Paws2Connect

21/12/2024

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2025 🎄

07/12/2024

Looking for the perfect way to kick off the new year with your dog? Why not treat yourself and your canine companion to a fabulous ACE workshop this January, or gift a spot to a friend or family member!
Does your dog:
• Pull on the lead?
• Ignore you when you call them?
• Struggle to settle in different places?
• Refuse to drop items they shouldn’t have?
If any of these sound familiar, the ACEing Essentials Workshop is perfect for you both.
Why Join?
This workshop focuses on teaching your dog essential life skills in a way that’s enriching, enjoyable, and rewarding for both of you. You will learn how to:
• Achieve the dream of loose-lead walking.
• Get your dog to come running back when called.
• Help your dog settle in a variety of environments.
• Teach your dog to safely drop potentially harmful items.

ACE Free Work forms the perfect foundation for teaching these important skills and you will be surprised how quickly your dog can learn these new behaviours.

Bonus Offer!
New to ACE Free Work? We have included a FREE Introduction to ACE Free Work to help you and your dog get started. In fact, the bonus module is released straight away so you don’t need to wait until January.
Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out. The link to sign up is in the comments
Don't take our word for it, see what others have said about this special workshop:
"Brilliant workshop! Clear and comprehensive information, and Penny and Sonia are so supportive, encouraging and helpful"
"This course is absolutely amazing! Penny and Sonia are fantastic teachers, highly skilled and compassionate at the same time. You'll feel seen and understood with the dog in front of you and get individualized feedback and support. 5 stars! Highly recommend!"
"Loved this course! The practical implications in every day use are endless! Penny and Sonia are amazing tutors and very supportive. They make the course easy to understand and fun! A Huge thank you! I cant wait to do another course together soon"

04/11/2024

If you use YuMove Senior and have bought some from Amazon please check it as some fakes have been identified
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=970731795095166&set=pcb.970731928428486

12/09/2024

ACEing Essentials
Following the success of this workshop and the amazing feedback we received, we have decided to run it again this November!

This 4 week workshop starts on 2nd November with live Zoom sessions each Wednesday from 6th to 27th November 2024 and covers the following essential life skills:

Loose Lead Walking
Recall
Settle
Drop

This live workshop uses ACE Free Work to create a safe environment to support new learning.
It is appropriate for all dogs of all ages from puppy to senior.
The workshop is ideal for anyone who already has some experience of ACE Free Work but everyone is welcome as there will be a bonus module on how to get started.
You will have a live Zoom session each Wednesday, at 7pm (GMT), backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload videos and connect with others on the workshop. The Zoom sessions will be recorded for later catch up
In addition you will be able to book a one hour one-to-one session with either Penny or Sonia. This is an opportunity to ask questions, discuss your progress or have a live Free Work session
Cost of the workshop is £145 and will give ACE credits.
Penny Leedal is an ACE Associate Instructor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.
Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional Dog Trainer.
Click on the link in the comments below to sign up, or contact Penny for further information - penny@paws2connect com

Feedback from last time:
“Loved this course! The practical implications in every day use are endless! Penny and Sonia are amazing tutors and very supportive. They make the course easy to understand and fun! A Huge thank you! I cant wait to do another course together soon”
“Sonia and Penny are amazing, they have so much knowledge, and is such a pleasure to learn from them. Every time we had a Zoom meeting, I left the call feeling energetic and eager to try out what we had learned.”
“This course is absolutely amazing! Penny and Sonia are fantastic teachers, highly skilled and compassionate at the same time. You'll feel seen and understood with the dog in front of you and get individualized feedback and support. 5 stars! Highly recommend!”

15/08/2024

Here is some useful information regarding the health implications if you have a dog or bitch and are considering neutering/spaying
https://drbarrettvet.com/2024/05/23/if-when-to-spay-neuter-dogs-current-research/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEqwnFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHc0sfr3l6iYhQeetDzYkN5fjFJt9aMkb5pVYGRL0A9Jh3CNR2rYR2ZgMng_aem_gtFd45qs3XowtEnzuwKc8w

Spaying and neutering are common procedures performed on dogs for various reasons, including population control, behavior modification, and health benefits. However, recent research has shed light on the importance of timing these procedures to ensure the best outcomes for our furry companions. In t...

