The Puppy Adviser

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The Puppy Adviser

Qualified & accredited positive, reward-based trainer specialising in puppies & adolescents. Small group classes, 1:1’s & more. Key behaviours & lifeskills.
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Friendly, fun, holistic approach. Private, fully equipped, indoor/outdoor facilities in Rowde. My name is Julia and I am a fully qualified and insured trainer, educated and assessed by the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (the leading educational body for trainers & behaviourists worldwide) with external verification provided by the Open College Network. I am an invited member of The Pet Professio

nal Guild. I am a UK Sniffer Dogs Bronze Level Scent Work Instructor. All training, support & advice embraces modern, positive methods & uses reward-based techniques. These have been scientifically proven to give long lasting results without causing intimidation, fear or pain or using any aversive devices. It is often referred to as positive reinforcement but put simply, it’s giving something a dog loves in exchange for the behaviours we desire. Science also tells us that you learn much better when you’re having fun! I will show you the best way to teach your dog so they are super keen to learn & get it right. I cover Calne, Devizes & all surrounding areas and will happily travel further if required. I also own Calne Pet Supplies in Church Street, Calne. Please feel free to contact me with any enquiry and I will respond within 48 hours. www.thepuppyadviser.co.uk
[email protected]

Thank you
Julia Jarvis Imdt

11/11/2024

🎓🥳🐾 Congratulations to Teams Sweep, Heidi, Puff & Dutch who graduated at the beginning of last week.
This was a class with a difference as these were slightly older puppies who have all been busy training but not had the benefit of training in a group.
Each team had their own goals that they wanted to work on so each week I looked to address and support a range of needs taking activities from Puppy School, Teenage Tinkers and my new Puppy Plus.
A lovely class to teach with committed owners and pups who put everything into their learning 🐾👏🎓

10/11/2024

Remembrance Sunday

09/11/2024

🐕‍🦺👀 I really like this post from American trainer Zak George as the idea of eye contact when it comes to attention is often overused and/or used inappropriately, especially when it comes to dogs who do or might react.

Some dogs will freely offer eye contact, to the point where we have to find ways of letting them know that it’s ok to switch off, using our own body language to cue and support this. This can be particularly noticeable in working line spaniels.

For other dogs, direct eye contact can be quite intimidating and therefore very uncomfortable to maintain. It doesn’t necessarily mean however, that they are not giving you attention.

As trainers, we do emphasise the importance of focus, engagement and attention and I will often say “if he/she is looking at you, they are also listening to you” but we must always remember that our dogs are not machines, they are not programmed.
What is most important, is learning what our own, individual dog freely offers us, what it looks like and ensuring that we work to capture and reward these moments in order that the ensuing behaviour we are asking or looking for is then given and repeated as and when needed.

Anyone who has worked with me to build solid recall foundations will no doubt have the phrase “look for that moment of disengagement” ringing in their ears! That crucial moment when the other dog is no longer being watched, the squirrel isn’t being stalked, the amazing smell has been sniffed, processed and stored. That’s the moment, the head turn, the ear change, the body glance when our dog is letting us know, you’ve got my attention if you want it and if you cue me, I’ll be right with you 🤩🐕‍🦺

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Dog training is always evolving, and the way we think about “attention” is changing too...

Gone are the days when having your dog’s attention meant demanding intense, unblinking eye contact.

When modern dog trainers ask for their dogs’ attention these days, they’re focused on actually having their attention, in a way that’s natural for both of you, rather than just focusing on which way that dog’s eyeballs are pointing…

Maybe it’s a quick glance or check-in. Maybe it’s even just a flick of an ear or a shift in body language. If this sounds complicated, give it a try!

I promise it will not take much time at all before it becomes easy to tell whether or not you have your dog’s attention, without insisting on unnatural eye contact, which might actually be making things harder for your dog!

How do you think about attention with your dog?

Is it about eye contact, or do you see it as something different?

Let’s talk about how training is shifting and what that means for our relationships with our dogs 👀

08/11/2024

🐕‍🦺🤔 Do you have a puppy / dog who wants to approach anything, anybody or any dog while you’re out on an adventure?
Are you showing responsibility and control over your dog when you’re out and about out?
Are you working to make being outside the best fun ever?

Read on for some top tips:

🐾 Engage with your puppy / dog on adventures.
Interact with them, hide food / toys for them to find in long grass or leaves, have fun training, do some parkour, play with them, talk to them, sit with them, invite their favourite human or canine pal to come along too, let them sniff…
Adventures are not about interacting with unfamiliar others.
This is generally not correct, good or appropriate socialisation.

