Lolo's owners reached out as they were struggling with transferring skills from classes into real life. Lolo would pull on the lead, find it hard to engage with her owner, and sometimes put on the brakes and not walk at all.
We took things at Lolo's pace whilst her owners learnt about making her time out more about her experience on the walk rather than the distance covered.
Lolo felt more confident and wanted to explore further and was able to engage with us more with some tweaks to how we rewarded her.
Here's what they said:
"We had 3 fantastic walk and train sessions with Leaf. She really helped us to overcome some issues we had around pulling on the lead and focus and engagement. My husband was having a particularly hard time walking Lolo, and they would often both return frustrated. He took Lolo out for a walk the day after our first session and said it was the best walk he's had with her. Walks are now a lot more enjoyable for everyone"
If you'd like to find out more about our Walk & Train service, send a message!
#dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogwalking #trainingwalk #happydog #leadwalking #frustrateddogowner #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies
What do you do!?!?
These are just a few of the things I do on every walk!
Here's an explanation of why..
1. Rewarding check-ins encourages focus, connection, and staying close. It also directly links to lead skills and recall.
2. The walk is FOR my dogs, so we will stop and sniff for as long as they want to.
3. Of course, I take food rewards and toys out with me, but access to smells, puddles, and other fun things are great rewards, too.
4. To aim to make our walks as enjoyable as possible all round, I won't consciously enter into places or situations where I know my dogs will be uncomfortable
5. This is key for good lead skills. You know its second nature when you stop, regardless of the situation, even when crossing the road 🤦♀️
Above all else, consistency is key 🔑
I'd love to know what things you do on every walk....
Tell me in the comments!
#dogwalk #walkingthedog #dogwalking #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogs #dogsofinsta #labrador #goldenretriever #trainingtips #dogloversofinstagram #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies #dogmum #puppywalk
Tell me I'm not the only one?!?!
Thanks to @fredsprocker for posting about @tailsofblackwoof
#dogwalking #mydogisincharge #HappyDogHappyLife #dogwalkingfield #dogsofinstagram
Thoughts that will HELP your dog training!
It's so easy to get caught in a trap and think unhelpful thoughts when it comes to training your dog, so here's how you can reframr the thoughts in the video...
✅️ My dog needs to be shown what I would like from them and would benefit from my guidance! I need to learn how to help them learn desired behaviours as early as possible.
✅️ Oooh, I dont want this to become a habit! I should consider why it is happening and how I can help them learn an alternative so they don't practise the unwanted for too long.
✅️ I should seek professional help. I'm grateful for advice from friends/family, but what worked for their dog won't necessarily work for mine!
✅️ I did the best I could with the knowledge I had at the time. I am continually learning what's best for my dog, and with hindsight, I may have done things differently in the past, but that's OK!
✅️ I need support and guidance to help me understand my dog and how to train them effectively. Training is just as much for me as it is my dog! We'll learn together ❤️
👌Dont put off working with a trainer or go it alone until you're desperate because it will take longer to unlearn than learn!
FOLLOW for supportive, judgement free advice
#dogs #dogtraining #puppytraining #dogtrainer #puppies #dogsofinstagram #dogmum #dogparent #Buckinghamshire #UK #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies
Find out why your walks are unsuccessful!
Training in the garden or training class is going well, but when you head out for your walk, things seem to go to pot... let's explore one reason why 🤔
You haven't considered the purpose of your walk 🚶♀️
In training, we focus on one skill or aspect, BUT on a walk, we generally attempt to combine everything into one short period of time, mixing up a variety of skills and changing rules!
It's SO easy for your dog (and you) to get confused by what's expected when!
When you decide on the purpose of our walk beforehand, you set clear rules and goals and help you to stay focussed and your dog succeeds.
Here are a few categories I split my walks into
1. Training - a short walk (max 15 mins) with no specific route/direction where we focus on one skill, usually lead skills.
2. Sniffy Mooch - long line, quiet location, route chosen by my dog's nose
3. Social - a meet-up with one or two canine friends to practise social manners
4. Freedom - a fenced dog walking field, no rules (within reason), you're free to be a dog.
5. A2B - we need to get somewhere quick, have a purpose, or are following a route
I aim to have a healthy balance between all 5 over a time period.
Which category do your walks fit into? Do you have a healthy balance? Let me know in the comments!
Remember to FOLLOW for more dog training tips and advice
#dogwalks #walkingthedog #dogs #dogtraining #toptips #dogtrainingadvice #recall #leadskills #puppies #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies #aylesbury #Buckinghamshire
Welcome!!!
