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Snoots Dog Training, North Tidworth (2024)

13/03/2022

Peekaboo…

Introducing Goose!

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02/08/2021

Mani-pedi 💅🏻

I’m not the only one who likes having a fresh set of claws.

Having well maintained nails and paws means that Bear can run hella fast, and protects his joints so he can keep on running for years to come.

To make your nail maintenance journey a little easier here are some simple things to bear in mind:

- Take your time.
Rushing and expecting your dog to suddenly be okay with you clipping or grinding their nails can lead to a lot more stress for everyone involved.

- Find equipment that works for you.
Whether you get along best with clippers, a dremel, or a scratch board, as long as it works it works.

- Break it down into smaller steps.
Whether that’s simply handling their paws while you chill in the living room, or starting with a nail file to take the edge off and ease your way into grinding those nails, it’s all a step in the right direction.

- You don’t have to do them all at once.
Let little and often be your mantra!

- If you’re uncertain about length, take a photo.
In a relaxed standing position their nails shouldn’t touch the ground.

I also trim Bear’s fur between his toes to keep things looking pristine.

Tag us in photos of your pups getting a pamper session!
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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22/07/2021

Confession ✝️

For several reasons, Bear and I haven’t actively trained together for over a week.

I haven’t worked to proof or enhance anything, and I certainly haven’t been teaching anything new.

Also, the majority of his meals have been from a bowl or scatter fed.

And do you know what didn’t happen?
The sky didn’t fall down.
He didn’t become a destructive dog who chews furniture and all our worldly belongings.
He didn’t become a freight train pulling at the end of the lead.
He didn’t transform into a disinterested hound who doesn’t want to be around me.
He didn’t forget all the obedience we’ve worked on.

Maintenance has been our mantra.
Off lead walks with free time to sniff.
Minimal obedience drills.
Some play together.

The foundations are there, and we still love each other a whole lot.

The rest will come when I have the reserves to give it the energy it deserves.
Self care is important.
You matter.
And your dog will still love you.

What have you done lately that is ✨taboo✨ in the world of dog training?
Share your confessions in the comments.
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Post inspired by ’s recent stories.
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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15/07/2021

A friendly reminder 🧡

Sometimes making it through the day is enough.

Read it again because, yes, it applies to YOU.

Not every day has to have the best session, training progression, the most enjoyable walk…

Give yourself a break.
Life is already tough enough without beating yourself up about your dog.

You’ve got this.

Take a breath, grab a cuppa and let’s share some of the load in the comments.
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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10/07/2021

Oddballs 🤡

I’ve never been afraid to be weird.

To be honest, I’m not really sure I had a choice; weird and different was always in my nature.

But being the “quirky” girl didn’t exactly make me popular, and I often found myself flitting between friendship groups trying to find a place to fit in.

Sometimes I feel that way in the dog world, too.

I’ve come to realise I don’t have to fit in.
I don’t have to bend my morals or principles to please others.

I can acknowledge our differences, thank them for their opinion, and move on with my day.

That’s not to say I don’t value other people’s opinions; far from it!
I’ve just learned through practice and persistence that trusting my instincts and trying something qUiRkY is sometimes just the thing that’s needed to solve a problem.

It helps that my dog is a weirdo too.
So I guess I did find somewhere I fit in!

Who are your favourite weirdos?
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Here are some of mine:

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29/06/2021

Snoots Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

It was such a joy to meet up with such dedicated owners and a wonderful showing of dogs!

A group setting for training was a brand new concept for many of these pups, and the challenge of training in a new and exciting place with long grass is not to be underestimated.

We practiced a lot of concepts we’d covered in our virtual sessions, enhanced handling skills, and explored new concepts, and I think it’s safe to say everyone gained a lot from the experience!

Brodie the cocker spaniel is still very young and is a veritable whirlwind of energy! Watching his relationship with his owner was simply lovely, and they shared some beautiful affectionate moments where Brodie seemed to just melt into Claire’s leg.

Sammy the labrador retriever throws himself into every exercise with 110% enthusiasm, and excelled in such a stimulating environment, even managing some beautiful deliveries to hand during the gundog portion of the session.

Cooper the labrador retriever coped beautifully around a group of strange dogs, and offered some gorgeous engagement with his owners even when some “friendly” off-lead dogs invaded the session. He had a couple of rocky moments when there were more off-lead dogs than we could deflect, but his recovery was brilliant!

