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Paws & Minds

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Paws & Minds

Paws & Minds Need help and advice with training or behaviour struggles? Would you like to understand your dog better, and why they behave as they do?
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Proudly positive force free Dog Training & Behaviour Support

1:1 Training | Classes | Workshops | Puppies | Adult Dogs

Based in Dumfriesshire covering North Cumbria, West Northumberland & the Scottish Borders

Message via WhatsApp below to enquire 👇 Find out how to communicate more effectively with your dog. Use positive reinforcement, force free training to work together as a team. Learn essent

ial life skills - for all dogs of any age. Have fun!

* Training for all life stages, breeds and backgrounds
* 1-2-1
* Group classes
* Experienced with rescue/rehome struggles
* Positive reinforcement, force free training
* Behaviour advice
* In person and online options

Based near Gretna, England/Scotland border

Get in touch to find out how I can help you and your dog.

16/05/2025

Did you know that settling isn’t something puppies automatically know how to do?

Just like sit, stay, or recall, it’s a skill we can help them build gently, with patience and consistency.

In our Puppy Lifeskills classes, the basis of settling is introduced from the very first week.

Not as a ‘cue’, but as a way to help each puppy learn how to choose to rest calmly, even when there’s excitement or distraction nearby.

This isn’t about forcing stillness, it’s about building emotional regulation, confidence, and choice.

In earlier weeks of class it might look like standing, sitting or lying on a mat. In latter weeks it looks more like relaxing while others are moving around.

The puppies are learning that doing nothing is ok too.

Settling is so worth practising!
A guardian who understands this skill is building the foundations for a calmer life together with their puppy.

Have you tried teaching your puppy (or dog) to settle?
What’s been most challenging (or surprising) about it? Tell me in the comments.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

15/05/2025

Last night I shared a little bit of the start of my story with Woody, and how it didn’t quite go the way I expected.

I didn’t know back then just how much that experience would shape the kind of Dog Trainer I am now.

It taught me that real understanding often starts with overwhelm.

That it’s not always about fixing a problem, but about feeling heard and supported when you’re not even sure what questions to ask.

Whether we’ve worked together directly, spoken on a call, or you’ve read something here and feel seen, if I’ve been able to make a positive difference for you and your dog, even in a small way, that truly means a lot to me.

To have been able to offer some reassurance, guidance, or even just a moment of clarity is something I never take for granted.

Whilst having a chat this afternoon with someone whose thoughts and opinions I very much value, the topic of awards came up.

You’ll maybe know I’m a finalist in the Dog Trainer / Obedience Class of the Year – Scotland (Western & Southern) hosted by The Local Pet Awards.

Now, I know the work I do doesn’t make for great social media, it’s not flashy and dramatic. It’s quiet, kind, often slow and gentle, and it’s something I care very deeply about.

This is where it starts to feel awkward for me, but here goes…

If anything I’ve done has helped you and your dog feel more connected, more confident, more understood, I would be incredibly grateful if you’d take a moment to vote for me.

Voting closes this Sunday at noon, and your support would mean so much.

You can vote on The Local Pet Awards website, link in the comments.

Thank you,
Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

14/05/2025

I didn't set out to re-home a dog with the challenges, I was wanting a companion I could take everywhere.

For many rehomed dogs, the extent of behaviour choices aren't fully apparent for several months.

This was the case for Woody. Though from the start he found it incredibly difficult to settle, mouthed, pulled like a steam train, and was very sensitive to touch and noises.

I did try to find some help early on, but I was never quite sure if I was going to ask the 'right' question, or be able to explain what support I felt I needed.

There are all sorts of reasons for putting off seeking help, often until the issues become almost unbearable to live with.

As a guardian I really do understand the impact of living with a dog with challenging behaviours can have on all aspects of life.

Now as a Dog Trainer, I understand why those behaviours are happening, and I can provide you with practical and supportive solutions.

When you start work with me the initial aim is to make simple changes that offer you and your dog some much needed relief.

Always working with your dog, and with you in a kind and considered way, to put in place the structure and understanding to enable those changes to last.

If you'd like more information about 1:1 support have a look at the Paws & Minds website and book in for an initial call, it's easier to get started than you might think.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

13/05/2025

It’s another warm one! ☀️

Our routines change when the weather is this warm.