🐾 Ensure you’re always equipped with the “good stuff”.
This is what your puppy / dog, not you, thinks is valuable!
High value food - ham, cheese, sausage, pate, blueberries, apple…
A toy that has never appeared in the toy box and is only occasionally used on each adventure - a tug toy, squeaky toy, flirt pole…
Vary what you have from day to day so they cannot predict what you have - there’s nothing like a nice surprise!

🐾 Always use a longline to prevent undesirable behaviour such as not coming back when called.
Practice your recall. Practice, practice, practice!
Recall should not be used just to call your puppy / dog away from what they want to approach or to put them back on a lead.
Your recall cue should already have a reliable and motivated response when you use it at home and in the garden before expecting this on adventures.
Always reward for coming back to you whether you have asked or whether you have received a voluntary check-in.
Throw a party every time - treats, praise, cuddles, a game with the surprise toy!
Ultimately, recall is not about your puppy / dog coming back to you, it’s about them wanting to be with you.

🐾 If your puppy / dog alerts to something, stop walking.
Allow them to watch / listen / scent. Allow them to process.
If they simply stand / sit / lie down, wait quietly to see what choice they make.
If they disengage, recall and party!
If they check-in, party!
Consistent repetition should mean the presence of something, a “distraction”, becomes a cue to check in with you.
If behaviour changes and you see reaction, you are, quite simply, too close. Move away, find space, exit. Distance is always your friend.
Turn your body away from the distraction, ask for a reflex to name, “this way”, “let’s go” and increase your movement away.
Stop when your puppy/dog is no longer “reacting”.
Reward and allow them to watch from that safe area with continued support from you.
Remember that reaction can range from excitement, to frustration, to worry, to fear - it’s a big spectrum.

🐕‍🦺🤩These are just some of the foundations for successful adventures with your best friend.
They can be established at any age, not just puppyhood.

🐕‍🦺‼️If you are finding your adventures a struggle, if your puppy / dog or you are not enjoying them, always seek professional help - training, support, advice from someone like myself who is qualified, accredited and equipped, practically and theoretically to help you.
Unwanted behaviours that continue to be rehearsed will not just stop and go away and the longer they continue, the more time, energy and patience you will need to invest in establishing desired alternatives.
Reactivity requires careful desensitisation and counter conditioning and will take time - weeks, months, sometimes years depending on a range of factors that must first be identified and addressed.
Always seek help at the earliest opportunity.

🐕‍🦺❤️ Adventures should be some of the best times for the both of you. Set your puppy / dog and yourself up for success.

06/11/2024

🐾 Yesterday, I had a great 1:1 session with Working Cocker puppy, Dexter.
He’s signed up for a number of sessions and when I arrived, his owner was really keen to show me how things were progressing.

🤩 We headed outside to an open space and, with longline trailing, had some great recalls including coming away from other dogs.
Dexter also showed me how he can now do a high five and a roll over. There are so many benefits to fun trick training 🤩

😂 I then introduced the concept of catching a treat which had us both laughing as Dexter literally tried to catch with his paws - if only I’d thought to video it, but we were all, Dexter included, having too much fun. What a great, relaxed way to engage and build relationship 😂

🤔 Does your dog to anything different to other dogs, have noticeable quirks that maybe aren’t quite normal, or just make you laugh every time…🤔

⬇️ Comments, photos, videos happily received ⬇️

05/11/2024

🐾 Two great Social Adventures this month:

🐷Puppies At The Piggery - a longline adventure through the fields of West End Farm in Bishops Cannings and a chance to see the sheep, a stop at their lovely little farmshop, The Piggery, time for a hot drink and maybe something sweet or savoury while the puppies practice settling and a check in with any pigs in residence before heading back.
Suitable for puppies 6 months and under.
Loved by all who have attended previously.
Save the date and and if you’re working treat yourself to an extended lunch break or a finish early Friday! 🐽

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=63749447

☀️My monthly Furze Knoll Social Sunset Strolls continue and I’m pleased to say that every month since June, we have seen the sunset!
A circular walk that can be done with longlines on, trailing or off lead taking in stunning views of our local countryside.
Suitable for any age from 7 months ☀️

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=48363410

Book using the links provided above or visit my website www.thepuppyadviser.co.uk and head to the Group Training Page.

