Dogable Dog Training

20/09/2024

A big welcome to Max 👋

Max, the 8-month-old Cockapoo, has begun his Troublesome Teens Programme focused on lead walking, jumping up, counter surfing, and advancing basic obedience.

We kicked off his training with the highest priority training goal - lead walking. He caught on fast and I'm delighted to share he even put his new skills to good use whilst in Devon the following week 💪

Well done Team Max for a super start!

16/09/2024

🤩 Amazing Adolescents 🤩

Mabel and Kalli have begun their training journey!

During their first session, we covered:
🐾 Building calmness in and out of the home
🐾 Clear communication whilst training
🐾 Games to build focus around distractions

I altered the lesson plan for this first week of class to prioritise a goal these two share - calming down around toys, namely their favourite ball 🤪 We'll be building upon the foundation work started in their next session to help them dial down excitement and switch into "Thinking Mode" during play for ultimate control long-term.

This is one of many reasons why I keep to small groups for classes, as it allows me to be flexible and meet the immediate goals of the dogs in front of me over sticking to a strict class plan. It's always lovely to hear how much my awesome students appreciate this.

Well done to these two and their people for a wonderful first session 👏

16/09/2024

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🐾 The Family Dog 🐾👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Another set of puppies and their families have begun their training journey!

During this first session, puppies...
👀 Focused around distractions, namely each other!
😇 Began understanding that lying down calmly pays off
🤓 Learnt a new word to let them know when they get things right
🧐 Investigated the Confidence Course

At the same time, their families learnt how to:
✅ Build value in eye contact
✅ Encourage calmness in new situations
✅ Reduce "big emotions" through scentwork
✅ Train with clear communication
✅ Build resilience in the big wide world
✅ Go about socialisation the right way (hint: it isn't about greeting every dog and person they see on a walk!)

A huge well done to Benji, Laika, Lexi, Evie, and their families for an excellent start to class! 👏

10/09/2024

Congratulations to Tracker, Maggie, Roscoe and Elsie for finishing The Family Dog puppy class 🥳

During their final session, they all demonstrated fantastic lead walking, recall, and ability to focus on their people around distractions. As always, they got to finish off and celebrate with some very well-deserved play time, which was awesome to watch 🥰

On top of all the above, this group have been such a pleasure to work with due to the sheer level of support they gave one another throughout class. From recommending helpul products, sharing challenges, to cheering one another on - I've been so touched to see how awesome all of these puppy parents have been to one another. It's been a special class indeed.

For now, I look forwarding to seeing these pups again soon for a Skill-Up class to advance their learning futher!

Well done all - you smashed it 🌟

04/09/2024

It's the start of a new term!

Now the kids have gone back to school, this is the best time for you to focus on your dog's education too 🤓

And you're in luck, as there are a host of classes starting over these coming months, including my brand new UK Sniffer Dogs Scent Detection Dog classes!

I've been busy reaching out to past and current clients over the last two weeks to provide priority access for signing up, and there are now only a couple of places left on the Tuesday and Saturday classes.

All of the classes listed are booking up fast, with a few already fully booked. To find out more, get in touch for details and to secure your space.

📩 [email protected]
📞 07557331450
💻 https://www.dogabledogtraining.com/classes

04/09/2024

Congratulations to Benji for completing his Troublesome Teens Programme 🥳

Benji, the 8-month-old Maltese x Bichon, is a rare case of a client dog who didn't get a welcome post when we first started. He was so apprehensive of me, it simply wasn't worth trying to take a "pretty picture" for the sake of a post (as cute as he is!).

Luckily, by the second session, he realised "that scary lady" was actually rather nice, and brought me his toy for a play and came close for a fuss. It was such a touching moment, and a clear example of slow and steady wins the race when bonding with a nervous dog.

One of Benji's main goals was to work on his reactivity towards other dogs. During his consult, it sounded like he was frustrated, however it turns out he was simply insecure and had no idea of how to handle himself around others. The sad matter is, Benji and his siblings were kept past the 4-month-mark by their breeder, meaning he missed out on vital socialisation away from known dogs during a sensitive period of development.

I'm thrilled to share that during his remaining sessions, Benji got to interact with a number of different dogs - most well-known to myself - and has been continually building his confidence. The task for his family now will be to persevere, at his pace, and expand his world so he can continue finding joy in interacting with his own kind.

