Puppy PlayBarn Dog Behaviour & Training

30/03/2025

The Secret to a Well-Behaved Dog? Consistency & Confidence!

Training your dog isn’t about magic tricks or quick fixes—it’s about clear communication, patience, and building trust. Whether you have a playful puppy or a more mature dog needing a refresher, the key to success lies in consistency and confidence.

Consistency – Dogs thrive on routines. If you reward jumping up one day and correct it the next, your dog will be confused. Keep your rules and expectations clear every single time.

Confidence – Dogs look to their humans for guidance. If you hesitate or send mixed signals, your dog will take the lead (and not always in the way you’d like!). Stay calm, clear, and positive in your training.

30/03/2025

What a fantastic day at our Drop-In Dog Behaviour & Training Clinic!

We were blown away by the number of dogs (and humans!) who came along—and due to the overwhelming demand, we even had to turn a few away.

A huge thank you to everyone who came, asked questions, and worked with us on everything from recall and loose lead walking to reactivity and confidence building.

Due to its popularity, we’ll be running another clinic very soon—so keep your eyes peeled for dates!

29/03/2025

“These little stars had their very first training class today! Lots of wagging tails, curious noses, and clever puppies learning the basics—what a brilliant start!”

29/03/2025

Does Your Dog Bark, Lunge, or Growl at Other Dogs? We Can Help!

Reactivity isn’t bad behaviour, it’s your dog’s way of saying they’re struggling. Whether it’s barking, lunging, growling, or trying to avoid other dogs, reactivity is often rooted in fear, frustration, or overexcitement. But the good news? With the right training, we can help your dog feel calmer and more confident around others.

Introducing our GROWL CLASS!
Our carefully structured Growl Class is designed specifically for dogs who react to other dogs—helping them learn new coping strategies, while you gain the skills to understand, manage, and improve their behaviour.

• Controlled, safe environment to practice calm behaviour
• Small class sizes to reduce stress and ensure individual attention
• Focus on building confidence and trust between you and your dog
• Positive, reward-based methods to change the way your dog feels about other dogs
• Practical techniques to help you handle real-life situations

This is NOT a ‘watch and hope for the best’ class! You’ll learn exactly what to do when your dog sees another dog, how to prevent outbursts, and how to help them feel more comfortable.

If your walks feel stressful and you’re avoiding other dogs, we can help!
Booking is through our website puppyplaybarn.co.uk

28/03/2025

Life Skills Training Class

Looking for a well-rounded pet with excellent manners? Join our 5-week Life Skills Training Class

Bookings are through the website puppyplaybarn.co.uk

In this comprehensive program, your dog will learn essential life skills to become a well-behaved and confident companion.

Our experienced trainers will guide your dog through various exercises, including:
🐾 Intermediate and Advanced obedience commands
🐾 Loose lead walking in distracting situations
🐾 Impulse control
🐾 Polite greetings
🐾 How to Settle in public spaces for example visiting a coffee shop

By the end of the 5 weeks, your dog will have the tools to navigate real-life situations with ease and impress everyone with their impeccable behaviour!

Sign up today and let the transformation begin!

28/03/2025

27/03/2025

Does your dog struggle with confidence in new situations? Are they nervous around other dogs, hesitant with unfamiliar people, or unsure about traffic, loud noises, and sudden changes in their environment? Our Little Heroes Confidence-Building Class is designed to help shy, anxious, or cautious dogs develop resilience and trust—one paw at a time!

🐶 What to Expect:

✔ Confidence-building exercises and fun challenges
✔ Gradual exposure to new surfaces, sounds, and objects
✔ Problem-solving games to boost independence
✔ Structured social interactions in a controlled, low-pressure setting
✔ Positive reinforcement training techniques to improve general confidence and obedience

Who is this class for?

1. Nervous or Shy Dogs
• Rescue dogs with limited socialisation experience
• Puppies or adult dogs who are naturally timid
• Dogs that struggle with new environments, people, or objects

2. Dogs with Fear-Based Behaviours
• Dogs that react anxiously to loud noises, sudden movements, or new experiences
• Dogs that avoid new situations rather than exploring them
• Dogs that get overwhelmed in busy or unfamiliar environments

3. Dogs Who Struggle on Walks
• Dogs that are nervous about traffic, different surfaces, or new surroundings
• Those that freeze, pull to go home, or react anxiously to other dogs
• Dogs that lack confidence exploring the world

4. Dogs Who Need Help with Social Skills
• Dogs that feel overwhelmed around other dogs but are not aggressive
• Those that are unsure how to engage in play or social interactions
• Nervous dogs who benefit from structured, confidence-boosting socialisation

5. Puppies Needing Early Confidence-Building
• Puppies in their sensitive socialisation window needing gentle exposure to new experiences
• Those that are hesitant to explore or struggle with novelty
• Puppies showing early signs of anxiety or shyness

⚠️ Suitability Notice

This class is designed for dogs that need a confidence boost in new environments, gentle social interactions, and novel experiences. It is NOT suitable for dogs displaying aggression or strong reactivity toward other dogs or people. If your dog struggles with lunging, barking, or aggression, please contact us to discuss a more suitable training option.

