Dog Training with Amanda

04/09/2025

This gorgeous lad spent a few hours with me while his owner was busy. After some play and cuddles, he chilled out with a gentle head massage… and within minutes he was snoring on my leg! And boy can he snore!! (If you've a brachy breed, you'll know!)💤❤️

Massage can be such a lovely way to help dogs relax. It’s calming for their body and mind, and also helps build trust through gentle handling. Of course, consent from the dog should always be sought (call me crazy but we really should). Not all dogs like to be stroked, so lets ask.

I think it’s safe to say he felt safe, happy and very relaxed in that moment ✨

Does your dog love to snooze after a bit of fuss too? Show me your best snoozy or snorig video's/photos in the comments! Human or animal - we all need a giggle!

02/09/2025

From pulling and barking to calmer, happier walks -This is how we start.

Teaching calm walks one step at a time 🐾🚶‍♀️

This was my first time out on my own with this lovely boy, and we were working on two big things:
✨ Walking nicely on the lead without pulling
✨ Staying calmer around other dogs

For this sessions walking without pulling, we used the cue “this way” so every time he started to pull, we simply turned and went in the other direction. Alongside that, I placed his food near my feet when rewarding him. This helps him learn that being close to me is the best spot to be.

Because he responds beautifully to the clicker, we also used that to mark the moments he made great choices, he knows clicks mean good things are coming! And Amanda always has the really tasty stuff! (Honestly, i really do!)

He can sometimes bark and lunge at some dogs, so to keep things positive, we set him up for success: my own dog was nearby sniffing, giving him the chance to practise staying calm without feeling overwhelmed.

We started further away to see where our threshold was and we built on that.

💭 And since he’s a brachy breed, we only kept the training short (about 5–10 minutes). That was plenty of brain work for one walk, and we finished with some relaxing sniffing time. Sniffing is known to bring the heart rate down. But more than that, the two dogs were sniffing together but with a small bit of distance between them.
A perfect way to end a training session.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is walking without pulling , however, with patience, consistency and kindness, these small steps build into big, lasting changes ❤️

👉 If your dog pulls on the lead or struggles around others, I’d love to help you enjoy calmer, happier walks too. Send me a message.

02/09/2025

Did you know I also stock a small range of healthy, natural dog treats? 💚 They’re perfect for training, rewarding, or just because your pup deserves something tasty and good for them. However, they are just the right size for training!

If you’d like some for your dog, just let me know before class or your one-to-one session and I can bring them along. Easy peasy!

01/09/2025

🐾 Help! My dogs play so differently - Can that be a problem? 🐾

I re-visited a lovely family with two young, energetic dogs. One has only just recently joined their home, and both dogs love to play, however, their play styles are quite different. This can sometimes lead to a bit of confusion or frustration between some dogs.

✨ A quick tip: if you have dogs with different play styles, short, supervised play sessions with plenty of breaks are a great way to help them learn each other’s boundaries. It's a little bit like younger children learning a new game together - they need time, guidance and reassurance to learn the rules and get it right.

Sometimes, it can take a new dog a while to settle in. There's no time frame to it. It could be quick and be just a few weeks. But others may take a few months or even longer. It's very individual to each dog and family.

These two are already settling in beautifully together ❤️

Their owners are doing a fantastic job giving them structure, lots of support and plenty of positive experiences. With a bit of guidance, they’re well on the way to becoming good friends.

And please, can we take a moment to appreciate just HOW beautiful these two are? Aren't they gorgeous!

Have you had a new dog join your family - show me your photos below! ⬇️

31/08/2025

Things you’ve said to your do that would sound completely unhinged out of context

You know the things i mean.

“We dont hump the cushions whilst Granny is here!”
“Please stop staring at me while I wee.”
“Get your nose out the bin!"

What have you found yourself saying to your dog? Let me know below, lets all have a giggle!

30/08/2025

My Saturdays used to be so much more raucous than they are these days! 😂🥂

Here i am hunkering down and getting some homework done for my Reactivity course with The Dog Trainer School & Adrienne Wisok 💙

29/08/2025

29/08/2025

Win of the Week! 🥳

Sometimes a win could be an awesome sit from your dog (or something else youve been practicing) and sometimes it’s just surviving the week without eating all the biscuits yourself (or eating them all in my case!) 😂

Whatever your win - serious, silly or somewhere in between, we all want to hear it!

Let us all be your cheer leader.

👇 Pop your win of the week in the comments and let’s spread some feel-good Friday glitter around ✨️

28/08/2025

What's the weirdest thing your dog has ever destroyed…?

We’re talking next level destruction.
Not just socks. I mean wedding shoes, passports, garden gnomes… the lot.

Toast once tried to eat our old point and shoot digital camera. She also chewed a hole in the hallway wall.
Marmite was always emptying the kitchen bin and eating brand new shoes.
Winnie always chews holes in her bedding and blankets! 🐾

Tell me yours - Photos if you have them for bonus points.