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17/10/2024

Let them sniff - I promise the positives will impact YOUR LIFE as well as your dogs 💯

16/10/2024

Time spent with your dog should be fun, including training!

Sure we can be super serious with our dogs, but I bet they are more excited to be a part of what you’re doing when you start to have some fun with it 💃🏼

After all, we have bred dogs to retain their playful nature into adulthood…so let’s tap into that!

Next time you’re practicing some training with your dog, try not to take yourself too seriously ❤️ Remember, MORE PLAYFUL, LESS PERFECT 👌🏼

Life is just more enjoyable this way 💯

04/09/2024

❤️🐾

02/09/2024

Dogs don’t do things for no reason….and the reason isn’t to just be naughty!

Respect your dog and know that every behaviour they perform has a function which is important to them in that moment 🐾 even the ‘annoying’ and ‘undesirable’ behaviours they perform….in fact, especially these ones!

‼️If there has been a sudden change in behaviour, always get a vet check to rule out any health issues/causes before seeking professional behavioural help‼️

02/03/2024

Client Testimonial.

I love working with all of my wonderful clients. Their kind words just reinforce why I do what I do 🥰

24/01/2024

I love hearing about the progress my clients make and sharing in the joy my clients and I achieve together. It’s not always easy, smooth sailing, but connecting with people who listen, understand, don’t judge, and have your back can be a game changer.

23/01/2024

If it seems simple, that’s because it is!

Toilet training is all about consistency. There will likely be accidents even with you being consistent, but this is normal, you’re not doing a bad job!

Dogs will also take different lengths of time to be fully house trained, so you also shouldn’t compare your dog’s progress with others.

Be patient and consistent, and you will see progress. You’ll also get to know your dog over time and so be more in tune with their toileting routine.

As your puppy gets older, their bladders are capable of holding their toilet for longer periods of time which will also make life easier.

If you’re worried or unsure of something, always seek out a professional and ask for help…this doesn’t mean you have failed! There is zero shame in asking for some support.

16/01/2024

Do you find vet visits with your dog stressful?

Belle had her annual booster last week and as we have recently changed vets, she not only had an injection, but had the full works during her consultation, including having her temperature taken (which she found rather invasive and really didn’t appreciate!)

This is her AFTER her visit, quietly watching the vet update her vaccine card and calmly waiting for mum to pay.

There are things we can do to make the vets less stressful (for both you and your dog), and over time, help teach your dog that the vets doesn’t have to be a super scary place to visit.

For support with your own dog, drop me a message 🐾

15/01/2024

When can I stop taking/using treats?

The age old question. This quote says it all! You accept that your dog is going to p**p, most likely more than once a day for the rest of its life. Poo bags will forever be in your pockets, ready to grab as needed.

In your other pocket should be treats, which you can also grab as needed. Just like p**ping, dogs will display behaviour for their entire life.

Of course not all dogs are super food motivated, but the ‘cookies’ reference refers to all forms of reinforcement when it comes to training.

Unfortunately, it’s not a case of train the dog for 4 weeks and then that job is done. Dogs change, behaviour changes and the environment changes.

If you want the behaviours you like to stick long term, we must be consistent.

12/01/2024

Do you sometimes feel hopeless when it comes to training your dog?

There are always going to be ups and downs and progress is rarely linear (it’s impossible to control absolutely everything!)

Slight regressions in training can happen (this is normal), you may run out of time to practice some days due to the unexpected and your dog will have ‘good’ and ‘bad’ days.

That’s life! A slight hiccup in training doesn’t mean you are failing overall, even though it can feel that way in the moment.

The most important thing is to be realistic with your goals and a training plan that works around your day to day life. If it’s realistic, you’re more likely to be able to be consistent and see those results!

11/01/2024

Do you want your recall to look more like this?

The dog is:
Recalling from a distance ✅
Able to follow my voice to find me ✅
Doesn’t run away again ✅
Voluntarily stays near me and wants to interact with me✅
Is enthusiastic to come back! ✅

You can also see that I am:
In a quiet environment with no other people or dogs ✅
NOT repeating her name (I say more than her name to help her locate me as I’d moved from where she last saw me) ✅
NOT grabbing her as soon as she comes in ✅
Making coming back to me FUN so she CHOOSES ME over the environment ✅

Want some help with your own dogs recall? Get in touch for a limited time promotional offer 🤗

10/01/2024

Fear and anxiety are normal, adaptive behaviours that are important for survival.