05/11/2024

🐾 Lots of new classes this month which also means lots of graduations 🎓

🐕‍🦺 On Saturday, I saw Teenage Tinkers Teams Flossy, Maisie, Nyxi and Summer together for the last time.
A fabulous girl group who were really great to work with.
Congratulations on your achievements and continued progress in all aspects of your training 🤩👏🥳

04/11/2024

❤️ I was lucky enough to meet this gorgeous puppy for a 1:1 and now she has just started Puppy School 😁

🐾 Can you guess her breed 🤔

03/11/2024

🐾 🤩 Super excited to announce that I have teamed up once again with the very lovely canine nutritionist, Katie McCaul who will be talking all about “fussy” dogs and dogs who are not food motivated alongside all aspects of appropriate canine nutrition.

Katie’s knowledge and insight is huge and she offers a wealth of practical information and advice.
Those who attended the first talk held, when I also owned Calne Pet Supplies, couldn’t believe how much they had learnt and how much there was to learn.

What we feed our dogs and our understanding of what our dogs need, has changed enormously in the last ten years. There is a mind boggling array of foods available but it is so important to look beyond the marketing.

I’m passionate about canine nutrition - it affects everything from day-to-day health to behaviour, potential lifespan to the ability to listen, risk of disease to the ability to switch off and relax and so much more.
This is an incredible opportunity to be able to access sound, impartial facts, ask questions and improve your own knowledge.

There will also be details of a special offer for a 45 minute 1:1 zoom consultation with Katie for anyone attending.

This is not yet on my website so to reserve your place, please book using the direct link below:

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=70442528

02/11/2024

🐾🎓👏 After realising that “puppies on a plinth” was not my best decision for the first of my Thursday graduations, I went back to inviting them back individually for the second of my Thursday graduations 🤣

🤩 Big congratulations to Teams Charlie, Rudi, Memphis and Woody - puppy school superstars 🤩

02/11/2024

🐾❤️🎓 That moment when you realise that inviting all of the puppies onto the graduation plinth for a school photo at the same time was never going to be a good choice 😬🤣🥴

Sadly Team Duke couldn’t join Teams Bella, Bonnie or Bug for graduation but they’ve all been a fabulous group and I’ve looked forward to every week with them - well done with all your achievements 🤩👏🥳

01/11/2024

🐾🎃 With two Puppy Schools graduating on Halloween, I set a homework challenge of teaching puppy a trick.
My 6pm class were more than happy to show off their skills and their had been lots of practice with giving “paw”!
Springer puppy Bug demonstrated how good he was at a “3 cups, find the cheese” challenge ❤️🐾

😬 I can’t apologise enough to my 7.15pm class as I forgot to ask you all 🤦‍♀️

🐾 Comment with your pups best trick - photos / videos more than welcome 🤗

31/10/2024

🎃👻🧙🏻‍♀️ Trick or treat…?

How about this for a delicious treat!

30/10/2024

🎃🐾👻 Just one day to go, so here is THE ultimate checklist for keeping your dog happy & safe this Halloween…

Thank you to Charlotte Garner - Canine Author

⬇️🎃⬇️🎃⬇️🎃

30/10/2024

🤩 REMAINING SPACES NOW FILLED - THANK YOU 🤩

🐕‍🦺❤️ Recall is widely considered the most important behaviour that we can teach our dogs.

Whether you’re just starting out with a young puppy, working through the challenges of adolescence, building a relationship with a new rescue or simply want to have some fun with your dog, then my Rowdey Recallers Practice Sessions are for you.

My 6 acre field offers a natural environment and I offer coaching and support throughout.

Practice with a longline held, trailing or without, with your voice or a whistle, with food, toys, praise and cuddles.

Billy and Sweep have signed up for this Thursday 31st and there are two spaces remaining.
Book now using this link ⬇️, grab your jacket and wellies, don’t forget the dog and meet me at 9.30 in the carpark 😄🐕‍🦺

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=59636269

29/10/2024

🐾💥I always feel that November 5th, traditionally known as Guy Fawkes Day but now often called Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night, is like Christmas. We all know it’s coming, it happens every year, the date doesn’t change, so what’s the panic, why aren’t people prepared?

The problem with November 5th, just like Christmas, is that nowadays the real significance is overlooked by many. Christmas has become hugely commercialised and unless November 5th happens to fall on a weekend, it seems to be celebrated (I use that word very loosely) on any day one week either side of the actual date.

