Dog training with Barbara Sykes MCFBA & TLC Thinking Like Canines

20/09/2025

Thank you so much to everyone who responded to my last post. The dogs in this country are not supported by the country and that's very sad.
We're about to set off to the talk today in Crawshawbooth, it will be interesting to see how people feel as those who know me know I don't gloss things over. We have 2 pups at 4 mnth old coming (different homes and not related) both are nipping/biting. To be honest when talk about the genetics and using natural body language people really do get it, they just haven't realised previously how important it is.
Having said that I know Bonny will do me proud but TJ will want to be a Diva!
If anyone wants to do a last minute booking I'm sure we can you fit you in.

19/09/2025

What happened to commitment?
I remember a time when there were not many rescues and they weren't all full, because at the time people got a dog and they're promise to that dog was to give it a loving home for the rest of its life - and most of them did!
Now the promise gets broken without any commitment to the dog or to putting in the work involved. Years ago a shepherd told me that having a dog was like getting married, you put in the effort to understand each other, you learn to work at it and you have a lifetime relationship. Wise words but sadly today that commitment is rare, with both dogs and partnerships. I'm probably sounding a tad bitter but when people want to put their dog into rescue because it 'doesn't fit the lifestyle anymore' there is something seriously wrong! Those dogs take up the space that genuine cases need! Also a lot of the young dogs are declared to have bite history, they aren't born biting, chasing things and obsessed!
The dogs in the photos are in our Sanctuary, brought in with huge issues, we can't rehome them because everybody wants dogs that can be with kids, cats, other dogs, go into pubs etc. But how come we can get these dogs to love us when their owners couldn't
Rant over but would love your thoughts.

18/09/2025

Have you booked your place yet for this insight into the Border Collie taking place Sept 20th

Only four days left to secure your place.
We still have a few seats left for pay at the door entry. Please email your name so we can hold a place for you. Details below
Thank you

Does Your Border Collie have an Identity Crisis?
Is he really rounding up children, or is he playing?
Why is the short coated, prick eared tri-colour so different to his sibling?
Do they really need miles of walking everyday?
Are they obsessive or do they just strive to please?
It’s not all black and white!
Breed Bio:
“hard working, honest, reliable, loyal, GSH, seeking sensible uncomplicated humans with the above qualities and we will get on famously. Car driver preferred and someone dedicated to keeping my life simple and easy to understand”.
On September 20th FOSTBC will be at looking at the myths and the reality of this amazing breed. Barbara Sykes MCFBA MBIPDT, will be talking about rescue, training, problem solving, issues, and answering questions. She has a wealth of experience with Border Collies, and has sometimes been likened to one so you can expect the unexpected, as questions are asked and answered with lots of anecdotes, shared knowledge and an entertaining look at the canine mind.
If you have a Border Collie, a rescue, a Collie with issues or just love dogs of all breeds then don’t miss an afternoon at the Friendship lodge, Crawshawbooth, Rossendale BB4 8NS September 20th 2pm – 4pm
There is a donation fee of £5per person to cover expenses
Bank transfer The Freedom of Spirit Trust 80042481 : 51-70-19
For paypal or other methods of payment please visit our site www.fostbc.org.uk and go to the ‘giving’ page
On all payments please put your name plus ‘talk’ & email [email protected] for confirmation
Thank You

28/08/2025

A few seats left for pay at the door
Does Your Border Collie have an Identity Crisis?
Is he really rounding up children, or is he playing?
Why is the short coated, prick eared tri-colour so different to his sibling?
Do they really need miles of walking everyday?
Are they obsessive or do they just strive to please?
It’s not all black and white!
Breed Bio:
“hard working, honest, reliable, loyal, GSH, seeking sensible uncomplicated humans with the above qualities and we will get on famously. Car driver preferred and someone dedicated to keeping my life simple and easy to understand”.
On September 20th FOSTBC will be at looking at the myths and the reality of this amazing breed. Barbara Sykes MCFBA MBIPDT, will be talking about rescue, training, problem solving, issues, and answering questions. She has a wealth of experience with Border Collies, and has sometimes been likened to one so you can expect the unexpected, as questions are asked and answered with lots of anecdotes, shared knowledge and an entertaining look at the canine mind.
If you have a Border Collie, a rescue, a Collie with issues or just love dogs of all breeds then don’t miss an afternoon at the Friendship lodge, Crawshawbooth, Rossendale BB4 8NS September 20th 2pm – 4pm
There is a donation fee of £5per person to cover expenses
Bank transfer The Freedom of Spirit Trust 80042481 : 51-70-19
For paypal or other methods of payment please visit our site www.fostbc.org.uk and go to the ‘giving’ page
On all payments please put your name plus ‘talk’ & email [email protected] for confirmation
Thank You