If you are struggling with your own dog and would like someone to talk to and some support please get in touch 🐾

07/01/2024

Little things that your dogs will love you for!

There are many small things that don’t take up much of your time which can make a big difference to your dog.

We are all guilty of slacking sometimes when it comes to our dogs, whether we have had a long day at work, are tired, or it’s cold out!

HOWEVER! We owe it to our dogs! So try mixing some things into your daily routine, it can be as simple as feeding your dog from a snuffle mat instead of a bowl 🐾

05/01/2024

What are you waiting for?
The sooner you start, the sooner you see results.

Working with certain behaviours is a gradual process and things can take time and patience, however, small, realistic and doable changes each day all add up to the bigger overall goal!

I am an insured and accredited Dog Trainer and I have been working with Dogs and their families since 2018. I follow reward based/force free training protocols and I am excited to work alongside many more Dogs and their humans in the coming year!

You can get in touch via email: [email protected]

OR drop me a message via socials.

I am open to answer any questions you may have and look forward to hopefully meeting some of you 🙂🐾

04/01/2024

Too often I listen to people blaming themselves for the things their dogs struggle with in life. Well intentioned people who just want the best for their dogs, listing things they have done to contribute to their dogs fears and anxiety’s.

I am here to tell you it is NOT your fault!
Finding someone to blame is never part of the solution. If you are reaching out for help and trying to do what you can to help your dog, how can you be part of the problem?

There is lots of conflicting information out there and it can be difficult to know what’s good advice and what isn’t so great. But I can guarantee that blaming yourself isn’t going to help your dog 🐾

17/12/2023

🐾 Stay safe this Christmas 🎅🏼

No one wants an emergency, impromptu trip to the vets!

You’ll know your dog better than anyone, so if you know they may be tempted to chew or tug on the tinsel, or sneak a cheeky mince pie off the table or kitchen counter when no one is looking, then make sure they are supervised and you have made things safe for them.

15/12/2023

Want to know the basics of a good dog harness?

There are so many options out there! Not only that, everyone has their own opinion as to which one is the ‘must buy’.

You can always take opinions from others, but have in your head the points from these slides when looking at harnesses yourself.

The key is the comfort and welfare of your dog. They should be able to move naturally, having free shoulder movement and free from rubbing or harsh materials digging into their skin.

‼️ATTENTION - AVOID any harness labelled as ‘anti-pull’ or advertised as a solution to your dogs pulling!

This type of equipment will utilise some form of pain or discomfort in order to ‘stop’ your dog pulling. This most certainly does not prioritise your dogs comfort and well-being.

11/12/2023

🚩Look out for these things when looking to hire a dog trainer 🚩

The world of dog training and behaviour is currently an unregulated industry, meaning anyone can partake. It is therefore up to you lovely people to be able to determine who the good ones are! (And let me tell you, it is a minefield out there!)

These are just a few pointers and if you notice these things, run in the opposite direction!

Don’t be afraid to get in touch with people and ask questions. You should work with someone who you share core beliefs with and truly has yours and your dogs best interests at heart ❤️

08/12/2023

Partake in the joy of being out with your dog! 🐾 Enjoy their company and create fun experiences for them that involve you.

As well as filling you with joy and giving you a hit of endorphins, this can also help strengthen your bond with each other, as well as helping to support your recall progress.

Of course all dogs are different and will value different interactions when out and about! Work with the dog in front of you and be lead by what they love as an individual 🥰

06/12/2023

Say cheese! 📸

Instead of ‘training’ your dog just because that’s what people do, think about what your dog will need to be able to do in your day to day life, and what this actually looks like.

A sit is a great example of something everyone teaches their dog straight off the bat. But do you teach it effectively to be used in certain contexts and situations?

If you would like your dog to sit for a picture for example, this is no longer just a ‘sit’ you might have been practicing at home.

You are now expecting your dog to sit for a longer duration (if outside this is also wayyy more distracting), whilst you move away from them (probably with the tasty snack), you crouch down to their level (so look different and this may usually be an invitation for a cuddle), and hold a phone/camera in front of them (potentially a novel object).

