Kayleigh Holcroft - Training and Behaviour

02/10/2022

We are not taking any new bookings at this time. This includes class and 121 options.

Scentwork and Rally will return in the coming weeks so we will update you on these.

20/08/2022

We are clear of covid and starting to feel better, all classes and 121s are back on, we will be contacting everyone who's appointments were cancelled to rearrange as a priority . Thanks for your patience

14/08/2022

Both Kayleigh and Paul have got covid and will be out of the office for a few days. We will contact anyone who has an appointment in the next few days

10/08/2022

Friday 19th August our new term begins.

7pm Puppy Prodigies, our first in person class. Please join our training group, post a picture of your puppy, tell us a little about yourself and your puppers, keep up to date and join the community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/508791727000547/?ref=share

8pm: Scentwork team - your instructions will be hidden in the field and you'll have to use your new found skills to scent them out 😉🤣🤣

Kayleigh Holcroft Training and Behaviour offers dog training classes, one-to-one training, behaviour training and rally rehab classes. Positive reinforcement methods, experienced and qualified trainer.

09/08/2022

Check out the fantastic progress of our scentwork crew!

Did you know scentwork is fantastic for building a bond, mental stimulation and confidence building?

With the hot weather coming, it won't be wise to be exercising dogs in the usual way. Scentwork is an excellent alternative providing mental stimulation and enrichment all while keeping your dog cool at home.

Our next scentwork term starts 19th August, or try a drop in session to see what we do and how much the dogs love the training. Both term bookings and drop ins can be booked here:

www.kayleighholcroft.co.uk/scentwork

08/08/2022

A lovely post on socialisation from Jane Ardern at WaggaWuffins Canine College

What is socialisation?

It is a stage of development in your puppy. It starts at 4 weeks and ends around 16 weeks. However actual socialisation should continue well after 16 weeks as your puppy will go through other development stages having different experiences.

The first thing to consider is your puppy will go through their first fear stage 7/9 weeks old. It's important not to overwhelm them. It's also important if they're struggling to be left alone not to leave them.

During the socialisation stage of development, it's not about socialisation in the context that we understand it. It's about exposure to the world. It's so important that the exposure the puppy gets is positive emotional experiences. So a nervous or sensitive puppy needs less. They can see the world but they don't need to interact with everything in it. They need exposure that they as an individual can cope with. Doing more will not turn them into a confident social butterfly it will probably make them more fearful, even reactive.

It's needs to be a slow steady pressure free pace. Slow down your walks, stop and give them time to take in the environment, there's new sounds, sights and smells. This can be a sensory overload for some. Let them sit and watch, take your time so they can take it all in and then process it.

We used to call it a critical stage of development but it's now a sensitive, because it's flexible. Your puppy is sensitive to experiences so make sure they are positive.

If your puppy is scared support them and help them. This won't reinforce or reward negative behaviours that are driven out of fear, apprehension or caution, it will cause them to relax and feel safe and then those behaviours will stop.
Yes the puppy will become a little dependent on your support but once they feel safe you can teach independence and reward brave choices. Feeling safe will activate exploratory control processes in the brain and your puppy will choose to explore and approach. This is much more powerful than being lured to something they're scared of. Luring with treats to scary things causes pressure and conflict which are negative emotional and stressful states. Timing is key and reinforcement should happen in safe places for it to be emotionally reinforcing.

Forget behaviour and think emotions and experiences at this time.

This puppy was barking when I arrived today. Her owners reassured her and she relaxed. She then eventually started to choose to approach me. When she did they praised her, called her back to them so she didn't spend too long in the scary place and then rewarded her with them, she was rewarded for making brave choices in her safe place with her owners.
She eventually chose to come sniff me, make eye contact with me and take some treats from me. She then relaxed and fell asleep ❤️❤️❤️❤️

This lucky puppy has lovely compassionate and dedicated owners who are doing the best for her and meeting her needs ❤️❤️ I know she will be ok and I'm really looking forward to being a part of this family's journey with this gorgeous pup 🥰

Work at the puppy's pace, don't rush 🐾❤️

Jane Ardern BSc Hons
Kennel Club Dog Trainer of the Year
Gundog Club Accredited Instructor and Assessor
ICAN Accredited Behaviourist
Author of Mission Control How to Train the High Drive Dog

05/08/2022

Special shout out!

