About Me

Anthony Lennard – Dog Trainer & Behaviourist

Picking a dog trainer isn’t easy, there are lots of us out there and it can be hard to know who you’ll work well with.

That is why I have created this page, hopefully it will give you a better understanding of how I got started, how I work, my values & most importantly, if we’ll work well together.

It all started with Tywin

I founded Buttons & Leash after the unexpected arrival of a Belgian Shepherd puppy who we named Tywin in 2019. He came with an extreme fear of people and traffic, along with a rare birth defect that caused him pain throughout his life. Unfortunately, I struggled to find professional help that fit our situation or his needs, so I began studying and learned how to help him myself.

Thankfully, we were able to work through his challenges, and he became my work dog, where he helped hundreds of other dogs overcome their issues, until he passed in 2024.

My experience with Tywin showed me just how difficult life with a challenging dog can be and how crucial it is to work with someone who not only understands your struggles but can also guide you through them. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place.

Professional Memberships

My Training Philosophy

Root Cause

I believe every behaviour happens for a reason, understanding why is the first step to lasting change.

Ethical Approach

We’ll only use kind, compassionate methods to train your dog. Your wellbeing and your dog’s, will always be my top priority.

Owner Empowerment

I’ll help you build the confidence and skills to support your dog, even when I’m not there.

"Anthony has been amazing with our high energy pup"

“He’s helped us so much in teaching him to listen and learn new skills. He opened our eyes to new ways of dealing with problem behaviours and made a friend in the process. Would definitely use him again if we have any other problems as he gets older and would recommend him to anyone that needs help with their own dogs.”

"Working with Anthony has surpassed all of our expectations!"

“His experiences with rescues (we have a 5 month staff cross) has been invaluable in helping Olive get back on her feet. He is kind, extremely knowledgeable and always happy to help in any way possible with a variety of solutions to the same situation depending on your dogs needs and personality. Puppy classes did not work for Olive hence why we started 1:1s with Anthony, Olive has come on leaps and bounds in just 8 weeks and I am really looking forward to continuing our training bi weekly. Hand on heart, I couldn’t recommend it enough and I truly believe you won’t regret it :)”

"Anthony is probably the most genuine kind, take no rubbish person I’ve ever met"

“He’s given us countless amounts of time, patience, resources, responses (I have messaged him a LOT!). He’s always straight to the point and extremely kind and caring in his work, to the point that he’s trying to get along with my very shy nearly 2 year old daughter who is at every session we have. It goes a long way to have manners, empathy, a kind soul and be very knowledgable about the breed of dog he is training, and Anthony does all of that with ease. If you need a dog trainer who bases their ethnics on positive reinforcement and no rubbish, Anthony is your guy. Thank you for continuing to support us Anthony.”

Am I the right trainer for you?

We’ll work well together if…

You want to feel supported, not judged. You need someone who’s been there, who gets it, and who can help you feel more confident and hopeful again.
You want to work with someone who can help you understand your dog's behaviour.
You want someone who you can trust to have you and your dog's best interests at heart.

You want reliable advice you can trust. You’re overwhelmed by conflicting training tips online and want clarity, not confusion.
You're dedicated to helping your dog, you just need the right support.
You want to avoid methods based on fear, pain, or punishment. You believe in kindness, empathy, and evidence-based strategies — and want to work with someone who does too.

Want to work together?

Choose the best option for you…