Bark to Basics dog training and rehabilitation

Bark to Basics dog training and rehabilitation Dog training, puppy training, puppy obedience, dog recall training, dog resource guarding,dog jumpin
(216)

13/09/2025

“We wanted something small and easy… so we got a Jack Russell.” These are words that I have heard multiple times from struggling owners of small breeds 😳🙈.

Now the sofa’s been shredded, the cat’s in hiding, and their living room looks like a crime scene.

Here’s the thing: small dog ≠ low maintenance.
Jack Russells were bred to hunt. That drive doesn’t shrink with their size. They’re smart, fast, and fully committed to chaos if under-stimulated. A bored Jack Russell will invent hobbies. You won’t like them.

Choosing a dog by size alone is like choosing a car by colour. Sure, it looks cute in your feed—but can you handle the horsepower?

Before you fall for the “small = easy” myth, ask yourself:
– Can I offer daily mental stimulation?
– Do I enjoy training challenges?
– Am I okay with a dog that might outsmart me?

Small dogs can be mighty handfuls. Choose a dog that fits your lifestyle, not just your square footage.

Share this with a friend whose thinking of getting a small dog.

07/09/2025

Bone defying dog poses!
One of my dogs had a tendency to sleep in ways that confuse a chiropractor.
Why Dogs Sleep Like They've Been Assembled
Incorrectly.

🛌Ever walked into a room and found your dog sleeping with one leg on the wall, their head upside down, and their tail doing the YMCA?
Science says dogs sleep like this because they feel safe and relaxed.
We say: they're auditioning for Cirque du So-Lay-Down.

Whether it's the "Twisted Pretzel," the "Upside-Down Shrimp," or the classic "| Forgot I Had Bones" pose-your dog's sleep style is less nap, more interpretive art.

Got a canine contortionist? Drop a pic in the comments or tag a friend whose dog sleeps like it's trying to send a message to NASA.


'sWatching

Got a Labradoodle? 🐩 Doodle Training 101: Because Your Dog Is 50% Cloud, 50% ChaosWelcome to the doodle dimension, wher...
06/09/2025

Got a Labradoodle?
🐩 Doodle Training 101: Because Your Dog Is 50% Cloud, 50% Chaos

Welcome to the doodle dimension, where your dog looks like a teddy bear but moves like a caffeinated squirrel.

✨ Breed-specific training tip #1:
Your doodle is part retriever. That means they were genetically engineered to carry things in their mouth. Shoes, socks, your dignity—whatever’s closest.
🧠 Teach a “hold” cue and redirect that mouthy energy to something useful. Like a toy. Or something that you want to teach your dog to transport to your partner on the other side of the house! Make them work 😁.

✨ Tip #2:
They’re also part poodle. Which means they’re smart. Like, “figure out how to open the fridge and eat your leftovers” smart.
🎯 Use scent games, and training sessions that challenge their brain. Continue to increase the difficulty level of these games too, or they’ll invent their own games. Spoiler: You won’t like them.

✨ Tip #3:
Doodles are social butterflies with separation anxiety levels that rival your clingiest ex.
💡 Practice short departures, build independence, and normalize chill time.

🌀 Training a doodle isn’t about control—it’s about channeling the fluff tornado into something fabulous.
And remember: behind every doodle zoomie is a cry for enrichment.


04/09/2025

STAND ALONE LEAD SKILLS AND SOCIALISATION CLASS. 🐾🐾

Got a dog that's a bit of a handful on a walk or when you come across dogs/people?

Come and join for some fun this Saturday 6th September 9.30-10.30am:
Lead skills and socialisation class!
Group session designed for any age and abilities catered for.
We will be working on getting better focus from your dogs whilst other distractions are going on.
If you would like to secure a spot on the group session please send an email to me on
[email protected].

Location is past The Pelican pub on the B4524 going towards Ogmore then first left lane approx 500 metres further on. Park alongside this lane and we gather at the bottom. If you have the app what three words, this will take you to the meeting point. The words are latter.oven.calm
https://w3w.co/latter.oven.calm

Cost is £10/dog and £5 for each additional dog.
Limited numbers so this will be on a first come first served basis.
N.B. These sessions are not suitable for antisocial dogs.

Any questions contact me on 07808645663. # dogsocialisationclasses

I often get owners feeling genuinely pleased with themselves for having bought and provided their dogs with enrichment t...
31/08/2025

I often get owners feeling genuinely pleased with themselves for having bought and provided their dogs with enrichment toys of all types.

🧠✨ Enrichment toys are brilliant… but they’re not a substitute for YOU.

Giving your dog a puzzle feeder and calling it a day is kind of like handing a toddler an iPad and hoping it teaches them empathy, social skills, and emotional regulation. Sure, it’ll keep them busy. But it won’t build a relationship.

For very young puppies, enrichment toys are gold — they help develop problem-solving, confidence, and independence in bite-sized, age-appropriate ways. Think of them like toddler toys: simple, safe, and engaging.

But older dogs? They need more. More challenge. More connection. More YOU.

🗣️ Training, play, and real-world interaction build trust, communication, and emotional resilience. That’s where the magic happens — not just in the treat dispenser.

So yes to enrichment. But even bigger yes to showing up, tuning in, and growing together.

Let’s raise dogs who feel seen, not just occupied. 💛.

