The Dog Academy

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The Dog Academy

The Dog Academy is based near Minehead and offers dog training from puppies through to adult dogs on Please do get in contact to find out how we can help.

The Dog Academy offers group and private training, from puppy to adult dogs. Activities including puppy classes, agility, scentwork, positive gundog and trick training. Whether you want to train for fun, build on your relationship with your dog or looking to get some exercise we can offer a session to suit. Lessons are fun, safe and can provide great mental and physical stimulation for your dog.

20/04/2025

Dogs are our much-loved companions and family members.

We want them to have happy, healthy and fulfilled lives—whether that’s joining us on family days out, cosy evenings at home, or big outdoor adventures.

But let’s be honest—bringing up a dog can feel hard sometimes.
Whether it’s your very first, or you’ve had dogs for decades, we all face training challenges or behaviours that leave us unsure what to do next.

The good news? It’s never too late to make a difference.

No matter your dog’s age, background or the struggles you’re facing, there are so many kind, effective and force-free ways to make things better—not just for your dog, but for you too.

I’d love to introduce you to my colleague Holly.

Holly is both a behaviourist and a clinical psychologist who helps dogs and their humans build stronger, more trusting relationships—in a way that feels positive and empowering.

She’s hosting a completely free 14-day virtual event starting on Monday 21st April, and I’m really proud to be speaking as part of it.
It’s called: “Kindness Is Essential, Not Optional”: The Dog Behaviour Conference

I’ll be talking about Adolescence Through a Compassionate Lens, alongside 27 other incredible guest experts, all sharing knowledge, strategies and support to help you and your dog feel more connected and confident together.

👉Get your FREE spot by registering with the link in the comments

07/04/2025

Brainwork is real work.

This is Hetty, completely zonked after our Cognitive Challenges Workshop last week!

Her lovely owner Jane sent me this photo and said:
“Thanks for such a great afternoon, Emma. Lots to think about now when I ask Hetty to—or more interestingly—expect her to do things!! She is absolutely shattered after all that brainwork, and I’m hoping I can now control my excitement at her accomplishments and stop being her cheerleader 😂🤣😂”

Workshops like this aren’t about flashy results or ‘fixing’ behaviour. They’re about learning more about how our dogs think, so we can meet them where they are, and build a better partnership. 😀

It’s not always about doing more—it’s about understanding more.

And when we do? That’s where the real change begins. 🐾

Thanks to everyone who came along!

17/03/2025

If you have, why not join me for a fun and interactive workshop where we’ll explore how dogs think, learn, and solve problems? This session will give you a deeper understanding of your dog’s cognitive processes and teach you simple mental challenges to help shape their learning.

Workshop Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, 3rd April
🕑 Time: 2 PM
📍 Location: Allerford Hall

This workshop is perfect for owners who want to:
🐶 Understand why their dog behaves the way they do.
🐶 Challenge their dog’s mind beyond regular training.
🐶 Learn how to work with their dog’s natural learning style.

Spaces are limited, so if you’re interested, click below to reserve your spot!

Grab your slot here: https://www.the-dog-academy.com/service-page/cognitive-challenges-workshop?referral=service_list_widget

14/03/2025

Free Walk & Talk for Owners of Reactive Dogs – Without Their Dogs!

Do you have a reactive dog and sometimes feel isolated or overwhelmed? You're not alone! Join our free Walk & Talk event – a relaxed, judgment-free space for dog owners to connect, share experiences, and support each other.

🐾 Who is this for? Owners of reactive dogs who want to chat, learn, and enjoy a peaceful walk without the stress of managing their pup.

🚶 What to expect? A casual group walk with like-minded owners, discussing challenges, tips, and ways to support our reactive dogs.

📍 5th April at 10am, Selworthy National Trust Car Park

This is a great opportunity to connect with others who truly understand the journey of owning a reactive dog. No dogs, no pressure—just fresh air, good conversation, and community!

Grab your space here: https://www.the-dog-academy.com/service-page/free-walk-talk-for-reactive-dogs?referral=service_list_widget

24/02/2025

Exciting News- I’m Now a Certified Family Dog Mediator! 🐾

I’m thrilled to share that I am now a Certified Family Dog Mediator! This training has deepened my approach to dog behaviour by looking beyond just “how” to train and really understanding why behaviours happen in the first place. 😃

Too often, we see behaviour as something to "fix"—but real change comes when we address the root causes. This certification allows me to support owners even more effectively by:
- Understanding behaviour through the lens of evolution, genetics, learning, and self (L.E.G.S.®).
- Helping dogs and their families work together, rather than just “correcting” symptoms.
- Providing training that focuses on the whole picture, not just quick fixes.

