A Dog's Best Friend

A Dog's Best Friend A Dog's Best Friend offers a variety of 1-2-1 Dog Training and Behavioral Modification packages in the Alton area of Hampshire. Established 2015.
(1)

Fully Qualified Member of the IMDT.

Each year I assume that people are aware of how hot is too hot for their dogs, unfortunately it's still startling to see...
17/06/2025

Each year I assume that people are aware of how hot is too hot for their dogs, unfortunately it's still startling to see so many walking their dogs when it's definitely unsafe for them to do so, so thought I'd pop this reminder below.

Please remember that if you're unable to facilitate early morning or evening walks or take them to wooded and shaded areas when the temperature is creeping up then having your dog miss a day or two of going out is definitely preferable to them getting heat stroke or worse and obviously avoid leaving them in the car unless you're able to leave the Aircon on!

Frozen enrichment toys, cooling mats/bandanas and fans are great at helping them regulate their body temperature when home and if their anything like my little pink polar bear, who would happily sunbathe all day, make sure to limit their access to the sun and use suncream if needed. 🐾😎

Recent review of our Awesome Adolescents Package for the amazing Reggie ❤️. The package is catered to teenage dogs that ...
10/06/2025

Recent review of our Awesome Adolescents Package for the amazing Reggie ❤️.
The package is catered to teenage dogs that may need a refresher of the basics or are struggling with the changes that adolescence brings and needing new skills to help them and their owners navigate this development stage. For dogs 6 months - 2 years old. For more information or to request a free assessment form please feel free to reach out via the button below, visit www a-dogs-best-friend.com or email [email protected].

I often hear that a reaction "came out of nowhere" or "they are usually fine with XYZ but they completely freaked out th...
06/06/2025

I often hear that a reaction "came out of nowhere" or "they are usually fine with XYZ but they completely freaked out this time". This is usually due to what we call Trigger Stacking.

Essentially Trigger stacking is a dog being hit with one "trigger" after another without enough decompression to have their adrenaline return to baseline, this then results in a reaction to what was the "last Straw" (which if interacted with alone can normally be ignored or redirected from)

Trigger stacking is something that every dog experiences to some extent and is often overlooked or unknown by owners. So try and make note of how your dogs day, or week is going, so you can set them up to succeed rather than putting them in situations they are going to add to what may have already been an overwhelming walk/social situation.

As suggested in the poster, decompression after busy walks/days or weeks is best, no dog will die from missing a few days walks, and you will find both you and them find it much more enjoyable next time you venture out if so. You can also aid in their regulation by creating opportunities to lick, sniff and chew as all of these help calm a dog too.

For more tips or to request a free training or behavioural assessment form, please visit www.a-dogs-best-friend.com or email [email protected]

Woody is 10 months old and has been lucky enough to have found himself a fabulous forever home, (which as an adolescent ...
23/05/2025

Woody is 10 months old and has been lucky enough to have found himself a fabulous forever home, (which as an adolescent staffy cross can be incredibly tricky) His new family includes children, teenagers, adults and cats so we have been working on basic training, impulse control and helping him be calmer in exciting scenarios. During his latest session we had the privilege of the two youngest children being home and so they were my training assistants today. Their parents were wanting to prioritise the kids learning how to listen to Woody, let him have space when needed and have the tools to ask him to respond to them needed so that is what we discussed, rehearsed and worked through. Both they and Woody did a fantastic job listening and training and it was a pleasure to have their help 👏🏼🐾😊

This is one of my favourite tips to give when working with dogs that struggle to respond around distractions. If their n...
20/05/2025

This is one of my favourite tips to give when working with dogs that struggle to respond around distractions. If their nose is down consider their ears offline, so time your cues with this knowledge and you will hopefully find they're no longer "ignoring" you as much 🤞🏼🐾

I'm very pleased to say that the 20% off Discount Code PerfectFit Harness offered my customers for Dogs Day Out weekend ...
13/05/2025

I'm very pleased to say that the 20% off Discount Code PerfectFit Harness offered my customers for Dogs Day Out weekend is available to be used until June 10th, so that those of you who were unable to make the event can still indulge.

As many of you know I highly recommend Perfect For harnesses as they are not only amazing quality, and come in a wonderful variation of colours and sizes, they also do exactly as the name alludes to.

They take away the need to touch your dogs feet or go over your dog's heads which many are uncomfortable with and they accommodate the dogs natural balancing points and offer both a front and back attachment, which can be utilised by also purchasing their double ended leads.

So if you're looking upgrade your dogs walking equipment go to https://perfect-fit-dog-harness.com/harness.html and use the code BEST20 for 20% off.

*warning long gushy post*So proud of this beautiful girl! Sophia was a foster dog, turned permanent member of the family...
09/05/2025

*warning long gushy post*
So proud of this beautiful girl! Sophia was a foster dog, turned permanent member of the family who is a sensitive little soul and lives with another rescue dog. Having trained her big brother years ago I was excited to see him again and help with this little lady when their owners reached out. Their priority when contacting me was suspected Separation anxiety as she had started becoming destructive in the home when her Humans left.

Via my assessment and initial session I heard how she had also unfortunately had a traumatic response to a loud noise while on a walk close to home a few months back and had since refused to walk from there (unfortunately they are in a cul-de-sac so no alternative routes). Due to this and her owner's schedule she has consequently been receiving less exercise and therefore less stimulation overall.

Given this information, before catering a plan around Separation distress I suggested tweaking her routine prior to being left to ensure she was having all her mental and physical needs ticked off and I'm pleased to say that during my next visit they reported no more damage had been made and 5 weeks later this is still the case! This meant we could work on her fear of the street walk for the rest of the package.

Well it's been slow going as we've prioritised Sophia feeling safe and heard and making sure that every step she made (she would previously plant herself and shake in fear) was her own choice and today we made it to the end of her "scary" road. She is no longer having a fear induced physical response to every stimulus as she is given time to assess and disengage and although it will be an ongoing process, I couldn't be prouder of her and her owner. Well done gorgeous sweet girl. ❤️🥰🐾

Only two more days until this year's Dog's Day Out weekend in Worldham begins. The weather is looking lovely and as alwa...
08/05/2025

Only two more days until this year's Dog's Day Out weekend in Worldham begins. The weather is looking lovely and as always the location is beautiful. Remember booking prior to the day does reduce the cost of tickets and guarantees tickets will still be available (we've sold out the last two years)! We have so many amazing activities, stalls and shows for your family and of course dogs to enjoy. Make sure to come visit us at the Scent and Discovery Zone while enjoying the event. Can't wait to see you all there ☺️🐾
https://www.dogsdayworldham.com/tickets

Address

Based In And Around
Alton
ENGLAND,UK

Telephone

+447803741055

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when A Dog's Best Friend posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to A Dog's Best Friend:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Story

The business is ran by Stevie Moss who has diplomas in Canine Training and Behaviour and is a Fully Qualified member of the IMDT (the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) As well as qualifications via the School of Canine Science among many others.

We are Fully Insured and can offer reliable references. A Dog's Best Friend is based in the Four Marks, Alton area. We offer a range of Group Classes, 1-2-1 training and behaviour modification and home visits. All with each individual situation being catered to accordingly.