Hounds & Hooves Ltd-Walking Training Behaviour

This was a real breakthrough, milestone moment for tiny Bluebell… A month ago when Bluebell first came to see us she was really truly terrified of dogs, people, and life in general. For her, this looked like frantic, loud barking. Yesterday she scatter fed alongside Bumble at a 1-2 metre distance 😍😍 We also worked on: - both dogs in the paddock (slightly larger distance away - maybe 4 metres) - Bumble and I head-on approaching Bluebell as if we were going to pavement-pass and making her feel happier about that scenario. - Bumble popping up in places she didn’t expect him to, to prepare for surprise dogs on walks! She only had one wobble and quickly recovered. Not only that, but she put her paws up on my knee to say hello 🥹🥹🥹 I purposely left our chatter in the video instead of music because it was so nice that we felt relaxed enough with Bluebell’s behaviour that we felt okay to chat. Well done Blue, you are an absolute super star ⭐️

Muzzle training might seem unnecessary or even a bit intimidating, but it’s incredibly beneficial… even if you think your dog will never need it. We include muzzle training in our workshops because it’s useful in all kinds of situations: 👉 Vet visits 👉 Preventing your dog from eating harmful items on walks 👉 Meeting legal requirements in certain areas 👉 Offering a more comfortable alternative to a cone after surgery Muzzles aren’t just for ‘bad dogs’… they’re for any dog. 💙 Let’s break the stigma together. Share this post! 🐾

Socialisation isn’t just about saying hello to every dog and person… it’s so much more than that! It can look like 👇 👀 Watching the world from a safe spot. 👂 Getting used to different sounds. 🐾 Feeling new textures under their paws. 🌍 Experiencing different places in a calm, positive way. Even if your puppy can’t go on the floor yet, they can still start exploring the world in a way that builds confidence and security. Every small, positive experience helps shape a well rounded, happy dog. 🩵 Share this post!

Something Tonks has taught me… that there’s always room in my heart to love even more than before. 💛 Our dogs teach us the most beautiful lessons, don’t they? What’s something special your dog has taught you? Share your story with us below! 👇

This is the lovely Bracken, who we saw for a FREEZING session today. This video is not from today - this video is from before Christmas and it was pretty much Bracken’s first time out in such a busy environment. She is a farm dog by trade so Waitrose car park is not a regular haunt for her! As you can see, she isn’t 100% comfortable but coping brilliantly well. Bracken came to us because she would bark at anyone she saw on a walk, or from her garden. In today’s session we managed a walk around the whole of the great field, and it was almost like walking a ‘normal’ dog - she was amazing! The work is not yet done with Bracken as she is still a nervous little bean, and we are still tweaking her plan moving forward (now her pesky season is out of the way!) but she has improved massively - a real credit to her owner who has worked so hard with her. Well done Team Bracken ❤️❤️

Progress isn’t about perfection… it’s about those small, beautiful wins you share with your dog every day. 🩵 What’s a small win you’ve celebrated with your dog(s) recently? Share below! 👇

Tired of tug of war walks? Let’s change that! 🐾 Does the thought of walking your dog fill you with dread? Are you fed up with the constant pulling and worrying about “what will they do next?” Our self paced online course is here to help you transform your walks into calm, enjoyable moments. You’ll learn 👇 ✨ What motivates YOUR dog to focus on you. ✨ Simple techniques for stress free, loose lead walking. ✨ Fun games to build your bond and make training enjoyable. You can join today and get lifetime access! Perfect for anyone ready to stop the pulling and start enjoying walks again. Ready to get started? Yes? Awesome! Click the link below! 👇 https://payhip.com/b/uChEm

Look who’s back after his Christmas break… it’s baby Barley (who is definitely not a baby anymore!) Barley was on fire in his agility 121 this week. We have had quite the journey with him so far - he is so powerful with very little self preservation so teaching him to slow just enough to keep himself safe without properly losing speed has been our mission! Weaves are nearly closed now (opened a bit more here because we were sequencing them) and his tunnel drive is just 😍😍😍 brilliantly handled by Jen too! We love you Barls 🐾 Agility dates are almost finalised as we move from winter teaching hours into spring (yay!!) so keep an eye out for some announcements and courses being released 👀

Struggling with your adolescent dog? You’re not alone! Adolescence can be a tough phase for both dogs and their humans… hormones, energy, and stubbornness all rolled into one loveable but sometimes overwhelming package. But listen… this is not the end of the road for your bond. Here are 5 things that can save your relationship 👇 1️⃣ Understand their behaviour is normal… this phase won’t last forever. 2️⃣ Avoid the “they’ll grow out of it” mindset… consistent training is key. 3️⃣ Meet their physical and mental needs with a mix of exercise, play, and rest. 4️⃣ Find joy in the little things… cuddle sessions or trick training can make all the difference. 5️⃣ Build a support network… training classes and online communities are lifesavers! Adolescence is just a chapter, not the whole story. With patience and the right approach, you’ll emerge as an unstoppable team. Tag a dog parent who needs to hear this today!

Tonk has been exploring the big world, one sling adventure at a time! 🌍 Last week has been all about new sights, sounds, and surfaces… safely from the sling. 🐾 Even though Tonks can’t go down on the ground just yet, it’s super important for her to experience the world now so she can grow into a confident pup who loves the outdoors. What’s your favourite way to introduce your puppy to new experiences? Let us know below! ⬇️

I had to share this because…wow. This is a 10 week old puppy, and if you skip to around 30 seconds in the video, you’ll see why I’m absolutely in love with this little dog. 🥰 First off, apologies for the pj’s! Tonks and I had just been out for a little wander when we got caught in yet another downpour, so drenched and comfy attire it was! Training a family dog isn’t glamorous… it’s about squeezing in sessions wherever and whenever they fit around family life. While Tonks and I often train solo, the reality is that a lot of our sessions look like this - messy, real, and in the middle of everything else. 😅 Teaching “Place”. I hadn’t planned to start training this until a few weeks down the line, but Tonks started offering the behaviour a couple of days ago, so we’ve just rolled with it! Why is the “place” cue so handy? ✔️ Out and About: It’s great for situations like cafes or public spaces where your dog might struggle to settle. Having a familiar, portable mat can provide comfort and structure. ✔️ Managing Doorbell Chaos: If your dog tends to race to the front door, you can pair the sound of the doorbell with the mat, teaching them to go to their “place” instead. Why It Matters to My Family Stan (our older dog) was never much of a beggar, but when we started weaning Samson, the appearance of the high chair quickly became a signal for “food rain!” He’d plant himself under the high chair in hopes of scoring dropped snacks—not a behaviour I wanted to encourage. To help, I introduced the place cue during mealtime. Dinner in our house can be a bit of a circus. With Samson’s Autism/ADHD, PDA profile, and sensory sensitivities, sitting at the table for more than a few minutes is often tough for him. I didn’t want to block the table off completely, as that would only manage the situation temporarily. Training Tonks to settle on her mat during meals was the long term solution we needed. And honestly? She’s

As a dog trainer, I know preparation is key – especially when it comes to kids and a new puppy! Here are 3 simple steps I’ve used to get my kids ready for our big arrival. 🩵 Save this post!