Learn with Lucy

15/09/2023

Hi guys💜

A few of you that have trained with me over the last few months will know I’m expecting👶🏻🍼✨

I was really hoping to work closer to my due date but my midwife has advised me to slowwww things down a little. It’s come to the point now where I can’t be as hands on as I need to be, meaning I can’t give all dogs my 100%, so I’ve made the decision to go on maternity leave a little earlier than I originally planned.

Thank you all so so much for keeping me sooo busy, and a big thank you to everyone who was booked in with me who I’ve had to cancel for being so understanding🫶🏼
I love my job and I’m hoping to get back to training early Spring next year. I’ll keep you posted on here💜🦮

Please note, my puppy classes are still going ahead and I have availability for October which will be my last class of the year! Get in touch for more info or to book🐶

I wish I knew what was going through Bobbys mind😂😂can’t wait to watch my boys be big brothers🥰

11/09/2023

Nervous dogs benefit so much from direction and communication from lead walking!

Some nervous dogs might not pull as bad as others, but having them walk next to you, you setting boundaries, and no tension on the lead will set you up for success to build their confidence while out and about. If you take charge, they will happily follow. A nervous dog doesn’t want to take the lead!

Me and Winnie’s owners discussed ways and routines of building her confidence in others ways first, then once some progress had been made, we got to work on the lead work.

Amazing outcome!🙌🏼🦮💜

05/09/2023

The best messages🥰💜
Being able to take your dog out in public places is everything! Because who doesn’t wanna take their dog to the pub!? One of life’s greatest pleasures😅🍻

30/08/2023

Smile if you graduated!😆🎓🦴

Puppy class space available for September. Fun based classes, teaching pups and owners the basics💜
All breeds welcome aged 12-20 weeks old.

Limited space remaining for September 1-1 sessions🦮

Message to book or for more info🐶

27/08/2023

Before & after on a 1-1 session on loose lead walking✔️
Getting Labrador, Nova ready for her human siblings arrival for enjoyable walks alongside the pram🤱🏻🐾

21/08/2023

Next availability mid Sept💜

20/08/2023

Here’s my pack waiting for their food🍽️🍖
We work on impulse control, eye contact, we use marker words (go), and eating around each other.
By practicing these things daily we are working on their patience, obedience, establishing I’m the leader, and deterring behaviours like resource guarding✔️

I would advise working on these things with dogs as puppies, however it’s never too late to start. When we added Bobby our rescue dog into our family at 18 month old, he was a resource guarder and the two vizslas used to graze. With practice and consistency this is the result. Age and time means nothing…just earlier training will be easier!🐶

Practicing & consistency in routine is so important no matter where you are with your training.
Sometimes with trained dogs, we can often easily slip with boundaries and practices, which can then lead to slip ups in their behaviour, which can then escalate to other areas and so on..

15/08/2023

15/08/2023

The best messages🥹💜

Chihuahuas Dave & Coco, 7 years old being the best they’ve ever been👏🏽

On our 1-1 session I met them at their home to tackle barking in the window at passers by and when the door goes. We then ventured outdoors to work on their barking towards other dogs. They done absolutely fab!

It’s never too late to start training!🐾

13/08/2023

I’ve been working with Toby the Labrador over a few sessions. A big, bouncy, happy boy, full of excitement🤩

First we tackled issues indoors. Before these are solved, outdoor behaviours will be even harder to get under control.

On my second visit, we went over some house rules again, tweaking certain areas for better results. Not all training methods will work on every dog, and sometimes, going back to basics is key! We also headed outside on this session. Getting Toby to chill more, be more focused on us-rather than a ball, and encourage natural dog behaviours such as sniffing & exploring alone.

This was my third visit to work on his loose lead walking and myyyyyy god did he SO well!!!🤩👏🏽🦮

By working on other behaviours first rather than just going into loose lead walking, Toby understood so much more quickly and the results were amazing. Training is like a spiders web, to tackle one main issue, their will more than likely always be other areas that need touched on too for better, long lasting results. All behaviours are linked and web off each other.

09/08/2023

I always appreciate feedback and messages after sessions🫶🏼🥰

A lovely morning building Toby’s owner’s confidence with recall, and Toby was absolutely brilliant!💜

04/08/2023

When I encourage people to add in more regular ‘place’, ‘crate’, or nap times. This is why💜

This is how dogs become calm and can be chill in almost any setting or environment. Your teaching them to switch off. This combined with regular, proper exercise is how you get a well rounded dog that is confident and chilled and a lot less needy.

Think of the ‘place’ command as a way to strengthen your dogs calm muscle. The more you use it, the stronger their calmness will become and eventually they won’t need to have ‘place’ time, they will know exactly how to act without direction.

