Wagology Dog Behaviour & Training

14/11/2025

Would you ever use pain to teach a child? Then why do we accept it for dogs?”**
Over the past 12 months, I’ve personally seen a worrying rise in the use of slip leads, figure-of-eight leads, garottes, and even prong collars being used to achieve loose-lead walking or to “fix” reactivity. Shockingly, I’m also seeing people within the rescue sector advocate for these tools without fully understanding how they work—particularly slip leads, but that’s a conversation for another day, today, I want to talk about the increasing use of these aversive tools.
You’ll often hear people claim “they don’t hurt the dog.”
But I strongly disagree!! And if you don’t believe me then hop on over to The Mutty Professor Roz Pooley has test driven these on herself, check out her post..
But, getting back to what I wanted to talk about…. The use of aversive equipment and the surge of “balanced training” on social media. Aversive tools like slip leads, figure-of-eight leads, garottes, and prong collars are being marketed as quick-fix miracles. But the truth is, the fallout can be devastating. The garotte for example (See photo below): it’s an extremely thin cord that sits right under the dog’s chin and around the back of the skull. This placement restricts natural movement and with just one sudden pull, whether from the handler or the dog, you risk:
• a collapsed oesophagus
• throat damage
• vagus nerve trauma (directly connected to gut function)
That’s before we even consider the unseen stress, fear, and emotional fallout these tools can cause. Don’t believe what I’m saying, Ok, let’s look at recent studies.
A January 2024 RVC study found that 82% of “pandemic puppy” owners used aversive methods to correct unwanted behaviours. Despite this, 97% of those dogs still displayed at least one problem behaviour by 21 months of age, with an average of five behaviours per dog from pulling (67%) and jumping up (57%) to poor recall (52%). Importantly: Punishment was linked to MORE problem behaviours, not fewer.
So… did these methods actually work? The science is clear, fear and pain don’t teach, they damage trust. BUT, what concerns me most is how many people believe these tools are a magic wand. But behaviour science tells us the opposite: using fear, intimidation, or pain often suppresses behaviour temporarily, but increases stress, anxiety, and reactivity long-term.
Most qualified/accredited, ethical trainers follow one simple principle:
Dogs are sentient beings. They feel - They think - They learn.
They deserve the same respect we would give any other vulnerable being.

**Social media spreads harmful methods fast… but it also spreads truth.**
That’s why at Wagology we share the whole training journey: the wins and the setbacks. Real training isn’t about perfection, because as we always say, perfection doesn’t exist. It’s about:
• trust
• communication
• understanding
• respect
• growing together as a team

In our local area, we’re fortunate to have fantastic ethical trainers like Amora Dog Training , Startrite Dog Training - Kathryn Wellock Cert.TPTD, Nutter Dogs Ltd, and many more who are doing brilliant, kind & ethical science-based work.
**We need regulation urgently**
Until then, we will keep advocating for kind, ethical, humane training, because every dog deserves it!

13/11/2025

Training isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection, teamwork, and enjoying the process. 💛

Keeping up with training doesn’t have to mean marathon sessions! Short, fun bursts here and there can make a huge difference, consistency really is key. 🐾

I like to keep up with recall and focus with Poppy, especially since she’s easily distracted by smells (the nose knows! 👃🐶).

This video is just a reminder that perfection doesn’t exist and that’s okay! You’ll see her recall started off beautifully, but just as she was about to check in… she caught a scent and off she went! 🤣

We’ve all been there and it’s totally normal. Training is full of ups and downs, and that’s what makes the journey so rewarding. 🌟

👉 Takeaway tip: When recall doesn’t go to plan, don’t sweat it! Simply make it easier next time — shorten the distance, lower distractions, and celebrate those small wins. Every successful recall builds confidence for the next one. 💪🐕

🐶 Your turn: What’s your dog’s biggest distraction during recall? Smells, squirrels, or something else? Let me know in the comments! 👇