Well done Team Benji 🐾

03/09/2024

Congratulations to Arlo for completing his Adult Dog Coaching Programme 🥳

When we started, Arlo was a hugely overstimulated boy who struggled to make eye contact when out of the home and outright refused food, making training on walks near-impossible. This then leaked out into ad-hoc reactivity towards other dogs. These were all clear signs his stystem was in overdrive and needed a "reboot".

With a great deal of consistency, changes to his daily routine, and dedication from Hannah, Arlo has changed for the better. Whilst it will take time for him to fully settle into his new routine and unlearn previous habits, he's...

👁 Engaging readily and more responsive to cues
🍗 Accepting food on walks
🤝 Enjoying calm greetings with other dogs
👃 Finding joy in exploring with his nose instead of constantly scanning the environment.

I am immensely proud of these two and the wins they've achieved over our time together 🩵

Well done Team Arlo 🐾

02/09/2024

Congratulations to Hazel for completing her Troublesome Teens Programme 🥳

Hazel has come along leaps and bounds thanks to the dedication of her people from the get-go. She's become far more responsive out of the home, especially when near otehr dogs, and her lead walking has improved massively - which really isn't an easy feat for a Staffy x Lab!

Well done Team Hazel 🐾

24/08/2024

A big welcome to Honey 👋

Honey, the 1-year-old Cavapoo, has begun her Troublesome Teens Programme to work through a wide range of training goals, including:

📢 Excessive barking
🧹 Attacking the vacuum and sweep
🏃 Recall
🐕‍🦺 Lead walking
🥎 Leaving and dropping
🚫 Resource Guarding
👨 Confidence around men
🦈 Mouthing
🐱 Chasing Simba the cat

During her first session, we got to work introducing learning foundations, "Quiet" to stop barking, and calmness during sweeping. We also discussed some overall lifestyle changes to help her feel more settled and mentally fulfilled in the home.

I was SO impressed to see homework videos a couple of days later that showed Honey being calm whilst sweeping was going on in front of her, and her being able to watch the process patiently without any lunging, barking or biting 😇 I also got sent a picture of her remaining asleep downstairs whilst her family went upstairs, which never happened before as she'd usually spring up to follow.

These are huge wins for this little pup!

Well done Team Honey for your quick progress 🙌

24/08/2024

🎓 Graduation Day 🎓

Congratulations to Ronnie and Nettle for completing The Family Dog! 🥳

These two absolutely smashed their final session, working on recall, lead walking and focus around distractions. Despite the park getting busier and getting drenched towards the end, both pups stayed focused and responsive 💪

A huge well done to you all!

23/08/2024

A big welcome to Beau 👋

Beau, the 9-month-old Frenchie, has begun his Troublesome Teens Programme focused on reactivity towards other dogs, recall and lead walking.

Beau is a super bright young dog who needs clearer direction to channel his energy productively. We got to work focusing on the highest priority - his focus around other dogs - and introduced foundations for a reliable recall.

He aced this Beau-tifully and I can't wait to see how he gets on over the coming weeks!

Well done Team Beau for a brilliant start 👏

22/08/2024

A big welcome to Arlo 👋

Arlo, the 3-year-old Border Collie, recently began his Adult Dog Coaching Programme focused on building engagement out of the home and reactivity towards other dogs.

Arlo is a super lucky pup to have an immensely dedicated owner, who jumped straight into implementing the guidance provided during our consultation. This meant that before we even met, progress was being made to get Arlo on the right track.

Since his first session, significant wins have been made - in particular, him walking past other dogs in close proximity! Not only this, but in one video submitted, he ignored a dog that lunged forward and barked at him. What a superstar 🤩

Well done Team Arlo for a brilliant start!

22/08/2024

I can't believe I am writing this, but I could lose my incredible class venue in the near future.

I received devastating news from one of the committee members at Parklands Community Centre that their future is in jeopardy by the council due to a refusal to renew their lease.

Parklands is run by a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and the funds just aren't there to battle against the London barristers our council has spent £65,000 of taxpayer money to hire.

If you have enjoyed your time learning here with me, or would simply like to lend a helping hand, please sign the petition below. If you can afford to provide a pledge, any contribution to the fundraising will go towards helping fight this in court next month. It is essential that we keep this special, community-led venue running in its current state.

