Sam Humberstone - Dog Trainer

23/11/2025

Training in the real world, a BUSY garden centre on a Sunday morning... I'm not a fan of hustle & bustle, but happy to be asked to support a client and their worthwhile mission!

Asking too much too soon can overwhelm our dogs, it's important to watch our dog's body language and recognise if they are comfortable, or need space, and whether it is a suitable location for them.

This duo has good foundations, a strong bond and a lot of time is spent together, although not usually in such a buzzing environment! We're here after training & practice, and it was our 4th session together. There were no signs of being worried by people, young children, or other dogs, and amazingly she was even able to pass lots of spaniel nose-level novelty Christmas items!

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.

For more information please visit
samhumberstone.co.uk
To book or enquire please email or message
📨 [email protected]
or phone
☎️ 07484 767650

23/11/2025

Elsa is definitely becoming more settled, day 1 week 7, and improving her nonGolden Relocator (skills)! 🤣

She's loving towel drys, we had a very wet walk this morning & is now settled in a bed that is more suited to a spaniel-sized dog! 🥰

As she's feeling more at home, she's likely to be more able to learn new things, we've started on some training, & she's beginning to learn a cue to drop, quite useful 🤪...
I will probably teach what was Freya's favourite, a clicker retrieve... for this to happen a training timetable will be required 🤓

22/11/2025

What an enjoyable afternoon!
The Saturday afternoon class of 2, session 4.
Training exercises to work on lead skills, following cues with distractions, confidence building etc pleased to see the progress and to work with such lovely people & dogs! 😊👏

22/11/2025

21/11/2025

Dogs are constantly gaining information via their super sense, their incredible analytical tool for making sense of their world is buy their nose and the rest of their olfactory system.
Choosing where they sniff and what, for them... well let's just say it's probably the ultimate, it's the dog's _______ks 🤓

21/11/2025

Walking with dogs 🐾
A post following a week of having to pysch myself up each day to go for chuffing cold & wet walks.
Companion dogs have much of their time shut inside with nothing going on & for some, hours each day on their own. Others may experience day care, either way choice is limited & often non-existent.

Apart from wanders around the garden for 'convenience' breaks dogs don't have much opportunity to do what they might choose.

When safe to do so, dogs having regular off-lead time where they can sniff & explore is truly beneficial for their wellbeing.

Having spent some years living in a city, and busy areas, I'd see for many dogs, much of the walk, sometimes all, dogs would be kept on a lead which is why enough lead length for sniffing & learning about previous passers-by is so important!!!
There will be times when we need to remain close, such as on narrow pavements or when traffic is passing-by.

And like ourselves, individual dogs have their own natural walking pace, it takes practice to learn new skills for our dogs and ourselves! And we all have days when we are out of 'sync'.

Going for a wander with our dogs, no 1 point - it's THEIR time!

ps note to self 2026 start saving for better waterproofs!

21/11/2025

'Stooge' person required for help with calm greetings training.
Anyone free in the Canterbury area on Sunday morning, from 09:45-10:45?
A coffee or hot choc is on me!

19/11/2025

Today after our wander, Elsa walked into our home when I was still standing by the door, a first!
Yesterday, she put her front doors in the hallway going through the front door, figuratively speaking a big step for her.

Monday, a not so good first, she yelped loudly after being shocked by an electric fence, trying to sniff a piece of blue string blowing in a breeze... other negative associations could have been made such as the white pick-up in her eye-line at the time of the scary experience 🤷‍♀️

18/11/2025

Sad & serious Collie face... dinner is currently 15 minutes late!!!

18/11/2025

This afternoon a new class, it was a pleasure to meet the 3 gorgeous puppies & their lovely people.

As well as hands-on practice, we covered a few topics -excitement & energy levels, what to do if when our puppy/dog takes something that is potentially harmful, introduction to 'handy' lead skills, how to manoeuvre our dogs to another place or position without pulling on a lead or having to use our hands to push or pull them & play with toys.

Dates for next classes coming soon...

Photo 1 Lead entwinement at break-time, untangling supervised by Lucky, a gorgeous terrier mix, recently homed after being found as a stray.
Photo 2 laptime, feeling relaxed and comfy

Thank you very much to Kingston Barn for accommodating my booking request at short notice, what a wonderful venue!
https://www.facebook.com/kingstonvillagehall?locale=en_GB

18/11/2025

🥰

🌟 PLEASE SHARE 🌟

Daisy (9yrs) & Lilly (8yrs) are in need of a new home because very sadly their owner has passed away.

These beautiful girls were the perfect companions to her right up until the end and have been well loved and cared for.

We would love to find Daisy and Lilly another home where they will be loved just as much. They love every one they meet, their walks and to snuggle on the sofa.

Please email if you can offer two special little dogs a home.

[email protected]

17/11/2025

Blink & you may miss him!
This occasionally rocket-fuelled JRT mix has definitely found the best of families, 100% dedicated.
Since they re-homed this young terrier a month ago we have met for 2 One to Ones, which have covered practical tips to help him to adjust to his new home environment, information on body language and a local training walk. This lovely family have also taken on board my advice about safe off-lead time, the latest update included a wonderful video & message saying he's "loving life!" ✨ 🐾 great to hear!