Outings need to be early or late in the day, and time outdoors is restricted to prevent both dogs getting too hot.

Woody likes to sunbathe and Callie likes to terrorise the lizards and any critters unfortunate enough to be out and about!

Today we’re experimenting with pate-popsicles to give some different taste, texture and temperature options with food.

What does your dog enjoy to help keep them cool and occupied when it’s hot?

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

12/05/2025

All set with The Creative Canine for Puppy Lifeskills 6pm & 7:15pm classes!

Looking forward to meeting our new teams.

What a place to call ‘office’ 😁

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

09/05/2025

Voting is now OPEN for The Local Pet Awards Scotland 2025...

I'm very proud to have been nominated, and would love you to cast your vote for Paws & Minds in the 'Dog Trainer / Obedience Class of the Year' category - the last category on the list!

There's some tough competition and every vote will count.

Many of you will know Siobhan of Paws 'n' Claws with Powerforce and Paws 2' Run. She's been nominated for a number of categories including 'Dog Walker of the Year' and 'Pet Exercise Area of the Year'. Please support her with your vote too!

It is super easy to vote, link in the comments. You can vote in as many of the categories as you want to!

Voting is only open until noon on 18th May.

Thank you, I really appreciate your support 😊

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

08/05/2025

Fibre being installed today!

Bit of distraction needed whilst the engineer is placing and working up a ladder, and drilling holes in the wall 🙈

You might not be able to reach me for a little time, but all should be back up and running by mid afternoon.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

06/05/2025

Charlie had his serious face on today 🥰.

He was very studious in his final training session of the package.

His guardian had warned me they’d had some busy days recently with visitors, and a canine friend staying over.

Expectations were adjusted, along with what and how we asked Charlie to work.

We started out with some sniffing to help him relax.

Next some video of Charlie walking, sitting and lying down.

He’s had a Vet check before we started work, but I’d noticed a couple of things during our training sessions.

I’ve asked Charlie’s guardian to get him checked by a Canine Veterinary Physiotherapist. To ‘rule out’ any influence on his behaviour choices.

This little guy has been working hard since I last saw him.

Both his barking at the television and his prolonged excitement around visitors have significantly reduced.

Today we focused on developing his skills around dogs moving and barking on the television.

Lots of hard work throughout the session, making good choices and lots of wins. Charlie knocked his training out of the park!

His guardian feels more comfortable she knows how to support Charlie to make preferred choices too.

Better understanding his body language, his likely responses, influence of his routines and how to set him up to be successful.

I’ve really enjoyed working with this team.

Charlie is a super clever pup and has lots of taught behaviours. Now he and his guardian are on a different journey, one that’s all about emotions and choice for Charlie.

Excited to see where it takes them…

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

02/05/2025

Congratulations to all of Puppy and ACES Lifeskills teams who graduated on Monday evening 🎉

Puppy Lifeskills Class:
Team Nell, Team Blue, Team Mylo and Team Kaci 🐾

Team Bourg and Team Harry couldn’t make the final class due to holiday and work commitments.

ACES Lifeskills Class:
Team Willow, Team Gem and Team Finn 🐾

Very well done to all of our teams, everyone has trained hard throughout the class block.

Look forward to seeing you all in the follow on Lifeskills Power Up class starting soon!

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

01/05/2025

Tuesday evening I met (Busy) Bettie & her guardian at the training field.

Can’t tell you how much I’m appreciating have the training field space already!

We worked on lead walking and recall as part of Bettie’s training package.

Bettie hasn’t been off lead before…

We started with her on a longline to gauge her response in a new space.

I was happy to remove the longline- her guardian may have felt a little more unsure!

This is how they got on 👇

Super work from both Bettie & her (very relieved) guardian. All of their practising is paying off!⭐️

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

30/04/2025

He’s home!

All went as well as it could have. Very grateful for the support of the Vet practice staff.

Thanks so much for all of your well wishing comments and messages, they mean a lot!

A restful evening to sleep off the anaesthetic for this boy now…

Back to normal service tomorrow!

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

Address

Evertown
Canonbie
DG140TW

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 8pm
Tuesday	9am - 8pm
Wednesday	9am - 8pm
Thursday	9am - 8pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 1pm

Website

http://www.pawsandminds.co.uk/

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