Rovers Return Dog Training And Behaviour Consultant

02/07/2025

I don't offer 'group' reactivity sessions. I am against them. Your reactive dog does not need to be around triggers that create adverse behaviours, and then you get told how to 'stop' it.

Your dog needs to change their perception and related emotions around triggers.

What if I told you that I have a course for a group of people that is online, to teach you the skills to help your dogs and manage and avoid triggers and after 6 sessions of this we look at a 'buddy' pair up with other dogs on the course to build on this?

Well, It is available!

Starting in August, six online sessions, where I guide you through effective strategies to change your dog's reactions and give you the confidence and skill to help them and some buddy sessions as they progress with a suitable pairing!

Book a call to see if your dog is suitable and find out more information!

02/07/2025

An unexpected place had become available in my puppy class starting this Thursday.

If you would like this rare opportunity of a place in the course please message me

30/06/2025

If Dave down the park gives you 'advice' on managing your dog's behaviour and that advice is to shout 'no' and yank your dog when they bark then please ignore Dave.

'Dave' knows nothing about dogs but thinks he does

27/06/2025

There are many things I’d change about the pet industry.

Here are three I’d hope to see change in 5 years time. (Or less)

👍 Regulation in the training world. The sad fact is anyone can call themselves a dog trainer & behaviourist without real knowledge or qualifications. This can and has led to many ‘trainers’ leaving pet parents and their dogs with more problems than they started with. I’d like to see a standard accreditation that every trainer should pass before they’re allowed to offer their services.

👍 Ban the use of aversive equipment such as e-collar & prong collars

👍 Make effective, kind & ethical training methods as standard

Do you agree? I’d love to know what you would, you’d like to see change too. Let me know in the comments. 👇

26/06/2025

🤔 𝗜'𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 🤔

So please can you do me a massive favour and answer this question in the comments. 🙏

When it comes to reactivity, what's your biggest challenge?

Many clients tell me it is other people not controlling their dogs.

Please share your answers below. 👇

25/06/2025

🙌 Use this enrichment checklist when you want to add a bit of calmness to the household 🙌

Who doesn't love a checklist!

🐾 Scatter your dog's daily meals to satisfy their natural instincts to forage.
🐾 Practise this when walking to build focus
🐾 Hide treats in dog safe household items, like rolled up towels or toilet roll tubes, and put them in different places for them to find and get the treats out!
🐾 Don't leave your chews lying around. Pick them up and use them when you want calm and chill time. Chewing = engaged!
🐾 Have you noticed as your dog gets older, they don't play as much? Instead of leaving toys around for them to play (or not), make a 'play time'. Get some toys out and play with your dog!
🐾 Make feeding time more enriching & your relationship by playing games and training
🐾 Promote licking! Lick mats and Kong are excellent, have some ready-made in the fridge or freezer.
🐾 Make walks more fun by slowing them down, engage with your dog and play with them

Enriching your dog's life with mental activities is just as important as those daily walks. It's so easy to inject a little joy into your dog's daily routine. Plus it tires them out quicker too!

Try it, their reaction is worth its weight in gold! 💖

If you'd love to learn more about enrichment get in touch

24/06/2025

𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀?

😩 Imagine your dog calmly ignoring other dogs, staying focused on you. That's the peace our dog-dog reactivity programs at Rovers Return can bring!

We know reactivity is a sign your dog is struggling. Our approach builds strong foundations first, without the distraction of other dogs. This ensures your pup learns to cope in a calm, controlled setting without triggers being present.

There are a couple of options available to you! Either a structured online course, building foundation behaviours & buddy sessions to build and grow confidence in a structured, managed & trained environment or A bespoke 1-2-1 behaviour program.

Our solutions include:

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴-𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆: Available both online and in-person, these classes build essential skills and get your dog comfortable with other dogs in a calm environment with a buddy system with dogs from the group.
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝟭-𝘁𝗼-𝟭 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Tailored programs after a detailed assessment of your dog's specific needs and a targeted program to build calmness and confidence for you and your dog.

Once foundations are solid, we introduce Buddy Sessions (available for both programs). These carefully managed meet-ups help your dog build confidence around other canines in a safe space, allowing them to truly thrive. Plus, our Walk & Train program is an option for ongoing support!

Ready for calmer walks and a happier dog? Let's chat! Message us or click the link in bio to get started. 🐕‍🦺

23/06/2025

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗽! 🎉 Bookings are now open for our popular 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, Puppy club, grows your puppy's skills and confidence.
A rolling five-week program created to nurture well-rounded pups. We cover essential areas including positive handling, vet visits & grooming, promoting calmness, and chill time around distractions, understanding canine body language, appropriate greetings & play and much more!

You can book individual classes to suit your need!

Give your puppy the best start possible! Find out more and book your spot via [Your Website/Booking Link Here] or send us a message. We can't wait to meet you! ✨

Book Now!

21/06/2025

I have taken this picture from a 'trainer' who is advertising their services locally. This has happened twice in the last week with local trainers.

What do you see?

Please be careful who you use to train your dog!

Please note that I will not publicly name a service, but I will try to raise awareness of what to look for and what to avoid.

20/06/2025

🖐 Hands up, who feeds their dog from a classic doggy bowl?

If that's you, please reconsider. I have a sweet little hack that's going to bring way more joy to you and your dog's life.

Using a regular bowl is a missed opportunity to provide mental stimulation for your dog. It also encourages your dog to eat quickly, which can cause pain, discomfort and sometimes vomiting as they swallow air as they eat. 😬

So instead, use a lick mat, kong (for wet foods) or scatter their food to slow them down, even a slow feeding bowl can be better.

Studies show that animals prefer to have a little effort at meal times!

Your dog will thank you for it! 💖

🤷‍♀️ Why make meal times over in a flash when you can make it a fun event, eh? 🤷‍♀️

If you'd love to understand how you can add more enrichment into your dog's daily life, comment with 'yes please'

And I will send you a free guide.

20/06/2025

🐕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!❤️

CHECK OUT FREE RESOURCES HERE: https://askanimalweb.com/managing-dogs-in-hot-weather/

Welfare in the Heat: https://askanimalweb.com/heat-welfare/

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

20/06/2025

Please share this post. The usual excuses about dogs needing walking, oh it's OK, my dog love the heat, it's not too hot.

It's too late when it's too late! It's too late when your dog collapses, and you have no way of cooling them down, and you are 30 minutes into your walk!

This could happen to you!

If your dog is panting, they are too warm.

🐕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!❤️

CHECK OUT FREE RESOURCES HERE: https://askanimalweb.com/managing-dogs-in-hot-weather/

Welfare in the Heat: https://askanimalweb.com/heat-welfare/

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