When we then factor in the proximity of Halloween, the opportunity for fireworks at any given time over a 3 week period is huge.

I love fireworks.
I have very happy memories each year as a child of going to family friends - lots of people, a big bonfire, food, hot chocolate, fireworks and sparklers.
I can’t however remember the last time I went to a display as an adult…because I have dogs.

As our Springer, Bugsy grew increasingly older (he was just 3 weeks short of celebrating his 15th birthday when he died), he developed canine cognitive disorder and his hearing changed. He went from my working spanner who could cope with guns going off all around him to our retired, loyal family companion who couldn’t cope with the sound of fireworks.
We now have Ruby, our Bulldog, main history unknown, who from the first year we had her made it blatantly obvious that fireworks weren’t her thing.
Kermit, our Lab, really isn’t bothered but that’s not to say he will be like that every year.

If we expect our dogs to live in our crazy world, it is therefore our responsibility to love them, nurture them, train them and protect them.

Every year, social media is filled with comments regarding fireworks from people who have pets and those who don’t.
I no longer read them because they just wind me up.

I do not want to see fireworks banned.

BUT, I do think that:

Fireworks should not be sold to the general public - they are incredibly dangerous.

Fireworks should only be part of organised displays and at this time of year, those displays should only be allowed on November 5th

Fireworks do not need to be noisy.
I’ve personally never heard of anyone saying “shall we go and listen to the fireworks”
Surely, the beauty of fireworks is in the visual and that visual does not need crazy decibels of bangs accompanying it.

Call me a “grumpy old woman” or an “old fart” but don’t call me a killjoy - my opinions and preferences are perfectly reasonable and rational.

So, this year, as with so many years before, I’ve spent time preparing Ruby and I’m on alert.
I wait for the time to come that maybe, just maybe fireworks are controlled, quiet and those animals and people that need this can relax just a little bit more.

In the meantime, are you ready and prepared to support those that need it? ❤️🐾

29/10/2024

🐾❤️ Just the best start to my week yesterday when I met little Rhaeneyra.

This gorgeous girl has been in her new home for just one week, adopted from a charity who found her as a stray and close to death from infected wounds around her face, possibly from from being used in badger baiting. She is estimated to be around 2 and a terrier mix.

Super proud of her new owner who emailed me for support saying “…I’d love to get some training for both of us so I can be sure I’m doing all the right things for her and am talking her language.”

I arrived to find she has already given Rhaeneyra a great start in all respects with priority given to making her feel safe and secure and working on the foundations to build trust and a great relationship.
We spent the session having short little bursts of training fun and discovering what really got Rhaeneyra’s tail wagging, discussing how best to support her over the coming weeks and receiving lots of cuddles between us from a very happy little girl 🥰🐕‍🦺

28/10/2024

😊 SPACES NOW FILLED - THANK YOU 😊

🐾 Due to circumstances beyond ownership control, I have two spaces re-available in two of my November Puppy Schools.
If you would like to book, please use the appropriate link provided below - thank you!

Thursday 7 November - Thursday 12 December
10am - 11am
one space still available
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=66685282

Saturday 9 November - Saturday 21 December (no class on 14 December)
10.15am - 11.15am
one space available - ‼️ NOW FILLED ‼️
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=67848795

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🤩 REMAINING SPACES NOW FILLED - THANK YOU 🤩 🐕‍🦺❤️ Recall is widely considered the most important behaviour that we can teach our dogs. Whether you’re just starting out with a young puppy, working through the challenges of adolescence, building a relationship with a new rescue or simply want to have some fun with your dog, then my Rowdey Recallers Practice Sessions are for you. My 6 acre field offers a natural environment and I offer coaching and support throughout. Practice with a longline held, trailing or without, with your voice or a whistle, with food, toys, praise and cuddles. Billy and Sweep have signed up for this Thursday 31st and there are two spaces remaining. Book now using this link ⬇️, grab your jacket and wellies, don’t forget the dog and meet me at 9.30 in the carpark 😄🐕‍🦺 https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=59636269 #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #puppyrecall #caninerecall #recallpractice #recallpracticewithdogs #rowde

🍁🐾❤️ Team Tilly - captured having great fun in the Autumn leaves on Sunday’s Leipzig Woods Social Adventure ❤️🐾🍁 #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #puppyadventures #puppyfun #puppysocialisation #puppysocial #positivedogtraining #sciencebaseddogtraining #rewardbaseddogtraining #holisticdogtraining

