Ryan Leese - About Me

My Journey

In July 1980 a Lab/Springer called Beaumont was born and so was I. Obviously, I don’t remember much about his early training but I can definitely suggest he was under socialized. I remember sitting in his bed with him practising my reading. Later on, as we got older I would confide in Beaumont and talk to him about my worries at school, he was a true best friend. In the last few years of his life, I was old enough to walk him on my own. I tried to help him overcome his fear and massive aggression towards other dogs. Eventually, I got him to the stage where he could walk shoulder to shoulder with a yellow lab named Heidi, he absolutely loved her. He died when we were 13 and that’s when I realised how much a dog companion matters to me.

My Journey

In July 1980, a Lab/Springer mix called Beaumont was born — and so was I. I don’t remember much about his early training, but one thing was certain, he was very aggressive to dogs. As a child, I would sit in his bed and read to him and confide in him about my worries at school. He was a true best friend. In the last few years of his life, I was finally old enough to walk him on my own, and I made it my mission to help him overcome his grumpy side. Eventually, he was able to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with a yellow Lab named Heidi, whom he adored. When he died, we were both 13 — and I knew then how deeply important the bond with a dog was to me.

My First Puppy

A year later, after moving to a new town, I told my parents I couldn’t start a new life without a new dog. That’s when The Colonel came along — a 5-month-old Border Collie x Springer who had been dumped on the M5 and needed a home. He was a proper pal. We went everywhere together. When I eventually left home for work, The Colonel stayed with my parents, but he’d come to stay with me for every bit of annual leave. As for training — well, he trained me perfectly.

A Return to Dogs

For years after The Colonel passed, my lifestyle didn’t allow for responsible dog ownership. I always believed that not having a dog during that time was the right thing to do. But as soon as life changed, my partner Kelly and I adopted Kira, a 3-month-old Collie. She absolutely loved training, and through her, so did I. Later we welcomed Raffi, a 10-month-old Collie who needed help overcoming fears of various stimuli and situations. Helping Raffi sparked my deeper interest in behaviour, and I started attending courses to build his confidence — and mine.

From Passion to Profession

When the world came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, I made the decision to turn a lifelong passion into my profession. I began by volunteering at a local rescue centre to broaden my experience beyond my own dogs, working hands-on with dogs of all breeds, backgrounds, and behaviour struggles.

Around the same time, I committed to formal study — earning accreditations through the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

As my experience grew, I went on to join the Dogs Trust as Senior Coach for Dog School Devon, where I spent 21 months leading group classes and one-to-one programmes, helping hundreds of dogs and their families build better relationships.

More recently, I achieved an advanced behaviour certification backed by scientific methodology through the School of Canine Science — the culmination of years of ongoing study rather than an endpoint.

The Work Continues

I now run my own established behaviour and training business, RL Dog Training, supporting dogs and their families across Devon and the surrounding areas. My work focuses on helping dogs overcome phobias, reducing stress and reactivity, and giving owners the tools to overcome the everyday obstacles that come with humans and dogs living well together in a modern world.

Alongside this, my primary role is supporting Ferne Animal Sanctuary in a hands-on behaviourist capacity, helping dogs both before and after adoption so they have the best chance of settling safely into new homes. It’s a return to the rescue roots that shaped my early development — but with deeper tools, broader experience, and a wider impact.

What I’ve Learned

Beaumont, The Colonel, Kira, Raffi, and now Merlin have each shaped how I see the world. And it isn’t just my own dogs who’ve guided me. The hundreds of dogs and their families I’ve coached — through one-to-one programmes and group classes — have been just as influential. Every partnership offers a new lesson, a fresh perspective, and a reminder that real progress is built on understanding and trust.

That’s why I’ve put myself on a continual development path, learning from some of the best trainers and behaviour specialists in the world, so I can keep showing up better for the dogs and families I work with.

If you’re ready to strengthen the bond with your dog and make everyday life easier, I’d love to help.
Get in touch to start your training journey.