We'd like to shout out a special mention to Tabby, Esme & Hollie. It's been a pleasure to have you in class and a joy to watch the bond you share with "Hollie the Collie".

Esme our new junior team member, has been fantastic, volunteering to help out, set up the classes and joining in as well as getting stuck into training.... and making Paul guess her name (it took me an hour and several clues 🙈).

I'd like to share this video of Esme & Hollie demonstrating off lead loose lead walking (posted with permission).

There's a rumour that Esme now has better loose lead walking skills than Paul does....... and its true 🤣🤣🤣

Check out the video of their fantastic training tonight 👌

05/08/2022

Thankyou Hollie and her hoomans for our chocolate and card. So glad you enjoyed your puppy course!

02/08/2022

Reactive Rovers Course starting in September with Kayleigh Holcroft - Training and Behaviour, Positively Pawfect Dog Training, The Woof Pack- Dog Training and Behaviour and Michelle's Canine Care!

Book Online: https://controlthemeerkat.com/reactive-dog-classes/

The course is for Pet Guardians that would like to resolve their dogs reactivity and find harmony in the world. The course is suitable for dogs that lunge, bark, growl and snap when around triggers when in the outside world.

The course has small group sizes and is led by qualified, force-free professionals. All that have owned reactive dogs!

You will recieve-
- 8 weeks of in person and virtual support.
- Support through the course via email.
- Video and written guidance through the Control the Meerkat website.

We will help you to learn:

- The causes of reactivity,
- How dogs learn and how to use positive reinforcement training,
- How to speak dog,
- Management techniques and evasive maneuvers,
- How to help change your dog's emotions,
- Coping skills for you and your dog.

We understand that reactivity is hard on both ends of the lead.

Let us help you!

02/08/2022

Apologies to anyone waiting to hear back via email we have intermittent internet at the moment (and waiting for the repairs to be made still). We will get back to you ASAP

31/07/2022

This is why I love scentwork. Cinders was absolutely knackered after her daily walk and her scentwork class

28/07/2022

I'm a proud snack leader

To all my fellow , owners trainers and behaviourists. I see you.

I love being a I'm saying that it's literally the tip of the iceberg! I know what's going on underneath the water, I know what's going on in the background.

We do so much more than just toss food.

You are doing a great job keep it up.

People can and will say mean things. It can be demoralising and hard.
But don't let anyone else tell you other methods are better. This works. Science is on our side. We got you.

28/07/2022

Training walk this Saturday at 10am. Come along and practice your skills with us in the real world for just £10. Our walks are ideal to practice recall, walking skills, appropriate greetings and relaxing in exciting places. Message us to book

28/07/2022

Highlights from scentwork last week!

Our novice searchers are building confidence really nicely and handling skills are improving just as quickly.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's class. If you would like to give scentwork a go you can join us for a drop in session. Head over to www.kayleighholcroft.co.uk/scentwork and book your spot

21/07/2022

New Masterful Mutts term starting on Sunday. We do have one space available, open to anyone who has done puppy class or 121 training with us

[Photo showing black Labrador settling on a blanket]

19/07/2022

"Are you secretly anti social but lack the confidence to tell people you don't want to spend time with them?

Are you sick of people asking you to social events?

Sick of people coming to your home?

Do you want that stranger across the road to stay the f**k away?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you need...
... A reactive dog....

For just 1 easy payment you can achieve the above and more!!!

No more making excuses for not having house guests - invite them round and let your new reactive dog tell them to "f**k off".

Want that neighbour to know you really think they're a dick head? - just get to close and let your reactive dog do the hard work.

Don't like the look of that stranger over the road? Just point them out to your reactive dog and let them tell them to "go the f**k away".

Call 1-800-knob-dog now!!!

