Rovers Return Dog Training And Behaviour Consultant

14/11/2025

Yesterday we did an outdoor session as I wanted to see how walks affected the dogs arousal levels.

Unfortunately an off lead dog was quite aggressive and the owners did nothing.

Apparently a regular occurrence which contributed towards the reactive behaviour.

Don't be that dog owner

Check out Rover Return Dog Training’s video.

13/11/2025

Is Your Dog OBSESSED with Food? Here are 3 Pro Tips! 🐾

If your pup inhales their meals and acts like a vacuum on walks, it means they have high food drive—which is actually an amazing tool for training! Don't fight it; harness it!

Here’s how to channel that food focus into better behaviou

1. 🥣 Make Them Work for Their Dinner (Ditch the Bowl!)

Stop giving food away for free! Use your dog's daily food ration as their training reward for the day. This changes the food's value from a simple meal to a paycheck for good behavior.

Lickimats & Snuffle Mats: Use these for slow feeding and mental stimulation.
Training Sessions: Practice core skills (sit, stay, walking politely) using their kibble.
Puzzle Toys: Feed meals in a KONG (great for raw fed dogs) or interactive puzzle toy to slow consumption and make them focus their brainpower on getting the food.

2. 🚶 Teach the 'Leave It' Game
This is essential for dogs obsessed with scavenging. Train this skill indoors with low-value food, then slowly progress to high-value food and distractions outside.

The Setup: Place a low-value treat on the floor and cover it with your hand. When your dog pulls away, say Yes! and immediately reward them with a different, high-value treat from your other hand.
The Goal: The dog learns that pulling their attention away from the forbidden food is what earns them the better reward from you.

3. 🧠 Build High-Value Focus your dog is fixated on food or ground distractions outside, you need a high-value counter trick.
Practice getting your dog to look at you and mark and reward when it happens. We love fun noises to promote this Every time they meet your eyes, immediately mark it with "Yes!" and deliver a treat.
Consistency is Key: Practice this in every environment—it reinforces that you are the source of the best resources, even when a half-eaten sandwich is on the street

💡 Remember: High food drive means high motivation! Use that power to your advantage, and you'll see faster results!

👉 What's your dog's favorite food puzzle toy? Share in the comments!

12/11/2025

🐕 Let’s Debunk the Myth: ‘Food Doesn’t Work in Dog Training!’ 🐺

You've probably heard it from the old school:You shouldn’t use food; you’ll have to carry treats forever! or Food is bribery, not training.

We hear this most often from trainers who prioritize punishment-based methods. But scientifically, and historically, their logic falls apart.

The Ultimate Proof? Domestication Itself.

Here’s the simple, undeniable truth: **WE DOMESTICATED WOLVES BY FEEDING THEM.

Our relationship with dogs isn't rooted in punishment; it's founded on a 15,000+ year-old food reward system!

The Original Concept:The wolves that were less fearful and more comfortable approaching human encampments for scraps of food (the reward!) were the ones who survived and thrived.
The Selection Process:By rewarding proximity and reduced aggression with a high-value resource (food), humans inadvertently selected for the traits we now love in dogs—friendliness, cooperation, and a strong motivation to be near us.

The very mechanism that created the dog is the one that punishment trainers claim “doesn't work.”

Food is Not Bribery—It's a Paycheck! 💰

The difference between a bribe and a reward is simple:

Bribery is using food *before* a behaviour is complete to lure the dog (e.g., "Sit, and here is the treat!").
A Reward is giving food after a behaviour is successfully offered (e.g., Dog sits, you say "Yes!" and *then* deliver the treat

Food is a Primary Reinforcer—it is critical for survival, which is why it is the most effective tool for building motivation and creating a positive emotional response to learning.

We don't need food forever! Once a behaviour is fluent and reliable, we switch to an intermittent reward schedule and use other high-value rewards like praise, play, and real-life rewards (like getting to chase a ball or go out the door).

Stop fighting thousands of years of evolution. Choose the training method that built the bond between species!

👉 Ready to train with the power of science (and history!)? Check out tomorrow blog!

🔗 Book your reward-based training session today!

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11/11/2025

🎁 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 & 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀🎄

Tired of giving the same old boring dog toy? This year, treat the dog in your life to something they'll *really* love (and something you can feel great about giving!)

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀!

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘅?

Our festive boxes are packed with high-quality, 100% natural chews and treats that are not only delicious but also fantastic for your dog's well-being.

🍖 100% Natural: No nasty additives, artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives—just pure, wholesome goodness.
🦷Dental Health Boost: Many of our chews naturally help scrape away plaque and tartar, supporting healthy teeth and gums.
✨ High-Value Goodness: From irresistible meaty chews to tasty veggie options, our treats are perfect for training rewards or quiet, satisfying downtime.
🌍 **Eco-Friendly Gifting: Skip the plastic toys and opt for a sustainable, fully consumable gift.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀

Each box is lovingly curated and filled with a festive assortment of long-lasting chews and seasonal favourites, ensuring hours of happy chewing.

