Love Your Paws

Love Your Paws Thoughtful, kind training classes supporting dogs & owners to live their best lives together.
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Fun, friendly and effective dog training that is designed to help you understand your dog & how to build a really strong and positive relationship with you dog. Using kind techniques used to promote & strengthen the bond that you already have whilst teaching your dog the skills that they need to live happily with us in our crazy human world. I am accredited through The Institute of Modern Dog Trai

ners and regularly takes courses to ensure that my knowledge is up to date to provide you and your dog with the best possible service.

🐾💙 SAM IS NOT HAPPY! 💙🐾He’s decided in his older age that he doesn’t ‘do rain’. 🙈Not necessarily the best decision when ...
19/11/2024

🐾💙 SAM IS NOT HAPPY! 💙🐾

He’s decided in his older age that he doesn’t ‘do rain’. 🙈

Not necessarily the best decision when you live in Cornwall but at 13 he’s earned the right to be a grumpy old dog when he wants to be!! ☔️

But it raises that common question we often talk about at this time of year: Do dogs need coats?

After all, they’ve already got one of their own, right? But the answer isn’t quite so simple—it depends on your dog, their lifestyle, and the weather!

Sam would say… yes! On the days that he feels like it 🙈 Other days he’d prefer not to 🤷🏻‍♀️

Here are some helpful considerations to decide if a coat is the right choice for your dog:

Why Some Dogs Need Coats

🐶 Dogs living in our cosy, heated homes don’t have the same weatherproofing dogs who live in a kennel or outdoor environment . Their bodies aren’t prepared for long exposure to cold, wet, or windy conditions.

🐾 Short-haired breeds, slim dogs, puppies, and older dogs often feel the cold more than others and can benefit from an extra layer when temperatures drop.

Choosing the Right Coat

Not all coats are created equal! Here’s what to think about:

✅ Comfort is Key: Does your dog feel at ease wearing a coat? Some dogs need gentle desensitisation to feel comfortable in one.

✅ Style Matters: Traditional coat styles with straps may be easier to put on than jumper-style options, especially if your dog isn’t a fan of being physically manipulated. But jumper style coats may be more suitable for smaller dogs, or those who are enjoying off lead freedom.

✅ Fabric: Look for breathable waterproof or windproof materials for wet weather or fleece for dry, chilly days. They may cost more, but will absolutely be more comfortable for your dog.

✅ Harness Compatibility: If you use a harness, ensure it fits comfortably under or over the coat without causing any restriction or discomfort.

When Coats Aren’t Necessary

If your dog doesn’t seem to feel the cold or actively dislikes wearing a coat, you don’t have to force it! Alternatives like drying robes, fleece blankets, or just a quick towel-off after walks can keep them comfortable without the hassle.

A Final Thought

Every dog is unique, and their needs can change over time. Keep an eye on how your dog responds to different weather conditions and adapt as necessary.

Whether it’s a cosy coat or a quick drying-off session, the goal is to keep your dog comfortable, happy, and ready for the next adventure!

Do you use a coat for your dog, or do they prefer to brave the elements? Let us know your thoughts below! 👇

🎄🐾 TIME FOR A LITTLE BREAK 🐾🎄I’m officially on annual leave! I’ll be back to work on Wednesday, 4th December, feeling re...
17/11/2024

🎄🐾 TIME FOR A LITTLE BREAK 🐾🎄

I’m officially on annual leave! I’ll be back to work on Wednesday, 4th December, feeling rested, recharged, and ready for the festive season ahead. But it’s not all lounging about (although I might sneak in a mince pie or two!).