Mirren the golden retriever puppy was soooo excited to see so many other dogs and be surrounded by so many sniffs that it was initially a challenge to regain her focus, but after a quick revamp of how we motivate her and present reinforcers she was an absolute superstar! She even amazed her owner with the most perfect short retrieve and delivery to hand she’d ever offered.

Echo the GSD puppy (not pictured) did a great job engaging with both of her owners, demonstrated some beautiful heelwork and built on building her confidence away from her handler since this often results in a lot of barking and unnecessary stress.

I’m immensely proud of all the owners who attended and enjoyed watching them show off with their pups.
Hard work pays off! 💪🏻
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15/06/2021

Don’t get left behind! 🏃

It’s not long until Bear and I head up north to host our Snoots Scotland Workshop!

Our event takes place on Saturday 26th June and is available to dogs and owners who’ve had either virtual or in-person sessions with me… but it’s not too late to book a virtual session in order to be included in this special event!

Drop me a message for more details and to book your spot!
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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06/06/2021

Bonnie Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Something exciting is happening at the end of this month...

I’m visiting my homeland Scotland!

As part of this trip I’m arranging a Snoots Scotland day for all the wonderful dog owners who would like an opportunity to practice neutrality, gundog foundations, and any other specific skills in person.

I have so many dedicated and talented clients in Scotland who I have only ever met via the internet so I’m really excited for this chance to see you all flex your skills in the “real world”!

This special event will only be open to those who have had sessions with me virtually or in person beforehand, so if you’re in Scotland and have been thinking getting in touch then there’s really no better time!

Drop me a message to find out more!
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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25/05/2021

The spice of life 🌶

No two dogs are the same.

And we wouldn’t want them to be!

The world of dog training would be pretty boring if all dogs were the same, and if all trainers were the same.

The variety of breeds and training methodologies out there is staggering, and while you might enjoy your cosy corner of the dog world, it can be great fun to dip your toes into other waters even if you don’t stay there for long.

Labradoodles can do nosework.
GSDs can do gundog work.
Lurchers can do competitive obedience.

I sometimes let a few of my clients have a play with gundog work with Bear so they can have a taste of that world as a handler.

Don’t be afraid to try something new.

Whether or not you decide to continue on in a particular dog training arena, you’ll definitely leave with some more knowledge and experience to apply to your own work.
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
Tiggy the labrador x poodle ()
Oscar the GSD ()
Floyd the lurcher ()
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22/05/2021

Very much requited love 🧡

Sometimes all you need is the love of a dog.

Soak up every moment of it, even the ones that leave slobbers on your clothes and snoot smears on you spectacles.
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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14/05/2021

[insert label here]

Hello, my dog is Bear and he is a reactive/selective/strong-minded dog.

What labels do you have for your dog?

And how do they limit you?

If you’ve been in the dog world long enough, you’ll have heard that it’s uncommon to come across a truly stubborn dog since stubbornness implies that they already fully understand what is expected of them and then chooses not to obey. In reality, most “stubborn” dogs haven’t actually had a behaviour fully proofed or there have been inconsistencies in the learning phase leading to confusion.

“Reactive” is another label that is attached to many dogs.

These labels often don’t help us resolve problem behaviours.

In fact, labels often hold us back in our training.

The crutch of using a label to justify why a behaviour is persisting can leave us a bit stagnant or clinging to a past perception of our dog, even if they haven’t displayed that particular behaviour in months.

Forget about labels for a session or two and chances are you’ll not only enjoy your training more, but you’ll see your dog for who they are instead of what they were.

My dog is Bear.
That’s it.
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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31/03/2021

L O U D 🔉

I’ve been reflecting this week on a phrase I heard coincidentally on two older episodes of podcast and podcast where Jay Jack quoted :

“If you want to be heard, speak up.
If you want them to listen, speak softer.”

An interesting concept which is not only applicable in dog training, but also in life.

Have you had an experience where this phrase has held true for you?
Tell me all about it and let’s get talking!
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In the video:
Floyd the lurcher ()
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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28/03/2021

Virtual vs reality 💻

One thing I think most of us can relate to from the past year is the experience of transitioning from most social interactions taking place in person to taking place via a screen.

The same is true for dog training.

And while there are distinct differences between virtual and in person sessions, I am certain that the prevalence of virtual training has had a positive impact on the dog world.

People have become more aware that they can access almost any trainer in the world through their phones and computers and have profound revelations in their training journey with their dogs, and as trainers we have had to hone our communication techniques with people and become proficient in a more didactic approach to teaching.

