Paws & Minds

07/10/2025

Meet Walter!

I met 14-week-old Walter and his guardian today for their first 1:1 training session.

His big brother Stanley came along to our Mixed Sports Class earlier in the summer, so it was lovely to meet the newest family member.

Like many young pups, Walter’s world is very exciting. Everything is worth exploring!

Today we focused on helping him start to develop calmness, confidence and self-control in a way that still keeps training fun and positive.

We worked on:
🐾 Encouraging four paws on the floor instead of jumping.
❤️ Using a marker word to clearly show when he’s made a good choice.
🐶 Starting to settle when there are interesting things happening.
🐕‍🦺 Building confidence around his harness so it becomes part of his normal routine.

For most puppies, the key things to remember are:
💤 Rest is essential. Tired puppies find it hard to make good choices, and can need around 18-20 hours rest!
🐕 Slow and steady wins. Give time for thinking and learning.
🫶 Consistency helps your puppy feel secure and understand what’s expected.

If you’d like to start your puppy off with a calm, choice-based approach, my Puppy 1:1 options are designed to set you both up for success right from the beginning.

Message or WhatsApp 07462 669 301 to find out more.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

06/10/2025

Today I met Dan and his new family.

If you follow local rehoming centre pages you may already be familiar with Dan and his story.

He’s had a pretty challenging young life, finding himself abandoned outside a rehoming centre.

If that wasn’t enough, Dan had a very nasty leg injury which he’s still recovering from many, many months later.

His life has recently taken a very significant upturn, having found his new family!

Today was a starting from scratch training session to start building some strong foundations for Dan’s behaviour choices.

The training session was also about supporting his guardians with what they need to know and how to continue Dan’s training.

It can feel a bit daunting bringing home an adult sized dog, who doesn’t necessarily behave how you think they will!

Dan has a lot going on in his life so far, all of which can impact on his learning and current behaviour choices.

His past is unknown, training limited, leg is still healing (and that means wearing a lampshade quite a bit of time), only around 12 months old and developing into an adult dog, spent 4 months in a rehoming centre, and now he’s getting used to a new home, family and wider world.

Phew! That’s a lot to pack into a year!

Today Dan worked his paws off, and showed us all just how smart he is. Making lots of great choices, with relevant guidance and support.

I think he enjoyed the training session as I got a lovely mention on his Instagram post! Thank you Dan!

This boy has a very bright future ahead, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Dan and his family’s journey takes them.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

If I’d been on the ball I’d have taken a photo of Dan without his lampshade on during training 🫤!

03/10/2025

When fireworks are at their peak, walks may not be the best option, but your dog still needs ways to expend energy and relax.

Here are some at home alternatives: to out and about exercise:
⭐️ Food enrichment: stuffed Kongs, lick mats, puzzle feeders, cardboard box, towel,..., your imagination is the limit!
⭐️ Scent games: scatter feeding, hide-and-seek with treats or a toy. Start of with easy wins if this is new to your dog.
⭐️ Interactive play: tug, chase, retrieve, training games, or you could try teaching a trick or two.
⭐️ Relaxation training: teaching your dog to settle with you, try some gentle massage if your dog would enjoy it.

Mental stimulation can be just as tiring as a walk, and it helps your dog feel calmer indoors when the outside world feels overwhelming.

If you’re worried about how your dog will cope this year, I can help you put a tailored plan in place. Send me a message, preparation now makes for a much calmer November.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

02/10/2025

Even with preparation, some dogs need a little extra help to feel calm and safe during firework season.

There are natural products that many guardians find useful, and it’s important to choose ones that are well-researched and trusted.

A couple of options include:

🌿 Pet Remedy
A gentle blend of valerian, vetiver, sweet basil, and clary sage. Available as plug-ins, sprays, and wipes, it can help create a calmer atmosphere for your dog at home.
✨ As a Pet Remedy affiliate, you can use my code 'PawsMinds' at checkout for 25% off your purchase from the Pet Remedy website.

🌿 Dorwest
Dorwest have been making trusted herbal supplements for decades. Their Valerian Compound (liquid) and Scullcap & Valerian Tablets are popular choices for dogs who struggle with fireworks and other loud noises.
✨Dorwest have a 25% discount code for calming bundles at the moment. ‘FIREWORKS25’ at check out.