08/08/2025

We now have our newsletter available on our website. If you visit this link https://www.fostbc.org.uk/newsletters/ you will find a link to the pdf plus links to articles relevant in the news letter.
Hope you like it and happy reading.
Barbara

20/04/2025

Happy Easter to all, have a lovely peaceful day

04/02/2025

New at Mainline, Vicki's crafwork is getting really popular, these are just some of the examples, you can seem more on her fb page dedicated to it https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570899597552 if you are interested in any of them or want to know more you can message her for prices and bespoke crafts done to order.

18/12/2024

Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas a happy and peaceful New Year

16/12/2024

We have a new blog about family dynamics - canine and human - and how to keep siblings balanced
https://fostbcmag.blogspot.com/2024/12/family-dynamics-how-hierarchy-is.html

08/11/2024

It's time for us to sit back and put our problems and troubles to one side and remember those who gave their lives for us. Without the bravery of those gone our lives now would be very different. It's time to reflect on what we have, and to thank those who gave their lives so we could enjoy ours. It's up to us to remember, to enjoy and to reflect and celebrate those lives lost in some of our darkest hours. It’s a day plus a lifetime to thank those who risked their lives so that we could continue to live ours in safety and hope.
To all the men, women and animals we thank you. You stood in the face of evil, death and turmoil and continued to fight for your families, friends and the entire nation. Through all the pain and suffering, you brought us light and encouragement. You gave us the strength in knowing that one day we would be safe, giving your lives to save those around you in a selfless act of heroics. We shall never forget your sacrifice, we shall never forget your names, we shall never forget.
Please give this post a good share for them if you can, as they gave their lives for us
Thank you.

03/11/2024

We now have our 2025 calendar on sale on our website shop plus our Christmas cards including of course little miss Diva TJ. They can all be purchased through our website and will also shortly be available on Ebay. The link to them are below and prices include p&p. happy shopping folks.

https://www.fostbc.org.uk/product-category/christmas-cards-calendars/

Showing all 3 results Add to basket 2025 Calendar (Including p&p) £7.99 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Christmas Cards (Including p&p) £4.20 – £7.95 Add to basket Christmas Cards (Including p&p) £2.00

30/10/2024

It's firework time again, although in a lot of areas firework time seems to be 52 weeks of the year.Keeping your dogs calm when night after night it sounds like bombs are being dropped around your home isn't easy.
You can get meds from a vet and essential oils can help to calm dogs down but sometimes it seems like nothing works and the more we stress about it the worse it is for our dogs. Think of the child frightened of thunder and a loving parent hides under the table with that child to comfort him or her. In actual fact that would be reinforcing that thunder needs to be hidden from. Far better to keep calm and tell the child its just a couple of clouds colliding so let's play a game together.
If we start preparing in advance for bonfire night we will be giving our dogs messages that something is happening. Above all we must remain calm. If meds work fine but if not the more we fuss a dog the more nervous it can become. As hard as it may seem some dogs prefer to do what they would do in the wild and what their basic instinct tells them. In the wild they would dig a hole, get in it, and keep their head down until it was all over. We can provide that by giving them a den or quiet corner and if they settle in it let them do what their instinct tells them to do. If it's a crate put a blanket over most of it. If its in a corner put something part way across the corner - dogs like to know they can't be taken by surprise so the more closed around they are the better. Some dogs prefer to be with us which is great as long as we keep them and ourselves calm. I know its a long night and it may entail an 'accident' but its often safer not to do a last minute 'let out'. Far too many dogs go missing when they've been out in the dark and sudden bang has made them bolt. Keep nervous dogs on a lead, that way you can't lose them and they will feel safer knowing you are attached to them. Take them out early in the day if at all possible, when the firework thugs haven't woken up, and give them exercise to tire them a little. If your dog loves the car you could go for a drive into the country, park on a hill and watch the pretty colours without the loud bangs.
Keep yourselves and your dogs safe and keep on campaigning for noise reduction and please share any tips you have with us.