Happy Hounds Training Academy

31/01/2025

When your dog takes “Thou shalt not pass” a little too seriously! 😂🐶

These pups are out here protecting the gates like heaven’s bouncers—hope you’ve been good! 😇😂

🎤 “Get right with Jesus” before you even think about stepping past these furry guardians!

30/01/2025

Mantrailing in the Dark with Obi the Flatcoat Retriever 🌌🐾

Last week’s mantrailing session with Obi, the ever-graceful Flatcoat Retriever, was a beautiful reminder of the calm power behind a steady approach. Obi worked with quiet confidence, showing that sometimes, it’s not about speed but about precision and focus. His relaxed yet purposeful style was a joy to watch as he carefully followed the trail, trusting his instincts every step of the way.

What Makes Each Dog Unique?
One of the greatest joys of mantrailing is seeing how each dog’s personality shines through. Obi’s composed and steady method was a clear reflection of his calm and thoughtful nature. It’s a reminder that every dog is unique, and their individual approach to the trail tells a story about who they are. Watching Obi work felt like being part of something special—his quiet determination was inspiring and heartwarming all at once.

What I Learned from Obi
Obi’s approach taught me that there’s more than one way to succeed. His deliberate and measured pace was a refreshing contrast to the high-energy enthusiasm we often see. He reminded me that in both training and life, taking your time and working methodically can be just as effective as a fast-paced drive.

The Takeaway
Mantrailing is a sport that truly adapts to the individual dog. Whether they’re calm and thoughtful or full of energy, every dog can shine in their own unique way. Obi showed us that the journey is just as rewarding as the destination, and his laid-back style was a pleasure to witness.

Obi, you’re a legend in your own right! Here’s to more trails, teamwork, and trust-building adventures. 🐾✨



Found It Scent & Trail

29/01/2025

📢 Important Daycare Update – Booking Required! 🐾

Hey everyone, we appreciate all of you and your amazing pups, and we’ve always aimed to be as fair and flexible as possible. However, with a big increase in dogs joining daycare, we need to make a change to keep things running smoothly.

🐶 If your pup isn’t attending consistently on their regular day, you’ll now need to book in each time rather than holding a set spot. We have many dogs that now require a permanent day, and it’s not fair to reserve a spot if it’s not being used.

📅 Moving forward, please confirm your bookings in advance so we can accommodate everyone properly. If you need to cancel, just give us a heads-up so we can offer the spot to another pup!

Thanks for understanding—we’re making these changes to ensure the best experience for all our daycare dogs! 🐾💛

29/01/2025

29/01/2025

Welcome to Happy Hounds Training Academy! 🐾✨

Are you looking for expert dog training with a kind and force-free approach? Whether you have a brand-new puppy, a boisterous adolescent, or a reactive dog needing extra support, we're here to help!

At Happy Hounds Training Academy, we believe in science-backed, positive reinforcement training that strengthens the bond between you and your dog—without fear, force, or intimidation.

🐕‍🦺 What We Offer:

✅ 1-2-1 Home Training – Personalised support for behaviour struggles, obedience, or confidence-building.
✅ Daycare Training – A structured day of learning and social enrichment for your pup.
✅ Group Classes (returning this year!) – Learn together in a fun and supportive environment.
Why Choose Us?
🔹 Force-Free & Reward-Based – We train with kindness, making learning fun and effective.
🔹 Tailored Support – Every dog is different, and we adapt to suit their needs.
🔹 Experienced Trainer – With years of hands-on experience, we’re dedicated to setting you and your dog up for success.

🐾 Book Your First Session Today! Let’s work together to build a happy, confident, and well-trained dog!

📍 Based in Moreton, Wirral, UK |

💬 Have a question? Drop us a message—we’d love to chat about how we can help you and your dog thrive! 🐶✨

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Wednesdays training crew in full action 🎬 ⬇️

28/01/2025

Why Suppressing Your Dog’s Instincts Isn’t the Answer 🐾

Dogs have incredible natural instincts, whether it’s sniffing, digging, or chasing. These behaviours aren’t "bad"—they’re simply part of who they are. Suppressing these instincts can lead to frustration, stress, and unwanted behaviours.

Instead, why not work with those instincts? A great example is mantrailing.

Mantrailing is all about tapping into your dog’s amazing sense of smell. It allows them to use their natural sniffing abilities in a structured, positive way. Not only does it mentally and physically stimulate your dog, but it also strengthens your bond with them.

