Raising Pawfection

17/07/2025

🌪️ Dog Training 101: How NOT to Teach Recall… 🐾

So there I was… fresh-faced, full of enthusiasm, and ready to impress my new dog training client. The dog? A young, bouncy German Shepherd with Olympic sprinting potential. The goal? Demonstrate a flawless recall using a long line. Easy, right?

Reader, it was not.

Mid-demo, the shepherd spotted a gang of road workers across the field and decided they were clearly in desperate need of a cuddle. I, determined not to let go of the line, made a noble choice…

I held on.

Big mistake.

Picture this: me, skiing across a muddy field like some sort of budget Bond stunt double — except instead of a speedboat, I had a dog on a mission. I almost made it look cool. Until I face-planted.

Flat. On. My. Face.
Covered head to toe in mud.
Dignity? Nowhere to be found.

Meanwhile, the road workers applauded. I think one offered me a cuppa. The dog was, of course, delighted.

Moral of the story? Don’t do this when it’s slippery! And maybe bring a spare outfit.

🐕💨🛷

16/07/2025

We signed up to Raising Pawfection when we took on Parrot ( yes- that really is his name), because the rescue centre recommended it. Being honest I didn’t look at it until Parrot started being really rough with other dogs after about a week. I contacted Denise via the Ask the Expert panel on my dashboard and she got back to me within hours. We booked a zoom session next day where she set me a plan to try to change this behaviour.
I’m so glad I signed up. I had no idea that I would get an hour session to help, I assumed because it’s quite cheap that I would just get some tips via e mail.
One big mistake we made was socialising Parrot right away. I wish I had gone through his personalised plan to start with as this would have stopped me. But anyway, thank goodness we had help really quickly. Parrot now has some doggy buddies and I feel happier about walking him. I also love the training videos as they are so easy to follow!
I would highly recommend signing up if you get a rescue dog.
Josie and Parrot the Labrador cross

15/07/2025

Nothing else to add. If you are stupid enough to sing loudly in your dog’s face whilst they are asleep, then don’t be surprised to be on the list for a plastic surgeon to replace your nose!

Image generated by AI as there’s no way anyone should really be doing this!!!!

15/07/2025

Can I Take My Aggressive Dog to Group Classes?

Let’s start with the wording. I don’t love the term “aggressive dog” because, frankly, there’s no such thing—only aggressive behaviour. Words matter, and this kind of label can be misleading.

But if your dog is showing aggression towards people or other dogs, then standard group classes are unlikely to be the right place to start.

There are specialist classes out there for reactive dogs, and when they’re properly run, they can be incredibly helpful. However, for them to truly be effective—and safe—certain conditions need to be in place.

1. A full assessment by a qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist.
This must be done via referral from your vet. It’s essential to understand the motivation behind the behaviour, and what’s reinforcing it.

2. A tailored behaviour modification plan.
Before attending a class, you should already be working on a structured plan with clear goals.

3. A large, secure, private outdoor space.
This isn’t just for safety—it also prevents curious off-lead dogs from wandering into a session uninvited (and unhelpfully).

4. Plenty of space between dogs.
The aim is for dogs not to rehearse aggressive behaviour during the session. Managing distance is crucial.

5. A high trainer-to-dog ratio.
Ideally, one trainer per 2–3 dogs to ensure proper support and supervision.

6. Clear arrival and entry protocols.
You should be given detailed instructions on how to bring your dog into the space calmly and safely.

7. All dogs should remain on lead.
No exceptions. This keeps everyone safe and under control.

Now, just because someone offers “reactive dog classes” doesn’t automatically mean they’re appropriate—or even beneficial. The reality is, due to a lack of formal regulation in the dog training world, almost anyone can run these sessions. And unfortunately, many do.

To avoid making things worse (which can absolutely happen in the wrong hands), always go through your vet and ask for a referral to a properly qualified Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

A thoughtful, evidence-based approach is what your dog—and the others around them—deserve.

14/07/2025

Not Aggressive, Just Scared?

I bumped into a woman walking her dog this week. The moment her dog spotted mine, they stiffened, then began lunging on the lead showing teeth. The owner quickly called out, “It’s okay! My dog trainer says she’s not aggressive, she’s just scared!”

Now, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard that particular line, so I thought it might be worth unpacking it a little.

To understand what’s really going on here, we need to separate behaviour from emotional state. In this case, the behaviour is aggression; the emotional state is fear. These are not the same thing, even if they’re often related.

Yes, fear can absolutely be a driving force behind aggressive behaviour. A dog that’s frightened may lunge, growl or snap to try to push a perceived threat away. And unfortunately, this behaviour is often reinforced—if the threat retreats (e.g. another dog is pulled away), the dog feels safer, and the aggressive response is more likely to happen again next time.

But here’s the key point: just because aggression is fear-based doesn’t mean we should dismiss it. Saying “she’s not aggressive, just scared” doesn’t make the behaviour any less problematic. It’s still something that needs addressing—for two important reasons.

