Reservoir Dogs Llanishen Training and Behaviour

05/07/2025

I’ve finally done it!!

I’ve finished my Diploma in Foundations of Canine Behaviour Management and I got a Distinction! To say I’m over the moon is an understatement. I wasn’t sure I’d ever finish it.

I started the course back in September 2020, and I got stuck in quickly, but then (like most of us in the dog world!) I saw something pop up on my feed, and before I knew it, I was signing up to the Dynamic Dog Practitioner course, which was incredibly tough, but so worthwhile. After that, I went on to qualify as a dog trainer through PACT, and I’m now proud to be a registered practitioner with ABTC. Now my funds have officially run out, so I really need to stop looking at Facebook 😂

This year, I reached out to Compass Education to see if I could complete my final module with them, and thankfully, they said yes. So that's it now, I'm done and dusted!

I’m sharing this because I’m really proud of myself. It’s taken a lot to get to this point, and I want people who work with me to know that I genuinely care about staying up to date, learning more, and doing right by the dogs (and their guardians). I don’t know everything, no one does, but I’m committed to learning, and my next step is to work towards becoming a clinical behaviourist.

Getting this final module done while juggling my dog walking and now my training and behaviour cases, on top of family life, has been no small thing.

My training and behaviour work has really taken off this year. I’m seeing clients most days after walks, and my weekends have mostly been spent studying or writing reports. It’s been relentless, and I know I need to be mindful of burnout, but I truly love what I do.

My family have made sacrifices too, lots of weekends where I’ve not really been present, tucked away with coursework. So now that this one’s done, I’m officially giving myself a bit of breathing space for the rest of the year.

I also know I’ve not been as active on my page, but in all honesty, I just haven't had the headspace. With work, studying and everything else going on, something had to give. However, now I'm hoping I can focus more on that!

Next year? I’ll probably be eyeing up the next course…😂

17/06/2025

The latest class graduates… the real, unedited version of the photos😂

What a brilliant group and such a mix of breeds, personalities and energy, and honestly the progress made over the weeks has been phenomenal. 🙌

Massive thank you to all the guardians who chose to train with me, it’s been a pleasure working with you all!

There won’t be any classes running over the summer (time for a bit of a breather!), but I’ll be back in September.

Keep an eye on the website for the new dates – can’t wait to welcome the next lot of pups🐾

09/06/2025

While we often think of chewing as just a way to keep dogs busy, it actually taps into natural behaviours that support regulation, emotional processing, and even cognitive function. Chewing activates areas of the brain linked to calmness and can help dogs “process” experiences, a bit like how we might fidget or doodle to stay focused or unwind. It’s not just enrichment, it’s a useful part of your dog’s toolkit for learning and coping.

29/05/2025

Interesting…..
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16q2oFsA4Y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

AWESOME NEW JOINT SUPPLEMENT - UC-II - NOW FREE!

UC-II is fab for joints:

A study pitted it (at just a 40mg dose) against a standard glucosamine and chondroitin supplement (1500mg and 1200mg, respectively) in 191 human volunteers suffering osteoarthritis pain in a randomised controlled trial.

The primary endpoint was changes in the total Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis(WOMAC) Index through 180 days.

At day 180, the UC-II group demonstrated a significant reduction in overall WOMAC score compared to the GC supplement (p = 0.04).

UC-II also beat standard glucosamine/chondroitin for changes in pain, stiffness and physical function.

It’s thought to act via some type of oral tolerance whereby small amounts of UC-II are taken up by the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), resulting in a downregulation of immune attacks on joint cartilage (autoimmune modulation).

What is UC-II, I hear you say?

It stands for Undenatured Type II collagen, meaning Type II collagen in its normal, undenatured, triple-helix form, not processed down into single peptides or gelatin by processing (heat or even grinding will do it).

Not that the broth-form of collagen / gelatin is not of some joint benefit, it surely is, providing all the building blocks of said collagen (like glycine and proline), necessary for cartilage repair, but the immune modulating effects of the undenatured stuff it will lack.

My God, where can we get this amazing supplement?!! I will spend anything!

No money required - it's FREE because it comes from raw meaty bones. That's where you get undenatured collagen from.

So you'll not only get fresh calcium, fresh glucosmine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid and all the crucial joint building compounds and co factors (vitamins and mineral) but you will also get lots of UNDENATURED collagen, shown to help with osteoarthritis AND, by cleaning their teeth, you will reduce over all systemic inflammation in your pet.

If you cut these compounds out (eg by feeding kibble only and denying your dog raw meaty bones starting out in life) their joints will be weaker because of it. And when arthritic by mid age you will be sold the (grossly inferior, ultraprocessed) solution - ground up cartilage in a capsule.

***
Lugo et al. (2016). Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal or Nutrition

03/05/2025

If you saw my suitcase in my previous post, this is who I was visiting 😍

Toto’s guardians got in touch with me when he had been home for just 10 days. Like many puppies, he was doing a lot of biting and jumping up — totally normal behaviours at that age, but living with two small children meant it was really important to get some foundations in place early.