This is just one way to channel instincts into something productive:

• 🕳️ Diggers: Create a designated digging area for safe digging fun.

• 🦴 Chewers: Provide appropriate chew toys to satisfy their gnawing needs.

• 🎾 Chasers: Try controlled games like fetch or flirt pole play.

By embracing your dog’s instincts and giving them positive outlets, you’ll help them thrive—and create a happier home 🏡

Why fight against their nature when you can work with it? 🌟

Have you tried mantrailing or similar activities? Let me know in the comments! 🐕

26/01/2025

📢 We're Hiring! Join the Happy Hounds Team!

Happy Hounds Training Academy is looking for an experienced Dog Trainer/Behaviourist to join our team and lead group training classes starting in March 2025!

We are proud to be a positive reinforcement-only training academy, so we're looking for someone who shares our passion for force-free, kind, and effective training methods. 💛 If you're dedicated to helping dogs and their owners build strong, happy relationships, we'd love to hear from you!

The Role:
Teach group training classes – you will be responsible for the planning, preparation, writing and delivery of all class.
Work with a range of dogs and owners to support their training needs.
Classes will be held at our Wirral/Moreton-based facility.

Requirements:
Experience in dog training and/or behaviour (qualifications essential).
Strong understanding of positive reinforcement and force-free methods.
Confident, professional, and approachable with great communication skills.
Comfortable planning and delivering engaging a variety of classes for a variety of dogs and their humans.

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Paid per hour – NMW, and we'd love to hear from trainers who are as passionate about dogs as we are! 🐶✨

If you're interested or would like more information, please get in touch with us at [[email protected] / 07538622352] or send a message. Let’s find out what interest is out there!

Help us spread the word—share with anyone who might be a perfect fit for the Happy Hounds family. 🌟
Looking forward to hearing from you! 🐾

26/01/2025

My foster boy 😍

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐚𝐟 is a 10-year-old black-and-white kitty who is full of love and looking for his forever home. Olaf is incredibly affectionate, loves a fuss, and brings a playful touch of kitten-like joy to every day. In the evenings, he’s the perfect snuggle buddy, curling up under the covers to stay close by. If you’re ready to welcome a sweet, playful, and loyal companion into your life, Olaf could be the one for you! 💕
https://celandinewoodanimalrescue.org.uk/cat_/olaf/

26/01/2025

🌟 Bridley’s Journey 🌟

When I first met Bridley, he was the definition of a free spirit—completely unresponsive to markers, treats, toys, or any form of communication. It was like trying to chat with a ghost! 👻

Fast forward to today, and look at him now! 🎉 Bridley is absolutely thriving, focused, and loving his training. By tapping into his incredible working lines and putting in the effort to build that all-important line of communication, he’s shown just how amazing he can be. 🐾

Huge shoutout to his owners for being absolute superstars, staying on top of homework, and keeping me updated every step of the way. You’ve both worked so hard, and it really shows!

Bridley, you’ve got my heart, mate. 💕 And I think this video shows why—you’re wickedly brilliant! 🐕

24/01/2025

🎉 Friday Training Tip: Let’s Get Physical! 🐾💪

Training isn’t just about sit, stay, and recall—it’s about creating a bond through fun, physical, and enriching activities. This Friday, let’s talk about the power of movement in your dog’s training and well-being.

🔹 Why Movement Matters
Dogs are natural movers, and incorporating physical activities into training keeps them engaged, healthy, and happy. Plus, movement-based exercises help channel that pent-up energy into something positive (great news for those zoomies!).

🔹 Get Creative with Training
Here are some fun ways to add movement into your training sessions:

1️⃣ Figure 8s Around Your Legs: Teach your dog to weave around you—great for focus and coordination!

2️⃣ Paw Platforms: Use a low stool or book to practice "paws up" exercises. Builds confidence and body awareness.

3️⃣ Hide & Seek Recall: Run and hide, then call your dog to find you. This boosts recall and gives them a fun problem-solving challenge.

4️⃣ Obstacle Fun: Set up a mini agility course in your living room or garden—chairs, brooms, and cushions can work wonders!

🔹 Pro Trainer Tip
Keep sessions short and sweet. Aim for 5–10 minutes of movement-based training, followed by a calm activity like scent work to help your pup relax. And remember, always end on a positive note—leave them wagging for more! 🐕✨

What physical activities do you and your dog enjoy? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your training videos—I’d love to see them! 📹🐾

Happy Friday, Happy Training!