Activities held here include:
- Birthdays, wakes, anniversary parties
- Annual holiday community events
- Skittles, including meets for disabled players
- Coffee Meetings
- Baby Sensory Group
- NHS England meetings
- Slimming World meetings
- Redee Motorcycle Training school
- Dogable Dog Training classes
and much, much more.

The hardworking, family-run team don't deserve the stress this has brought upon them. Neither do the hundreds of weekly users of the venue, including small business owners like myself who treasure having a safe space to base their operations.

I have high hopes that if we pull together, we can prevent this invaluable community assest being commercialised and secure the lease renewal.

You can read more about what's happening and add your pledge below:

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/council-opposes-charitys-claim/

And please, sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/save-the-beloved-parklands-community-centre-in-cheltenham

Every little bit helps. Anything you can do to help raise awareness, such as by sharing this post, will be tremendously appreciated.

With the greatest of thanks,
Natasha 🐾

Save the Beloved Parklands Community Centre in Cheltenham!

11/08/2024

A big welcome to Mocha 👋

Mocha, the 1.5-year-old Spaniel X, has begun her Troublesome Teens Programme focused on a range of goals to help her settle into her new home.

Thanks to the commitment of her people, she's already been introduced to many key foundation skills. This meant we could dive straight into their priority training goals within the home, including barking and counter surfing 💥

Well done Team Mocha for a brilliant start!

10/08/2024

A big welcome to Hazel 👋

Hazel, the 6-month-old Lab x Staffie, has begun her Troublesome Teens Programme focused on lead walking, jumping up, and barking at other dogs.

We dived straight in during her first session, laying the foundations for lead walking and building her focus around distractions. Hazel is such a bright pup, and I know it won't be along before she achieves her goals 💪

Well done Team Hazel for a fantastic start!

08/08/2024

A big welcome to Ronnie 👋

Ronnie, the 1.5-year-old Wire Haired Dachshund, has begun his Troublesome Teens Programme focused on lead walking and frustration-based reactivity towards other dogs.

Ronnie is a cracking little chap who's already shown so much potential, particularly with understanding how to walk nicely on the lead.

Well done Team Ronnie for a brilliant start 👏

06/08/2024

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🐾 The Family Dog 🐾👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Elsie, Roscoe, Tracker and Maggie have begun their training journeys!

Well done all for a super start to class 👏

02/08/2024

A big welcome to Bertie, Luna and Willow 👋

These three have begun a collective Adult Dog Coaching Programme to work through some contrasting goals.

🌩 First up is Luna the Cockapoo (middle), who has been struggling with noise sensitivity, especially thunder. She can also be reactive to sounds outside the home, so we've begun building cues to stop her barking and come away from the window/door

🥊 Bertie and Willow are housemates who have a love-hate relationship, with Willow often insitgating fights by "poking the bear". These two will be our point of focus for the next session...

Overall, a very interesting case with lots to unpack! It's been great seeing the dynamic between the three, with heaps of interesting communication going on. One of the key tasks I find most important when working with a multi-dog home is "translating" body language so their humans so they know when to interrupt interactions, and what warning signs arise before a fight breaks out.

These three are superstars in the making and I can't wait to see their progress over the coming weeks!

Well done all for a great start 👏

02/08/2024

A big welcome to Orzo 👋

(yes, like the pasta!)

Orzo, the 7-month-old Austrailian Shepherd mix, has begun her Troublesome Teens Programme to help her settle into her new home.

After just a couple of weeks working together, Orzo is really coming out of her shell and showing more of her true personality. It can take some time for a rescue dog to settle after rehoming, yet her people are doing everything right to ensure she feels secure.

They're already seeing the benefits of this, with her now significantly more confident during walks and keen to greet other dogs 🥰

Now, the task is gaining and maintaining her focus when she spots a dog so we can begin building her up towards off-leash freedom!

Well done Team Orzo for a fantastic start 👏

02/08/2024

A big welcome to Sunday 👋

Sunday, the 9-month-old Golden Retriever, has begun her Troublesome Teens Programme to improve a range of typical adolescent antics!