The point of this post is not to flap my gums about the wonders of the internet, but to express my gratitude to all the trainers and owners who have dedicated their time to this very different way of learning.

You’ve all made this past year incredibly interesting, and I hope that at some point we may all be able to meet in person with a more evolved view of the dog training world and what we can achieve.
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In the photo:
Sammy the labrador retriever ()
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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17/03/2021

Teamwork 👯

No matter what you’re training for, it’s important to remember that you’re part of a team - you and your dog.

No (wo)man is an island.

Being able to communicate effectively and be believable is a prerequisite for any sort of distance commands, especially when you have a strong-willed sniffer like Bear who often thinks he knows better than I do where I’ve placed the dummies for him to hunt.

I set a blind in a ditch and cast him off to an area beyond that where he has previously retrieved some dummies.

Then I ask for the hunt.

Success!

He knows that I won’t lead him on fruitlessly with the hunt whistle, and I know he’ll work until he finds the dummy.

He’s my teammate, not my underling.
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14/03/2021

Mama bear 👩‍👧

My mum rocks.

She’s my example, role model and inspiration.

Happy Mother’s Day.
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In the photo:
My mum
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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10/03/2021

Mind reader 🧠

Tell me what Bear is thinking in this photo.
Skip to the comments and tell me what you see before you read this post.

What is his body language telling you?

What has just happened to make him look like this?

A picture may say a thousand words, but none of those words have anything to do with context.
And context is important.

Do you notice that Bear’s ears are back, he’s demonstrating whale eye, and is ducking his head?

Has he just been scolded for misbehaving and been put on his place bed as punishment?

Is he fearful of me?

Actually, he chose to put himself in his place bed as I worked on the computer and I had tried to sneakily take a photo of his head on his paws as he slept.
In this photo he had just woken up and was looking up at me sleepy and content, if a bit confused that I was contorted in a weird position to try and get the photo.

Pictures are interesting, but they’re not the whole story.

Tell me your impression of this snapshot in the comments!
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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25/02/2021

Steady 🖐

There are so many flashy videos out there of impressive retrieves, bitey dogs doing their thing, competitive obedience...

So here’s something boring for you to peruse;

A 5 minute sit with implied stay.
(Sped up to fit in a one minute video.)

So much of what we do in training relies on the basics being rock solid; I can’t do retrieves with Bear unless he can hold a good sit.

By paying attention the three D’s of training (distance, duration and distraction) we can be sure that these foundational behaviours are bulletproof.

It might look boring, but it doesn’t have to be.
Get creative and tag us in your videos of your dogs getting some work in on the basics!
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In the video:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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22/02/2021

*blows a raspberry*

In a (dog) world full of drama, I try not to take myself to seriously.

It’s not that I don’t care about serious issues, far from it!

But I choose to act on what I can change to better the situation, and not fixate on that which I cannot.

I’ve found that by staying true to this principle I place myself in a much better position to exact positive change for myself and those around me.

It’s not always easy; the temptation to sit and stew in righteous indignation or self-critical bitterness can be powerful...

But by surrounding myself with like-minded people and helping others choose to see ways to build positivity and kindness, we work together to create something really inspiring and worthwhile.

Who inspires you to be kind and open?
Share the positivity in the comments!
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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21/02/2021

Same backdrop, different picture 🎥

This video was filmed immediately after the one from my previous post.

A mark was placed straight up the top of the track, but this time the blind was just off the track to the left.

Would Bear fall for the oldest trick in the book and try to look in the same place the previous blind was dropped?

I gently cast him to the left as I use the hunt whistle, so Bear managed this scenario with ease.

By using the same area for a different picture we are able to proof behaviours and be sure that our dogs really understand what we’re asking of them.

It’d be easy for Bear to think that he “knows better” following the previous setup we worked through, but based on his responsiveness in this scenario I can be confident that he is ready for me to push our training further.
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In the video:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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20/02/2021

Not perfect 🥉

When you’re challenging your dog and striving to make progress in more difficult training scenarios, it’s inevitable that things won’t always go perfectly.

How you deal with those situations and communicate with your dog will determine the learning that takes place in that moment.

In this scenario I set up a blind to the right of the track and a mark straight ahead at the top of the track.

Bear and I have done plenty of directional work lately, but clearly my boy was anticipating going for the mark instead of understanding that I was casting him to the right for a blind.

He was breaking position and pushing back every time I was moving my arm to the right. (Apologies for the shoddy camera angle; I should have made sure I was in the shot.)