I can’t wait to bring this knowledge into our sessions and help you and your dog in a way that truly makes a lasting difference!

Looking forward to seeing you and your dog in training soon!

18/02/2025

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of language when working with our dogs. It’s come up in training sessions, and I wanted to share a quick insight with you.

Have you ever noticed how the words and tone you use in training affect not just your dog, but you as well? The language we choose can shape our mindset, emotions, and overall approach—sometimes without us even realising it.

For example:

🐶 Saying “commands” vs. “cues” shifts our perspective from control to communication.

🐶 Labelling a dog as “stubborn” vs. “confused” changes whether we feel frustrated or patient.

🐶 Calling a behaviour “bad” vs. “incomplete” impacts how we problem-solve.

By adjusting our language and tone, we create a more positive, effective, and enjoyable training experience for both us and our dogs. Small changes in wording can lead to big shifts in how we feel about our dog’s progress!

Give it a try this week—pay attention to the words you use and how they affect your emotions. I’d love to hear what you notice!

14/02/2025

Wishing you all a pawesome day! 🐾

23/12/2024

As we are nearly at the Big Day, I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎅🐾

Thank you for your incredible support throughout the year—it’s been such a joy to work with you and your wonderful dogs.

See you in 2025!

-Emma & The Gang 🐾

27/11/2024

I’m thrilled to share some incredible news from Kim Brophey, author of Meet Your Dog. As of 17th November 2024, The Dog’s Truth (previously a paid course) is now available for free!

This isn’t dog training—it’s about understanding your dog and is, in my opinion, the foundation of building the best possible relationship with them.

What is The Dog’s Truth?
It’s a one-hour, documentary-style introduction to LEGS (Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self), a fascinating framework for understanding dogs and their behaviour.

Want to know more? Check out the link below:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9C_XRcbI_Q

07/11/2024

Labelling Your Dog

I had a chat with someone on a walk a few years ago about "labelling our dogs" and this got me thinking, how would you describe your dog?

When I listen to people, I often hear them describe their dogs with ‘labels’. It's very easy to label your dog with a phrase or word… but can this have an influence on our relationship?

Labels can be positive, fun, nicknames, said with affection but often I hear my dog is "naughty", "disobedient", "stubborn", "doesn't listen to me" etc.

Labelling our dogs can be very damaging, just as it is when we label other people and ourselves. Can you think of a time when you had said, "Oh I'm no good at XYZ" so you would assume failure and stop bothering to try? 🤔

When we label our dogs our words and tone of voice all come together as an indication of how we perceive them and this can result in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So next time you describe your dog, listen to the language you use. Awareness and understanding of your dog is important but labelling may be limiting your relationship and even an excuse for not changing things.

Don't label, find a language you both understand. 😀

06/08/2024

So pleased to announce that you can find me in the Exmoor Magazine Autumn Issue! 🤩

This was such a great interview, thank you so much to the magazine for the feature.

Autumn Issue is out now in the shops and also available to order direct here: https://www.exmoormagazine.co.uk/latest-edition/

Locally owned, locally produced, for all who love Exmoor, North Devon and The Quantocks.

They also do subscriptions - perfect for yourself or as a gift! Details can be found here:
https://www.exmoormagazine.co.uk/subscribe/

21/06/2024

Last minute space available on our cocker camp 22/23 June in Allerford and Porlock due to owner illness. If you are interested in joining for half a day or whole weekend pm me for more info.

Address

Minehead
TA24

Website

https://www.the-dog-academy.com/

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About The Dog Academy

The Dog Academy offers dog training for puppies through to adult dogs in Exmoor, with training venues in Porlock and Barbrook.

Whether your dog is a rescue, or you had them from a puppy, we can help you in all areas of training. Our aim is for you to understand your dog and their needs, and for you to have a mutually enjoyable relationship.

We only use positive and reward based training methods and do not believe in the need to use any negative training or equipment. The training we offer is fun, safe and can provide great mental and physical stimulation for your dog.

Training includes puppy, follow on puppy/young dog, agility, scentwork, tricks and gundog.