomed her as she was showing aggression towards men, trying to herd the traffic, ripping up the house when i went out and various other things which were making it hard to manage with her. Mike has been really great in our six sessions together and really helped to understand her behaviour, particularly the aggression which was my biggest worry. Like anyone struggling with their dog i trawled the internet for ideas and help and spoke to quite a few different people, driving myself a bit mad with all the conflicting ideas, but Mike was the most convincing and packed a lot of helpful information into our sessions, he was really able to fully explain his methods and the logic behind them. I have been using Mike's methods for a while now and there have been no miracles, this stuff takes time but we are definately making progress and it is easier to be consistent when you feel you are on the right track. Mike is a true dog lover and was kind to Tia and kind to me! I am really glad i consulted him and will continue to use all his advice as me and T move forward. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Charlie Domendziak-Knight
When we were recommended Rainbow Dogs we were really struggling. We wanted to be able to leave our 7 year old german shepherd with a dog walker for a day or two so we could enjoy time away, but we'd never been able to do so. Mike brought some amazing but simple ideas to us and now we, the dog walker and the dog are all so much more confident together! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Sarah Parker
I have been put off harnesses for my Malamute Nuka as they tend to encourage pulling with her breed rather than discourage it, and I just stuck with her head collar but I knew she wasn't happy with it even though most of the time she was good as gold on it.
So after finding out about the Perfect Fit Harness I got talking to Mike about them, I decided to try it out, she is now wearing it on her trips around the shops and is already walking much nicer than I could have asked for.
Thankyou Mike
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Reviewed on Facebook
helen cox
Great local gym, fab classes
Reviewed on Facebook
Dennis Owen
excellent service , would highly recommend
Reviewed on Facebook
Troy Morgan
Was OK for a while, not any more. About to change hands to a 24 hour gym.
Reviewed on Facebook
Jordan
They don’t help regarding financial situations, happy to take your money but let a whole other company deal with everything else. I called the gym to ask when my membership would expire, was informed it would in November and payment would not be taken after that. £40 later I had to make a ten minute phone call to do this - full of misinformation and the gyms like a classroom. Not satisfied. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Wandering Fraz
DO NOT USE THIS GYM It is depressingly dark with the rudest staff I've ever had the misfortune of dealing with. They have reneged on their joining discount and promises to fix the problem, when I called to question it the girl on the end of the phone wouldn't let me speak and essentially said tough. I now have to deal with a SEPERATE finance company to get out of my contract - I've instructed my solicitor to sue these morons if need be for wasting my time. I have joined the Hart centre instead. A much nicer gym, but worth the money (which is double this dingy thieving pit) More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Rafal Jablonski
below average
Reviewed on Facebook
John Budd
Shut yesterday but no mention on websiteToday I can’t get hold of anyone on phone, not a message to say closed, no info in website Last week showers were shut - no mention until go to shower . ... staff could mention as you arrive but too busy chatting If it wasn’t for locality I would never use this gym - most equipment is broken More...
Reviewed on Facebook
imuhs imuhs
Very good staff always willing to help however some of the fascilities such as showers, toilets need to be seen to But overall cleanliness around the gym is good.
Reviewed on Facebook
upendranadh sravanam
Worst in customer facilities and care
Reviewed on Facebook
satinder chauhan
Gym needs investment, been run into the ground by current owners
Reviewed on Facebook
David Heffernan
Reviewed on Facebook
Maddy Hamp
Mike is a fantastic trainer, he worked with myself and Jake my German Shepherd to achieve full assistance dog status with the charity DogAID - this involved everything from high levels of obedience on and off lead to teaching Jake the many and varied tasks he needed to support me in the home and in public, Mike can turn his hand to anything and Jake loved it all :) His training is by positive methods only, he's very patient and his results are absolutely fantastic - Jake and I qualified in October and I still can't believe how far we have come since we started training with him. He's also a genuinely lovely person that you feel relaxed and comfortable with from day 1, very very highly reccommended - wish I could give more than 5 stars! :) More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
What do you love most about your job?
Every day I wake up and look forward to meeting clients and their dogs. I am lucky to have such a job! The main types of clients I have are owners of new puppies and owners with problems with their dogs; both present they own challenges and rewards:
- New puppies. It is an amazing opportunity to work with a puppy who is a blank slate. I get to help mould the puppy into being a well-balanced confident adult. This is such a great responsibility.
- Problem dogs. Owners often come to me in great distress, being stuck with their dog's behavioural problems. Helping owners to understand and communicate with their dog is key. It is so rewarding to see the dog's behaviour improve and the owner start to enjoy their relationship with their dog again.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I am a natural problem solver so working with clients on a one-to-one basis is extremely rewarding. Having worked with major rescue and assistance dogs organisations I wanted to put that experience to use in the pet training world. Being responsible for my client relationship is very important to me. It has also been very rewarding building my passion into a business.
Why should our clients choose you?
There are lots of dog trainers in Brighton to choose from! My profession experience in rescue at Battersea Dog & Cats Home and in assistance dog training at Canine Partners sets me apart. I learn something from every new client and dog; so even after 20 years running Rainbow Dogs I am still adapting my training. My passion for learning inspired me to successfully complete a BSc (Hons) in Psychology as a mature student, which helps me understand what's going on at both ends of the lead.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Online remote Zoom dog training sessions are available across all of the UK.
Behaviour Problems
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/behaviour-problems.html
Basic Training / Obedience Training
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/basic-training-obedience.html
Puppy Socialising and Training
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/puppy-socialising-training.html
Selection and Adoption
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/selection-adoption.html
Rescue Dog Advice
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/rescue-dogs.html
Clicker Training
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/clicker-training.html
Deaf Dog Training
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/deaf-dog-training.html
Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/kcgcds.html
Handling and Grooming
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/handling-grooming.html
Groundwork Training
http://www.rainbowdogs.co.uk/services/groundwork-training.html