🤔 Did you read yesterday’s (Monday’s) post? 🐾 Would you like to do more with your dog? 🐕‍🦺 Would you like an activity that you can do anywhere, at any time? 🤔 Would like to make the most of your dog’s natural potential? 🐾 Would like to give your dog the best enrichment and fulfilment? 🐕‍🦺 Would you like a happy, contented, relaxed dog? Scentwork is the one activity that can be enjoyed every dog no matter how old or young, no matter how physically fit or unfit, no matter how well trained or untrained! Scentwork is the one activity that we should all be introducing to our dogs. This workshop is hosted by me at my own, private venue in Rowde but run by professional, specialist Scentwork instructor Jo Dyer of Positive Connections. Jo has an incredible knowledge and understanding of scentwork and looks to develop the best possible relationship between you and your dog while developing the best searching skills by building confidence and encouraging independence in your dog. This is not yet on my website so you will need to click below to book, but be quick - the Introduction Workshop at the end of this month filled without even making it to my website 😲😊⬇️ https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=69740879 #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #scentwork #scentworkforeverydog #scentworkforpuppies #scentworkfordogs #scentworkintroduction #rowde #northwiltshire

🐾🐕‍🦺 Nothing beats a sniffari…😁 Our dogs are intelligent, emotional, social beings. Every one is a unique individual with their own needs and desires. But sniffing is universal. Sniffing is essential for our dogs wellbeing and hugely beneficial. It provides stimulation and enrichment. It activates the reward centre of the brain. It releases dopamine - a mood enhancing endorphin. It reduces heart rate and calms. It increases respiration which tires. It helps to make sense of our crazy world. It relieves stress and anxiety. 15-20 minutes of sniffing is equivalent to an hours good paced walking. Nothing beats popping your dog on a longline and allowing them choice to meander, to mooch, to stop, to sniff ❤️🐕‍🦺❤️ #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #dogsniffing #puppysniffing #sniffari #sniffariwalk #positivedogtraining #holisticdogtraining #rowde #calne #devizes #chippenham #marlborough #trowbridge #melksham

🐾🤩 Very excited to announce the next Scentwork Introduction Workshop in collaboration with Jo Dyer of Positive Connections 🤩🐾 I introduced Kermit to scentwork at just 5 months old - he loved it and so did I. This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your puppy / dog to the wonderful world of scentwork and provide them with some of the best mental enrichment they could ask for. Scentwork not only fulfils deep, genetic instincts but builds confidence and optimism in your puppy / dog and enhances your relationship. As I am currently away on holiday, this is not yet available on my website to book, so please click the direct booking link below ⬇️ https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=25269955&appointmentType=66685663 #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #scentwork #scentworktraining #scentworktrainingfordogs #scentworkdog #scentworkpuppy #rowde

🐾❤️ We’re back in North Norfolk and I think it’s fair to say that Kermit was very excited to be back on a beach 😂🐾 For our first day, we returned to Old Hunstanton. We were powered by sausage baps at the beginning and enjoyed tea and cake at the end, all from the local beach cafe. Kermit & Ruby were powered by Wild Boar Jerky 🤣😋 #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #puppyholiday #doggyholiday #puppyatthebeach #dogsatthebeach

🐾🤣 Love an out take…🤣 Not one for being a fair weather person, I took Kermit & Ruby out on Monday for a splash about and thought I’d practice some walking & talking videos. 😫 I made it to 8 seconds before I said “um” and lost my train of thought 🤣 #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #positivedogtraining #rewardbaseddogtraining #sciencebaseddogtraining #rowde #devizes #calne #melksham #chippenham #trowbridge #marlborough

😬 I need to start doing lots of videos but it’s something I find a little scary so I thought I’d start with something simple 😂 🐾 Here’s a video walk & talk of where to park when you come to a group session and how to find my unit. The weather, type of lesson and time of day will determine whether we train inside the unit, outside on the courtyard, in the field or generally around the farm 🐾 😱 I dare anyone to comment with how many times I said “um” 🤣