While I’m off, I’ll still be running classes on Saturday, 30th November, but that’s the only face-to-face work happening during this time. The rest of my leave will be a mix of relaxing, reflection, and planning some exciting new things for 2025 (have I mentioned that Love Your Paws is evolving?)! ✨

I’ll be heading to Dartmoor for a few days and going up to Bath Christmas market for a bit of festive cheer and family time. Of course, Sam and Lochy will be getting plenty of quality time with me too—there’ll be fun walks, tracking, and scent work to keep their tails wagging and my heart happy. 🐕💖

As much as I’ll miss catching up with you all, I won’t be on social media much. I’ll be checking emails, texts, and carrier pigeons (🕊️) every few days, but it won’t be daily. If you need me, just drop me a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Have a fabulous couple of weeks, and I’ll see you soon—rested, refreshed, and ready for a magical lead-up to Christmas! 🎅✨

🐾🐶 SUPER SNIFFER SUNDAY!! 🐶🐾This morning Bertie, Rufus & Nora completed their Foundation Tracking n’ Trailing course 🙌🏻O...
17/11/2024

🐾🐶 SUPER SNIFFER SUNDAY!! 🐶🐾

This morning Bertie, Rufus & Nora completed their Foundation Tracking n’ Trailing course 🙌🏻

Over 4 sessions they’ve shown their people just how phenomenal their noses are, & their people have learnt how to work with their dogs & support them to search for people with whom they have no prior relationship or connection 😊

They’ve learnt the foundations of tracking & how magical it is to watch their dogs follow a track with no instruction, just desire to do so. How to handle the lead to support their dogs. When their dogs need support & when they just need a moment to think. How to motivate their dogs & the power of reinforcing desired behaviours.

But most of all they’ve loved working in partnership with their dogs & enjoying an activity together 🥰

MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS to Nora, Rufus, Bertie & their fab people for completing the course!! 🤩🥳

It’s been great spending my Sunday mornings with you all!!

🐾🏅 OH MY GOODNESS….. 🏅🐾You’ll never guess what’s arrived in the post! Here’s a sneaky preview….Did anybody pass their Ca...
14/11/2024

🐾🏅 OH MY GOODNESS….. 🏅🐾

You’ll never guess what’s arrived in the post!

Here’s a sneaky preview….

Did anybody pass their Canine Hoopers World Progress Awards recently?? 🐕

🐾🐶 WHEN WEDNESDAYS ARE… 🐶🐾My ‘Monday’ and it starts like this ❤️Sets a pretty high bar for the rest of my working week!!...
13/11/2024

🐾🐶 WHEN WEDNESDAYS ARE… 🐶🐾

My ‘Monday’ and it starts like this ❤️

Sets a pretty high bar for the rest of my working week!!

Ps. I’m not sorry for the volume of photos. I deleted over 200… so this id the select few!!

🐶🎪 PUPPIES ON TV 🎪🐶We’ve been sworn to secrecy 🤫…..Until now!! 💥 A few months ago, I was approached by a production comp...
10/11/2024

🐶🎪 PUPPIES ON TV 🎪🐶

We’ve been sworn to secrecy 🤫…..

Until now!! 💥

A few months ago, I was approached by a production company to see if we’d like to be involved in a TV programme being made for CBeebies. If I’m honest, I was a bit hesitant at first, but then I thought—what a fantastic opportunity for the puppies and their owners. So, I said yes!

The production team were amazing to work with from start to finish. They came to film in early spring, and the puppies—Cooper, Finn, Gracie, Lexie, Desmond, Pluto, and Sunny—were absolute superstars!

They had chats with the presenters, showed off their best skills, joined in a mini training session, chased toys, and had lots of fuss from lots of different people. They also coped brilliantly with all the equipment and the film crew.

Throughout it all, the owners and I kept a close eye to make sure none of the puppies were feeling overwhelmed or worried. But honestly, the experience was wonderful. Everyone was so mindful of the puppies’ age and needs that they all seemed to go home happy, played out, and probably very tired!

It’s amazing to think that five hours of filming was condensed into about three minutes of TV! If you’d like to watch a children’s programme (loosely based on puppies!) starring the Love Your Paws puppy crew, here’s the link to take a look.

A huge thank you to all the incredible puppies and their owners who took part—you were all fabulous!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0024yhd/art-adventures-with-fred-pete-series-1-4-puppy-circus

Draw along with artists Fred and Pete as they play with puppies and join the circus in their quest to draw a picture of a puppy circus!