My puppy packages offer more than just face-to-face sessions. I believe that consistent support is key, which is why my clients have access to me Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm. You should never feel stuck between sessions — having a trainer in your pocket (quite literally through WhatsApp/email!) means you’re always supported.

When you first bring your puppy home, it’s easy to forget just how overwhelming it can be for them. They’ve just left their mum, their siblings, and everything familiar to them. It’s a huge adjustment, and it can take days — sometimes weeks — for them to really settle into their new life. Feeling safe and having consistent routines makes all the difference.

With little Toto — who I genuinely considered sneaking home in my suitcase — I recommended:

🎯Building a structured routine: Puppies need plenty of sleep (often up to 18–20 hours a day). Just like children, they don’t always take themselves off for a nap when they’re tired. Having clear routines and a safe space for quiet time can help prevent overstimulation and overtiredness, both of which contribute to biting and other challenging behaviours.

🎯Creating a safe environment: Management is crucial at this age. I suggested using a training line indoors so that Toto’s guardians could gently guide him away from the children if needed. Stair gates and playpens were also recommended to create safe zones that protect both the children and the puppy.

🎯 Enrichment and confidence building: I encouraged the use of enrichment activities such as snuffle mats and using everyday household objects to create interesting experiences. We also did a little confidence building work, introducing Toto to different textures and materials in a positive, low-pressure way. This helps puppies grow into resilient, optimistic dogs by teaching them that new things are safe and rewarding.

He loved the bubbles and so did the kids 😂

🎯Reward stations (treat pots!): I advised placing treat pots around the play areas. This allows guardians to quickly reinforce behaviours they like or use food rewards to encourage the puppy to move calmly away from exciting situations. Having treats to hand makes supporting good choices so much easier!

Toto has been learning his name and was showing off some amazing recall yesterday. We’ve also introduced the idea of settling on a bed and discussed how to prevent resource guarding by creating positive associations with food and valued items right from the start.

Puppyhood can feel overwhelming, especially with young children in the mix, but having a structured plan, a solid support system, and a relationship based on trust and positive reinforcement makes all the difference.

If you’re bringing a puppy home soon, or finding that life with your new pup is a little more hectic than you’d hoped, I’d love to help.

Drop me a message if you want to find out more about my puppy packages!

27/04/2025

Is Your Dog Really Getting Enough Sleep? 🐾

When we think about dog behaviour, we often jump straight to training, exercise, or diet…
But there’s one vital piece of the puzzle that’s often overlooked — SLEEP.

Did you know that poor sleep can lead to:
Increased reactivity
Heightened sensitivity to triggers
And even impact your dog’s health?

I’ve just published a new blog all about why sleep is so important for dogs, how it affects their behaviour, and simple ways to help your dog get the rest they need.

This is one of the key areas I explore (among many others!) when working with behaviour cases. When working with behaviour cases, it’s rarely just about addressing the behaviour you see — it’s about understanding what’s driving it. Poor sleep may be one of those hidden factors affecting how a dog feels and responds to the world around them.

👉 Read the full blog here: https://www.reservoirdogsllanishen.co.uk/post/let-sleeping-dogs-lie-why-sleep-is-essential-for-your-dog-s-wellbeing

If you’re wondering whether your dog’s behaviour could be linked to poor sleep, discomfort, or stress, feel free to get in touch!

We all know how grumpy we can get after a bad night’s sleep. Struggling to focus, feeling irritable, or just not coping with the day as well as usual. But have you ever stopped to think about how important sleep is for your dog?Sleep is one of the most overlooked pillars of canine health and behav...

20/04/2025

Wishing you all a Happy Easter from a Storm and Pippa look a like 😂

18/04/2025

This popped up and it dawned on me that I’ve been operating my business for 7 years now 😱

It began with dog walking, and I still remember those first few dogs like it was yesterday. Max (2018) and Barney (July 2018) were my originals and are still with me today. Then came Freddy (Jan 2019), Max & Spencer (Feb 2019), Bailey (March 2019), Charlie & Lola (April 2019), and Hudley (May 2019). It’s been such a privilege to grow alongside them and be part of their lives for so long.

Since then, things have grown. Last year I qualified as a dog trainer and studied to became a Dynamic Dog Practitioner. And in January 2024, I ran my very first puppy class – something I’d been dreaming of doing for a while. It’s been a big learning curve, but such an exciting one.

Even after all this time, walks never get boring. Every dog is different, every day brings something new. I genuinely love the dogs I work with like they’re my own. I get really attached – how could you not? That connection we build is what it’s all about. It’s not just about walking or training, it’s about understanding them, supporting them, and creating trust that goes both ways.

The hardest part of this job is always the goodbyes. Losing a dog you’ve spent years with never gets easier. They become such a huge part of your life, and when they go, it leaves a big hole. It’s something that stays with you.

But despite the tough bits, I wouldn’t change this job for the world. Thank you to every guardian who’s trusted me with their dogs – whether it’s been for walks, training, or both. I’m so grateful to do what I do every day.

Here’s to year 8 – more walks, more learning, more happy dogs, and more connections!

Have a lovely Easter everyone!