Sam Humberstone - Dog Trainer

06/12/2025

A good yet very long & full day out & about, gutted 😉🥸 ⬇️ to have missed today's FABC Conference, a line-up of interesting speakers. I very much looking forward to making my way through the recordings, soon!

A perfect post-lunch presentation by Dr Amber Batson talking to us about gutsy reactions: how the gut brain axis influences resilience.

05/12/2025

Pup foundations - Wowed by the progress made in walking together on lead in one week!! It is thanks to consistency in training & the learning power of a 4 month lab's youthful brain, when taught in a suitable environment... this may soon change, as adolescence often throws in bursts of erratic behaviour, BUT good foundations will help with navigating through what can be more testing times ahead 🐾🐾

04/12/2025

Mud-caked Fursday! 🥸

On the whole Elsa has a had a good week so far, enjoyed her wanders and a few off-lead socials with other dogs & has made some new people friends too!

Tuesday morning walk, digging, lolloping about with her other favourite more youthful Collie (not Osh!), sniffing etc. Although I tried hard to keep her away she was sadly zapped by an electric fence, again, reaching towards windfall apples. Understandably she yelped and was then quite keen to get moving, sensitised, she leapt after hearing a van door slam, didn’t want to approach a walkway as a person heading our way was using a walking trolley. As soon as we got home, we played a game she knows & enjoys, to improve her mood and in the hope of lessening the impact of the bad experience.

Yesterday, & today, she’s been on much better form and enjoyed play & walks, phew! 🐾🐾

02/12/2025

We're definitely on the right track when we are seeing a dog become more & more eager to respond to a cue (command)

Training success, imo, comes when a dog wants to rather than has to, it also makes training more enjoyable too!

Recall training, the beginning - looking good!

01/12/2025

Puppy foundation
New classes starts Wednesday 7 January 13:45
Foundations 4 week course - sessions held in a lovely venue in Littlebourne

Suitable for puppies over 14 weeks old or dogs that would benefit from foundation training

Indoor & Outdoor training and activities your dog will enjoy to build stronger foundations and boost your confidence
Learn how to improve walks on lead for you & your dog
Learn about Canine Body Language
A great opportunity for your dog to be around other dogs, and to learn & practice together in a safe environment
Exercises that will help with connection

Fun, practical & wellbeing-focused learning for you & your dog

Wagtastic!

Each session is 45-60 minutes
The course is 4 sessions £110

To get you name on the list
email or message
[email protected]
or
07484 767650

I offer in-person One to One dog training, as well as running small classes for puppies, teenagers & adult dogs.

If you want to discuss your dog's training needs or behaviour concerns before booking an appointment there on my website there is an option to request a chat with me for up to 20 minutes. Please note, this is an enquiry call not a consultation, and there is no charge.

In-person visits are usually limited to within 14 mile radius of Barham.

I belong to reputable training organisations including The Animal Behaviour & Training Council.

For more information please visit
samhumberstone.co.uk

30/11/2025

What is helpful for a person & their dog to learn together/'training' needs varies, it depends on the dog as an individual and their previous experiences/learning.

If 'over'arousal is exhibited the causes may be different, eg excitement knowing something fun is about to happen or apprehension (emotions can be mixed too), how we respond will shape and impact on future experiences.
A dog is more receptive to learning when they can relax/feel safe, when they are neither apprehensive or too energetic/'revved-up'!

Photo of one of yesterday's class participants 🥰 a sensitive & smart dog from overseas. She did brilliantly in our 'real world' session, in a novel environment. Her person does a great job at recognising her emotions & responding accordingly 🐾💫

I offer in-person One to One dog training, as well as running small classes for puppies, teenagers & adult dogs.
If you want to discuss your dog's training needs or behaviour concerns before booking an appointment there on my website there is an option to request a chat with me for up to 20 minutes. Please note, this is an enquiry call not a consultation, and there is no charge.
In-person visits are usually limited to within 14 mile radius of Barham.

I belong to reputable training organisations including The Animal Behaviour & Training Council.
For more information please visit
samhumberstone.co.uk

30/11/2025

Wanted!
Someone reliable in or nr Barham for early 3x mornings (incl weekends) for 20-30 min pop-in to let dogs outs - DM me 🤞

29/11/2025

Corgi or Collie? 🥸

28/11/2025

New classes starts Wednesday 7 January 13:45

Indoor & Outdoor training and activities your dog will enjoy to build stronger foundations and boost your confidence

Learn how to improve walks on lead for you & your dog

Learn about Canine Body Language

A great opportunity for your dog to be around other dogs, and to learn & practice together in a safe environment

Exercises that will help with connection

Fun, practical & wellbeing-focused learning for you & your dog

Suitable for puppies over 14 weeks old or dogs that would benefit from foundation training

Wagtastic!

Each session is 45-60 minutes

The course is 4 sessions £110
To get you name on the list
email or message
[email protected]
or
07484 767650

28/11/2025

Life with an adolescent dog can be testing, even when you know a thing or two about dogs!

Elsa (almost 11 months) looking chilled here in the photo, she's currently asleep under my desk, it took a little while...

After our afternoon wander, she stood outside & barked at me while I was doing some chores in the kitchen... in theory she shouldn't have been hungry, I cleaned & topped-up the outside water bowl. She had a drink. Back to barking into the kitchen, and then she wandered off had a wee, and came in & settled in her bed... she then followed me to my desk and started to try pull up flooring, I got her a wooden root she chews on, she chewed on it, then went back to the flooring. I held her chew, she chewed on it... and then she fell asleep - she barks quite a lot, less than she did, real life!
With her attempt at flooring 're-styling', she showed a preference for what she wanted to do, so I re-directed her to something similar to do, and more acceptable to me!
Chewing is relaxing, and she was possibly trying to find a way to to chill before a snooze.

27/11/2025

If you share your home with a dog I would recommend that they have several choices of where to rest/sleep. Ideally in places where they won't be disturbed eg not to close to doorways of rooms that constantly have the family walking past.

One of my fave dog pals 🥰 looking rather stunning, whilst resting on one of her beds.

26/11/2025

Weekday Puppy foundations class - One of the best bits about my job is seeing people really enjoying learning with and about their amazing dogs!
It's also lovely to receive such great feedback, some messages following yesterday's class:
"Just wanted to say with all your advice yesterday had a much better walk with 'A' this morning"
after class yesterday, one of the pups went on to visit a family relative in a care home "... she was amazing. 🙏... progress 💪"
"...found the class so positive yesterday, thank you Sam"
"... soooooooooo much better!"

I offer in-person One to One dog training, as well as running small classes for puppies, teenagers & adult dogs.

One to Ones - we may meet at your home, or a private secure field, or a training venue, whichever is the most suitable for your dog’s training requirements. Following sessions may take place in your neighbourhood, or another location, depending on the training progress & needs. These sessions will last for 45-60 minutes. If you want to discuss your dog's training needs or behaviour concerns you can book a 20 minute phone call. Please note, this is an enquiry call not a consultation, there is no charge.
In-person visits are usually limited to within 14 mile radius of Barham.

I belong to reputable training organisations including The Animal Behaviour & Training Council.
For more information please visit
samhumberstone.co.uk

To book or enquire please email or message
[email protected]
or phone 07484 767650