When friends come over, workmen are in the house, people walking past your house, while your eating, while your cleaning, and outside stimulation all shouldn’t be triggers for your dog to go nuts.
If your dog shadows you, barks frequently, constantly jumps up, can’t be left alone, and they get triggered over minor noises and movements it’s likely they don’t have an off switch and practicing ‘place’ time will benefit you both💜

31/07/2023

Can’t beat a before and after on a 1-1 loose lead walking session👏🏽

17/07/2023

The Velcro dog..cute or not?
(..I mean, this little guy is abbbbsolutly THE cutest😍)

But what is a Velcro dog?
It’s a dog that’s follows you everywhereeeee…their like Velcro. They come to the toilet with you, if you move off the sofa they will follow you, you stand up, they stand up, you peek through the window, they will be there behind you.
Lots of people like the fact their dog follows them around everywhere, but sometimes dogs can get too clingy and when they get too clingy, this is when problems set in. This is because..
A. Your dog won’t be getting enough sleep through the day-a vital part to play in having a well balanced, calm dog. Sleep is essential for the development of puppies!
B. Your dog will have separation anxiety. In some bad cases, they cannot deal with being left alone, at all. This will result in a stressed dog and other unwanted behaviours can occur like barking, peeing & being destructive.

If this sounds like your dog, letting them follow you around isn’t doing them any favours. Replace ‘Velcro time’ with ‘place time’ (very challenging at first) but this will help you in the long run. Starting young for easier results! For place time, I recommend using their bed or crate. Creating distance from each other will be great for their confidence, setting some boundaries & encourage proper sleeping patterns throughout the day. A little each day adds up!

I met this super cute 4 month old Chow Chow pup to discuss puppy behaviours and how to manage his sleeping patterns and being left alone through the day💜

14/07/2023

My dogs walking with me without their leads, demonstrating their pack positions perfectly..🐾

1. Alpha
These dogs like to be up front with you in the lead, dogs like this are often more pushy and challenging. Without boundaries and structure in and outside the house, you would quickly find behaviour problems arise, and they would automatically see themselves as pack leader-Dennis & Walter🧡🤍

2.Beta
These dogs will willingly stick by your side walking, or keep slightly back without a challenge. They will avoid confrontation and won’t feel the need to challenge their position with you, or other dogs. Brilliant family dogs, often affectionate and very loving-George🧡

3.Omega
Happy to stay well back without any challenge. Often viewed as the weakest in the pack. Happy to be a follower and avoids confrontation. Can often be shy and lack confidence, or be very playful. Another great family dog but without the right training to build confidence, they could become fearful which can lead to antisocial behaviour-Bobby🤎

In a nutshell..
Dennis & Walter are my little live wires and need boundaries, been slightly harder to train. George is honestly the easiest, most gentle, affectionate, well behaved dog you’ll ever meet, and Bobby…is Bobby😂 super chilled, can be really playful, and a bit of a scaredy cat!
All fab dogs but they all have their own characters, meaning different training methods have worked on them to suit their personalities💜

Which position would your dog fit into?

13/07/2023

Dog reactivity coming from a place of nervousness/fear, which was then resulting in owner being nervous on walks.

The way we handle our dogs on the lead, the way we walk them, how we interrupt & distract our dogs at the correct timing, and how we as owners hold ourselves are all key factors in how to manage a reactive dogs triggers and explosions🦮⚡️

Great progress in this session💜

11/07/2023

Ahh her faaaace😍😍😍
1 year old Boxer, Ruby❤️

A 1-1 session discussing ways on calming down this young, energetic dog in the house.

Ruby was digging the garden, jumping up, being destructive & pinching things. All indications that she is self stimulating. With some more structure now in now place, feeding habits changed and more, Rubys energy levels should be managed more easily.

For more info on 1-1 sessions, get in touch💜

04/07/2023

This months puppy class recruits😍🐾

Border collie, Archie
Vizsla brothers, Zak & Duke
Two lil Dachshunds, Daphne & Coco
And last but not least, sweet little Louis, the Sh*tzu/Poodle💜

First session getting to know each other. Learning proper socialising skills. Understanding good and bad play, and working on the art of attention.

A mix of personalities, size & abilities as always, ready for real life encounters🐾

To be booked onto August puppy class sessions-get in touch!🦴

28/06/2023

Little Ralphie🥹🤍

1-1 meeting this lovely toy poodle cross, on how to stop resource guarding, and getting the best out of him and easing his nervousness through routine🤍

24/06/2023

‼️REMINDER‼️

(My two vizzies enjoying a pupachino in sync to grab your attention😂)

All appointments and puppy class spaces are only secured once a deposit is paid. Unfortunately, I cannot hold appointment times, it is first come first served.
Once a deposit has been paid, please let me know, and I will confirm your appointment day & time. Running the business alone it’s hard to keep a close eye on who has paid and who hasn’t, that’s why I always ask to be notified once the deposit has been sent.
Thanks for understanding and massiveeee thank you for keeping me so busy🐶💜

23/06/2023

Gorgeous boy, Toby💛
8 month old fox red lab. Our first session discussing all things dog, from exercise, food, playtime & downtime and so on. A solid routine will help your dog immensely in sooooo many ways.
A dog with structure will be calmer, happier & more obedient✔️💛

19/06/2023

What is a well socialised dog?

