I honestly don’t know what to think anymore 🤦♀️
There are a lot of misconceptions around what socialisation really is when it comes to puppies.
I would always recommend working with a professional who is going to guide you through dog body language, how to respond appropriately to support your dog, and how to manage their interactions with other dogs.
A lot of unwanted behaviours can be learned through badly managed interactions, and a puppy could potentially become scared and develop conflicting emotions around other dogs.
I would never expect a dog owner to know everything about dog to dog interactions or body language: that’s why professionals like me exist and invest A LOT of time and money in mastering their craft.
If you need help, there is no shame in asking - you are not supposed to know it all!
#puppyplay #puppymeetups #dogtodoginteractions #puppysocialisations #bristolpuppies
How would you feel if someone you don’t know started to run towards you at full speed?
Would you say they are just being friendly? Or perhaps rude and even scary?
#dogtodoginteractions #itsokayitsfriendly #dogbehaviour #dogetiquette #dogpark
📦 Line-up Searches with Boxes 📦
This is how we progressed Willow to search closed boxes and offer a reliable indication when the target odour is concealed.
Not being able to access the target odour can lead to frustration for some dogs, especially when indication is taught as a targeting exercise, and pawing or mouthing at the box (or pipe) is not uncommon.
I try to prevent frustration and over-arousal as much as possible when training scent detection as I want the experience to be positive for the dog (frustration is not a pleasant feeling!).
How?
By focusing on solid foundations and progressing the training step by step, without rushing through the process.
Willow has a low frustration tolerance and if confused about the exercise or what’s expected from her would likely start to show it by knocking the boxes over and moving them around.
This step by step approach ensures that the criteria are clear, for both the dog and the handler, reducing frustration and maximising success (meaning the dog gets more rewards!).
If your dog struggles with over-arousal, frustration, or pawing and mouthing at the target odour (or the container!), I have a workshop coming up on Saturday 22nd February in Bristol.
We will cover the basics of scent detection training, such as motivation to search and indication.
Message me if you’d like to learn more and book a space.
#scentwork #scentdetection #scenttraining #concealed #targetodour #bristolscentworktraining #snifferdogs
Generalisation in dog training refers to the process of teaching a dog to perfomed a specific learned behaviour not just in the context where it was initially trained but in different settings, such as across various environments, situations, and distractions.
Dogs don’t naturally generalise behaviours.
For example, a dog that learns to “sit” in the living room might not understand the same cues in the park unless trained in both environments.
Generalisation involves practising the behaviour in multiple contexts, such as:
✅ Indoors and outdoors
✅ Around different people
✅ In the presence of other dogs or distractions
I recommend that you start with minimal distractions and progressively increase the complexity.
This is important as it ensures that training is practical and functional in real-world scenarios.
If you’d like some help with this, message me!
#traininggeneralisaiton #generalisation #dogtrainingtips
Conker the Cocker Spaniel is working on her passive indication.
We are using the food method with the top of the Kong. This and the toy method (where the dog gets marked and reinforced for freezing when the toy freezes) are my favourite ways to teach an indication.
Why?
Because in my experience they make the training clearer for both dog and handler, decrease frustration and making the indication much stronger and reliable.
If your dog becomes frustrated and perhaps mouths, paws, or looks away from the target odour, I can help!
I have a new foundation course starting in February.
Message me for info!
#scentwork #scebtdetection #scenttraining #passiveindication #cockerspaniel #bristolscentwork
Scent detection training
This isn’t a Christmas miracle — it’s the result of a lot of hard (but enjoyable!) work, patience, and consistency.
To say I’m proud of Ruby for being able to search and indicate with other dogs (quite a few!) walking at a short distance away is an understatement. This isn’t a situation I would typically set up for her, but since we were already working in that area and I could see that the other dogs were calm and under control, I decided to use it as a training opportunity.
Throughout, I was carefully monitoring Ruby’s body language for any signs of discomfort or arousal. My goal was for her to feel relaxed enough to choose to work with me — and she did beautifully.
This isn’t something I’d recommend for every dog. As always with behaviour, there are many factors to consider to ensure both dog and handler are set up for success.
That said, this moment perfectly illustrates what I mean when I say scentwork can help boost a dog’s confidence and foster a more positive outlook.
You might think Ruby and I regularly do searches around other dogs — but we don’t. Even at group events, dogs work individually, with others resting in the car or positioned farther away from the search area.
Having run both types of group classes — where all dogs are in the same room and where dogs work one at a time — I find the latter to be better for both dogs and people, at least when it comes to scent detection (for other types of training it might be helpful to have dogs working in the same environment at the same time). Working individually allows dogs the freedom to focus without worrying about or getting excited by the presence of other dogs.
I’m often asked whether I run group scentwork classes where dogs are all together so they can socialise or “get used to” other dogs. I don’t tend to. Hopefully, this helps explain why I don’t think such setups are necessary.
Dogs can be introduced as distractions if and when it’s appropriate, but my
Scentwork
🐾 Want to build your dog's confidence and independence through scentwork? Here's the secret...
Start easy and focus on motivation.
Many assume food searches are too 'simple' and that to do scentwork, you need to put a dog on odour straight away. But foundational skills are important and they are the key to successful training.
In this video, you might see a dog finding a couple of treats. What I see is:
✅ A dog leaving their safe space to explore.
✅ A dog focusing on a task they enjoy, even with a stranger nearby.
✅ A dog gaining confidence to problem-solve independently.
Simple exercises like this are transformative for sensitive dogs who find the world overwhelming. They build skills not just for scent detection but for life!
🌟 New Scentwork Class FOUNDATIONS opens this week!
We will be working on:
🐕 Motivation to search.
🐕 Passive indication (you might be familiar with police dogs freezing to tell their handlers they have found something - that's what your dog can learn too!).
🐕 Introduce a target odour (Kong).
Message me to be the first to reserve your spot.
Pain and discomfort can influence a dog’s behaviour.
Labelling unwanted or undesirable behaviour as a dog being dominant can become a huge welfare issue as usually with such an interpretation comes a disregard for physical conditions that could be impacting a dog but also the use of methods likely to make the dog feel even worse (adding discomfort to discomfort is not going to help anyone feel any better).
The amount of Ruby’s hair I’ve got on my jumper 😅🤦♀️
Just a quick one to explain I’m here to help ❤️
#dogtraining #smallchanges #mindfulsupport
Hands up who would rather avoid a walk in the storm or having to get out after work on dark evening 🙋♀️
I’ve got you!
Scentwork is the answer to horrible weather and shorter days.
You can do it in the comfort and cosines of your home (and yes, you can do it in your dressing down too while sipping your favourite cup of tea 🫖).
No need for fancy equipment. You just need your dog, some treats, and a piece of Kong.
Wanna know more how to get started?
I offer scentwork classes, workshops, and 1-2-1s in Bristol and online.
Hit me up 📩 and let’s get you started!
#scentwork #scentdetection #dogwalksinthedark #wetweather #storm #happydogs #dressinggown #indoordogtraining #dogttainingbristol
📣 Shoutout to everyone who has spent HOURS navigating the internet only to become even more confused than before and find A LOT of rubbish advice 🤦♀️
If you are looking for advice and support for puppy related stuff, use the link in my bio and head over to my website.
I have a lot of free articles and blogs!
#puppyadvice #dogtrainingblog #conflictingadvice #outdatedadvice #dogtrainingtips
Hi! My name is Giulia, and I’m a qualified and experienced dog trainer. I help dog guardians understand, communicate, train, and thrive with their dogs.