12/11/2025

🌟 Wow wow WOW! 🌟

These amazing teams have absolutely smashed their Foundation Life Skills course, and we couldn’t be prouder! 💪🐾

You’ve all worked so hard to achieved incredible progress 💛

✨ We’re now taking bookings for our 2026 course! ✨
If you’d like to find out more or reserve your spot, drop us a message! We can’t wait to meet our next group of superstars! 🌟

09/11/2025

Can’t believe there’s yet another night of fireworks starting again 🎆
We’re really fortunate that it doesn’t affect our dogs, but there are so many others; dogs, horses, livestock,.that it truly terrifies. It’s not just animals; people living with PTSD or noise sensitivities can find this time of year incredibly hard 💔

The distress fireworks cause can range from mild anxiety to sheer panic & sadly, in some cases, even death.

If you really must have fireworks, please go to an organised display. It’s a small choice that makes a big difference to those silently suffering tonight. Let's take it back to one night rather than weeks 😪 👣🐾🐾

06/11/2025

🌟 Look at this amazing team! 🌟

Flint has been working hard on his recall and focus, no easy task when you’re on a beach full of exciting distractions and endless views! 🏖️

He and his guardian have been putting into practice some of the recall games from our Foundation Life Skills course, and just look at the progress they’ve made! 👏💛

Building reliable recall takes time, patience and teamwork, and these two are smashing it! 🙌

🌟 Want to build your dog’s focus and recall too? 🌟

Our next Foundation Life Skills course in Barnoldswick starts in less than 2 weeks, and there are only a few spaces left! 🐾

📩 Message us for more information or to book your spot today!

04/11/2025

🌟 Foundation Life Skills Week 5! 🌟

These absolute superstars have been smashing their loose lead training, and last night it all came together beautifully! 🐾✨
It’s amazing what teamwork, patience, and a little bit of fun can achieve 💛

🚨 Limited spaces left on our next Foundation Course in Barnoldswick, starting Monday 17th November, and it’s the LAST one of the year!

Don’t miss out, send us a message to find out more and grab your spot today! 🎓🐶

01/11/2025

Just this 👇👇👇

💭 What If It’s Not a Problem… But a Purpose?

When we talk about “problem behaviours” in dogs, we often start from the idea that something is wrong.
That the dog is sick, unbalanced, too much, or needs fixing.

So we try to suppress.
To quiet.
To stop.
To control.
To prevent them from rehearsing the very behaviours that make them who they are.

But let’s take a step back for a moment.
Dogs were not created to be pets. They were designed to be partners.
Every breed, every type, was intentionally crafted by humans for a purpose — a job that served us.

The herder that gathered the flock.
The terrier that cleared the home of vermin.
The gundog that retrieved our game.
The guardian that protected our homes.

Their instincts, their energy, their passion — all of it was by design.
It wasn’t a flaw to be fixed. It was a purpose to be fulfilled.

But as society evolved, those jobs disappeared — or were replaced.
The flocks that once needed gathering are now moved by quad bike.
Homes that needed guarding are now protected by alarms and cameras.
Vermin that once required a tenacious terrier are now kept in check with chemicals and pest control companies.

The dogs, though… haven’t changed.
They still carry their purpose — in every cell, in every line of their DNA.

Now, imagine this.
Think about the thing that gives you purpose.
The thing that makes you feel alive.

Maybe it’s helping others.
Maybe it’s teaching, creating, caring, running, building, painting, singing.
That thing that fills your heart and gives your life meaning.

Now imagine being told you can never do it again.
You can’t sing.
You can’t paint.
You can’t help.
You can’t move.
You can’t express who you are.

How would that feel?
Frustrating? Empty? Sad?
Would it affect your mental health? Your self-esteem? Your sense of worth?

That’s what it’s like for a dog who’s been bred for a purpose — but has nowhere to put it.
It’s not a behavioural “problem.”
It’s a purpose left unfulfilled.