Important to remember:
Start trialling products now, not on firework night, so you can see how your dog responds.

Every dog is different. What helps one may not suit another.

If your dog is particularly worried, or you already know fireworks are a huge struggle, speak to your Vet about medication options in plenty of time to trial doses. For some dogs, this is the kindest and most effective route.

Supporting your dog through fireworks often takes a mix of preparation, safe spaces, enrichment, and the right calming aids.

Tomorrow I’ll share ideas for when walks aren’t an option.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

01/10/2025

Yesterday I shared tips for supporting your dog out and about during firework season.

Today is all about making home feel safe.

Here are some simple but effective ways to help your dog through firework season:
⭐️ Draw curtains/blinds to block flashes.
⭐️ Use TV or radio a little louder to mask bangs.
⭐️ Create a cosy den (a covered crate, blankets over chairs, etc.).
⭐️ Offer long-lasting chews, stuffed Kongs, or food games for distraction.

Start practising changes to your routines and set-up at home now, don't wait until fireworks start.

And the big myth to bust ❌: comforting your dog does not make them more fearful.
If your dog wants cuddles, give them.
If they’d rather be alone, that’s okay too.

These small steps at home, combined with changes to your routine outside, can really reduce stress.
Tomorrow I’ll share some trusted natural products that can help.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

01/10/2025

Today is 'Restart a Heart Live'

Not dog training, but a topic that can unfortunately affect each and every one of those of us on the other end of the lead.

Free CPR training running online on the hour today until 9pm.

Whether you've got previous training and would like a reminder/to refresh of your knowledge, or you've never considered what's involved in CPR simply sign up and it's 20 minutes of your time.

I've signed up for 5pm, as a refresher to top up my skills. Have you signed up?

restartaheart.live
https://www.restartaheart.live

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

JOIN US LIVE Restart a Heart Live 2025.Wednesday 1st October Join LIVESTREAM Be Ready to Save a LifeLast year, we broke a Guinness World Record. This year, we’re aiming even higher: to train 1 million people in CPR by 2027 and we need you on the team.On Wednesday 1st October, join our free, live, ...

30/09/2025

💥 It might feel a little early to be talking about fireworks… but preparation makes all the difference.

For many dogs (and their guardians), firework season is stressful.

What used to be one night has now stretched into weeks of bangs, flashes, and smoke.

By starting now, you give your dog time to adjust to small changes before the big event.

You could try altered walk times, a different evening routine, or using calming supports.

If your dog struggles with fireworks, now’s the time to:
⭐️ Practise walks in daylight hours.
⭐️ Explore quieter routes or book secure fields.
⭐️ Trial changes to feeding and toilet times.
⭐️ Get into the habit of supervising in the garden on a lead or longline.

The sooner you start, the calmer it feels when firework season hits.

Tomorrow I’ll share some ideas to make your home a safe haven.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

Photo by rovenimages

29/09/2025

It concerns me how often guardians tell me they’ve asked their vet about treatment options, only to be told things like:
• there’s no need for treatment,
• their dog is just badly behaved and needs training,
• they should consider rehoming if they can’t cope,
• neutering will ‘fix’ behaviour in a puppy or young dog.

Hearing this can feel incredibly disheartening when you’re reaching out for help, and worse, it can delay the support your dog truly needs.

Here’s the thing: vets are hugely skilled, but they don’t hold every piece of the puzzle.

There are many other canine professionals; physiotherapists, behaviourists, hydrotherapists, groomers, trainers,…

Each of us bringing a different perspective and set of skills.

We see dogs in different contexts, gathering information that can be just as valuable to their wellbeing as what happens in the vet clinic.

When we work together, dogs and their families benefit from more rounded, effective care.

If something doesn’t feel right, or your concerns are brushed aside, please don’t ignore it.
- You are entitled to seek a second opinion.
- You can ask for a referral.
- You can explore other avenues of support.

For my own dogs, I’m fortunate to have a GP vet who values collaboration. He has supported me working alongside a herbal vet, a behaviourist, a physiotherapist, a hydrotherapist, and a chiropractor.

This joined-up approach has made such a difference, and it’s exactly what I want for my clients too.