🌟 ⭐️  AND I’VE NEVER LOOKED BACK… ⭐️ 🌟 When I started Love Your Paws as a dog walking business I knew that to provide th...
10/11/2024

🌟 ⭐️ AND I’VE NEVER LOOKED BACK… ⭐️ 🌟

When I started Love Your Paws as a dog walking business I knew that to provide the dogs with the best possible care I would need to learn as much as I possibly could.

6 months into the business I signed up to do 2 back to back courses with The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers folllowed by their (utterly nerve wracking) 2 day assessment. 8 days fully immersed in the world of professional dog training & I was HOOKED!

I chose to do the courses in Scotland because…. well honestly because it meant I could do all 3 courses back to back & I figured that once out of Cornwall it’s not that far!! 🙈 And it was an opportunity to go home & visit my family.

I learnt so much in those 8 days & was so proud to have passed the assessment at the highest level, but what I learnt the most? That what I knew at that point was a mere drop in the ocean and that my journey of learning & only just begun.

Since then I have done so many more courses with different course providers…

Puppy Lab - School of Canine Science
Scent 4 Six - School of Canine Science
Behaviour Bible - School of Canine Science (ongoing!)
Perfect Puppy - Understanding Animals
Bronze Instructor - UK Sniffer Dogs
Silver Instructor - UK Sniffer Dogs
Separation Anxiety Pro - Julie Naismith
Teaching Scent Work - Sally Gutteridge
6 day Advanced Trainer - The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers
Hoopers Instructor Course - Canine Hoopers World
Agression in Dogs Master Course - Michael Shikashio

Along with many other short courses & webinars by Canine Principles, National Institute of Canine Ethics, Pet Professional Network, Chirag Patel & a host of other great presenters on a wide range of topics.

Sometimes I ask myself why I put myself through all of this. Why I’ve spent more time, energy & money learning since starting Love Your Paws than I did doing a degree to qualify as a social worker! 🙈

And the answer is simple. Because…

⭐️ I’m passionate about what I do.

⭐️ I LOVE learning about dogs, and the more I learn the more I know there is to learn - it’s an ongoing & wonderful journey.

⭐️ The better I understand dogs, the better able I am to help owners understand their dog/s.

⭐️ I want every dog & owner to experience the best possible relationship with each other that they can.

⭐️ To improve the lives of pet dogs.

Thank you, to each & everyone of you for engaging with my page, for trusting me in the early days to walk your dogs (one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever done but I loved it!) and for the privilege of helping you to understand your dogs better. 🥰

Here’s to lots more years of continued learning & development to help our dogs live their best possible lives 🐶

🐾🙈 TRAINING CHALLENGES 🙈🐾In classes over the weekend we had some GREAT questions!In fact, we always get great questions,...
08/11/2024

🐾🙈 TRAINING CHALLENGES 🙈🐾

In classes over the weekend we had some GREAT questions!

In fact, we always get great questions, and I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear that I hear a variation of the same questions and training challenges over and over!!

Regardless of what your specific training challenge is at any time here my TOP TIPS to solve unwanted and challenging behaviour.

1️⃣ PREVENT REHEARSAL OF THE UNWANTED BEHAVIOUR

2️⃣ PREVENT REHEARSAL OF THE UNWANTED BEHAVIOUR

3️⃣ PREVENT REHEARSAL OF THE UNWANTED BEHAVIOUR

4️⃣ Think about what you DO want your puppy / dog to do in that situation. And then teach them that new behaviour when they’re calm and you’re calm.

5️⃣ Start with small steps and reinforce the new behaviour generously

6️⃣ If your puppy / dog isn’t getting it right… ask yourself why? It’ll be because they either don’t understand what you’re asking them to do, or it is too difficult to do in that situation. In which case, make sure they DO understand, or make the environment easier (remember, in almost every single situation, DISTANCE is your friend!).

7️⃣ Practice, practice, practice.

