Betsy's Dog School

05/02/2025

As our dogs age, their needs change, and it’s important to spot the signs that might mean they need a little extra care. The BSAVA PetSavers Ageing Canine Toolkit is a fantastic resource that highlights key things to watch for in older dogs, helping you know when it’s time to chat with your vet. 🐾🥰

BSAVA PetSavers-funded research at the University of Liverpool (the Old Age Pets (OAP) research project) aimed to help vets and clients provide the best care for senior and geriatric dogs. The research showed that many owners find it difficult to know what are ‘normal’ age-related change...

22/01/2025

🐾 Puppy Training Tip: Reward the Good Stuff!
Catch your puppy being good? Let them know they’re doing great! Whether they’re lying quietly, chewing the right toy, or not jumping up, rewarding these moments helps them learn what’s worth repeating. Focusing on and rewarding the behaviours you like - rather than the ones you don’t - will guide your puppy to make better choices.

15/01/2025

🌟 I offer a variety of 1-2-1 training for puppies, dogs, and even before your puppy comes home! 🐾

📅 You can book a free discovery call with me at a time that suits you. Just follow the link from my website 🐶

08/01/2025

🐾 Puppy training doesn't need to take over your day! 🐾

Did you know you can teach your pup essential skills in the time it takes to:
☕ Brew your morning tea
🍞 Wait for your toast to pop
📺 Watch an ad break during your favourite show

Training in short, focused bursts is not only more effective for your puppy’s attention span but it's also much easier to fit into your daily routine.

For example:
👉 Practice a quick sit and stay while the kettle boils.
👉 Work on a wait at mealtimes when your pup is already excited for their food.
👉 Add a few recall games during your walk to keep things fun and consistent.

Little moments add up to big progress over time. 🐶✨

20/12/2024

🎄 Christmas Closure Update 🎄

Betsy's Dog School will be closed for the Christmas holidays from 5pm on Friday, 20th December, and we’ll reopen on Monday, 6th January.

If you need to get in touch, feel free to leave a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can after the break.

Wishing you and your pups a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎅🐾

— Fiona & Betsy 💛

18/12/2024

Christmas is a time for indulgence, but not all festive treats are safe for our canine companions! 🍫🐶 Here’s a quick guide to help you keep your dog safe over Christmas.
🎄⛄🔔
Let’s make this Christmas magical AND safe for everyone in the family – including your four-legged friend! 🐕❤️

28/11/2024

Puppies thrive on predictability. Establishing a regular routine for feeding, play, and training helps them understand what’s expected and when. This sense of structure can make a huge difference in their behaviour and overall progress.

🔑 Why routine matters:

It helps your puppy feel secure and reduces anxiety.
It supports better toilet training by establishing set times for toilet breaks.
It allows your puppy to learn when it’s time to focus and when it’s time to relax.
It makes training easier by setting expectations and reinforcing good behaviours consistently.

A solid routine is the foundation of successful training! 🐕✨

Learn more about how to set up a good routine for your puppy with my 1-2-1 Puppy Package. You can email me at [email protected]. 🐕✨

20/11/2024

Why You Should Book a Trainer Before Your Puppy Comes Home 🐾

Bringing a puppy home is exciting, but a little preparation with professional guidance can make a world of difference! Here’s why it’s worth considering training support early:

Set Up for Success from Day One 🏡
A trainer can help you set up a puppy-friendly space at home, which means less stress and a smoother transition for both you and your pup.

Avoid Common Mistakes 🚫
From appropriate chewing to toilet training, an expert can guide you to avoid common pitfalls, saving you time and frustration later on.

Introduce Routines Early ⏰
Puppies thrive on routine! Knowing when and how to introduce routines like sleeping, feeding, independence and crate training helps them settle in quickly.

Build a Solid Bond from the Start 🤝
A trainer will show you how to interact in ways that build trust and confidence, making it easier for your puppy to look to you for guidance.

My Pre-Puppy Package is designed to help support you before and after your puppy comes home. Having a plan in place will help give you strategies to make those first few days and weeks far more enjoyable!
See my website for more details or call me on 07787 447 957 to book!

13/11/2024

Happy Birthday to my lovely girl Betsy, 8 years old today! 🎉 She’s the heart behind my journey into dog training, inspiring me every day to help others with their pups. Here’s to more years of adventures and cuddles🐾💕

06/11/2024

🐾 Keep Training Sessions Short & Sweet!
Puppies are full of energy, but their attention spans are limited! Aim for 5-10 minute training sessions a few times a day. These brief, focused bursts are perfect for helping them learn without getting bored or frustrated. 🐶✨

Why keep it short?
When sessions are too long, puppies can get tired, distracted, or even frustrated. 🥱 This can slow down their learning and make training feel like a chore. Instead, shorter sessions keep things fun 🎉 and ensure they stay engaged and excited to learn more.

