Dogwarts K9 Academy

01/01/2025

🎉 New Year’s Day Fun: What’s in a Name? 🥳

Well, it’s New Year’s Day! By now, we’ve likely all polished off our roast dinners (or the last of the party leftovers 👀) and are settling in for a relaxing evening. And, if you’re anything like me, you might be reminiscing about this time last week when we are waiting in anticipation for the final ever episode of Gavin & Stacey.

I’m not gonna lie, I loved it. And that iconic scene at the wedding where Smithy asks Rudi about her kids? Taplow and Chingford were outside with their mum and Brighton and Aldi were in their prams dosed up on Calpol, of course! 🤣 Rudi’s unique naming choices got me thinking about our dogs and how we choose their names.

Unlike Rudi naming her kids after where they were conceived (following some famous trends, apparently!), we all have our own reasons for naming our pups the way we do. Maybe it’s a favourite character, a special memory, or something that just fit the moment you met them.

So, let’s kick off 2025 with a bit of light-hearted fun: What’s your dog’s name, and why did you choose it? 🐾

I bet some of you have brilliant stories behind your dog’s name, and I’d love to hear them! Drop your dog’s name (and the reason behind it) in the comments below 👇 Let’s start the new year with a smile, some great stories, and a whole lot of love for our doggos.

Here’s to a pawsome 2025! 🎉🐶✨

31/12/2024

🌟 Happy New Year from Dogwarts K9 Academy! 🌟

As we near the close of 2024 ready to step into 2025, I want to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to all my incredible clients - both the humans and their magical pups! 🐾✨ This past year has been an absolute joy, filled with wagging tails, lots of laughter, breakthroughs, and so many wonderful memories. Your trust in me to help you and your dogs means the world, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved together.

To those I’ve yet to meet - I'm so excited to welcome you to the Dogwarts family in 2025! 🎉

This year, I have some truly spellbinding plans in store:
🐕 New training programs to help you and your dogs thrive.
🎓 Workshops and challenges to keep learning fun and engaging.
💻 Exciting online opportunities so you can train from anywhere.

Let’s make 2025 the year of more confident dogs, happier walks, and stronger bonds. Here’s to another year of pawsitive progress and magical moments together! 🪄🐶

If you're ready to embark on new adventures with your dog, drop me a message or keep an eye for what's coming soon - there really is something for everyone!

And, if the fireworks in this video had sound and you know they would send your dog into a state of fear and anxiety - we've got something special coming for you too! As Tess & Claude from Strictly would say...... 'Keep Watching'

I also want to give a very special shout out to my hubby Steve, who many of you know as my very able sidekick and supporter, I know I don't say it enough but I truly appreciate you, I am blessed to have you in my life and by my side, thank you for everything you do.💖

Wishing everyone a year filled with joy, love, and lots of doggy cuddles

Tracy 🐾

31/12/2024

Wow! 🎉 Our Cockapoo Classes starting 21st January are FULLY BOOKED – thank you to everyone who signed up! 🐾💛

If you missed out this time, don't worry – we’ve just opened up a new start date:
📅 11th March at 6.15pm

Don’t miss your chance to join our fun-filled classes designed specifically for your best friend. 🐶✨

Spots are limited and expected to fill up fast, so secure your place today!
👉 Either scan the QR code, Message/email us or go to https://www.dogwartsk9academy.co.uk/courses/cockapoocharmclass for all the info & booking

Let’s tame their inner gremlin together! ✨🐾

29/12/2024

🎄🐾 The Dog Nose Knows! 🐾🎄

We couldn’t resist sharing this brilliant story from one of our Truffle Hunting graduates, George, who’s now a proud member of our regular Scentwork Group!

On Christmas Day, George became very interested in the Christmas tree, circling it and sitting beside it repeatedly. Her family was baffled—was she admiring the decorations or plotting to sneak an early Christmas present?

The mystery was solved when they unwrapped one particular present… a cured truffle salami! 🎁🍴 George had honed in on the truffle with precision, but her humans, not expecting truffles under the tree, had initially dismissed her indications.

This just goes to show how incredible our dogs’ noses truly are! George, you’re officially top of the (truffle) tree! 🌟👏

If you’ve ever wondered how to tap into your dog’s natural superpower, why not join the wait list for one of our scentwork workshops? Whether it’s finding truffles, keys, or one of our other target scents, the possibilities are endless!