I verbally correct him and set him up again, but after a second failed attempt I opted to reset and give us a clean slate, ensuring I took my time, was more deliberate with my movements, and focussing on my timing to make it as clear as possible for Bear.

By taking the extra time to set him up I made sure he’d succeed.

Silver linings a-plenty in this less than perfect scenario!

What scenarios have you set up for your dog that haven’t gone according to plan?
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In the video:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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18/02/2021

Hello! 👋🏻

I had a realisation that I have gained a few new followers lately and I’d like to introduce myself.

My name is Eilidh, and I’m a Scottish lass living in the south of England with my wonderful husband, and our pets.

I wasn’t born into the dog world, although I have been obsessed with dogs ever since I could speak!
(When I was little I actually wanted to be a dalmatian when I grew up...)

When Bear came barrelling into our lives almost 5 years ago we decided to make the most of his breed traits and threw ourselves into gundog training, and there I became hooked on the notion of dedicating my time to training dogs.

So along came Snoots!

I started as a dog walker, and became known for taking on nervous dogs or those who might need more attention or training as part of their walks, and then the training side grew from there, building on my knowledge and experience.

I’d like to think my clients would back me up when I say I’m the biggest cheerleader for them, and I love motivating them to go all out with their dogs and really challenge their expectations.

I’m very fortunate to have found a supportive community of trainers with whom I get to share knowledge and experience, and I’m very excited for lockdown to end so that we can all safely meet up and explore more approaches to canine behaviour and training.

So welcome to the Snoots Pack!

Tell me about yourself and your dogs in the comments!
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In the photo:
Me! (.actually)
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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17/02/2021

Barriers ⛔️

In life and in training there will be barriers to what you want to achieve.

How you approach those barriers will impact how successful you are in overcoming them.

And if you don’t even try to overcome them then you’ll have to accept that you’ll never reach the goals you’ve set for yourself.

Getting help, guidance and support from others when we reach these stumbling blocks can really give us the boost we need to push through these challenges.

The same goes for our dogs.
They look to us to help them overcome obstacles they encounter.

What barriers have you had to overcome to get to where you are now?
Who was there to help and support you?
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In the video:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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11/02/2021

Keeping up appearances 🤵🏻‍♀️

I had a thought and I’d love your take on it.

How do we market our own dogs?
How do they advertise who we are as owners?
How to we want the world to view our dogs and by extension us?

Different breeds generate different stereotypes.
People see my labrador and walk up to him to pet him without hesitation, but substitute him for a rottweiler or bully breed and more than likely people would cross the street to avoid us.

Does that mean my lab is friendly and wants pets from strangers?
Does that mean a rottweiler or bully breed is going to lunge and bite at passers by?
Of course not!

So then we add accessories to our dogs to try to control how people perceive our dogs; tactical collars, colourful harnesses, bandanas, bow ties, chain collars with spikes, “do not f&@!$ pet my dog” patches, sophisticated leather collars, glittery name tags...

How do these affect people’s perception of our dogs?
People see Bear with his “do not pet” patch and find it jarring. A labrador who doesn’t want pets? It can’t be possible! Maybe they’re the person to fix my broken labrador with love and kisses...
But put that patch on a GSD and people accept it and don’t question it.

You’d think that after all my rambling I’d have a profound revelation for you guys about all of this, but I don’t.
I’m very curious to hear about your experiences with your own dogs or what you’ve seen of others, and how they keep up appearances in public.

Tell me all about it in the comments!
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In the photo:
Bear the labrador retriever ()
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16/01/2021

How would your dog do around this level of temptation...?

Head over to our instagram () and join our that’s all about heelwork for a chance to win 2 virtual sessions on any topic of your choice!

It’s not too late to be a winner!
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10/01/2021

We’re halfway through the first week of our on our instagram!

It’s not too late to enter our competition!

Head over to on instagram and get involved!
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06/01/2021

🔸It’s competition time!🔸

Visit our instagram and check out our heelwork challenge to kickstart your dog training resolutions for 2021!

This competition is exclusive to our instagram followers so head over there and get involved!

31/12/2020

Thank you to all my friends, family, clients and all the dogs who supported me and the Snoots Pack through 2020.

I’m very grateful to you all.
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29/12/2020

Body talk 🗣

My last post on instagram () discussed how dogs communicate with each other non-verbally.

The videos that accompanied that discussion were in the context of play.

This time Bear is having his space invaded by an unwelcome stranger dog.

