Kamalfernandezdogtraining

01/11/2025

💭 What If It’s Not a Problem… But a Purpose?

When we talk about “problem behaviours” in dogs, we often start from the idea that something is wrong.
That the dog is sick, unbalanced, too much, or needs fixing.

So we try to suppress.
To quiet.
To stop.
To control.
To prevent them from rehearsing the very behaviours that make them who they are.

But let’s take a step back for a moment.
Dogs were not created to be pets. They were designed to be partners.
Every breed, every type, was intentionally crafted by humans for a purpose — a job that served us.

The herder that gathered the flock.
The terrier that cleared the home of vermin.
The gundog that retrieved our game.
The guardian that protected our homes.

Their instincts, their energy, their passion — all of it was by design.
It wasn’t a flaw to be fixed. It was a purpose to be fulfilled.

But as society evolved, those jobs disappeared — or were replaced.
The flocks that once needed gathering are now moved by quad bike.
Homes that needed guarding are now protected by alarms and cameras.
Vermin that once required a tenacious terrier are now kept in check with chemicals and pest control companies.

The dogs, though… haven’t changed.
They still carry their purpose — in every cell, in every line of their DNA.

Now, imagine this.
Think about the thing that gives you purpose.
The thing that makes you feel alive.

Maybe it’s helping others.
Maybe it’s teaching, creating, caring, running, building, painting, singing.
That thing that fills your heart and gives your life meaning.

Now imagine being told you can never do it again.
You can’t sing.
You can’t paint.
You can’t help.
You can’t move.
You can’t express who you are.

How would that feel?
Frustrating? Empty? Sad?
Would it affect your mental health? Your self-esteem? Your sense of worth?

That’s what it’s like for a dog who’s been bred for a purpose — but has nowhere to put it.
It’s not a behavioural “problem.”
It’s a purpose left unfulfilled.

Our job isn’t to suppress that drive.
It’s to honour it.
To find healthy, meaningful ways to let it shine.

That’s why I talk about the Five E’s — the daily ingredients for a fulfilled dog:
💚 Enrichment – mental challenges that engage their instincts.
💚 Exercise – movement that satisfies their drive and energy.
💚 Entertainment – fun and play that builds connection.
💚 Emotional Stability – safety, predictability, and trust.
💚 Education – learning that gives structure and purpose.

When we invest in these, we’re not “fixing” dogs — we’re allowing them to become who they were meant to be.
We’re not managing a problem.
We’re meeting a purpose.

So maybe the next time you see your dog display that unstoppable drive, that intensity, that passion — instead of asking “How do I stop it?”, try asking…
“How can I fulfil it?”

Because when we meet dogs where they are — not where we wish they’d be — something magical happens:
Calm.
Confidence.
Connection.
And a life that feels right.

Maybe it’s time we stop seeing behaviour as a symptom to cure…
and start seeing it as a story waiting to be understood. 🐾

💬 Now I’d love to hear from you:
Does your dog have a purpose that’s being fulfilled?
How do you help them live it every day?
Share your ideas below — you might just inspire someone else to see their dog through a whole new lens. 💚

30/10/2025

Teaching Feeding Mechanics — The Missing Piece in Dog Training 🐾

One of the most overlooked foundations in dog training is teaching feeding mechanics — how the dog interacts with the food and how we deliver it.

We often jump straight into using food as a lure or for shaping… but without clarity, that can actually create confusion and fallout. The dog doesn’t fully absorb what we’re teaching because they’re not yet fluent in how to engage with the reward itself.

Teaching your dog:
✨ How to take food from your hand
✨ When to follow a lure
✨ When to ignore a lure
✨ When that lure might be relevant or not

…is a critical prerequisite for learning any core skill.

One of my go-to techniques for this is “Lure Hands” — a clear communication system that helps the dog understand when your hand means something.

I use a simple visual cue: ✌️ two fingers pointing downward — that’s my dog’s signal to follow this hand. Over time, it becomes a clear visual target that guides their movement with purpose and precision.

It’s quick to teach, but the impact is huge — suddenly, your luring, shaping, and reward delivery become seamless and consistent.

🎥 You can see how simple it is in this little video.

Do you use any specific feeding mechanic skills in your training? I’d love to hear your favourites 👇

29/10/2025

Confidence — it’s the thing we have most in common with our dogs. 🐾

We protect their confidence.
We advocate for it.
We build it carefully, with patience and intention.
We give them experiences that fill their confidence and help them grow into the best versions of themselves.

But how often do we offer ourselves that same kindness?

Your confidence deserves the same protection and nurturing you give your dog’s. 💛
Invest in it. Build it. Protect it fiercely.
Because when you feel confident — calm, capable, and certain — your dog feels it too.

Confidence is contagious.
And it’s the foundation for every bit of success you’ll ever have together. ✨

29/10/2025

Great reminder from Jenny Gould Sports Dog Training about fading reinforcement…something that can be a real struggle for so many!

28/10/2025

💭 Ever felt like everyone else is flying through dog sports while you’re stuck wondering what you’re doing wrong?

You’re putting in the time, showing up for your dog, doing everything you can — but progress still feels slow, messy, or inconsistent.

You see others posting flawless runs and high scores, and you start to question yourself:
👉 “Why does it look so easy for them?”
👉 “What am I missing?”
👉 “Is my dog just not cut out for this?”

You’re not alone — and you’re definitely not failing.

The truth is, every handler — from beginner to championship level — faces challenges in their dog sport journey. The difference isn’t whether they struggle… it’s how they work through it.

In my latest YouTube video, I’m breaking down 10 of the most common challenges people face in dog sports — the ones we don’t always talk about but that can completely shape your training experience and mindset.