🐾 Let’s hear it for George and her amazing nose! Isn't she fantastic 👏 🐶👇

27/12/2024

🎄 Feeling the Christmas Magic! 🎄

We were so touched to receive a wonderful message from one of our clients, sharing how this year of training has made a real difference for their dog, Oliver. 🐾

Knowing someone took the time during the busy festive season to send their thanks means the world to us - it’s moments like these that remind us why we love what we do, he’s been such a joy to work with this year! 🌟

Thank you to all our clients for making 2024 such a special year. We hope you’re enjoying a well-deserved rest and plenty of quality time with your doggos. 🐶💖

Here’s to even more amazing moments together in the year ahead! ✨

21/12/2024

🎄✨ It’s a Wrap! ✨🎄

We’ve officially wrapped up our classes for 2024 with a festive bang! Our final scent class was full of holiday cheer as some our amazing clients and their brilliant dogs sniffed their way through a Christmas-themed session. 🎅🐾

A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible clients that have worked with us throughout the year and who continue to do so -you’ve made this year so magical with your dedication, joy, and your fabulous dogs that light up every class. ❤️

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎁✨

We’re already looking forward to seeing you in 2025, along with all the new faces and paws joining the Dogwarts K9 Academy family. The magic continues next year, and we can’t wait to share it with you! 🪄🐶

13/12/2024

🎉 Challenge Complete: Meet Our Superstars! 🏆

Over our recent 5 week block, our Progressor Group have been taking on a thrilling challenge to master an array of impressive skills and perform them under different criteria, building distance, duration, and resilience. Every week, our amazing teams worked hard to earn points based on their progress, and today, we're thrilled to announce our Challenge Champion! 🐾✨

🥇 Arthur and his dedicated human, Pete, soared to victory with a winning lead of 32 points with a final score of a whopping 180 points 🎯

Their incredible bond, commitment, and teamwork truly shone throughout the challenge.

Together, they tackled some tricky skills, including:
🔄 Pivots - front and rear paws
🔙 Rear foot targeting
⏱️ Duration stays at a distance (with distractions!)
👣 Distance control

And if that wasn't impressive enough, here's footage of Arthur performing a front paw target with a duration stay at a distance from Pete, in a sheep field – all without verbal cues and using only positive, reward-based training. Talk about knocking it out of the park! 🌟👏

A massive well done to Arthur and Pete – what an inspiring duo you are and truly deserving winners of this challenge. You prove that with consistent training, patience, and a sprinkle of fun, you can achieve great things. 🐕❤️

Let’s give them a big round of applause in the comments and celebrate all the progress our wonderful teams have made in this challenge. 👏👏👏

11/12/2024

🐾 Attention Cockapoo Guardians OR Those Looking for the Ideal Christmas Gift for New Cockapoo Pawrents! 🐾

Does your Cockapoo sometimes feel like two dogs in one? 🧸✨

A cuddly teddy bear one minute and a mischievous little gremlin the next? OR have you just welcomed a little bundle of Cockapoo puppy energy into your life?

If so, you’re not alone - and we’ve got just the thing for you!

🎓 Join our 6-Week Cockapoo Training Class starting this January! 🎓

This is more than your average dog training class. Here’s what you’ll get:
✅ Games-Based Training to tackle those cheeky Cockapoo quirks.
✅ Breed-Specific Guidance that celebrates their intelligence, energy, and personality.
✅ A deeper understanding of what makes your Cockapoo unique - and how to bring out their best!
✅ Cockapoo-Only Group - train alongside other Cockapoo lovers who get it!

🐶 Whether your Cockapoo is a whirlwind of energy or a cuddle monster with a naughty streak, this class will help you turn challenges into triumphs - all while having fun!

📅 When: Starts Tuesday 21st January 6.30pm (6-week course)
📍 Where: Chevington Village Hall, Chevington, IP29 5QS
💺 Spaces Available: Only 4 places left - don’t miss out!

🌟 Your Cockapoo is special—let’s help them shine! 🌟

🎟️ Book your place now by messaging us, scanning the QR code or visiting https://www.dogwartsk9academy.co.uk/courses/cockapoocharmclass!

✨ Your Cockapoo is extraordinary - let’s bring out the best in them! ✨

05/12/2024

🎉 2025 New Year News 🎉

Our January classes are fully booked – thank you to those that have booked for your amazing support! 🐾

📅 New dates for February are now open, so don’t miss your chance to join us. Only 4 places remaining so book early to secure your spot!

🌟 PLUS, we’re thrilled to announce our Cockapoo Classes are restarting this January! 🐶✨ Perfect for Cockapoo guardians looking to strengthen their bond, tame their inner gremlin and have fun with other Cockapoo pawrents.

