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Dog boarding and training in Ashford, Kent

I’m Tom. Your dog stays in my home, not a kennel, with a few other dogs at most. Walks, training and a daily update in the app while you’re away.

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  • LicensedHome boarder
  • PositiveReward-based only
  • 5.0 ★10 Google reviews
Tom sitting in a field with a German Shepherd
Licensed & insured

Two ways your dog can stay with me

Both use positive, reward-based methods only. Pickup and drop-off available across Kent and to London.

Three dogs relaxing together on the sofa at Tom’s home

Dog boarding

Overnight stays in my home while you’re away, with walks, play, rest and a routine that feels familiar.

  • Two walks a day and sleeping indoors
  • Welfare checks logged three times a day
  • Daily photo updates in the app
About dog boarding →
Tom practising heelwork with a German Shepherd in a field

Board & Training

Your dog stays from two weeks and gets daily one-to-one training, then comes home with a report card.

  • Daily training sessions and video notes
  • Recall, lead walking, settling and more
  • Handover session and follow-up support
About Board & Training →

Life at Paws Academy

Walks, zoomies, training and plenty of naps. A few of the dogs who’ve stayed with Tom.

See all photos and videos →Follow on Instagram →
  • A shepherd-type dog sitting and paying attention
  • A Bernese Mountain Dog puppy sitting in the garden
  • Two dogs sitting together on the sofa
  • A dog lying down calmly on a long line beside a lake
  • A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in a golden field
  • A dog lying in the bluebells on a woodland walk
  • Two dogs sitting together on a woodland walk
  • A French Bulldog in a cap and sunglasses in its bed
  • A spaniel sitting up on the sofa
  • A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in a tuxedo
  • Two dogs relaxing together on the grass
  • A dog running across the garden
  • A golden retriever standing on a log
  • A dachshund peering over a log in the woods
  • A chocolate and tan dachshund looking up in the garden

See their progress every day in the portal

Log in any time to see how your dog is getting on. Every check I do is recorded as it happens, so you’re never left wondering.

  • Welfare checksEating, drinking, toileting, mood
  • Walks and playWhen, where and how long
  • Photos and videosSent through the day
  • Training notesWhat we worked on and how it went
Log in to the portalNew here? Sign up →
Maverick’s stayNight 3 of 7 · BoardingAll good today
  • BreakfastAte all of it✓
  • Morning walk55 min, fields by the river3 photos
  • Welfare checkDrinking well, relaxed, normal toileting✓
  • MedicationJoint supplement given✓
Note from TomSettled in brilliantly. Loves the garden and has made friends with Bramble.

Booked in three steps

  1. Step 1

    Sign up online

    Add your dog, vet and vaccination records. About five minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Choose your dates

    See live availability. New dogs start with a free meet and greet.

  3. Step 3

    I confirm, you’re booked

    Pay the 25% deposit in the app. The balance is due 48 hours before.

Check availabilityAlready a customer? Log in to the app
Free for every new dog

Meet before you book

Every new dog has a free meet and greet before their first stay. No pressure and no commitment, just a chance for you, your dog and Tom to get to know each other.

Arrange a meet and greet
  • See where they’ll stayCome to Tom’s home in Ashford, meet him and see the space your dog will be spending their time in.
  • Talk through their routineFeeding, walks, allergies, medication, quirks and worries. Everything that makes your dog who they are.
  • A trial stay if it helpsIf your dog would settle better with a little more time, a short trial stay can be arranged before the real thing.
Tom, the dog trainer behind Paws Academy, sitting on a log with a dachshund

Meet Tom, your local dog trainer

I spent years as a search dog handler, training dogs in scent work and operational searches. It all started with my black Labrador, Jake.

Now I look after a small number of dogs at a time from my home in Ashford. One person, one home and a routine your dog can settle into.

Background
Former search dog handler
Methods
Positive reinforcement only
Licence
Licensed home boarder
Insurance
Fully insured
Read Tom’s story →

What dog owners in Kent say

5.0★★★★★from 10 Google reviews
“Our golden retriever, Maverick, absolutely loves boarding with Tom – he greets Tom with pure joy every time he sees him! Tom always does such a good job taking care of Maverick and keeping him engaged, and we always come back to a happy and tired dog.”
Delle Chan · Kent · Maverick (Golden Retriever)
“We met Tom through dog training and he was honestly the best trainer ever. He would send us 5-minute videos showing exactly what he was doing with Bisous, whether it was lead pulling, recall, or even things like sit and stay, and coached us through everything.”
Freddie Berridge · Kent · Bisous

Areas we cover

Based in Ashford, with pickup and drop-off across Kent and London. Find your area:

Ashford & the Weald

Canterbury & the north coast

Folkestone, Dover & Romney Marsh

Thanet

Mid Kent & Medway

West Kent

London

See all areas we cover →

Ready to book a stay?

Sign up, pick your dates and I’ll confirm. Every new dog starts with a free meet and greet in Ashford.

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ServingAshford, Canterbury, Folkestone, Maidstone and across Kent and London.

Got a question first?

Tell Tom a little about yourself and your dog. It takes a minute, there’s no password, and he’ll get back to you before anything is booked.

Ask Tom a question

Or email tom@paws-academy.co.uk