First, the dog is clearly experiencing an uncomfortable emotional state. That fear shouldn’t be ignored.
Second, the behaviour itself can cause distress to others—both people and dogs. And in some cases, it could provoke a dangerous response if another dog, or their owner takes exception to the lunging and reacts aggressively in return.

If your trainer has told you that your dog’s aggression is rooted in fear but hasn’t offered guidance on how to help, it’s time to take action. Speak to your vet to rule out any medical issues, and ask for a referral to a properly qualified clinical animal behaviourist.

It’s also worth noting that working with a vet and a clinical animal behaviourist might uncover other underlying reasons for the aggression. There are several potential motivating factors, and often require different approaches.

Let’s stop excusing the behaviour and start helping the dog.

08/07/2025

💛 Kindness isn’t optional – it’s essential in dog training. 💛

Training methods matter — not just for behaviour, but for your dog’s emotions, too.

🔹 Punitive methods (shouting, lead jerks, physical punishment) may seem to “work” in the moment, but they often create stress, fear, and anxiety. Worse still, your dog may form superstitious associations – blaming a nearby child, toy, or dog for the punishment. That’s not just unfair… it’s risky.

🔹 Positive reinforcement, on the other hand, builds trust and emotional stability. It boosts confidence, encourages problem-solving, and strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

That’s where www.raisingpawfection.com comes in 🐶
We help you train with kindness from the very beginning – offering easy-to-follow tutorials, practical advice, and a positive approach to raising your dog. Whether you’re starting from puppyhood or working on adult behaviour, we’re here to help you raise your dog with empathy, consistency, and joy.

A dog raised with kindness is a dog who thrives.

05/07/2025

Lily has had a lovely day!

She visited her second most favourite place (after the local pub) - Wimborne Garden Centre.

Once we go in she immediately tries to go out via the shop! This is because, when we go through the checkout, they hand out the dog biscuits!

After this she had a drive to our local playing fields for a lovely off lead wander.

As she is now nearly 14, and less mobile, it’s better to mix things up like this so she has a balance of wandering/ physical exercise and mental enrichment.

She loves talking to anyone who will at the garden centre. Trouble is, we always have to buy something as she would be devastated if we didn’t go through the checkout!

This is her now!

02/07/2025

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in a group dog class – or worse, like you and your pup were falling behind – Raising Pawfection offers a kinder, calmer alternative.

✔️ No judgment
✔️ No pressure
✔️ No strange dogs sniffing your ankles

Instead, it’s you, your dog, and a treasure trove of practical, compassionate resources. You’ll also get 1-to-1 support when things get tricky.

Of course, it’s not the full Hogwarts of Dog Training – there’s no built-in social element.

But let’s face it, not all dogs are party animals. Some just want their human, a treat, and a bit of peace. But you will get guidance on HOW to socialise properly.

www.raisingpawfection.com

Only available in the U.K. and limited numbers because we offer quality - not quantity. We are not a corporate, you will always talk to a real person, never a chatbot!

01/07/2025

The worst thing you can do with an unsocialised dog… is socialise them.”

Yes, you read that right. It sounds backwards, doesn’t it? But here’s the thing: dogs who haven’t been properly socialised aren’t “missing out” on playdates or puppy parties. What they’re missing is coping skills — and just throwing them into the deep end of dog classes or busy parks is a recipe for stress, not success.

🐶 Why? Because dogs sensitise far more easily than they desensitise.
That means one overwhelming experience can stick — and not in a good way. For unsocialised or fearful dogs, a dog training class ( no matter how calm), unfamiliar people, and lots of pressure can actually make things worse. You don’t build confidence with pressure.

🧠 What works better? Carefully structured, safe feeling environments.
That’s where well-designed online programmes shine. They let you work at your dog’s pace, from the comfort of home, without the pressure cooker of a live class. With the right support, you can build up your dog’s skills step by step — creating real social confidence, not just survival mode.

🎯 So if you’ve got a dog who’s a bit “socially awkward” — don’t worry. You don’t need to throw them into the deep end. You just need the right strategy. ❤️

30/06/2025

Please be aware. We might not think that a dog can die from overheating in the car with us. Very sadly, caught in a traffic jam.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/major-hot-car-warning-issued-35475579?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLPwtFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlxjSTcDUePZ2moBphiH5m09T125JOOnpSfm34yxc6CTfUN1YAWy8O01oMZ0_aem_uVV2YvwtogHo3chLPR4-UA =1751291140

As tempeartures soar outside in the UK this week, the mercury inside a vehicle can rocket up quickly, putting dogs at heightened risk of heatstroke - especially flat-faced breeds like French bulldogs and pugs

30/06/2025

No dog died from missing a walk! Please take them out very early, or not at all in this kind of heat! It’s just not worth the risk.
Seeing too many people walking dogs in the afternoon when the temperature is still in the high 20’s

27/06/2025

For once, a sensible dog article in the Mirror! This is why we encourage people to take their own dog bowls to puppy/ dog training classes too. ( not Weils disease, which is rat borne ).

It might be getting hot outside, but an expert has warned against letting your pet dog drink from communal water bowls for a major reason.