But above all

💥 PREVENT REHEARSAL OF THE BEHAVIOUR!! 💥

PS. If for example, I want Lochy to stop taking off out of our field to hunt pheasants, I need to prevent her from taking off out of the field to hunt pheasants. Yes... she is back on her long line if she’s in the field!! 🙈

🐾❤️ LOVE YOUR PAWS….. is EVOLVING ❤️🐾Your Puppies Training Journey…Most puppy courses are six weeks long, but I’ve found...
07/11/2024

🐾❤️ LOVE YOUR PAWS….. is EVOLVING ❤️🐾

Your Puppies Training Journey…

Most puppy courses are six weeks long, but I’ve found that’s just the start. So I’m moving away from the 6-week format to a more personalised, ongoing approach—one that’s designed to help you and your puppy build a lasting, trusting relationship. 🥰

6 weeks is just the beginning� 💛 A short course is enough to cover the basics, but real PROGRESS HAPPENS OVER TIME. Training isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about truly understanding your puppy and adapting to their needs as they grow. As they mature, you’ll begin to see who they really are and how to support them best.

Real learning takes time 💚 �I find that by week six, owners are hitting their stride, getting more confident, asking insightful questions, and truly seeing their puppy’s potential! Ending here can leave you feeling like you’re “done”—but puppies thrive with continued guidance as they face new situations and challenges.

Moving forward together� 🧡 This new approach gives you and your puppy the time and support to grow together. With more flexibility, we can adjust to your puppy’s unique needs, keeping training fun, rewarding, and effective long after the “basics” are learned.

If you want to know more about our brand NEW Puppy Paws 🐾 starting in January please pop your email below!

🐶📸 📸🐶Last week Beth Mathias Photography came along to Puppy Paws and got some fab shots for us - see the post I shared y...
07/11/2024

🐶📸 📸🐶

Last week Beth Mathias Photography came along to Puppy Paws and got some fab shots for us - see the post I shared yesterday 😀

After class, she offered to also take some photos of me with Sam & Lochy. I JUMPED at the chance!!

Sam is really uncomfortable around people he doesn’t know so having professional photos taken of him is just something I’d never considered. It also means that almost all the photos I have of him and I together are phone selfies!!

But...

Beth is a qualified dog trainer. She understands dogs. She uses a long lens so she doesn’t need to come in too close. She could see when Sam was getting a little uncomfortable. She didn’t ask anything of him (or me) that put us under any pressure.

And the result?

Some photo’s that I will treasure forever.

I mean... yeah I could have brushed my hair, worn jeans that wren’t covered in paw prints, changed out of my dog slobbery, treat stained jacket - but where’s the authenticity in that?

If you want photo’s of you and your dogs that capture the essence of who you are, who they are, and your relationship - then I highly recommend getting in touch with Beth.

If she can capture these great shots, in the 10 mins I had free in-between classes, I can only imagine what she can capture in a planned shoot with a hairbrush available!!

(ps. Love Your Paws customers... Beth has kindly offered you an introductory rate - for full details please see the post inside the Training Hub 😊)

🐾🐶 ADVENTURE WALK 🐶🐾What a fab adventure we had today!Ding, D**g, Dex, Bertie, Dylan, Bramble and Jazzy took us for a fa...
06/11/2024

🐾🐶 ADVENTURE WALK 🐶🐾

What a fab adventure we had today!

Ding, D**g, Dex, Bertie, Dylan, Bramble and Jazzy took us for a fab walk at Trelissick.

Great walk, autumn leaves, stunning views, good company, fab dogs and cake at the end.... what could be better?

🐾❤️ PUPPY PAWS ❤️🐾This week in Puppy Paws the puppies had fun navigating the hoops.  Interacting with new and novel obje...
06/11/2024

🐾❤️ PUPPY PAWS ❤️🐾

This week in Puppy Paws the puppies had fun navigating the hoops.

Interacting with new and novel objects helps to build their confidence and gives their people an opportunity to learn how to make an otherwise ordinary object have value. This is a really useful skill that can be used in lots of other areas of training such as ‘on your bed!’…

Which is exactly what we also practised. Along with polite meet and greets and lots of recall. 😊

Meanwhile, the puppies just thought they were having fun with napping opportunities between games!!