You've found a supportive trainer who will never judge you (or your dog!), always sets realistic expectations, and most importantly coaches you through any challenges to help you progress in the direction you want to!
FOLLOW for training tips, a fresh perspective, and education.
LISTEN to my podcast The Dynamic Dog Owner, which is full of information to support you on your dog parenting journey - link in bio!
#dogs #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies #dogtraining #puppies #puppytrainer #dogmum #dogparent #dogmumlife #buckinghamshire #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips
Here's the truth no matter what you do or how your dog behaves when you are out together, there will ALWAYS be people who aren't happy with your dog!
The only people whose opinions matter are yours and those people who spend a lot of time with you/your dog.
If you are constantly trying to please other people, you'll easily lose sight of what's important to you, set unrealistic expectations, and put unnecessary pressure on your relationship and training efforts.
Now, I'm the first to admit that none of my dogs are perfect (if they were, life would be pretty boring 😉).
Dave is so full of life and adores people, Fred is a bit wary of people and new things, and Rem is so chilled on walks and ignores people completely.
When meeting people on walks, they complain that Dave is too 'extra' and over enthusiastic. People either laugh at Fred or are offended if he warily barks at them.
Now you'd think people would be happy that Rem ignores them... NOPE! On our walk today, someone was very keen to greet him and encouraged a fuss. He ignored them. They said he was rude and asked if his name was grumpy!?! 🤭🤣
Honestly, there is just no pleasing people, so stop trying!
Focus on whether YOU are happy with your dog's behaviour. That's the only opinion that matters.
What's the most ironic thing people have complained about your dog doing or not doing?
#dogs #ironic #lifeofadogtrainer #dogsofinstagram #dogtrainer #lakedistrict #aylesbury #Buckinghamshire #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies #dogwalk
Jenna shares her experience of training with Buddy since he was a puppy and how their confidence has grown
Jemma tells us all about Bella and their experience with recall and how they've grown in confidence and focus.
Watch their noses work magic, and see how a few minutes of scent work can create a happy, content dog!
It may look like my boys are simply walking and sniffing, BUT what they're doing is truly impressive!
They're following a specific trail of ground disturbance that has been created by humans walking and leaving a 'lost' item to be found.
Not only can this be a useful skill, but it also taps into their incredible scenting abilities.
Just a few minutes of tracking can give them a mental workout and leave them feeling relaxed, satisfied, and ready for a good snooze!
After our 4 hour workshop with each dog following 5 different trails, they were super tired (and so was I after laying them all!) 😴
#dogs #sniffingdogs #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies #dogtraining #scentwork #funwithmydog #dogtrainer #dogtrainerlife #Buckinghamshire
Lola, the terrier, joined us last year as she was struggling with frustration/excitement on walks, which resulted in barking and lunging at other dogs.
Walks were stressful for her AND her owners, too!
Through our 121 Programme, we supported her family to begin to change her emotions around walks, building focus and developing her lead skills. She gained confidence around other dogs, and her owners learnt how to support her every step of the way.
Now, in our weekly training club, Lola's blossoming friendship with Murray is helping her to continue to thrive and progress through her training journey.
We don't just train dogs. We empower owners to succeed 🐕✨️
Reactivity is more common than most people imagine. If you're feeling alone and need support, FOLLOW this account.
#dogs #exciteddog #reactivity #leadwalks #happywalks #dogowner #dogtraining #dogtrainer #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies #Buckinghamshire
Every time I decide to let me dog off their lead in public, I run through a quick checklist first.
Why?
Because I want my dog to succeed every time and no two days are the same.
My checklist ☑️
1. Environment Check - Is the area safe? Proximity to traffic, cliffs, maintenance workers, etc. Can I see for a good distance all around us?
2. On-lead focus - Is my dog engaged with me, finding it easy to focus, responding to instructions ON a lead?
3. Distractions - What's nearby? Are their dogs, people, wildlife, etc, that might distract my dog?
4. Mood - Is my dog calm and relaxed or overly excited or anxious? Have they been their normal self over the last few days? Has anything worried or spooked them recently?
5. Rewards - Do I have food rewards or a toy to engage with and reward my dog if I need to recall them?
If I can tick ✅️ all the boxes, then the lead comes off
BUT
I re-evaluate these checks ALL the time they are off-lead, and if anything changes, then its back on the lead until we can tick all the boxes again!
Safety first, freedom second!
#offlead #dogsofflead #recalltips #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #dogmumlife #puppytraining #dogwalks #potterpaws #trainingisforlifenotjustforpuppies