Exact contents and ingredients are available - just ask!

11/11/2025

Pick up your poo!

11/11/2025

There is no excuse for not picking up your poo

10/11/2025

📢 **HUGE NEWS! We’re Officially Award-Winning!** 🏆

We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to announce that Rovers Return dog training & behaviour has been named **Best Dog Trainer 2025** by the prestigious **Corporate Vision Education & Training Awards!**

This award is not just a trophy; it's a testament to our commitment to providing **top-tier, ethical, and effective dog training** that truly transforms the lives of dogs and their human families.

🏆 What does working with an Award-Winning Trainer mean for you?**

🏆 Proven Excellence: You are booking training recognized for the highest standards in education and client success.
🏆 Expert Methods:** Benefit from cutting-edge techniques that get real-world, lasting results.
🏆 Peace of Mind:Trust your beloved companion's behaviour and development to the best in the industry.

Stop dreaming of a better-behaved dog and start working with the experts!

👉 Ready to begin your award-winning training journey?

🔗 Click the link in bio to book your consultation!

09/11/2025

**𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀! 🌿🐶

We offer delicious natural treat boxes for all dogs!

Tired of mystery ingredients?

Level up your treat game with our all-new 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀!

Each box is packed with high-quality, single-ingredient chews and wholesome goodies—think ethically sourced jerkies, nutrient-rich dental chews, and delicious training bites. No fillers, no artificial nonsense, just 100% natural goodness for a happy, healthy pup.

✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲?

🐶 No artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
🐶Single-ingredient transparency.
🐶 Boosts dental health and promotes a shiny coat!

Give your dog a box they'll go absolutely wild for, and feel good knowing you’re fuelling them with the best nature has to offer.

👉 Grab your first box and use code TREATLOVE for 15% off! Or put in the comments below! Free local delivery

09/11/2025

🐾 Pick up the poo! It's not just a courtesy, it's a necessity. 💩

There is a lot of dog poo around! particularly on footpaths over fields and grass verges!

Leaving dog waste behind isn't just gross—it's a health hazard and an environmental pollutant. This includes hanging you filled bags on trees?

🦠 Health Risks
* Dog faeces can carry harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites (like roundworms and hookworms).
* These can be transmitted to other pets and even humans, especially children who play on the ground.
💧 Environmental Impact
* When rain washes dog waste into storm drains, it pollutes our rivers, lakes, and streams.
* The high nutrient content (nitrogen and phosphorus) can contribute to algae blooms, harming aquatic life.
🌳 Community & Courtesy
* No one enjoys stepping in it on the pavement, in parks, or on trails.
* Being a responsible pet owner keeps our shared public spaces clean and welcoming for everyone.

Do your part: Always carry bags and properly dispose of your dog's waste.

Let's keep our community clean and healthy!

06/11/2025

Don't feel you have to walk your reactive dog after bonfire night! Let them rest and reduce reactions to reset and rebalance.

06/11/2025

💖 Post-Bonfire Night Rest: Helping Your Dog De-Stress! 🐾

Fireworks and Bonfire Night can significantly raise a dog's stress hormone, cortisol, and it doesn't drop instantly when the noise stops! High cortisol can make them more sensitive, anxious, and reactive for days.

Here’s how you can help your furry friend recover and lower those stress levels in the days following the event:

* 😴 Prioritize Undisturbed Rest: Make sure they have a quiet, dark, and safe place (like their den or crate) where they won't be bothered. Quality sleep is a huge cortisol-reducer.
* 👃 Engage Their Nose: Focus on sniffing and "freework"! A leisurely, sniff-focused walk (letting them choose where to go) or a scatter-feed/snuffle mat indoors activates the calming part of their nervous system. Sniffing is nature's antidote to stress!
* 🦴 Offer Calming Chews/Licks: Long-lasting chews, lickmats, or stuffed Kongs are brilliant for stress relief. The rhythmic action of licking and chewing is a natural calming mechanism that helps lower cortisol.
* 🧘 Keep Routine Gentle: Stick to their normal routine as much as possible, but keep walks calm and avoid busy or noisy areas for a few days. Predictability equals security.
* 🫂 Be Their Safe Space: If they seek comfort, provide calm, gentle reassurance. Your presence and calm demeanor are a powerful antidote to anxiety, helping to activate feel-good hormones like oxytocin.

Remember: Recovery isn't instant. Be patient, give them space when they need it, and watch for signs of a more relaxed, settled dog!

05/11/2025

🛑 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 "𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗶𝘅" 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 🛑

We see videos of perfectly behaved dogs and think there's a secret formula.

👉𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵? 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗱.

I am not Mary Puppins! It doesn't take a jaunty song and a spoon full of sugar!

Changing a dog's long-term behaviour is a process of conditioning, which means consistently rewarding the good behaviours and managing the environment to prevent the bad ones.

➡️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱:

Patience: Behaviour doesn't change overnight. Setbacks are part of the journey.

Consistency: Everyone in the house needs to be on the same page, implementing the same rules and cues every time.

Commit to the process, not just the quick fix, and you will see results!