Most people think of a friendly dog that is happy to play with any dog it sees, when in fact, a well socialised dog, is a dog that can communicate with others in a well mannered way.

Typically, a lot of peoples first response to hearing a dog growl at another dog, is to remove them from each other. However, when we do this-especially with puppies, how are they meant to learn from other dogs? Stepping in too soon can result in your dog not being able to understand how dogs communicate and therefore they often overstep the mark.

Well socialised dogs will never just bite or start a fight, these are usually the very last resort. If dogs are unhappy with how another dog is acting towards them, wether the other dog is trying to play with them, being too pushy, too close or too boisterous etc, dogs should be able to communicate that they are unhappy though their body posture, growls, their muzzle, grumps/barks, tail position etc. All these signs a dog gives, is to tell the other dog to back off and to leave them alone. A well socialised dog should be able to understand these signs and back off.

Here’s an example of when we brought Walter home as a puppy. Bobby is eating his tea and Walter being a greedy pup, is in Bobbys space. Walter needs to learn boundaries. Bobby is a well socialised dog, so through growls and pulling back his muzzle, he is telling Walter that he is too close and to leave him alone.
The second video is them eating together now. Walter now understands boundaries and not to bother the other dogs while they are eating.

As said before, bites etc are typically a last resort for a well manned, socialised dog. However, when your dog is meeting new dogs, playing, eating around other dogs, you should ALWAYS be present. If a dog isn’t picking up on another dogs body language that they are unhappy, and you see the unhappy dog getting more and more worked up, that’s when you need to step in and separate them to prevent any escalation which could resort to a bite etc.

This is why, all breeds are welcome in my puppy classes. No matter what their size or character, wether they are extremely confident or shy, It’s all learning💜

15/06/2023

Had the loveliest first meet up with these guys!
8 year old lurcher, Blitz & 7 month old XL bully, Kyro. Two absolute darlings😍

Discussing ways of easing separation anxiety and how to get the best out of both of them through routine, especially now they’ve just moved house🏡

Looking forward to our next meet up already where we will head outside to work on lead walking & improve their recall💜

12/06/2023

🌞🥵ITS HOT OUT THERE🥵🌞

Clients booked in with me this week, please keep an eye on your messages. The weather is forecast to stay hot so sessions unfortunately may need to be rearranged. Everyone’s dogs health is number 1 priority💜

Remember, as much as I push and encourage lots of exercise for all dogs, in this weather pleaseeee be cautious. A few missed walks won’t kill your dog but heat stroke can.

Most dogs in this weather will be happy to chill indoors. However, if you have a dog still bouncing with energy regardless of the heat, I would recommend walking them early early mornings or later on at night before temperatures rise. Short walks only-ideally with water or shade. Or, rather than taking them out, play with them indoors-hide & seek to get their noses working, or invest in some dog puzzles to get their brains ticking.

Be extra vigilant of obese dogs, flat faced breeds, larger breeds, seniors & puppies💜

08/06/2023

That’s me finished for a long weekend to celebrate our wedding with our friends & family. All messages/calls will now be answered Tuesday👰🏻‍♀️🤵🏻💜

There are still spaces available for Julys puppy classes. These will be held on Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th July. 6-7pm, all pups welcome aged between 12-20 weeks old & fully vaxxed. Teaching all the basics & getting them properly socialised. £20 deposit will secure a space🐶
Message to book!

1-1 sessions also available July onwards for all obedience & behavioural needs. Home visits can be arranged🐾

06/06/2023

Junes puppy classes have begun!🐾🐶🎓

Cocker Spaniel, Jessie
Hungarian Vizsla, Scholsey
XL Bully, Stella
Cavapoo, Peggy
& Cocker Spaniel, Duchess💜

All pups are aged between 12-20 weeks old, all abilities and different personalities. Learning the basics on how to manage behaviours, obedience & socialisation🐕

‼️NOW TAKING ON CLIENTS FOR JULYS PUPPY CLASS SESSIONS‼️

06/06/2023

Love my job💜🥰🐾

Appointments available July for all obedience & behavioural needs🐕‍🦺

23/05/2023

Lunas progress makes me so happy🥹🥹🥹
Over the past few months we’ve worked on impulse control, lead work, recall, distractions, and with all the effort and training her owners have put in THIS is the result!!🙌🏼
Time and effort has been spent on Luna and it shows.
A young, bouncy, extremely friendly Boxer can now enjoy freedom off the lead..AROUND DOGS!!💜😍
Not only this, but her obedience has sky rocketed, people and dogs walking past aren’t triggers anymore, and her lead work is fantastic. Not to mention how much her owners have grown in confidence.
Happy, enjoyable walks all round🌞🥾🌿🐾