This week's special offers :

Reactive German shepherd, no more sitting in the window snarling at passers by, let you GSD do the hard work and bark at them for you!!

Remember folks, call 1-800-knob-dog today and you'll be entered in our special prize draw to receive not only this week's special off GSD but also a free gift: Not 1 - but 2 reactive herders for the price of 1!!

THATS RIGHT! order today and you'll also get our limited edition "reactive Border collie"!

This once in a life time special Border Collie will change your life!

Ever wondered what it's life to live with a dog that doesn't stop?
Would you like to know how to herd cars?
Ever wondered what ADHD with 4 legs looks like?
Do you get sick of shouting at trees for moving in the wind?
Do you want to own a million tennis balls?
Do you need to know when anything changes- even just a little?

Then you NEED our limited edition Reactive Border Collie.

Call today- while stocks last!"

Courtesy of our Paul Collier 🤣

15/07/2022

Be careful guys. The temperatures are going to be horrendous. Just skip those walks it's not worth the risk

15/07/2022

Raised dog beds, who has one?

These raised dog beds might help to keep your pupper cool this week - but who's dog is refusing to use it??

If you're struggling to entice little pupper onto the bed then look back to your week 4/5 of puppy prodigies & proficient pooches and our send to bed protocol.

Whilst other trainers are teaching turns on cue - we're teaching useful life skills, you'll actually use.

14/07/2022

Informative post from Kelly. If you have a short faced dog please take extra care in the hotter weather.

11/07/2022

Beginner scentwork Fridays! Building confidence already and our handlers have progressed a lot in just one week (second attempt for the full video to post )

11/07/2022

I was so disappointed to see some people walking their dogs in the past hour. It is still way too hot!
Your dog does not HAVE to go for their walk, do some enrichment at home instead, keep them cool.

Did You Know? Not All Dehydrated Dogs Become Thirsty.

The long, hot days of summer are here, which also means you should watch out for these signs of dehydration in your dog, aside from thirst. 🐶

To help your pet stay hydrated, leave multiple bowls of filtered water around the house and replenish them with clean water several times a day. Adding bone broth to one of their water bowls may also encourage drinking, for pets who aren’t big drinkers. Bone broth ice cubes also help.



Today’s free pet health article is all about preventing dehydration. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3NXoeGZ

11/07/2022

SHEEP !! 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

🐾 My dogs ignore sheep and they are pretty well trained with an excellent recall and focus off lead.

However last week I took the dogs out on a long walk.
A significant part of the walk involved walking down a lane past (not through) fields of sheep with new born lambs.

So I put them on lead. Why?
Because I respect the farmer 👨‍🌾and the 🐑 sheep. I don't want the sheep to feel worried about their lambs. My dogs have zero need to be off lead here so they are not.

If your dog is a risk to sheep, keep it away or on lead, it doesn't have to physically make contact with sheep to cause them harm.

It's stressful for a prey animal to have a predator in its environment.

🐑 If you see Sheep, put it on a lead
🐑 If you hear Sheep, put it on a lead
🐑 If you think there might be Sheep, put it on a lead

🚜The Country Code say keep dogs on a lead near livestock!

11/07/2022

Beginner scentwork Fridays! Building confidence already and our handlers have progressed a lot in just one week

11/07/2022

Fridays beginner class working on foundations of lead walking, frustration tolerance and check ins around distractions

07/07/2022

Looking forward to our second in-person session for our beginner class tomorrow evening. Followed by our Scentwork class where we will be building confidence both for dog and handler and looking at those handling skills.

If you would like to try out scentwork or join us you can book Drop in sessions for any of our class dates or book on to our next term.

www.kayleighholcroft.co.uk/scentwork

07/07/2022

Training walk on Saturday! Open to all people and dog friendly dogs to practice your skills in a real life environment for only £10. There's still chance to join us

Our next training walk is Saturday 9th July at 10am. Come practice your skills in a real life environment with us. You can choose what you want to focus on, whether that's lead skills, recall or just being able to concentrate in an exciting environment.

Message us to book. Limited spaces available.