23/01/2025

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Jo Squires, Emily Latham, Laura Vost, Dylan Williams

23/01/2025

Training Focus for the Day: Positive Reinforcement Rocks! 🐾

When training your dog, it’s all about rewarding the behaviours you love so they happen again. Whether it’s a well-timed sit, a beautiful recall, or just calm behaviour at home, the key is catching your dog in the act of being brilliant!

Here’s how to level up your rewards:

1️⃣ Find their fave – Treats are fab, but does your dog love a squeaky toy, a game of tug, or belly rubs even more? Use what they love most!

2️⃣ Be quick – Timing is everything. Mark the exact moment they nail the behaviour with a “Yes!” or click.

3️⃣ Mix it up – Keep them guessing! Change rewards often to keep training fun and exciting.

Pro Tip: You don’t always need a treat pouch stuffed to bursting. Life rewards work too!
Let them off the lead after a good recall or give them a sniffy walk for walking calmly.

Training isn’t just about teaching behaviours—it’s about building trust and having fun together. So grab your treats (or their favourite tug toy) and make today a positive one! 🥳🐕

What’s one behaviour your dog nailed this week? Share your wins below—we love to hear them! 🌟

22/01/2025

We had 2 birthday boys in the training house today 🥳 What a paw-some way to celebrate, Teddy and Bert! 🎉🐾 Spending your special day with your furry pals and some fun training sounds like the perfect treat. Aunty Hol’s got you covered with all the fun and games! 🐶💖

22/01/2025

Wednesday Training Crew Update! 🐾

Happy Wednesday, my lovely training crew! 🎉 Let’s talk about a training concept that doesn’t always get the spotlight but can completely transform your dog’s behaviour: "The Power of a Reset." 🛑🔄

Imagine this: you're in the middle of a training session, and your dog starts to lose focus, sniffing the floor or zoning out. It’s easy to feel like you need to push through, but what if I told you that stopping for a moment is one of the best things you can do? 🤔

Here’s why:

Dogs, like us, need time to process information. If we keep powering through when they’re struggling, they’re less likely to learn. But when we hit the “reset button,” we give them space to refocus, regroup, and smash the next rep like the little stars they are. 🌟✨

How to Reset:

✔️ Take a break: Step away from the exercise, give them 30 seconds to a minute to sniff or relax.
✔️ Make it fun: Do a quick, easy behaviour they love (like a sit or spin) to bring their confidence back.
✔️ Read their cues: If they’re looking tired, it might be time to end on a high note and try again later.

A reset is not a failure; it’s a tool. Think of it like saving your spot in a book—you can always come back fresh and ready to go! 📚💪

Now, over to you! Next time you’re working on a tricky behaviour, try hitting reset and see the magic happen. Let me know how it goes—I love hearing about your wins! 🥳🐶

Keep smashing it, crew! You’re amazing, and so are your pups. ❤️🐾

21/01/2025

Dogs Learn Through Play! 🐾

Play isn’t just about burning energy or having fun (although it’s fantastic for both!); it’s also one of the best ways dogs learn. Through play, we can teach dogs valuable life skills like self-control, communication, and problem-solving—all while building an incredible bond. 💕

From tug games that teach impulse control to fetch that improves recall, every game is a chance for your dog to learn and grow. Plus, play encourages natural behaviours, boosts confidence, and keeps training exciting! 🎾🐕

Remember, learning doesn’t always have to feel like “work” for your pup. Keep it light, fun, and full of rewards—you’ll both enjoy it so much more!

What’s your dog’s favourite game? Let me know in the comments! 🐶✨

21/01/2025

Absolutely, you can teach an old dog new tricks! 🐾

Dogs, regardless of their age, have an incredible capacity to learn and adapt. Here’s why:

• Brain Plasticity: Just like humans, dogs’ brains remain adaptable throughout their lives. Older dogs might take a bit longer to pick up new things, but patience and consistency work wonders.

• Mental Stimulation: Learning new tricks keeps older dogs mentally sharp and helps prevent cognitive decline. A bit of mental exercise can work as well as physical exercise to keep them happy and healthy.

• Bond Building: Training at any age strengthens your relationship with your dog. They love the one-on-one attention and positive reinforcement—it’s like a quality bonding session.

• Dogs Love to Work: Most dogs thrive when they have a job to do, even if that job is as simple as learning to spin or fetch a specific toy. It keeps life interesting and rewarding for them.

So whether your senior pup is 7 or 17, grab some treats, a dash of patience, and enjoy teaching them something new—because you're never too old for a bit of fun! 🎉