I’m currently running 3 Family Pet Gundog Foundation classes where activities and skills from the gundog world are introduced and their benefits transferred into every day dog training. Yesterday was graduation day for the first class and Teams Rio, Raya, Flo and Merlin had a great session, bringing together and using all their new found skills from focusing their cue seeking to understanding when and how to relax, from learning a whistle cue for a sit to incorporating a stop and sit, from recalling to a whistle and targeting a place to learning to work with increasing duration, distance and distraction. Whatever I teach, I always want handlers and dogs to enjoy their learning. Here, I captured puppy Merlin (just 6 months old) having the best fun showing off his new “send around” skills. Teaching send around helps to prepare gundogs for a “send away” where they will be expected to work at distance and come back. It’s also great for Hoopers & Agility and can be used to teach left and right directional cues. And can be used for pure fun, challenging yourselves as a team to see what objects you can “send around”. Merlin’s enthusiasm can’t help but make you smile and there is plenty of time for to come for fine tuning. At the moment, this is all about increasing distance away from the handler and building drive & motivation on the return. Dogs who are enjoying themselves and being rewarded learn more quickly, have more confidence, more optimism, are more resilient and more able to think for themselves and make good choices. #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #fungundogtraining #positivedogtraining #rewardbaseddogtraining #sciencebaseddogtraining #holisticdogtraining #rowde #devizes #calne #melksham #chippenham #marlborough #northwiltshire

🐾🎓 👏 Teams Rocket, Flo and Merlin all completed my Platform Training Mini-Course on Friday and what a fantastic 3 weeks we had! We were also joined by Team Icarus in weeks 1 & 3 - currently facing so many other challenges, it was lovely to see all her achievements. Ages ranged from just 16 weeks to 6 years! There are so many benefits to platform training for both dog and handler and I introduce them as early as Puppy School. We finished on Friday with a little challenge in the shape of a platform obstacle course featuring 4 different “platforms” incorporating novelty, proprioception, confidence building and communication… I’ll be running another Platform Introduction soon. Remember to keep an eye on my website for all group classes. I’m so looking forward to August and establishing The Puppy Adviser at Lower Farm, home of The Rowdey Cow Cafe & Ice-Cream, and will be developing a regular programme of classes to take you and your dog from the very early stages of puppyhood, through adolescence and beyond. There will definitely be something for everyone 🐾🤩🐾 www.thepuppyadviser.co.uk #thepuppyadviser #puppyadviser #fundogtraining #positivedogtraining #ethicaldogtraining #rowdeycow #rowde #bromham #calne #devizes #chippenham #melksham

🐾 A little snapshot of Kermit on one of his sniffaris today. I walked him on an adjustable 2.5m lead. Here it was at its longest and our walk was pavement based. This is an example of loose lead walking. I’m not asking Kermit to be by my side. He can be in front of me, behind me or out to the side of me but his lead is always loose. As we were “on sniffari”, I allowed him to stop and sniff whenever he wanted to. Kermit’s lead skills did not happen overnight. It took months and months of training starting at home when Kermit was just 8 weeks old and continuing way into his adolescence. Everything was broken down into bite-sized chunks, repeated until I was sure Kermit understood and was consistent in repetition and this applied to every environment. I started without a lead building Kermit’s motivation to want to be with me through marking and rewarding him for “shadowing” me. The lead was only introduced once he was able to head out into the outside world and from the first day I used a longer length lead ensuring as much as possible that it didn’t tighten and created tension. I used his outside adventures for training alongside 3-5 minute sessions at home or in the garden throughout the day. I focused heavily on our relationship from the day he came home, making sure he always felt safe and allowing everything to happen at his pace. I ensured I communicated with him and that he understood. I made sure he got plenty of mental enrichment from his training by making all activities rewarding and having fun through play. I made sure I was consistent. I made sure I didn’t get impatient or frustrated! Loose lead walking is possibly the hardest behaviour we can teach. It is not a natural behaviour for our dogs and requires time and understanding from us as handlers. I’m going to be reintroducing my Loose Lead Mini-Courses soon. Small groups, structured sessions with a wide range of activities to support anyone who needs

🐾 I’m absolutely buzzing after Kermit and myself attended a fabulous workshop this morning with Jenny Richards of Deliverance Dogs, hosted by the very lovely Lucy Ward Dog Training The theme was play & motivation, looking at how we build a relationship with our dog and provide outlets for their natural genetic instincts. Those of you who have trained with me know how enthusiastic I am…Jenny is the next level up and Kermit thoroughly enjoyed himself 😂 As a trainer, it’s not only important to explore different strategies but important every so often to be a client too. It’s also great to be able to sit back and watch other participants without focusing on being the teacher myself. We can learn so much from watching. I will be liaising with Jenny to host this fabulous workshop as The Puppy Adviser and will announce booking as soon as confirmed - you won’t want to miss out! 🐾