We also had the pleasure of joining us. Beth and I have known each other for a few years as she’s also a dog trainer and her puppy (now 6!) Nelson came to Puppy Paws. It was a fab opportunity to have some photos taken by someone who understands dogs; she was so unobtrusive that I think we forgot she was there, resulting in some cracking shots! Head over to her page to find out more!

Puppy Paws is now fully booked for the remainder of 2024. If you’d like to be put on our waiting list for our BRAND NEW Puppy Paws launching in Jan 2025, please pop your email below.



https://www.bmathias.com

05/11/2024

It’s the 5th. We KNOW there are going to be fireworks tonight so....

𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙜𝙨 -

🐾 exercise your dog before dark
🐾 keep them on lead, even in the garden
🐾 ensure their collar/harness is well fitted & snug
🐾 make sure they have an ID tag on their collar/harness just in case
🐾 if you use meds give them before the bangs start
🐾 if your dog seeks reassurance give it. You will NOT make things worse by offering calm reassurance.
🐾 don’t take unnecessary chances...always err on the side of caution. Every year dogs run off because their owners let them off lead on the 5th. Just don’t do it if there’s the slightest risk they might be spooked by a bang.

𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨 -

💥 don’t set them off in the hours of daylight
💥 try to finish by 9pm
💥 buy silent fireworks if you can get them
💥 stick to the 5th
💥 if you are having a fireworks party let your neighbours with animals know so that they can do what they need to to keep their pets safe

Whether you love fireworks or hate them a little bit of caution & consideration goes a long way to getting everyone through tonight safely.

Have a safe Bonfire Night 💥🐾

🐾🐶 HOOPERS OR LIFE SKILLS? 🐶🐾Yesterday in Progression Paws, you’d be forgiven for thinking we were running a Hoopers ses...
03/11/2024

🐾🐶 HOOPERS OR LIFE SKILLS? 🐶🐾

Yesterday in Progression Paws, you’d be forgiven for thinking we were running a Hoopers session!

What we were actually doing was teaching the dogs some new, exciting skills that we knew would raise their arousal levels. Once they were motivated and engaged, we’d take a little break, allowing them to practice relaxing and settling down after all that excitement. This pattern repeated throughout the class, giving the dogs practice at moving between excitement and calm.

As the dogs learned to go through hoops and around barrels, the owners learned the finer points of luring, rewarding, and how to fade a lure.

The dogs were also honing the skill of transitioning from high arousal to just relaxing and doing nothing—an invaluable skill.

After all, when we want our dogs to listen, it’s often in those moments of excitement or arousal. If we don’t practice these skills, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to respond when it really matters!

So, was it Hoopers or life skills? A little bit of both!

Either way, the dogs just thought they were having fun.

Want to know more about our Progression Paws classes? Check out our website.

🐾❤️ THE POWER OF A FEW MINUTES ❤️🐾Our recent muzzle training challenge in the Love Your Paws Hub has shown just how far ...
31/10/2024

🐾❤️ THE POWER OF A FEW MINUTES ❤️🐾

Our recent muzzle training challenge in the Love Your Paws Hub has shown just how far a few extra minutes of purposeful training can go. While we focused on muzzle training, the real magic has been in the unexpected benefits our clients have noticed.

From just a few minutes a day, owners have shared that their dogs are more engaged, calmer, and actively choosing to be with them more often. Even dogs with already great relationships seem to have strengthened their bonds—proof that small, consistent moments make a big impact.

It’s amazing what can happen when we carve out a bit of time each day for thoughtful, kind training. It goes to show that it’s never just about the skill we’re training; it’s about building trust, connection, and understanding in every interaction.

In our membership group, Paws 4 Four, the results are even better! Just taking the time to pause and take some time out for training, for just four minutes, four times a week and the results have been incredible.

