Who is Mattias?

Mattias Westerlund, based in Arjeplog, Sweden, is a highly regarded dog trainer with decades of experience in both civilian and professional working dog environments. He is the founder of Hundskolan Vision, a training center known throughout Scandinavia for its focus on developing skilled, mentally balanced dogs through clear and structured training.

Focus on hunting dog training

Hundskolan Vision is especially well known in the hunting community. Many hunters from Sweden and across Europe send their dogs to Mattias for training in disciplines such as:

• Bird hunting (e.g., grouse and ptarmigan)
• Moose tracking
• Retrieving in water and forest environments
• Steadiness and obedience in field conditions

Mattias emphasizes the importance of clear communication between handler and dog. His training approach aims to harness the dog’s natural hunting instincts while building trust and control through consistent, positive reinforcement.

Training philosophy

Mattias trains based on the principle that every dog is unique and requires an individually adapted training program. Key elements of his philosophy include:

• Building a solid mental foundation before focusing on task-specific behaviors
• Encouraging calmness, clarity, and communication between dog and handler
• Promoting early learning and consistency throughout the dog’s life stages

Mattias Westerlund’s methods apply equally to steady bird dogs and life-saving detection dogs, grounded in real-world experience and a deep respect for each dog’s natural abilities.