This “friendly” dog ran halfway across a field to investigate us despite its owners failed attempts at recall.

I advocate for him by moving us out of a position where Bear might feel the need to take matters into his own hands.
He wouldn’t have tolerated the probing from the stranger dog for long if I asked him to sit.

What signs is Bear displaying in his body language that show he is uncomfortable with the approach of this stranger dog?

Drop your answers in the comments!
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In the video:
Bear the labrador ()
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05/12/2020

Art 🎨

Every artist has a different approach to their craft.

They learn the foundations and study the work of others to inspire and shape their style.

And with an understanding of how to use pattern and colour and different media, they bring their own flair to their work.

They create something new.
They find new ways of using materials, mixing patterns, combining their creativity with all the knowledge they’ve learned from others.

Dog training (or any any skill for that matter) is surprisingly similar.

We learn about operant and classical conditioning, how other trainers apply various techniques, learn from how they use varying tools, and add our own flair by having hands on dogs and problem solving and experimenting with the application of our knowledge.

Art is a skill.

Dog training is art.

How are you developing your craft?
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Art by .gifford
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28/11/2020

(Don’t) curb your enthusiasm 🙃

It can be very easy to fixate on what you don’t want your dog to do.

Don’t jump up.
Don’t bark.
Don’t chase.
Don’t forge during heelwork.
Don’t drop the dummy 2 feet away from me when attempting a neat little retrieve...

But when we think like that we miss all the good stuff they DID do.

They recalled with enthusiasm.
They actively wanted to engage with you.
They showed drive for something you can use in training.

And we miss all the progress we’re making, and opportunities to reward and grow.

I encourage you to be excited with your dog. See the good stuff and revel in it!

The sloppy stuff can be tidied up later.
Find joy in the enthusiasm and messiness in the moment and both you and your dog will love every session!
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In the picture:
Aspen the golden retriever ()
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27/11/2020

Fair weather friend ⛅️

In dog training we talk all the time about showing a dog as many different pictures of a behaviour as possible.

This means that just because they sit on command reliably in the house, it doesn’t mean that’ll transfer to a sit on a wet log for a photo opportunity, or to a sit by a busy road, or any behaviour at all while it’s raining.

We can’t depend on these fair weather behaviours; we have to proof them in all conditions.

It’s up to us to help our dogs generalise behaviours to every situation so they can glide through life happily and confidently.

When Bear was a puppy he would heel beautifully until we’d get to a puddle, then he’d skirt the outside of the puddle and rejoin me on the other side.

Now heel means heel, no matter the weather.
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In the video:
Bear the labrador ()
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25/11/2020

Blossom 🌺

It’s important to recognise progress and the hard work and tears it often takes to get there.

Ada’s owners and I have been working so hard on her foundations and building their relationship from the ground up for the past year, and they have come so far as a team.

They made the decision to enter Ada into ’s board and train programme to help give them an extra boost. It wasn’t an easy decision for them to make, and they struggled against the opinions of family and friends telling them that they were “letting her down” or being “lazy” by seeking Ches’ expertise.

But seeing Ada today at the midway point of her B&T has really solidified the value of an experienced trainer and handler like in helping dogs like Ada and their owners through theB&T programmes they offer.

We went with Ada on a walk with her dragging the long line behind her, saw how her confidence has grown in a pet store, and she even made some great choices while dogs were barking at her close by at the vets.

The hard work isn’t over, but this is showing the fruits of our labour.

Ada’s owners spent time planting and nourishing the seeds, and Ches is helping her blossom.
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In the video:
Ada the chinese shar pei ()
Ches of
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18/11/2020

Gamble 🎲

Dogs are natural gamblers.

If something reinforcing happens once they’ll take the chance that it’ll happen again.

If they counter-surf and find a roast chicken once, they’ll take the chance that there’ll be a roast chicken there next time they counter-surf.
And they’ll keep gambling on it until they’re proven right again; it might not be a whole chicken, but a sandwich will do the trick!

We can use this to our advantage with our use of reinforcers in training. Sometimes they get one bit of kibble, sometimes they get a whole handful, sometimes they get a toy, sometimes they get personal play...

They’ll keep gambling on a behaviour that might make that reinforcer appear.

Want to learn more about reinforcement packages and schedules?
Talk to your trainer about it!

You can also check out The Canine Paradigm podcast episode “Rules of Reinforcement”.
Be prepared to take notes!
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In the photo:
Aspen the golden retriever ()
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