📞 Message us or visit our website to book your place today! 🪄

04/12/2024

Run don’t walk - the Tug-E-Nuff Black Friday Sale closes on 5th December. ⏱️💨

This is always the absolute best deal on the absolutely best dog toys in the world - so don’t snooze!

As a Tug-E-Nuff partner, I get to reward YOU with 3 for 2 on all their award winning toys!

>>> Ready, set, GO! 👇

https://tug-e-nuff.com/collections/black-friday?ref=dogwarts

You can choose any 3 toys and simply pay for 2 - then sit back and wait for the postie.

Your dog’s tail is going to go bananas for their special delivery…

Or, you could be sensible and hold them back for Christmas morning. You decide! 🤪

Shop now >>> https://tug-e-nuff.com/collections/black-friday?ref=dogwarts

Save BIG in our most bonkers sale of the year (plus bag exclusive black friday deals for purchasers.) These toys are set to be your dog’s all time favs.

14/11/2024

Such an important thing to learn when you share your life with a dog and even more so with a reactive dog. Thank you Dogs Disclosed 🙏

TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management therapy, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause an explosive reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role leading up to that behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

15/10/2024

💖 Another happy client from the Dogwarts K9 Academy family! 💖

"We have been taking Arthur, our Cockapoo, to Dogwarts K9 Academy for the last 5 months. Arthur has completed his Wizdogs Apprenticeship (beginners group) and has now moved through to progression sessions. Every single session has been fantastic. The sessions are well planned, always lots of fun (for us and Arthur!) and always build on the skills and games worked on in previous sessions. Alongside this, we have also completed beginners scent work for fun classes. Arthur is now a fully qualified truffle hunter! We can't recommend Dogwarts K9 Academy enough - great classes, great teacher and most importantly, Arthur absolutely loves it :-)"

A big thank you to Jane, Peter & Arthur for sharing this with us.

We've loved seeing Arthur progress through the classes and watching him turn into a super sniffer in the scent work classes too, his enthusiasm is contagious, an absolute joy to work with 🙌.

Our upcoming classes are currently full so if you want to join the wait list to get your dog started on a journey to success and have lots of fun together in the process, get in touch 🐶📲

14/10/2024

✨ SNIFFING SUCCESS! Our Scent Work Stars Shine Bright! ✨

Over 4 weeks, our incredible scent work students went from 'working it out' to WOW – Unknown scent and they absolutely nailed it! 🐶🕵️‍♂️

From identifying a target odour to stepping up their game with luggage and clothing searches, each and every pup has showcased their super-sniffer skills. 👃💫 Not only has this been a FANTASTIC way for them to get that mental stimulation and channel their energy, but it’s also been a beautiful way to promote calmness and strengthen the bond with their humans. 💖✨

Scent work isn’t just about sniffing things out – it’s about giving your dog a job, building confidence, and providing the ultimate outlet for those noses to do what they were born to do! 🐕🔍 For those with reactive dogs, it’s the perfect way to focus those brains on something productive, transforming stress into success!

We’re so proud of all our scent work superstars – you’ve all shown that with a little guidance, your dogs can literally sniff out success! 💪💥

👀 Ready to give your dog the chance to become a scent work star and experience the joy of this bonding activity?

🌟Get in touch and unlock your dog’s full potential! 🌟

04/10/2024

Hackles don't necessarily = Aggression. Explained ➡️ Goosebumps in dogs 🪿🤜🐱

Thank you Dogs Disclosed 🙌

THE INVOLUNTARY MOHAWK

Technically called Piloerection – when the fur on a dog’s back area stands on end.

Piloerection in dogs is an involuntary response – not within conscious control. It’s usually linked to feeling a strong emotion and could be compared to a person getting goosebumps.

It’s far easier to see in short haired dogs than those with a longer coat.

A breed like the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a clear distinctive ridge of fur on their back. This is formed by a selected gene mutation which causes that particular fur to grow in the opposite direction from the rest. This ridge is standard for this breed and is not related to an emotional state.

Piloerection is commonly thought only to be seen in reactive or aggressive dogs, but that’s not always the case.

Dogs that are feeling aroused, excited, fearful, startled, stimulated, conflicted or insecure in some way, also exhibit this.

As with all behaviour, it’s important to look at the context, in conjunction with other body language, the environment and specific situation in order to establish the cause and decide on the best way to intervene if necessary.

Dr Karen London - an ethologist and highly qualified behaviourist, trained in observing animals and behaviour, has made some very interesting observations about different patterns of raised fur being linked to different emotional states.