04/07/2022

Sunday classes. Our Masterful Mutts were working on loose lead walking, recall, stays, and body checks. We made the most of our lovely outdoor space at our venue to provide a snifftastic environment to practice in.

Puppy Prodigies worked hard on leave, loose lead and appropriate greetings of people. Shame the rain hit, we had to stay inside 😞

04/07/2022

Recall workshop session 2 in a local park. Building on the strong foundations we put in place to increase distractions. We even did some recall away from toys !

03/07/2022

Upcoming classes available to book.
Puppy and Scentwork are bookable via the website www.kayleighholcroft.co.uk

Masterful mutts and Training walks, inbox or text us please.

03/07/2022

Miss Cinders working hard at her first scentwork class. Cinders has been introduced to scentwork before but this is her first class. She's slowly building confidence in herself.

If you would like to join us with your dog, head over to www.kayleighholcroft.co.uk/scentwork to book
We have 5 week block booking , and drop in sessions available.

03/07/2022

First session at our new Scentwork class with Miss Heidi. She knows what she's looking for now so next week we will be looking at building her mum's handling skills.
Heidi is on a line as she's sometimes nervous in new surroundings but she did amazingly so hopefully we can remove that line soon and make searches easier for her mum.

02/07/2022

Those of you coming to class in the morning be aware the bypass is closed until 10am so may affect your journey

30/06/2022

Reactive Rovers Course starting in September with Kayleigh Holcroft - Training and Behaviour, Positively Pawfect Dog Training, The Woof Pack- Dog Training and Behaviour and Michelle's Canine Care!

Book Online: https://controlthemeerkat.com/reactive-dog-classes/

The course is for Pet Guardians that would like to resolve their dogs reactivity and find harmony in the world. The course is suitable for dogs that lunge, bark, growl and snap when around triggers when in the outside world.

The course has small group sizes and is led by qualified, force-free professionals. All that have owned reactive dogs!

You will recieve-
- 8 weeks of in person and virtual support.
- Support through the course via email.
- Video and written guidance through the Control the Meerkat website.

We will help you to learn:

- The causes of reactivty
- How dogs learn and how to use positive reinforcement training
- How to speak dog,
- Management techniques and evasive maneuvers,
- How to help change your dog's emotions
- Coping skills for you and your dog.

We understand that reactivity is hard on both ends of the lead.

Let us help you!

28/06/2022

Our next training walk is Saturday 9th July at 10am. Come practice your skills in a real life environment with us. You can choose what you want to focus on, whether that's lead skills, recall or just being able to concentrate in an exciting environment.

Message us to book. Limited spaces available.

23/06/2022

Coming to classes is a vital part of training your puppy or adolescent dog. They learn to regulate themselves around other dogs and people, and learn those all important life skills that set you up for a long, happy life with your 4 legged companion.

Our next set of beginner classes are starting on 1st July, contact us now if you would like to join us. 🐾🐾

The video below is of our latest mix of the follow on class at our lovely new venue.

23/06/2022

Beginner scentwork starting 1st July!

Teach your dog to search for a specific scent and build those sniffy skills. Scentwork is a fun and mental enriching activity for dogs of any age.

We even have the option to learn on a 121 basis if your dog is uncomfortable around others.

Message us for details

19/06/2022

Busy day today with Masterful Mutts working on focus around other dogs and engagement with owners (those adolescent hormones are definitely hitting some of them hard this week), emergency stops and send to bed.
Then we had our Puppy class learning recall, stays and drops as well as working on reward placement and getting food out of your hands.

Then our reactive class with Control The Meerkat which saw our three reactive dogs have their first in-person session around each other. All worked beautifully!

Sorry I have no pictures today I completely forgot to take any, and thank you all for your nice comments about Della.

16/06/2022

Our adolescent dogs in Masterful Mutts working both inside and outside at the weekend. Building our skills with the bucket game, lead walking, leave it and stays. First time working on grass for some of these young dogs. Very proud

16/06/2022

Wonderful first session to our recall course on Sunday.
Building strong foundations at our venue before we take those skills to the real world next session