You don’t have to accept “there’s nothing wrong” or “there’s nothing else to do” as the final answer.

Your dog’s wellbeing is always worth asking the extra questions.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

26/09/2025

Dogs don’t miss a thing...

They’re masters at spotting the tiniest shifts in our movement.

Things we don’t even realise we’re doing!

On a call today with a wonderful guardian, we ended up laughing about this very thing. In case you're wondering, it was at her suggestion I mention what follows...

This person knows she has a bit of a habit of dipping her hand into the treat pouch before saying her dog’s marker word.

I have to admit I did spend most of our last session gently reminding her not to!

It sounds like such a small detail, but for her dog it makes a big difference.

That little hand movement is as clear as a flashing neon sign: “food is coming!”, so by the time the marker word arrives, the meaning is muddled.

This is why detail matters.

The smallest actions from us can make a huge difference to our dog’s understanding.

Sometimes, what we need most isn’t for our dog to learn something new, but for us to slow down, take a breath and notice our own habits. That way we can give our dogs clearer information, avoiding the confusion.

It's also a great reminder… if it takes us time and practice to change our own behaviour, why do we so often expect our dogs to change theirs overnight?

Training is full of these little lightbulb moments, and sometimes a good laugh too.

If you’d like some help spotting the tiny details that make all the difference, that’s exactly what I’m here for.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

25/09/2025

Meet Toyah 🥰,

She’s a beautiful young Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and you know I have a soft spot for a Staffy!

That heady mix of ‘bull in a china shop’ approach to life, coupled with emotional response with the sensitivity of a mercury switch!

It can all feel a bit overwhelming as a guardian.

Toyah is at that potentially difficult adolescent stage, and it’s proving to be a bit of a battle of wills in her home.

Today was all about helping to relieve some of that frustration and pressure, for humans and canine.

Sharing information why behaviour choices are happening and offering some initial practical, supportive solutions.

I’ll let you know how Toyah and her family get on.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

24/09/2025

Today I've had two real highlights...

Firstly this afternoon I was back working with Fagan, an ex-racing Greyhound, and his family. I first met him in May.

His training plan was starting from the very beginning, with the focus on building his confidence in himself and his new family.

We've had a break from training sessions for around 4 months for various reason. I wasn't totally sure what to expect today.

Oh my goodness, what a lovely greeting I got! Excited tippy tappy paws, little skips and jumps, nuzzles and kisses!

Now we're looking at building Fagan's skills in the wider world; processes to help with travelling and arriving in new places, ways to occupying him to keep his stress levels lower, and gradually building his independence and skills.

Training is going to be taken really slowly as he's easily overwhelmed.

He's grown so much since I first met him earlier in the year, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this family's progress.

Late afternoon I had the first follow-up call from an Initial Consultation with Fred's guardians. They got in touch having tried all sorts of supportive ways to help Fred cope in the wider world, over many years.

Nothing has quite got the results they had hoped for, despite so much time and effort, and it was all very emotional.

Super pleased to hear they're already seeing positive changes, and are excited for what's ahead. I'll share more of Fred's story in the coming weeks.

After all of that positivity Callie and I had a bit of quality time together learning in Scent Sports class this evening. I love learning about my dogs, and today's class was no exception!

No photos of Fagan and Fred, but one of Callie (her serious face) from class tonight.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

23/09/2025

This is Dotty...

She's a young Poodle x Bedlington Terrier, and today she absolutely worked her paws off!

In a brand-new environment, with dogs barking nearby, people walking to and from the car park, and plenty of distractions all around, Dotty showed just how far she’s come.

Not long ago, situations like this would have been overwhelming for her.

She’d have either been asking non-stop for reassurance, or working herself up into an anxious, barking frenzy.

Not today!
✨ She checked in beautifully with her guardian.
✨ Sniffed and explored with confidence.
✨ Showed off some lovely loose lead walking.
✨ Stayed calm and collected, even with other dogs and people around.

Dotty's progress is down to the patience, consistency, and dedication of her guardian, who has been steadily working through her training plan. It's meant a lot of change, and that's no mean feat.

Together they’re building trust, understanding, and new skills, and it’s paying off in leaps and bounds.
I couldn’t be prouder of this team!

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