In Dr London’s professional opinion -
A thin patch of fur all along the back to the base of the tail is associated with a high level of confidence. These dogs are more likely to be on the offensive and react more aggressively.

A thick patch across shoulders to around ¼ way down the back is associated with a low level of confidence and is seen in dogs that are more fearful.

A patch of fur raised at the shoulders and another patch at the base of the tail – the fur in between is not raised, is associated with dogs that are conflicted and unsure of how to react. These dogs may be unpredictable and more likely to be reactive.

Dr London states that there are many exceptions, but in general, this applies to the majority of dogs that she observes.

27/09/2024

A sad day 😞 RIP 🙏 🪄

Dame Maggie Smith was a shining force as Professor McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter films. We are so saddened to hear of her passing today, aged 89. Her quick wit and formidable presence as the Head of Gryffindor house made sure Hogwarts was always in safe hands.

17/09/2024

🙏 Thank you Zak George, well said 👏

Over the last few days, it feels like a firestorm has been unleashed. It’s clear that outdated dog training practices will no longer go unchallenged.

The release of a study using shock collars (cited below) has sparked unprecedented backlash and even made national headlines, and triggered a major reckoning within the dog training community. The study, seen by many as politically motivated, appears to have put dogs in harm's way to prove a point.

Professionals across the field agree that it should never have been approved by the ethics committee - and their fears were substantiated, given that every single dog in the shock collar group is documented to have yelped in pain while receiving shock collar “corrections”.

The outcry continues to build as more people in our field demand accountability and transparency. Reputations are being hit hard, institutions are facing scrutiny, and balanced trainers like Ivan Balabanov have been fully unmasked, revealing the harmful and outdated methods still being promoted under the guise of expertise.

This glaring evidence underlines what we’ve known all along: pain and fear have no place in professional dog training.

Let this serve as a stark reminder to those in our field who continue to promote outdated methods and deny the overwhelming scientific consensus. The community will no longer remain silent. The evidence is clear and we are moving beyond these harmful practices. Trainers who continue to use pain, fear, and intimidation in their methods do not deserve legitimacy in this field.

Ivan Balabanov, once considered a leader among "balanced" trainers, now faces intense scrutiny following his involvement in this study. It is now scientifically verified that 25% of the dogs he and his mentee worked with in the shock collar group could not be trained effectively, and 100% of those dogs yelped in pain.

This once again undermines the narrative propagated by many trainers who use shock collars and falsely claim that their methods "don’t hurt."

The reality is, the tools they promote rely on pain as a teaching mechanism, and better alternatives exist that teach dogs to comply enthusiastically without the need for fear or discomfort, and without the risks associated with using pain and fear to change an individual’s behavior.

For too long, the welfare of dog trainers has been placed above the welfare of dogs and the public. This has got to stop.

The campaign to expose outdated training methods, like those Ivan Balabanov will likely promote in his upcoming UK workshop, is gaining momentum. Even members of his own community are stunned by the facts that have come to light in this study.

This is not an effort to embarrass an individual but to stand up for the public and make it clear that the propaganda surrounding shock collars is just that — propaganda.

Below is a newly published article from Psychology Today that lays out the facts on the recent shock collar study. For those who think this is about social media “clout” or personal opinions, this article should clarify that our advocacy is rooted in concern for public and canine welfare.

I’ve always said, don’t take my word for it—look at the evidence. This article does just that: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202409/is-balanced-training-fair-to-dogs-or-is-it-a-cop-out

And here is a link to the study in question: Johnson, A.C., & Wynne, C.D.L. (2024). “Comparison of the Efficacy and Welfare of Different Training Methods in Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs.” Animals, 14(18), 2632. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14182632

Based on the reaction to this study, another major domino has fallen in support of aversive dog training methods. This so-called "landmark study" will likely be remembered not for the efficacy of shock collars, but for exposing the unnecessary use of pain in dog training as a legitimate strategy.

We are prepared to provide support and education to those willing to update their methods in the interest of public health and safety. But make no mistake—those who refuse to be unequivocal in rejecting pain-based methods will face increasing scrutiny.

The livelihood of trainers promoting harmful practices is not our concern when it comes at the expense of dog welfare and public trust.

The time to end the misrepresentation of science-based training and to uphold welfare and ethics in dog training is long overdue. We are standing together for a better future for our industry, our dogs, and their guardians.

17/09/2024

Final puppy/beginners classes for 2024 open for booking - Enrol your pup in doggie school and come join the magic of Dogwarts 🪄https://www.dogwartsk9academy.co.uk/courses/wizdog-s-apprentice-beginners-training-classes