Wags & Wellbeing

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Wags & Wellbeing

I help pet dog owners achieve happy and calm lives with their dogs and develop their relationship. Force free and concept based dog training. Based in Doncaster.

02/01/2026

New Year’s resolutions for 2026 don’t have to be all about doing more. Sometimes they’re about doing things a little differently.

For many dog owners, the New Year brings goals like calmer walks, better focus around distractions, more confidence in new places or simply enjoying life together with less stress. These aren’t quick fixes, but they are absolutely achievable with the right support and a plan that suits both you and your dog.

Training isn’t about starting from scratch or chasing perfection. It’s about building understanding, strengthening communication and helping your dog feel more comfortable in their world.

If working on your dog’s training is one of your goals for 2026, my diary is now open. Get in touch to chat about how we can make this year a positive step forward for you and your doggy.

31/12/2025

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you and your dogs are starting the year feeling rested and ready for what’s ahead.

The New Year is a great time to refocus on training, whether that’s building solid foundations, working through specific challenges or simply strengthening your everyday skills together. Small, consistent steps can make a big difference to your dog’s confidence and behaviour.

If booking dog training is on your list for this year, my diary is now open. Feel free to get in touch to chat about how I can support you and your dog in the months ahead.

29/12/2025

Fireworks on New Year’s Eve can be unsettling for many dogs, but a bit of preparation can help them cope more comfortably.

Making sure your dog has had plenty of physical and mental enrichment earlier in the day can help take the edge off the evening. Create a safe, cosy space where they can settle, ideally away from windows and outside noise. Drawing curtains, closing windows and putting the TV or radio on can help soften sudden bangs. If your dog chooses to stay close to you, offer calm reassurance, but let them decide where they feel most comfortable.

Planning ahead also means avoiding late-night walks when fireworks are most likely and ensuring collars and tags are secure in case your dog becomes startled.

If your dog finds fireworks particularly difficult, training and support can help build confidence over time. If you’d like to get started in the New Year, feel free to get in touch to chat about how I can help.

27/12/2025

How flexible is your dog?

I’m not talking about physical flexibility (although that matters too), but mental flexibility. This is your dog’s ability to cope with change, adjust to different routines and feel confident when faced with something new.

One simple way to build this skill is by seeing how many different things your dog can do with just one object. Take this stool, for example. Brego is practising placing one foot on it, two feet on it, and walking around it in both directions. Same object, lots of different ways to interact with it.

It’s a great way to encourage problem-solving and confidence without needing lots of equipment.

How many different things can you think of to do with one object? Share your ideas in the comments.

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas to all of our followers!

We hope Santa came and brought you and your dog some amazing gifts that you can have fun with together.

If you're looking at some new training goals in the new year, send me a message and we can have a chat about how we can help.

23/12/2025

What does Santa have in store for your pup?

Don't forget the furry members of the family when you're getting the Christmas presents. Brego has a new bed and a therapeutic mat on it's way. I think he'll enjoy it if Rudolph doesn't eat all of his carrot when he visits too!

Share below in the comments what Santa is bringing your dog for Christmas.

21/12/2025

Top 5 tips for making sure your dog stays comfortable on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day can be a lot for dogs. Extra people, different routines, new smells and plenty of excitement can all add up, even for confident dogs. A little planning can help make the day more comfortable for them.

🐾 Keeping parts of their usual routine, such as walks and mealtimes, can give your dog some much-needed familiarity
🐾 Making sure your dog has a quiet space to rest away from guests where they won’t be disturbed can allow them to remove themselves if needed
🐾 Be mindful of festive food as many Christmas treats aren’t safe for dogs - anything with raisins (like mince pies or Christmas pudding), chocolate and alcohol are toxic to dogs
🐾 If your dog enjoys being involved, let them join in at their own pace, but make sure they have time for rest, even if you need to remind them that they need it!
🐾 When unwrapping presents, keep track of their wrappings as some dogs might investigate and if they ingest anything, it can be very risky

A calm dog makes for a calmer Christmas all round. If you have any tried-and-tested tips for helping your dog feel settled on Christmas Day, share them in the comments.

(BTW, credit to for this gorgeous pic of Brego)

19/12/2025

Have you ever noticed how much calmer your dog seems after a good sniff around?

Sniffing isn’t just a way for dogs to explore the world – it’s an essential part of their wellbeing.

When dogs are given time to sniff, they process information about their environment, which helps them feel more secure and confident. Sniffing allows them to make choices on a walk, giving them a sense of control that supports emotional balance. It also encourages natural problem-solving, which can be mentally tiring in the best way. A walk with plenty of sniffing can often be more satisfying than a fast-paced route with little opportunity to explore.

If you’ve found sniffing helps your dog settle, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Brego loves a good sniff around and it really helps him to settle in new or overwhelming situations.

17/12/2025

Does training ever really finish?

It’s a question I’m asked a lot, and the honest answer is that training is an ongoing part of living with a dog. Just like us, dogs continue to learn throughout their lives. Their needs change as they grow, their environment changes, and new experiences can shape their behaviour.

Good training isn’t about aiming for perfection and then stopping. It’s about building habits, strengthening communication and helping your dog feel confident and understood. Even a few minutes of practice each day can make a real difference and keeps those skills fresh.

Beyond that, training is fun! Teaching your dog a new trick or skill helps build your connection and strengthens your relationship.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you feel your dog’s training is “finished”, or are you still building on it? Share your experiences in the comments.

15/12/2025

He’s on his way!

December can be full-on for all of us with Christmas activities, wrapping presents and decorating the house. It’s worth remembering that all these changes can feel a bit unusual for our dogs. A few small considerations can help keep things calm and safe.

🐾 Try to keep to your dog’s usual routine so their day still feels familiar
🐾 Keep any festive food that could be dangerous well out of reach, including mince pies, Christmas cake and chocolate
🐾 Think carefully about where you place decorations so your dog isn’t at risk from things like tinsel or fragile ornaments
🐾 While it’s lovely to include your dog in the festivities, if it all feels a bit much for them, it may be kinder to let them stay at home to relax

I’d love to see your dogs enjoying the run-up to Christmas – share your photos in the comments.

13/12/2025

Aren't treats just bribing your dog?

Nah, absolutely not! We use treats to let our dogs know when they've done something we want, to reinforce good behaviour and increase the rate of that behaviour. When we're teaching something new, you may need quite a few treats but you can fade that out quickly once they get the hang of it.

You want to think about what your dog personally likes - is it chicken? Or cheese? You can use really small pieces for rewards and even use part of their meals to make sure they don't put on any weight. And you don't need to use food every time for rewards either - maybe your dog loves to tug or have a good sniff.

Comment below with your dogs favourite rewards.

11/12/2025

How does your dog cope with Christmas decorations? 🎄🐾

As the festive season arrives, our homes suddenly fill with new colours, shiny objects, unusual smells, and plenty of tempting textures… and for many dogs, that can be very exciting!

Sparkly decorations can be irresistible, but they can also be hazardous. Tinsel for example, can cause dangerous obstructions if swallowed, and broken ornaments can easily lead to injuries.

When you’re putting everything up, it’s worth thinking about what your dog can reach. Start as you mean to go on: calmly remind them to leave decorations alone from day one, and make sure they have safe alternatives to explore and enjoy.

Every dog responds differently to the festive setup - some ignore it completely, and others turn into full-time decoration inspectors!

How does your dog handle all the Christmas sparkle? Share in the comments below. 🎅

Address

Doncaster

Website

http://www.wagsandwellbeing.co.uk/

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