So next time your dog can’t do a ‘sit’, ask yourself this…have you adequately prepared and taught them to be able to handle this specific situation? 🤔

05/12/2023

Always make sure you vet someone before letting them work with you and your dog. They should be accredited in their profession, meaning they have undergone assessment by a recognised governing body….if they use punishment based methods, no recognised governing body would pass them!

Unfortunately anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, but this doesn’t mean anything without good backing from good sources.

Governing bodies exist to uphold a good standard of science led, kind and ethical practices with our dogs 🐾

Don’t be afraid to ask prospective trainers questions ahead of hiring them!

08/11/2023

Have you ever referred to your dog as being ‘stubborn’?

Maybe you’ve labelled a dog as ‘aggressive’, ‘naughty’, or ‘reactive’ before, or a certain breed of dog as ‘harder (or even impossible) to train?

None of these words describe the actual body language or vocalisation you are seeing from the dog, nor do they explain why the dog is behaving this way or what it means.

Labels place a belief in your head about a given dog, and this effects what behaviour your brain picks up on and how you treat the dog in certain situations.

Dogs are complex, living creatures, and they express their emotions and how they feel in any given situation. This should not condemn them as being labelled ‘aggressive’ overall.

Let’s show dogs the respect they deserve ❤️ next time you use a label (we all do it!) try and think of what you’re actually seeing from your dog and what they are trying to communicate to you 🐾

02/11/2023

We love a head tilt ❤️

21/09/2023

Anyone else do ‘silly’ things for their dogs birthday? 🙈

18/09/2023

Next breed to look at is the German Shepherd.

A popular breed as a pet, but also still used as a working dog today in different capacities, including police work and guide dog work.

It is of extra importance to ensure you can provide the correct level of physical AND mental stimulation on a daily basis to dogs known to be working lines. These aren’t going to be your stay at home and chill on the sofa all day kinda dogs!

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Videos

Do you know what the best and most beneficial skills to teach your dog are? 👀 Set yourself and your dog up for success in the long run 🥇 #dogsofinstagram #dogtraining #adviceoftheday #dogsarelife #canine #dogtrainingtip

Did you know this? Sometimes it’s the simple things that can massively impact your dog’s overall behaviour and outlook on life in the long run. We know we need to exercise our dogs, but the type and quality of exercise is also important. Just because your dog is pooped at the end of every blitz at the park with a ball chucker, doesn’t necessarily mean we are meeting their needs or doing our best for them if this is all we ever do. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes a ball throwing session at the park is all you have time for! 🎾 Not to mention your dog LOVES a ball! Just try mixing it up and including other walks and forms of stimulation for your dog. Slower walks in nature, allowing your dog to fully tune in with their environment can be transformational ✨ Need some support with your own dog? Get in touch today to book and free initial chat 📞 #dog #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #dogsarebest #forcefreetraining #rewardbased #canineenrichment #dogloversclub

So many different breeds, so vastly different, it suddenly makes sense why there is a no one size fits all in this game 🐾 #dogsofinstagram #breed #genetic #selectivebreeding #dog #doglover #cute #dogstagram #doglife #dogtrainer #dogsarefamily #dogsarelife #dogsarethebest

Do you know what kind of exercise your dogs breed is built for? #dogs #dogsarethebest #dogsofinstagram #dogsofinsta #dogtraininglife #dogtraining #cute #love #dogbreeds #exercise

Let your dogs be dogs and use their noses on walks! It’s a natural behaviour and important to let them engage with their environment the best way they know how…through their sense of smell. #dognose #snoot #dogbehavior #dogsofinstagram #ilovedogs #cute #love #dogs #dogstagram

Do you want your recall to look more like this? The dog is: Recalling from a distance ✅ Able to follow my voice to find me ✅ Doesn’t run away again ✅ Voluntarily stays near me and wants to interact with me✅ Is enthusiastic to come back! ✅ You can also see that I am: In a quiet environment with no other people or dogs ✅ NOT repeating her name (I say more than her name to help her locate me as I’d moved from where she last saw me) ✅ NOT grabbing her as soon as she comes in ✅ Making coming back to me FUN so she CHOOSES ME over the environment ✅ Want some help with your own dogs recall? Get in touch for a limited time promotional offer 🤗