These include:
🦘 Jumping up and mouthing
👀 Focus around distractions
👊 Impulse control
😇 Settling in the home
🏃 Recall
🦮 Lead walking

Sunday has been smashing the learning so far, including learning to sit before greeting guests and walking past food on the ground. She even performed her first ever full fetch, dropping the toy at my feet to the surprise of her family! We'll contine to introduce and advance skills to show her family what she's fully capable of.

Well done Team Sunday for a fantastic start 💪

18/07/2024

Congratulations to the Friday group - Belle and Daisy - for finishing The Family Dog puppy class 🥳

We were sad that Mylo, Reggie & families couldn't join in, however the girls absolutely smashed their final session!

They showed fantastic lead walking, recall, and ability to focus on their people around distractions. As always, they got to finish off and celebrate with some very well-deserved play time, which was so lovely to watch 🥰

Well done all - you aced it!

18/07/2024

It's that time of year again... These next two days are going to be getting HOT - far too hot for our furry friends.

Remember that no dog has ever died from not going on a walk, but plenty have from being walked in the heat.

If you are unable to take them out early morning, consider alternative activities you can do in the home to keep your pup mentally stimulated. Trick training, scentwork, and food enrichment are all fantastic options 🩵💜

𝑻𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒕 𝑾𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓

The weather is heating up and so is your dog! 🥵

Here are a collection of top tips to keep your dog cool and comfortable as summer approaches, alongside some important considerations.

⛱ Take your dog for a walk early and/or late in the day, no walks in between. Provide shade indoors and out to give them an option to get out of the sunlight

🐍 Adders love the sun! Remember this if you are going out for countryside walks and keep an eye out for them basking

💧 Ensure fresh, clean water is accessible 24/7 (as it should be per the Animal Welfare Act 2006)

🧊 Putting ice cubes in water is a great way to keep water cool! You can also freeze an empty water bowl to help keep water cooler for longer. Be aware, giving dogs ice cubes as they are can crack teeth, so it is safest to put them in a water bowl

❄️ Place a cool, wet towel on the floor or buy a cooling mat for your dog to choose to lie on - don't worry if they choose not to! Forcing them to lie on one is not appropriate

🧩 Prep some brain games to keep them mentally stimulated during the day or practice some training if they get restless

⚽️ No games of fetch outdoors, especially with balls that go flying for long distances. It is a quick way for a dog to become dangerously overheated as they may push themselves to continue the game despite becoming hot

🏊‍♂️ Put up a paddling pool or start your sprinklers as a fun way to both entertain and cool down your dog. If you use a hose, be cautious as the water may be very hot at first. Never fire a hose into your dog's mouth - they can die from hyponatremia (water intoxication) due to water diluting sodium in the bloodstream.

☀️ Some dogs may need doggy sunscreen, especially on their nose and ears. Check to see if your dog needs some (i.e., Chinese Crested Terriers definitely do!)

🚷 Avoid pavements to prevent burns on paws. A dog will continue walking on pavements if they are motivated enough to get to the end destination (i.e., the park) despite the pain

🤚 Request people not to touch your dog and avoid giving fuss unless your dog directly requests it (such as by nuzzling your hand or leaning into you) - dogs get hot and bothered like us, with the most loving dogs snapping if they are fussed in the heat

🔥 Make yourself aware of signs of heatstroke, including:
- Collapsing
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Heavy panting
- Dribbling (if you have a naturally drooling dog, you will notice this is produced in excess)

If in doubt, call your vet immediately for advice.

I hope everyone enjoys the sun and can be prepared for the warmer weather coming our way. Enjoy it whilst it lasts!

16/07/2024

A big welcome to Marley 👋

Marley, the 3-year-old rescue Pug, has begun his Adult Dog Coaching Programme focused on frustration-based reactivity towards other dogs, alert barking in the home, and a few other training goals.

Marley made super quick progress during our first session, and was able to carry that on with ease in the run-up to our second. If they keep it up, it won't be long until his family enjoy calmer, more relaxing walks with their "pack" of pugs 😇

Well done Team Marley for an incredible start!

16/07/2024

Congratulations to Luna for finishing her Adult Dog Coaching Programme 🥳

Luna has made fantastic progress during our time together, resulting in her becoming increasingly more responsive out of the home. She's also demonstrated some lovely behaviours around other dogs, namely watching them calmly and chosing to move away, instead of her previous pattern of barking and lunging towards them.

Well done Team Luna for all your wins 👏