Fair Weather Dog Training Club

06/08/2025

Why Scent Enrichment Matters

Your dog doesn’t just enjoy sniffing they’re biologically built for it.
Long before squeaky toys and treat pouches, dogs used their noses to survive. They sniffed out food, tracked movement, avoided danger, and explored their world in rich detail.
Domestication gave them comfort and safety but it also took away the purpose behind that sniff.

Scentwork puts it back.
Whether it’s for fun, enrichment, sports or skill-building, letting dogs use their nose taps into the most natural behaviour they’ve got. It’s not a trick it’s a genetic need.

Let’s give it back. Because your dogs worth it!

04/08/2025

The Fair Weather Dog Training Club will be starting the next Royal Kennel Club UK, Good Citizen Dog Scheme, Bronze Award (Basic Obedience), 8 week course from Thursday 25th September 2025 at Arncott village hall, Arncott near Bicester. This is for dogs of any age but puppies less than 3 months need to be fully innoculated and allowed to socialise with other dogs. In this course we will teach you how to get your dog to come back to you as soon as you call them, to walk on a loose lead, no pulling you everywhere, to socialise with other dogs and people and generally have a happy loving dog who you will be proud to take out anywhere!
If you are interested in joining this 8 week course then please contact Jennie Fairweather by FB, email [email protected] of phone 01869322996. All places must be pre-booked with a Maximum of just 8 dogs and handlers on the course.
Before starting any dog training courses first check their Instructors experience and qualifications? Do they update their training methods regularly or are they just not bothered.
Our Instructor Jennie is a Championship Show Judge for Cairn Terriers with the Royal Kennel Club, she can judge the Kennel Club good Citizen Dog Scheme at all levels. She is a Member and Fully Approved Instructor of The Academy of Dog Training and Behaviour, as well as an Agility Club Approved Instructor & Judge, Level 1 UK Agility Instructor and Judge, Instructor and Judge for ScentWork UK.
Approved Level 2 Hooperholics Instructor and been training for over 20 years!
, training, , , , walking, , , , , work To Music, 'Rally

22/07/2025

Did you know a light breeze can dramatically alter the way scent moves?
Understanding wind dynamics is a key part of setting successful scent detection hides. Even the gentlest air movement can carry odour away from the source, change the shape of the scent cone, or redirect it entirely especially in outdoor or semi-enclosed environments.

🌬️ Why this matters:
Dogs rely on working the scent cone to pinpoint source. If the odour is being pushed or pulled in another direction due to wind, they may appear to “miss” the hide when they’re actually following the scent accurately just not where you think it should be.

✅ Trainer Tip:
Always test the wind direction before placing hides. Consider using smoke or powder, or simply pay attention to leaves and fur movement. Then allow the dog to work the scent cone naturally without interference.

👃 Trust the dog, trust the nose they’re built for this.

15/07/2025

🤫 Silence isn’t a gap in training it is the training.

In scentwork (and life), it’s tempting to fill every moment with words, cues, or encouragement. But often, the best thing we can do is… pause.

🧠 Let the dog process.
🐾 Let them problem-solve.
🧩 Let them work it out without interruption.

In those quiet seconds, learning sinks in, confidence builds, and the magic happens.

Not every moment needs noise. Trust your dog. Trust the process.

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

⚠️IF IT HITS 24, WALK NO MORE ⚠️

With the weather hitting very high temperatures this weekend, it’s a responsible idea to familiarise yourself with what temperatures are safe for your dog☀️🐶

As a general rule of thumb, temperatures exceeding 24 degrees should attempt to be avoided for all dog walks. But some larger breeds, flat faced, obese or puppies could struggle in heat over 16 degrees. You should also take a moment to consider if your dog struggles with any emotional behaviour difficulties as studies have suggested that an increase in temperature can lead to a lower threshold for aggression.

Every year our vets treat hundreds of heat stroke cases and heartbreakingly, some end in tragedy. Many are unfortunately a result of owners not knowing the dangers of exercising their dogs in temperatures to hot for them to handle.

Heat-related illnesses are almost always preventable. DONT TAKE THE RISK and make sure your pet isn’t overheating in the sun ☀️ Walk your dog earlier or later in the day when the temperatures are cooler.

If you think your dog may be suffering from heat stroke, contact your vet immediately or, if out-of-hours, find your nearest emergency vet.

04/07/2025

GRASS SEEDS!! Please share…

We’ve found a fair few pesky grass seeds hidden away between toes lately!

Please do check your dogs after walks in long grass as they can actually burrow down into the skin and cause problems such as infections.

Remember to check your dog thoroughly, but the most common places to find them are between the toes, ears, legs, and armpits, and even corners of the eye and up their noses too!