That look you get when you’re not sure if it’s never ending love or plotting your demise to get the inheritance that’s b...
24/08/2025

That look you get when you’re not sure if it’s never ending love or plotting your demise to get the inheritance that’s behind it 😂♥️🐶🐾🐾.

🐾 Over-Socialising Puppies: When “More” Isn’t Better 🐾I often get contacted by new owners who want to get their dog into...
23/08/2025

🐾 Over-Socialising Puppies: When “More” Isn’t Better 🐾

I often get contacted by new owners who want to get their dog into ‘socialisation classes’.
We all want our pups to be confident and friendly, but here’s the plot twist: too much socialising in puppyhood can backfire.

🚫 Constant exposure to new dogs, people, and places — without rest or choice — can overwhelm a young pup’s nervous system. Instead of building confidence, it can teach them that the world is chaotic and unpredictable. It can also teach them to that what you want them to do is to go and greet all dogs/people.

⚠️ Repercussions in adulthood?
• Hyper-vigilance
• Lead reactivity.
• Difficulty settling in new environments
• Over-dependence on stimulation to feel “safe”

✅ What they really need:
• Calm, controlled experiences
• Time to observe from a distance
• Positive associations at their own pace
• Plenty of rest and decompression

This is what training classes are for. Socialising through controlled exposure whilst focusing on other tasks rather than greeting.

The lovely little dog in the photo is a client from this week who had lead reactivity when unable to greet dogs. This is a direct consequence of being over socialised. Completely avoidable.
Socialisation isn’t a race — it’s a slow dance. Take the time to be your dogs fun and sidekick and not rush towards pushing them onto other dogs constantly. 💛

21/08/2025

******Sold out*******

The next Beginners Obedience course will be starting on Tuesday 9th Sept at 5.15-6.15pm

Dates are below:
Sept 9th, 30th,
Oct 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
Nov 4th, 11th,

Should the unlikely event of something needing to be attended to by the course trainer it may be needed to push on one or two of the dates on a week.

The content of the classes will show you how to teach:
Sit, down and holding these positions until they are given a release cue from them.
Stand, wait and stay and the difference between the two commands.
Loose lead walking as well as heel on the left and the right.
Play and drop of the toy.
Targeting, back, recall, eye contact.
The difference between yes and no as well as a rapid response to their name.
Some easy agility type activities that you can do when out in your walks on everyday objects as well as some other fun exercises.

These will be held in a unit in Brackla Industrial Estate. It will be for 8 weeks at a cost of £125 for the course.

These are suitable for dogs that are sociable with humans and other dogs.
All dogs must be vaccinated or at least be in their first vaccine and booked in for their second.

Class notes will be emailed after each session so that if any are missed it is possible to catch up. There will also be access to closed Facebook groups for videos of what is taught in each class to be viewed to assist in your training should you miss a class.

Should you miss any of the sessions during the course you will have access to the videos for what was taught in that session to catch up.

There will also be an option of continuing onto a further course after completion of the first which concentrates on enhancing what is learnt in the first course and more complex material to keep you and your dog learning together.
Please note your place will be reserved on receipt of payment and this is non refundable should you wish to cancel/postpone unless your place gets filled after your cancellation.

If you would like a place email on [email protected]
or message through the Bark to Basics FB page.
Nia🐾🐾.

17/08/2025

Nearly two decades in dog training have taught me one thing above all:

🐾 Patience isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Whatever you are teaching your dog , progress takes time. Real results come from calm repetition, boundaries that are understood , and daily repetition.

🐶 There’s no such thing as a perfect dog.
Forget the highlight reels on social media. Dogs are beings with emotions just like we do and have off days, get distracted, feel anxious. The goal should be progress not to be flawless. It’s building a partnership that works in the real world.

🎨 Dog training is an art form.
Honing timing and technique as well as getting a gut feel for things. Creating connection is just as important as teaching commands.
Being the best handler is about being the clearest.

🔍 Details make the difference.
How you hold the lead. When you mark a behaviour. The energy you bring into the room. These tiny choices either guide your dog—or confuse them. They matter more than you think.

📆 Consistency is everything.
One class a week won’t cut it. What you do at home, on walks, in the rain, when no one’s watching—that’s what shapes your dog.

So show your dog how much you value them by keeping your side of the bargain and train 🐾🐾.

13/08/2025

STAND ALONE LEAD SKILLS AND SOCIALISATION CLASS. 🐾🐾

Got a dog that's a bit of a handful on a walk or when you come across dogs/people?

Come and join for some fun this Sunday 17th August:
Lead skills and socialisation class!
Group session designed for any age and abilities catered for.
We will be working on getting better focus from your dogs whilst other distractions are going on.
If you would like to secure a spot on the group session please send an email to me on
[email protected].

It will be from 9.30-10.30am.

Location is past The Pelican pub on the B4524 going towards Ogmore then first left lane approx 500 metres further on. Park alongside this lane and we gather at the bottom. If you have the app what three words, this will take you to the meeting point. The words are latter.oven.calm
https://w3w.co/latter.oven.calm

Cost is £10/dog and £5 for each additional dog.
Limited numbers so this will be on a first come first served basis.
N.B. These sessions are not suitable for antisocial dogs.

Any questions contact me on 07808645663.

Address

Bridgend
CF312AQ

Telephone

07808645663

Website

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