21/06/2024

Intro to ACE for Reactivity

This four week workshop runs from Wednesday 4th September to Wednesday 25th September 2024

The workshop is run by Penny Leedal and Sonia Catherall and will guide you week by week to:

• Help you to understand what causes your dog’s reactivity
• Help your dog to reset and rebalance using ACE Free Work
• Teach you observational skills that will help you to support your dog
• Build your dog's confidence and resilience
• Strengthen your bond and build your relationship
• Help you and your dog to learn essential skills in an ACE integrated manner
• How to transition your training to real world situations

You will have a live Zoom session (7pm BST each Wednesday), backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload videos and connect with others on the course.

In addition you will be able to book an hour long 1-1 session with either Penny or Sonia to kick start your Free Work or discuss your dog's progress.

Cost of the workshop is £175 and will give ACE credits.

Penny Leedal is an ACE Associate Instructor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.

Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional Dog Trainer.

The link to sign up is in the comments.

Feedback from the previous workshop:
"I highly recommend doing this course, you will be mindblown by how easy but yet so clever and powerful it can be to help your reactive dog navigate the environment around them. And the beauty of this is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive tools or equipment, most items can be found around the home to make the sessions fun with your dog."
"If you have a reactive dog then this workshop is a must for you. It is incredibly supportive, with a wide range of topics and access to a wealth of expertise from Penny & Sonia. There’s no pressure to speak or participate, but you’ll find yourself wanting to!"
"I really found this course interesting, helpful and friendly. So much content given in an easy to understand way. Lots of input from Penny and Sonia who were always there ready to help and answer questions. Great support. I would recommend this course, no pressure, very enjoyable."

15/05/2024

ACE Free Work Live Workshop!

Join Sonia Catherall and Penny Leedal for a full day live online Free Work workshop this summer.

This workshop is suitable for all, whether you are new to Free Work or well on the way down your ACE journey. This is your opportunity to learn about Free Work and practice live with feedback from two ACE Tutors.

The workshop will run on Saturday 29th June from 9:30am to 4:30pm BST and you will have 2 Free Work sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. You will also have the opportunity to observe the other participants.

As a bonus, there will be a live Q&A via Zoom on the following day (Sunday 30th June at 7pm BST) so you can ask all those questions that spring to mind following the live workshop.

You will also have access to the online Introduction to ACE Free Work workshop to guide anyone who is new to ACE Free Work.

There are only four handler places available so don’t miss out! Limited spectator places will also be available.

ACE Credits are available for this workshop

Handler place £90
Spectator place £60

Penny Leedal is an ACE Associate Instructor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.

Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional dog trainer.

The link to sign up is in the comments or email [email protected]

15/04/2024

Another interesting study on the effects of early spaying or neutering by breed
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7359819/

Here is the summary table:
https://www.frontiersin.org/.../fvets-11-1322276-t001.jpg

15/04/2024

Interesting study on inherited disorders in mixed breed and pedigree dogs
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/242/11/javma.242.11.1549.xml?tab_body=fulltext&fbclid=IwAR1zsoGehf5-eTEcx45wYpt5YZq2szbx7RJv9wtQg5zXfWQpX2ryRn2685c_aem_ARuZzY_dO04IsYekyrpU6KXbstG5x5Vm6fdo4G7zKhUOotpZjF0Sxp05W9AD8O42oPREdATLI8QL-MJ5BytlKu6Y

Abstract Objective—To determine the proportion of mixed-breed and purebred dogs with common genetic disorders. Design—Case-control study. Animals—27,254 dogs with an inherited disorder. Procedures—Electronic medical records were reviewed for 24 genetic disorders: hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, m...

