Suburban Dog Trainer

15/11/2024

Roll up! Roll up! for another Great Review Friday, this one is a short but sweet review of the work I did with Max, the GSD. I hope you all have a nice weekend 🥶😀
"I have attached a photo of Max - we are working hard on his training - his sit, stay, and recall are all coming on - he has also started to meet new people using the technique you showed us, and it’s going well. I use the kettle training when I can and find it’s fun and works well."

Thank you again

Michelle, Tim, Thomas
(Max and Flash)

07/11/2024

For those who know me well, I am seldom at a loss for words; however, last night was probably the most impressive GCDS test we have done for quite a while. We had Sue and Gordon the Working Retriever, and Elly and Angus the Retriever/Irish Setter, achieving their Bronze award. Followed by Juliette and Fig the GSD, Elizabeth and Django the Retriever and last but no means least, Amanda with Hector the Giant Schnauzer/Lab achieving their Gold Award. The impressive part of the test was seeing all the hard work done in between classes that came to fruition on the day of the test making me the proudest of all trainers to have had the honour to train such great people and their dogs 😀

28/10/2024

🎆💥Complimentary Firework Advice for You and Your Dog💥🎆

Although it is too late in the year to start desensitising your dog for the fireworks season (this should ideally be done around March), I think I have a couple of tips that may help those who have issues with their dogs around this time. There is a lot of information that is already available online, but I thought I would add some information that may not be so easily obtained.

1. I have found that most puppies and adolescent dogs seem to do okay for their first fireworks season, leading to the owner becoming a little complacent the following year. However, I have found that the second fireworks season can be the one that makes or breaks your dog, so be careful.

2. It goes without saying, and most owners do not take their dogs for a walk in the evening but sometimes forget to go out with their dogs in the garden when the dog needs to toilet. I go out with my dogs and in the garden from 3pm onwards and have a treat that they never get for anything else, such as chicken, cheese, sausage etc.. and I give them a small piece every time a rocket or banger goes off, making sure I do not flinch myself😀. I also play this “marking” game indoors every time one of my dogs notices a sound that has not been suppressed by the TV. This is similar to how we train Gundogs to desensitise to the gun, changing the dog’s original emotional response from one of being startled to one of hunger or play, as you can use a favourite toy if your dog prefers to play every time they hear a bang 💥

3. It is important to set up your home so that it is relaxing for your dog, with advice ranging from closing the curtains to using aromatherapy and everything in between. But the first thing you should do, which is sometimes forgotten, is to ensure you are relaxed as an owner. So, set up your home so you are relaxed and cannot hear the fireworks or at least to a lesser extent, you would be amazed how dogs can pick up on your behaviour (during the height of COVID I saw several dogs who would growl if someone coughed 😷😀).

4. Finally, there are a lot of great resources from Classic FM, YouTube, Dogs Trust and even Sky who are doing a pop-up channel on 310 playing sounds and music designed to reduce the stress in your dog. If you do not have access to these resources, my one bit of advice is to play two different radio stations placing the speakers at either end of the room, as studies have found that cross frequencies are an effective sound field and will be more effective at blocking external sounds.

Take care everyone and I will see you at the other end!!!!!!!!!!!

11/10/2024

This is Rosey the Mini Poodle and her Wirehaired Vizsla sisters ❤️

10/10/2024

It's always tricky to know where to start as we enter Firework season with our dogs, but here are some great management ideas from a great store!! 🎇🎆

27/09/2024

Something a bit different this Friday, and instead of a review, I thought I would post a few pictures of me and the dogs at Cayton Bay last week, what a brilliant day, it has been such a long time since we have been to the beach and the dogs absolutely loved it!! Hope you all have a great weekend!!!😀

06/09/2024

Yet another wonderfully sunny Friday😍 and yet another wonderful Great Review On Friday for you all to start your weekend!!!

Many thanks to Richard for a great 5 week training programme for our Cockerpoo Louie and us. We look forward to continuing all his valuable advice. Picture shows Louie practising his homework (and me). Would definitely recommend the course.

27/08/2024

About Time!!!

Legislation to make pet abduction a criminal offence received Royal Assent today (24 May).