Not a massive fan of the bathing process, (which is necessary when one rolls in dead fish), but is all in for the blow dry! #labrador #labradorretriever #dogsofinstagram #hairdryer #cute #ilovedogs #dogtraininglife

Partake in the joy of being out with your dog! 🐾 Enjoy their company and create fun experiences for them that involve you. As well as filling you with joy and giving you a hit of endorphins, this can also help strengthen your bond with each other, as well as helping to support your recall progress. Of course all dogs are different and will value different interactions when out and about! Work with the dog in front of you and be lead by what they love as an individual 🥰

Looking for a safe, force free piece of equipment to use for a dog who pulls a lot? The idea of this equipment is not to stop your dog from pulling (you should never use or rely on equipment as a solution to ‘stop’ pulling), rather to make the walk more comfortable, safe, and manageable for yourself, and your dog. This is one of a few great options! If you have any questions, drop me a message! 🙂 #dogsofinstagram #harness #ttouch #dogwalking #pulling #dogsthatpull #dogtraininglife #dogtips #ilovedogs #spaniel

What you can predict you can plan for in advance. Set your dog up for success this November. Preventative measures are always better than having to react in the moment. Get in touch if you have any questions 🐾 #dogsofinstagram #ilovedogs #canine #dogtraining #fireworks #forcefreetraining #prepare #animal

Why is it always a sit? 🤷🏼‍♀️ Control is NOT the answer! 🚫 Dogs have emotions and big feelings about some things in life, just like us. And this is okay! Dogs should be allowed to express how they feel and more importantly, we should listen and do what we can to help them feel safe and supported. ‘Training’ should aim to support your dog, and not just focus around how to ‘stop’ the unwanted behaviour, rather be routed in WHY they feel and behave this way, and how we can better manage situations and support them in the long run 🦮 . . . #dog #dogreactivity #dogsofinstagram #ilovedogs #animal #dogtraininglife #dogtrainer #dogwalking #dogstagram #stop

A suitably tired Ciara after a great training session. We are working on engagement during off lead time and building her humans confidence that she will come back with distractions around. Recall doesn’t mean we take away or stop our dogs from doing all of the things they want too (what we call the distractions). During this session Ciara still played off lead with other dogs. She did lots and lots of sniffing (her fave), and still had freedom to wander off and explore. BUT we still had successful and more importantly, an enthusiastic Ciara coming back to us! Want to work on your own confidence around having your dog off lead? Drop me a message! #recall #dogs #labrador #ilovedogs #dogtrainer #dogwalk #dogsofinstagram #recalltraining #dogswillbedogs #forcefreetraining #positivereinforcement

Thinking of getting a dog? Not enough people do research into what breed of dog would best suit their lifestyle, and make a big decision based purely on looks. It is important to remember that dogs have their own set of needs, and certain breeds will be more genetically inclined to behave in certain ways as a result of years worth of selective breeding. Adding a dog to the family is a big decision and long term commitment. The responsibility that comes with being a dog parent shouldn’t be taken lightly. Knowing the breed and having the right environment and lifestyle for it could make the world of difference 🐾 #dog #ilovedogs #dogbreeds #research #dogsofinstagram #puppy #cute #doggo #labradorretriever #spaniel #germanshepherd #jackrussell #husky #puppies #dogtrainer

There are things we can do to help prepare our dogs and set them up for success for things they may have to experience in life. Dogs aren’t born knowing how to wear a collar or harness, they won’t necessarily like having a bath or being towel dried, and they may be afraid of household items such as the hoover or a hairdryer! It is always worth taking it slow. Build with baby steps. There are always other ways other than using force and fear with our pets, and the results can be amazing! 🐾 #forcefreetraining #rewardbasedtraining #positivereinforcement #love #bekindtoyourdog #trust #dogsofinstagram #dog #labrador #labradorretriever #hairdryer #bathtime

Prioritise spending quality time with your dog. They may only be a part of your life, but to them, you are their world 🌎 #lovedogs #dogsarelife #dogsarefamily #dogsarethebest #labrador #labradorretriever #dogtraining #dogwalker #nature #dogsofinstagram #dogs #cute