21/03/2024

NEW WORKSHOP 🤩

ACEing Essentials
This new 4 week workshop runs from Wednesday 8th May to Wednesday 29th May 2024 and covers the following essential life skills:
✅ Loose Lead Walking
✅ Recall
✅ Settle
✅ Drop (leave)
This live workshop uses ACE Free Work to create a safe environment to support new learning.
It is appropriate for all dogs of all ages from puppy to senior.
The workshop is ideal for anyone who already has some experience of ACE Free Work but everyone is welcome as there will be a bonus module on how to get started.
You will have a live Zoom session each Wednesday, at 7pm
(BST), backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload videos and connect with others on the workshop. The Zoom sessions will be recorded for later catch up
In addition you will be able to book a one hour one-to-one session with either Penny or Sonia. This is an opportunity to ask questions, discuss your progress or have a live Free Work session 😊
Cost of the workshop is £145 and will give ACE credits.
Penny Leedal is an ACE Advanced Tutor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.
Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional Dog Trainer.
Click on the link in the comments below to sign up, or contact Penny for further information - penny@paws2connect com

14/02/2024

Happy Valentines Day! Share a photo of your four legged companion and tell me what you love about them. I love these two because they are so loving and funny at the same time, always keeping me entertained ❤️

12/02/2024

Just a couple of places left on this workshop starting next week 😊

NEW WORKSHOP

Introduction to ACE Free Work 😊

This new 3 week workshop runs from Wednesday 20th March to Sunday 7th April.
The workshop is ideal for anyone new to ACE Free Work or for those who have done some Free Work previously and are keen to learn more.
It is appropriate for all dogs of all ages from puppy to senior and also suitable for dogs on restricted exercise. It can help improve our awareness of our dogs needs and highlights areas where our dog might need that little bit of additional support. This workshop is run by Penny Leedal and Sonia Catherall, it will introduce you and your canine companion to ACE Free Work. You will be shown everything you need to get started including:

What is ACE
Getting started with ACE Free Work
Observations
Pain and Behaviour
Posture/Gait
Canine Body Language
Moving on with Free Work
Building relationships in Free Work
Plus so much more..........

You will have a live Zoom session each week, backup home study materials and an invitation to join a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload videos and connect with others on the course.
In addition you will be able to book an hour long one-to-one session with either Penny or Sonia to kick start your Free Work adventure.
Cost of the workshop is £95 and will give ACE credits.
Penny Leedal is an ACE Advanced Tutor, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (mAPDT 01274) and a member of the Pet Professional Network.
Sonia Catherall is an ACE Associate Tutor, Certified Canine Behaviourist and Professional Dog Trainer.
Click on the link in the comments below to sign up, or contact Penny for further information. Email [email protected]

09/02/2024

This will be amazing!

A two week online course exploring ACE Free Work that includes access to online content, three live Zoom meetings with the course Instructors, and a dedicated Facebook group where you can upload practice videos for feedback and support.

18/01/2024

Brrr, it's cold out there! My two are wearing their Equafleeces. How are your dogs keeping warm in this weather?

11/01/2024

I'm really looking forward to this 😃

I'm very excited to announce that we have our first ACE Freework workshop booked in on 28th January at 10 am, with the lovely Penny of Paws 2 Connect.
I will place links of how to book at the bottom of the post, but here's a bit about the trainer:
Penny Leedal
Penny lives near Leeds and has been involved in dog training for over 10 years. Her main aim is to help build and strengthen the bond between a dog and guardian and she has a particular interest in anxious and fearful dogs. Penny is an ACE Advanced Tutor, a Tellington TTouch Practitioner for Companion Animals, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (MAPDT 01274), a Real Dog Yoga instructor and a certified Wag-It Games instructor. She runs regular workshops and is available for one to one consultations in North and West Yorkshire or online. Penny shares her life with her husband Tony, Standard Poodles Mia and Zenia, two cats, Callum and Lara and an 80 year old tortoise called Shell.
We have 5 handler places (£65 1 handler, 1 dog) - dogs should be ok working in a small group and able to settle when not working. All dogs will be worked individually https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22939831&appointmentType=57274923
15 spectator places (£25 per person) -
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=22939831&appointmentType=57275234