If you've always wanted to have a go at scent detection, then this is your chance....well, for your dog to have a go. We will be at The BIG BARK this year. Why not come and say hi! 🙂
🐾 The Big Bark is back – and this time they're coming to Cirencester!
🗓 16th & 17th August
📍 Bathurst Estate, Cirencester Park
✅ Have-A-Go doggy activities
✅ Live demos & working dogs
✅ Street food & chill zones
✅ Expert advice on pup wellbeing
✅ Boutique dog shopping
✅ Puppachinos galore
✅ Free parking & easy access
✅ Supporting NFRSA
For the pets that shaped us, that taught us what unconditional love is. Those we carry in our hearts always.
With today being Pet Remembrance Day, taking a moment to slow down and remember the best friends we’ve had along the way. Sending love to everyone missing a furry friend, always in our hearts, just a memory away.
Honored to be collaborating with on this special piece today, who work so hard to care, rehabilitate and find forever homes for dogs with so much love.
04/07/2025
🐶TICKET GIVEAWAY!🐶
We are excited to be showcasing Scent Detection at The Big Bark, Bathurst Estate on the 16th and 17th of August......and we have 2 FREE TICKETS TO WIN for one of those days!!!
We've teamed up with to giveaway two adult tickets for The Big Bark at Bathurst Estate, Cirencester on either the 16th or 17th of August!
Entering is easy, just follow the steps below:
🐾LIKE this post (and comment so we don't lose you!)
🐾TAG who you'd bring with you
🐾FOLLOW &
🐾A SHARE is always appreciated to help spread the love
Good luck pups! 🍀
Zelda will pick the winner on Friday the 11th July. The winner will be contacted via direct message and must provide an email address to send to the organisers. Entrants must be 18 or over. Tickets valid for one day, either 16th or 17th August. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Instagram or Meta.
04/07/2025
😁
02/07/2025
🐶 The Big Bark is heading to Cirencester! 🎉
Join us on 16th & 17th August for a weekend of wagging tails, tasty treats and all things doggy in the stunning Bathurst Estate, Cirencester Park!
What’s in store:
🐾 Fun-filled “Have-A-Go” arenas for dogs of all sizes
🎪 Live demos from amazing trainers and working dogs
🛍 Paw-some shopping stalls with treats, toys & more
☕ A relaxed vibe with street food and the iconic Doggy Café
🎓 Expert talks on training, nutrition and wellbeing
💛 All supporting the amazing NFRSA charity
With free parking, level access and room to roam – it’s the ultimutt day out for the whole pack!
Here in the UK, it’s going to be hot this weekend and pant space has never been more important. ☀️
With temperatures expected to hit 29°C on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June, this could be the warmest weekend of the year so far. 🥵
We absolutely recognise that many countries experience these kinds of temperatures regularly - often for much longer periods than we do here. But that’s exactly why it’s so important to remind UK dog guardians, many of whom (and their dogs) aren’t used to this level of sustained heat, about the importance of pant space.
And with that heat comes a really important welfare reminder for anyone using a muzzle:
👉 Pant space is not a luxury - it’s essential. 👈
Dogs don’t sweat like we do. They rely on panting to regulate their body temperature, and if they’re wearing a muzzle that restricts their ability to do that, they’re at risk.
No room to pant = a welfare issue. 🤷🏻♀️
Without it, dogs can overheat quickly, putting them at serious risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration… even death. We’re not trying to scare anyone, but it’s so important people understand just how serious this can be.
That’s why our muzzles are designed with full pant room as standard. Your dog should be able to open their mouth wide… to pant, to drink, to yawn, and to stay safe.
If you’re not sure whether your muzzle allows for full panting, we’ve got support for you. Use our measuring chart, browse the pinned posts on our feed, or check the fit guide on our website.
And yes - we’re aware that occlusion muzzles (the ones that hold a dog’s mouth shut) do have a place. In very short term, specific situations - like emergency vet handling… they can be necessary. But they are never appropriate for walks, time outdoors, or longer durations. Especially not in this kind of weather.
Long term wear of muzzles must allow for safe, comfortable panting. Full stop.
This weekend, please check your fit and stay cool!
SHARE this post! 🫶
30/06/2025
Yep, there is LOTS of information at the moment about walking, not walking, and what are the signs of heatstroke in dogs.
It's really not worth it, but remember dogs most at risk include:
large dogs, double coated breeds, and brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bully breeds, etc).
If you do see someone walking the dog, have a chat, rather than a go. There is also lots you can do with your do instead of walking them.
🐶Ice cube treasure hunt – Freeze treats or toys in ice blocks for dogs to lick and dig out.
🐶Hide scentwork items (or treats) in shady spots or under upturned plant pots for a fun, low-energy activity
🐶A shaded sandpit or soil box where dogs can dig and cool off.
Place a damp towel or cool mat in the shade
Ensure constant access to fresh, cool water
🐕HEATSTROKE IN DOGS🐕
We've been banging on about this for years! HEATSTROKE is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY! Fortunately, now more and more professionals are communicating the same message!