From comparison and frustration to confidence dips and motivation slumps — I’ll help you see that these hurdles are normal, navigable, and often the key to real growth.

🎥 Watch here 👉 https://youtu.be/_nVpX6CTRaQ?si=MDSucQ8zHQaSmFry

If you’ve ever felt stuck, disheartened, or like everyone else has it figured out — this video is your reminder that you’re not behind… you’re just on your journey. 💚

Are you struggling in dog sports? Are you trying to figure out why your dog isn't performing as they can? Are you frustrated that they can't get that 1st pla...

28/10/2025

Wise words from Susan Garrett!!

27/10/2025

🎯 The Power of Play — Finding the “Just Right” Zone 🎯

Play isn’t just fun.
It’s one of the most powerful tools we have for building confidence, connection, and shaping behaviour.

But here’s the thing — play exists on a spectrum of pressure. Too much intensity can tip your dog into over-arousal or stress. Too little, and they disengage or lose confidence.

Think Goldilocks 🐻🍚 — not too much, not too little, but just right.

When you find that sweet spot of pressure — in your movement, energy, tone, and even toy presentation — your dog can truly thrive in play. That’s where learning, confidence, and relationship growth happen. 💪

Play can be used for:
✨ Reinforcement
✨ Confidence building
✨ Desensitisation & counter-conditioning
✨ Channeling instinct in healthy ways
✨ Deepening your relationship & mutual understanding

Every dog’s “just right” zone looks different. The key is to observe, adjust, and meet your dog where they are — helping them feel safe, successful, and connected. ❤️

👉 Want to understand your dog on a deeper level and unlock their potential through play?
Join my online training community for practical strategies that build confidence, connection, and clarity in both you and your dog.

26/10/2025

Massive congratulations to Dog Sports Funatics member Debbie Cuiffo, with Will and Hawk on their multitude of successes this weekend!!

Amazing stuff!!

26/10/2025

🎯 The 10 Most Common Problems in Dog Sports (and How to Fix Them)

Dog sports success isn’t just about skill — it’s about clarity, mindset, and connection.
Even the best teams struggle when small cracks appear in training or competition prep.

Here are the 10 most common mistakes that hold handlers and dogs back 👇

1️⃣ Shifting Criteria – Don’t let your standards slip under pressure. Consistency builds confidence.
2️⃣ Motivation Mismatch – If your dog doesn’t want to perform, your training won’t stick. Build true value for the work.
3️⃣ Chaining Issues – Start with short, clear sequences before expecting full routines.
4️⃣ Reinforcement Gaps – Training and competition should align. Vary your reward schedule early.
5️⃣ Environmental Pressure – Don’t just expose, educate your dog to feel safe and confident.
6️⃣ Handler Mindset – Your energy sets the tone. Calm, focused handlers build calm, focused dogs.
7️⃣ Poor Mechanics – Timing, cues, and body language matter more than you think.
8️⃣ Lack of Ringcraft – Learn the etiquette, flow, and “unwritten rules” of your sport.
9️⃣ Conditioning & Recovery – Train smart, not nonstop. Mental and physical balance = better performance.
🔟 No Long-Term Plan – Structure your training with foundations and progression in mind.

💡 Dog sports excellence isn’t about perfection — it’s about clarity, preparation, and connection.

🐾 Want to level up your performance and create a confident, competition-ready dog?
👉 Follow for more dog sport training tips and resources!

25/10/2025

✨ Think. Plan. Do. Review. ✨

One of Bob Bailey’s most famous phrases — and one of the best reminders for anyone serious about progress in dog training and competition success.

➡️ Think — What do you actually want to train? Get clear on the specific skill, behaviour, or concept you’re aiming to improve.
➡️ Plan — How will you teach it? Break it into steps. Define what success looks like. A solid plan keeps your sessions efficient and focused.
➡️ Do — Get out there and train! Keep it purposeful, fun, and connected with your dog.
➡️ Review — The most overlooked step. What worked? What didn’t? What will you adjust next time? Reflection is where true growth happens.

💡 Efficient training builds efficient responses.
💪 Intentional training creates an intentional mindset.
🔥 And that mindset leads to confident, consistent success — in training and in the competition ring.

Before your next session, pause and ask yourself:
👉 Have I thought it through? Planned it out? Am I ready to do it — and then review it honestly?

Small, thoughtful steps add up to extraordinary results.
Train with purpose. Compete with intention. Succeed with clarity. 💫

🐾 If you’re passionate about intentional dog training and want to take your skills — and your mindset — to the next level, follow me for more training tips, mindset strategies, and competition insights to help you and your dog reach your full potential.

23/10/2025

✨ The Nuance of Shaping, Choice, and Clarity ✨

Tips for shaping! Shaping and the use of inter-choice and reward markers aren’t just “advanced tools” — they’re the backbone of clear, reinforcement-based training for any dog sport.

When you understand how to weave these concepts together, you unlock something powerful:
➡️ The dog learns that a distraction can also be a reinforcement, and a reinforcement can also be a distraction.
➡️ You build clarity around when and where something is a cue, an opportunity, or an earned reward.

At the heart of it all lies Susan Garrett’s “It’s Your Choice” — often misunderstood as simply “the treat in the open hand” exercise. Yet that’s just the surface. The real value lies in the principle: teaching the dog that their choices create access to reinforcement.

This idea underpins everything — shaping, luring, distractions, and reinforcement. It builds clarity, reduces frustration, and replaces conflict with understanding.

When you play this game well, you create:
🐾 Focus without pressure
🐾 Confidence without conflict
🐾 Engagement without over-arousal

And ultimately, you build a dog who wants to work with you — no matter the sport, the distraction, or the challenge. 💚