Nora has learnt how to just chill out on a mat, whilst family life goes on around her. A difficult task for some dogs, but Nora has taken to it so well that she’s now practising it out and about on walks. And... a happy ‘side effect’ has been an increase in confidence around other dogs😊

Eadie has learnt to pick up Sarah’s walking stick from anywhere in the house and bring it to her and she has a fun party trick of ’tell me a secret’!

Bean is more attentive out on walks, her recall has improved and she’s not in quite such a hurry to tear off again!!

And... all of them flew through the muzzle training 🥰

What could you and your dog achieve in four minutes a day, four times a week if you had a plan and some guidance?

Comment below if you’d like to learn more about our online membership group 🐶😊

🐾🐶  MUZZLE TRAINING: A SKILL FOR EVERY DOG  🐶🐾This month in the Love Your Paws Hub, we focused on muzzle training—a valu...
31/10/2024

🐾🐶 MUZZLE TRAINING: A SKILL FOR EVERY DOG 🐶🐾

This month in the Love Your Paws Hub, we focused on muzzle training—a valuable skill that’s about so much more than just wearing a muzzle.

Why muzzle training?

It prepares our dogs for any situation where a muzzle might be needed, whether it’s a vet visit or first-aid emergencies. By training this skill, we’re building trust and confidence, showing our dogs that a muzzle is nothing to worry about!

What’s amazing is that we’ve seen some incredible side effects in the Hub from just a few minutes of thoughtful training each day. Owners have shared how their dogs are more engaged, choosing to spend extra time with them, and responding with even more enthusiasm. It’s a reminder that a little purposeful training goes a long way!

Muzzle training might not sound exciting, but the benefits for both dog and owner are immense. It’s a life skill that can be a real game-changer in unexpected moments.

Is your dog muzzle trained?

🐾💬 LOVE YOUR PAWS HUB 💬🐾Did you know that when you join any Love Your Paws class, one-to-one, or course, you’re welcomed...
30/10/2024

🐾💬 LOVE YOUR PAWS HUB 💬🐾

Did you know that when you join any Love Your Paws class, one-to-one, or course, you’re welcomed into our private Love Your Paws Hub?

This isn’t just another training group—it’s an exclusive, supportive space where clients come together to share, learn, and connect over their love of training.

The Hub is here for:

• Free training challenges tailored to help you deepen your dog’s skills.

• Q&A support—got a question? Ask away! If it’s suited to group support, we’ll answer it, or signpost you to what will best help you and your dog.

• Community connections—share your progress, celebrate wins, or reach out for support during tougher moments. You’re never alone in your journey with your dog.

The Love Your Paws Hub is our way of supporting your training every step of the way. Whether you’re in it for the challenges, the shared stories, or the guidance, this community is here to make the experience as rich and rewarding as possible!

👉 The link to join is in the comments below—please remember to answer all joining questions. The Hub is for our valued Love Your Paws customers, so make sure you’ve taken part in a class, course, or one-to-one to access this fantastic community space!

🕷️🍄 THE TRUFFLE OF TRUTH 🍄🕷️Yesterday 7 of our intrepid scent crew embarked on a spooky mission to uncover…The Truffle o...
28/10/2024

🕷️🍄 THE TRUFFLE OF TRUTH 🍄🕷️

Yesterday 7 of our intrepid scent crew embarked on a spooky mission to uncover…

The Truffle of Truth!!

In teams they navigated 5 different searches, The Witches Hats, The Spiders Lair, The Truffle Orchard, The Cemetery & The Witches in order to collect clues to discover…

Who stole Ollie’s truffles?? 😱

By collecting truffles, finding clues, earning points & sniffing their way through the mystery they discovered that it was naughty….

LOCHY!! Disguised as a spider who was the villain all along!! 🐶🕷️🎃

Some great scent work, lots of fun, delicious buns for afterwards (thank you Judith ❤️), homemade doggy Halloween treats for prizes, 7 tired super sleuths and 1 tired spider!!!

I’m looking forward to next Halloween already!!

Address

Helston
TR139NT

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447773399435

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