Whilst the need for rapid cooling with COLD water (1-15°C) has been recognised for decades in equestrian and human medicine, the dog world has lagged behind, and very poor information still circulates. e.g. "cool the paws", "cover with wet towels", "avoid cold water as it will cause shock"
THE KEY MESSAGES ARE............
💦"WET THEN VET"💦
💦"COLD WATER IMMERSION" (1-15°C)💦
(If you can't immerse, keep pouring ANYTHING COLD over the dog - hose, soft drinks, milk, etc)
💦Dogs die of heatstroke because they were NOT COOLED QUICKLY ENOUGH, NOT BECAUSE THEY WERE COOLED!
♨️RISK FACTORS FOR HEATSTROKE IN HOT WEATHER♨️
♨️Large dogs
♨️DOUBLE-COATED breeds
♨️Brachycephalic breeds
♨️June, July, August (UK)
♨️Exercise, being outdoors, left in cars
EDIT: - If a dog is PANTING, it's struggling to control its body TEMPERATURE! 💦HOSE IT TO COOL IT DOWN!💦
❤️PLEASE SHARE - Spread accurate information; potentially save a dogs life!❤️
If you don't believe me, look at the research: Beard S, Hall EJ, Bradbury J, Carter AJ, Gilbert S, O'Neill DG. Epidemiology of heat-related illness in dogs under UK emergency veterinary care in 2022. Vet Rec. 2024;e4153. https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.4153
28/06/2025
🐾 Dog lovers, this one’s for you! The Big Bark comes to Cirencester Park on 16th & 17th August – and it’s going to be paw-some! 🐶
I'll be there showcasing Scent Detection. Come and say hi, it would be fab to see some familiar faces.
Here's what you can expect...
✨ Try-it-yourself dog zones
🎪 Live action demos
🛍 Boutique doggy shopping
☕ Puppachinos at the Doggy Café
💬 Expert advice from trainers & wellbeing pros
🎗 Supporting NFRSA
Free parking, open skies, and non-stop fun for every four-legged guest (and their humans too)!
Scent Detection Classes - Level 1 - learn how to condition your dog to a scent and start working as a team to become an awesome detection duo.
For more information - drop an email to [email protected]
12/06/2025
SCENT DETECTION CLASSES - LEVEL 1. Classes are kept small. Come and do the training your dog will love. Become a Scent Detection Team. Work on Search, Scent ID and Indication. If you've been looking for something to do with your do, look no further, Develop your bond and work as a great team. Classes starting at Elmscroft Community Centre, Gloucester and The Harvey Centre, Minsterworth.
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Welcome to Positive Canine Coaching
I’m Katherine Johnson and I’m an IMDT qualified dog and puppy trainer who covers the county of Gloucestershire.
I’m currently trained by my 2-year-old Labradoodle, Zelda and my 2 house bunnies, Ralph and Ruby. My love of animals started over 30 years ago when we owned a rabbit and our first puppy Rebel, a Golden Labrador. Things have changed so much in the dog training world in the last 30 years and I was adamant I wanted to teach my current pup Zelda in the right way, by building trust and creating a good bond with her using positive and force free methods. I re homed her when she was just over 4 months old from a previous client, who felt she couldn’t give her the life she deserved. I was lucky that Zelda had been given a great start in life and had come from what seemed a very good, loving home. As with lots of puppies when the hormones start to kick in, many of the behaviours previously taught can prove to be a bit more of a challenge and she’s currently struggling with certain noises and objects she may have previously encountered when she was younger. We’re also spending a lot of time working on her recall as I believe as a trainer and a dog owner, recall is one of the most important behaviours to get right, but this too is a work in progress!.
Before Zelda came in to my life, my two house bunnies ruled the roost. Ruby is a rescue rabbit from the RSPCA, and I believe she was used for breeding and Ralph was the last of an unwanted litter. Ruby is the one I have to keep a close eye on. She was found with no hay and a bowl of muesli. For those of you who know about rabbits, hay should make up 85% of their diet and they shouldn’t be fed muesli. Rabbits teeth grow all the time and the hay helps keep them short. Ruby’s teeth are in a awful condition and she has to have an injection every 3 days to help her. She has also had bouts of gut stasis which basically means the gut slows down or stops working, so I monitor her closely looking for any change in behaviour. I get asked all the time “Can you train a rabbit?” Well, yes, actually you can. They both use a litter tray to go to the toilet and they both run back in to their pen, when it’s time to go to bed.
When we bring a dog in to our lives, or any animal for that matter, it should not only enhance our lives, but also theirs. Every animal has their own personality and my main reason for becoming a dog trainer is to help owners have the best relationship then possibly can with their canine and also help reduce dog bites in the home. If we can get the relationship with the puppy right from the beginning, the chances are we’ll both have a loving and fulfilling life together.
My training approach will be molded to you and your pups needs. If you’re keen to chat about a training issue or behaviour problem you’d like help with, get in touch. We can have a chat and discuss your needs, and in the rare instance I cannot help you, the Pet Professional Network I am part of has many colleagues I could refer you on to who have the same code of ethics. Take a look at my website for more information https://www.positivecaninecoaching.co.uk/
I look forward to working with you and your pup soon.