Our job isn’t to suppress that drive.
It’s to honour it.
To find healthy, meaningful ways to let it shine.

That’s why I talk about the Five E’s — the daily ingredients for a fulfilled dog:
💚 Enrichment – mental challenges that engage their instincts.
💚 Exercise – movement that satisfies their drive and energy.
💚 Entertainment – fun and play that builds connection.
💚 Emotional Stability – safety, predictability, and trust.
💚 Education – learning that gives structure and purpose.

When we invest in these, we’re not “fixing” dogs — we’re allowing them to become who they were meant to be.
We’re not managing a problem.
We’re meeting a purpose.

So maybe the next time you see your dog display that unstoppable drive, that intensity, that passion — instead of asking “How do I stop it?”, try asking…
“How can I fulfil it?”

Because when we meet dogs where they are — not where we wish they’d be — something magical happens:
Calm.
Confidence.
Connection.
And a life that feels right.

Maybe it’s time we stop seeing behaviour as a symptom to cure…
and start seeing it as a story waiting to be understood. 🐾

💬 Now I’d love to hear from you:
Does your dog have a purpose that’s being fulfilled?
How do you help them live it every day?
Share your ideas below — you might just inspire someone else to see their dog through a whole new lens. 💚

29/10/2025

🎆 Firework season is here! 🎇

In the nights leading up to Bonfire Night (and often a few afterwards!), it can be a really stressful time for our dogs. Loud bangs and flashes can make them feel frightened or unsettled, but there are ways you can help! 💛🐾

✨ Here are a few simple tips to help your dog feel safer and more relaxed during firework season.

29/10/2025

Level 3 Canine First Aid trained with the fabulous & knowledgeable Rachel Bean of Canine First Aid Workshops - UK - Rachel Bean RVN
Highly recommended

29/10/2025

Moving on from yesterday’s post about society’s expectation of training “perfection”…

I wanted to share this powerful post from The Mutty Professor It really highlights how a sliplead actually works & the physical damage it can cause, demonstrated on a human neck.

⚠️ Warning: This video contains strong language & detail, but it’s important, because it brings awareness to something that’s often misunderstood or overlooked.

Let’s keep challenging outdated tools and training ideals, and focus instead on connection, understanding

28/10/2025

⭐️ Foundation Life Skills Week 4 ⭐️

Last night we worked on recall, leave it and placements. Each team are absolutely smashing it!

🚨 We have limited spaces left in barnoldswick for the LAST course of this year! Message for more information and to reserve your spot! 🚨

28/10/2025

What is perfection — Does it really exist? 🤔

At Wagology, we often talk about the human perception of perfection and the expectations society places on our dogs.

Scroll through social media and you’ll see endless clips of “perfect” heelwork, calm walks, and quick-fix transformations.
But here’s the truth, there is no such thing as perfection!

Think of a swan gliding effortlessly across the water, calm and graceful.
What we don’t see is the constant paddling going on beneath the surface.

The same applies to many of those “before and after” training videos online.
A quick snap of the fingers, or a should I say a slip lead placed high on the neck, and suddenly the dog appears calm and obedient.
But take a closer look, what is that dog really communicating?
Is their body language relaxed and comfortable, or simply compliant and under pressure?

Often, these techniques rely on discomfort to achieve obedience.
And while that might create the illusion of control, it rarely addresses the root cause. In fact, the behaviour often returns, sometimes with added frustration or reactivity.

True loose lead walking isn’t achieved in an hour.
It takes patience, understanding, consistency, and the right theoretical knowledge to support both you and your dog.
Not a YouTube tutorial, not a Facebook reel, and definitely not your mate Derek down the road who “trained his own dog.” 😉

Work with the dog in front of you, not the dog you wish them to be.
Because when we allow our dogs to be their authentic selves, that’s where the real connection — not perfection — begins. 💛🐾