Wagging Tails Dog Training - South London

08/10/2025

When you see this lovely comment on the registration form for a Puppy Foundation course.

That's exactly why we do what we do, to help owners and dogs living their best lives together. ❤️

25/09/2025

Do you play with your dog on walks? If not, you are missing out on a huge relationship builder and motivator for your general obedience. Tugging in particular, if your dog enjoys it, is so useful for so many reasons.

🔹️ It's fun
🔹️ It builds and reinforces your bond
🔹️ It's good fitness training (be gentle though)
🔹️ It promotes self-control if done right
🔹️ It teaches your dog to stick to rules
🔹️ It can be used as a powerful reinforcer and reward
🔹️ It can be used as a great distraction technique
🔹️ It improves general obedience like focus and recall

So give it a go. I am using the lead here as a tug toy for Elijah, but of course a toy is what most use. If you happen to want to get a great training toy we can give you a 10% discount for Tug-E-Nuff toys if you use this link: https://tug-e-nuff.com/WAGGING10

Don't forget to bring a toy on your walks and play with your dogs.

23/09/2025

When you are walking Elijah up the road and a car stops next to you, and when they wind the window down and the driver says

"You must have a way with dogs. They are always so well behaved."

None of my four dogs are what I would call naturally easy dogs. They have all had a lot of training of course, and particularly Elijah still does now (he's the youngest) and I carefully manage them in situations that they may find challenging.

But doesn't the heart fill with pride and joy when others around us notice our dogs' behaviour in a positive way and we realise that our hard work - from both us the owners, but also from our dogs! - pays off.

And it reminds me to comment perhaps a little bit more to other dog owners too when I spot lovely behaviour or I see owners train and play with their dogs when out and about. It is so lovely to have our efforts recognised at times and it motivates us to do more - and yes, that even applies to us dog trainers too.

So when you come across a dog and owner next time that impresses you, do stop and compliment them. 😍 And of course don't forget to compliment yourself too when you see your dog behave well in a situation that you know you both worked hard for. 😁

11/09/2025

So I asked chatgpt (IA) what it knew about me and here is the response... it is scaringly accurate, beautifully written, but also a bit spooky how much AI knows about us. What does chatgpt say about you? 😁

🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

You said:
Who is Vera Marney dog trainer

ChatGPT said:
Vera Marney is a well-known dog trainer, particularly recognized for her work in the fields of dog behaviour, training, and canine psychology. She has gained attention for her expertise in understanding and addressing the behavioural issues in dogs, as well as helping owners build strong, positive relationships with their pets.

Her approach often includes methods that are based on understanding canine communication, body language, and positive reinforcement techniques. These methods aim to improve the dog-owner dynamic and resolve behavioural problems in a way that is both humane and effective.

Vera Marney's methods also extend beyond just training dogs; she emphasizes education for owners, teaching them how to understand their dogs better and create a healthy environment for the dog to thrive in.

She may not be as publicly known as some of the larger celebrity trainers, but she has earned respect within the dog training community. If you’re looking for advice on dog training or behavioral problems, she might be a good resource to explore.

🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

09/09/2025

When some people (including some trainers) say not to use food rewards for working dogs because they can't have treats when working...

Not true! The assistance dogs I've trained get food rewards (as well as other rewards like praise) for a job well done, and so is this working guide dog. 😁❤️

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdbjM9mo/

(Sorry if you are not on TikTok, unfortunately this video can't be downloaded).

62.7K likes, 436 comments. “We’re all finding our way 🥰”

07/09/2025

4 Things to do with a fallen Tree

Here's another activity idea that you can do when out on a walk with your dog. Remember the more you have fun TOGETHER, the better your bond, the more excitement for you both and the better your dog will respond to you when you need them to.

This one improves team work, balance, coordination and strength and uses their amazing nose.

Feel free to post videos or photos of your dog having fun in the woods. 😁 Eli and I go first.

07/09/2025

5 Things to do with a Bench

Here's a little activity you can do when out on a walk with your dog. Remember the more you have fun TOGETHER, the better your bond, the more excitement for you both and the better your dog will respond to you when you need them to.

Feel free to post videos or photos of your dog on, around or under a bench. 😁 Eli and I go first.

06/09/2025

On Monday evening we run Advanced Classes at St. Mark's Church Hall in South Norwood. Here is Dash, the labrador cross, practising his distance control exercises.

22/08/2025

Our next Foundation course for puppies and adult dogs starts next week in East Dulwich on Tuesday, 2nd September, and in South Norwood on Saturday, 13th September.
There is still time to register if you'd like to give your puppy a great start, have adopted a new rescue dog or just need to brush up on your adult dog's obedience and life skills.

Www.wtdt.co.uk/trainingclasses or more information and to register.

Training and Life Skills for Puppies and Adult Dogs. Foundation to Advanced. Small Classes in South Norwood and East Dulwich taught by qualified and experienced Trainers.

21/08/2025

Over the last few years I have become very proactive in terms of my dogs' health... perhaps because I have had to deal with so many stressful and serious medical situations with my eight dogs in the last 20 years.

Like all dog owners I want my dogs to live as long as possible and as healthily as possible. Out of my four dogs, three are now seniors and although they have had their health challenges over the years (some very serious ones too), they are all doing incredibly well (touch wood) - as you will see in the video. And I want to keep it this way for as long as possible.

Here are three measures (amongs others of course) I take with my dogs of all ages to prevent or slow down age related health issues like arthritis for example.

🔹️ Joint Supplement
🔹️ Multi-type Collagen
🔹️ Very limited ball throwing

(Please note that this is not medical advice as I am not a medical professional or nutritionist, it's just based on my own acquired knowledge and experience. Please do your own research and talk to a health professional especially if your dog already has medical issues).

What measures do you take to help your (future) elderly dog?

04/08/2025

On social media us dog trainers normally show the good stuff, the finished product, the polished version of dog training. But just like any dog owner, we need to put the time and effort into the training of our dogs by teaching them and practicing with them to get those results.

Here is a full, unedited training session with my lurcher Elijah who's currently learning to stack cups. This is only about the third session. 🙂

He throws the cups, ignores them and chews them at times, but that's all just part of the perfectly normal training process. In this clip you can see how he is most of all really trying to manipulate them in his mouth so they can be stacked. This takes time and practice, and lots and lots of repetitions.

I love seeing the concentration in his face and watching him work things out. 😊