Break It Up:
Practice a few simple behaviours, like “sit” or “stay,” for just a few minutes, then take a break. 🐕💨 Gradually, as they grow, you can extend the length a little—but keeping things short and positive will help your puppy make quicker progress. 💪🐾

The Goal: Consistency Over Length
It’s better to have multiple short, happy sessions throughout the day than one long, tiring one. 🐶❤️ Think of it as a way to build healthy learning habits, helping your puppy enjoy training time while building focus little by little. 🌱✨

16/10/2024

Fireworks season is just around the corner! 🎇 For some dogs, the loud bangs and bright lights can be a bit overwhelming. Here are some tips to help your dog feel safe and comfortable 🐾

02/10/2024

I love teaching my dog tricks; it’s fun and strengthens the bond I have with her. 🐾❤️

I also enjoy teaching these to my clients, especially with adolescent dogs. Here are my top 5 reasons why you should be adding tricks to your training: 🐶✨

1. Strengthens the Bond: Teaching tricks fosters communication and teamwork between you and your dog. The process of learning together creates shared experiences that deepen your relationship. 🤝

2. Increases Engagement: Tricks stimulate your dog mentally, helping to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. 🧠

3. Provides Mental Stimulation: Tricks require focus and concentration, offering much-needed mental exercise. 💪

4. Redirects Energy: Adolescence can bring increased energy and impulsive behaviours. Teaching tricks serves as a productive outlet for this energy, turning it into a fun and rewarding activity. ⚡️

5. Encourages Problem-Solving Skills: Learning tricks helps your dog develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which can be particularly beneficial during adolescence as your dog learns to assess situations and make better choices. 🧐

By incorporating trick training into your routine, you not only provide your dog with enjoyable challenges but also nurture a stronger, more resilient bond that can withstand the ups and downs of adolescence. 🐾🐕

18/09/2024

I love working with my clients 1-2-1 because I can create a personalised training plan just for them to make sure they get the most out of our time together. 🐶✨

Private sessions allow me to focus entirely on your puppy’s unique needs, ensuring that we address any specific challenges or behaviours they may have.

If your puppy gets easily overstimulated or distracted in a group setting, 1-2-1 training offers a calm, controlled environment where they can learn at their own pace. 🐾

Plus, it gives us the flexibility to adapt and refine our approach as we progress, ensuring the best possible outcomes for you and your pup. 💪🐕

Check out my website to find out more.
https://www.betsysdogschool.co.uk

08/09/2024

🌟 I’m taking a short break and will be away until Tuesday, 17th September. I won’t be able to respond to messages, emails, or calls during this time, but I’ll get back to all enquiries as soon as I return 🐾

04/09/2024

It can be hard to know who to trust when trying to choose a dog trainer with no current regulations. These are my top 3 tips on what to look for to make sure whoever you work with has the right kind of skills to help you.

I'm proud to be accredited by The Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT) and a registered Animal Training Instructor with The Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC). This means I've had my skills & knowledge assessed and I have to complete a minimum of 15 hours of training every year to make sure my knowledge stays up to date.

If you want to learn more about how I can help you with your dog or puppy training, check out my website for more details.🐾🔗☝️

22/08/2024

🐾 Positive Puppy Training You Can Trust 🐾

If you want to find out more about me and my training packages, click on the website link in my bio 🔗. You can book a free discovery call with me to learn more 🐾🐶✨

30/07/2024

✨ Are you struggling with training your new puppy? You're not alone! Here’s why working with a professional trainer can make all the difference:

Expert Guidance 🧠
With years of study and professional qualifications, you can be assured I have the knowledge and experience to teach you and your puppy. Using techniques that are scientifically proven to work, your puppy will learn quickly and in a fun, force-free way.
🐾
Prevent Behavioural Issues 🐾
Early training with a professional can prevent future problems. From biting and chewing to excessive barking, we can address these issues head-on, setting your puppy on the path to becoming a well-behaved adult dog.
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Personalised Training Plans 📋
Every puppy is unique, and so are their training needs. My puppy training packages include a customised plan tailored to your puppy's temperament and your lifestyle. This means faster results and a training experience that's enjoyable for both you and your puppy.
Get in touch to find out more 🐶

16/05/2024

Big thanks to Lucy for sharing such a wonderful review of my Pre-Puppy Package! ❤️ 🎉
This package was crafted with the sole aim of assisting new puppy parents in getting everything set up before their new puppy comes home, and in those crucial initial weeks afterwards.
🌟📚
My goal is to ensure that from day one, people are equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge and tools. With the abundance of outdated information online and from well-meaning but misinformed sources, it's vital to start on the right foot. The field of dog training has evolved significantly in recent years, and my passion lies in helping people understand their dogs better, fostering a deeper understanding of their canine companions, and ultimately cultivating a bond that lasts a lifetime with their new pup. 🐾💫