Under the Pet Abduction Act 2024 – which was a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP and Lord Black of Brentwood and supported by the Government – anyone found guilty of stealing a pet in England or Northern Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

The new law recognises that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers.

Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests around 2,000 dog and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is a major concern to the public.

Support for the Act builds upon wider action to protect pets from theft, including making the microchipping of cats compulsory from 10 June 2024. This makes it easier for lost, stray or stolen pets to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.

26/08/2024

Happy International Dog Day Everyone! Spent the day with these two and as always loved every minute 😀

23/08/2024

Here we are on a very gusty💨 Friday afternoon for another Great Review Friday!! Hope you all have a great Bank Holiday weekend😀

“Richard has helped us with our working cocker spaniel and some behavioural issues we had struggled to curb with other trainers. He was incredibly knowledgeable, calm and non-judgemental throughout and gave us really practical ideas. We have already felt an improved relationship with our dog and have a better understanding of how to manage his behaviour. We are feeling positive that we have the right tools going forward. Thanks Richard”. Isabelle

09/08/2024

Hey, Hey Hey, It's Great Review Friday!!!😀
"We took our cocker spaniel puppy Ted to the good citizens training as we were struggling with Ted pulling on the lead when on walks. We learnt a lot about how to try and manage this. Over the course of the training and in the following weeks, Ted has come on leaps and bounds and is now a pleasure to take out on a walk! Would definitely recommend". Pip.

26/07/2024

😀What a fantastic week we have had for our Kennel Club Good Citizen classes, with

Juliette and Fig the GDS, achieving their Silver Award
Elizabeth and Django, the Retriever achieved their Silver Award
Helen and Lola, the Retriever, achieving their Bronze Award
James and Dora, the Catalan Sheepdog, achieving their Bronze Award
And a big Thank You to Christine for being such a wonderful KC examiner!!!

19/07/2024

😁Roll up, Roll up!!! to this week's Great (I like it warm, but this is too warm!!🥵🥵) Review Friday!!! and I hope you all have a great weekend with your dogs!!

“We attended Richard’s puppy companion classes with Oscar our 5 month old Cavapoo. Richard was informative and practical in his approach to training, he explained the psychology behind his training methods which helped to understand our pets’ behaviour. He delivered the sessions with a good sense of humour and enthusiasm.
Richard was very knowledgeable in how different breeds of dogs behave and the appropriate methods of training. The skills we learnt were practical for real situations, Richard’s approach to lead work was remarkable and we saw great improvements over the five sessions. His advice on the most effective training equipment was invaluable, he was enthusiastic demonstrating practical skills and encouraged social distancing when socialising with other dogs in the class. He was very approachable, and Richard always had time at the end of a session to discuss any individual concerns or questions you may have regarding your dog.
We would like to thank Richard for helping us get the best start with Oscar, I highly recommend the Suburban Dog Trainer and look forward to progressing to the Good Citizen Dog Scheme.” Janet.

12/07/2024

“Great training experience with Richard, small group size, simple practical training tips and techniques, well explained and easy to implement with your dog. Highly recommend!!!! “Dominic

😀Yes, that was this week’s Great Review Friday!! And what a great way to sum up the Companion Puppy Classes, with the next one starting at 6pm, 31st July at Scarcroft Village Hall. The review did not come with a picture so I thought I would add my favourite photos of the dogs who have attended the class in the past.

28/06/2024

It’s Great Review Friday again and this week is Charlie a Maltese puppy with whom I did some one-to-one work with and who attended my Companion Puppy Classes, with the next set of classes starting 31st July at 6pm at Scarcroft Village Hall LS14 6JS.

“Richard, Firstly, what a lovely guy! Richard is the best! Without any hesitation I would recommend his services to new puppy owners like me and veteran dogs alike! I am a first-time dog owner and Richard’s Puppy Companion Classes were absolutely incredible. I learned so much from him and couldn’t imagine a new puppy journey without his wisdom. Richard also came to see me and Charlie at home after serious struggles with lead walking. All I can say is Richard’s ability to tune into both puppy and owner helped me realise areas that may have been hindering Charlie’s progress. He guided me with clarity and direction, not a month after his session and Charlie is a different dog. If you are looking for a dog trainer who knows both dogs and people, is highly knowledgeable and is an absolute gentleman, Richard’s you guy!!!” Dani Green