📅 5-Week Course | Limited Spaces Available

Location: Puppy PlayBarn
Booking: Secure your place now at puppyplaybarn.co.uk

27/03/2025

We have 2 new courses starting in April, limited spaces available and booking is through the website.

26/03/2025

5 Pro Trainer Tips for a Well-Behaved Dog!

Training your dog isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about clear communication, trust, and setting them up for success. Here are five expert tips to help you get the best from your dog!

💡Say It Once!

Dogs learn through consistency, so repeating a command multiple times (“Sit… sit… SIT!”) teaches them they don’t have to respond immediately. Say the cue once, then guide them into the behaviour and reward them when they get it right.

Try this: If your dog doesn’t respond, use a treat or a hand signal to show them what to do. Over time, phase out the extra help!

💡Timing Is Everything!

Dogs associate rewards with whatever they were doing in the last 2 seconds. If you reward too late, you might reinforce the wrong behaviour (like jumping up instead of sitting).

Pro tip: Reward within 2 seconds of your dog doing the right thing. If you use a marker word (“Yes!”) or a clicker, it helps bridge the gap between action and reward!

💡 Set Your Dog Up for Success

Expecting your puppy to perform a perfect sit-stay in a busy park when they’ve only practiced at home is like expecting a child to ace an exam without studying!

Try this:- start training in a quiet, distraction-free space, then gradually increase the difficulty (e.g., adding noises, other people, or moving to a new environment).

💡 Reward Good Behaviour—Don’t Just Correct the Bad!

Many owners focus on stopping bad habits instead of reinforcing good choices. Dogs repeat behaviours that get them what they want—so if you only pay attention when they misbehave, they’ll keep doing it!

Tip:- catch them being good! If your dog is lying calmly instead of begging, reward them! If they look at you instead of barking at another dog, praise them!

💡 Be the Most Interesting Thing in the Room

If your dog ignores you outside, chances are the environment is more rewarding than you. Make sure YOU are more exciting than distractions!

Try using play, movement, and enthusiasm to keep your dog engaged. If they hesitate when you call them, try crouching down, using a high-pitched voice, or running away playfully to encourage them to come.

At Puppy PlayBarn, we help owners understand their dogs and build strong, positive relationships through training.

25/03/2025

Little Rascals Puppy Class!

Are you ready to give your puppy the best start in life? Enroll in our Little Rascals Puppy Class today!

• Our Courses are held every Saturday
• Our Training centre is in Poringland
• Our Instructors are Full members of APDT and ABTC with over 30 yrs years of experience

What to expect:
- Socialisation with other puppies
- Basic obedience training
- Behaviour modification and Problem Solving
- Tips on Puppy Care and Nutrition

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Sign up now and watch your little rascal grow into a well-behaved companion.

👉 visit our website to register and book or message us at [email protected] for more information!

25/03/2025

Teaching your dog to wait off-lead is like giving yourself a pause button!Whether it’s stopping them from darting into mischief or just helping them practise a bit of patience, a reliable wait keeps adventures fun and safe. Plus, it’s a great way to show off your dog’s awesome manners!

24/03/2025

Training Myths vs. Reality: Let’s Set the Record Straight!

Ever heard someone say, “My dog just isn’t trainable” or “They’ll grow out of it”? These are some of the biggest misconceptions in dog training! Let’s bust a few myths:

❌ Myth: Puppies will grow out of bad behaviours.
✔️Reality: Puppies grow into the habits they practice. Jumping, nipping, and chewing don’t disappear with age—they need guidance to learn what’s appropriate!

❌ Myth: Some breeds just can’t be trained.
✔️ Reality: All dogs are capable of learning! Different breeds have different motivations, but with the right approach, every dog can develop great skills.

❌ Myth: Training is just about teaching commands.
✔️ Reality: It’s so much more! Good training builds confidence, prevents unwanted behaviours, and strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

Your dog isn’t being “stubborn” or “naughty”—they just don’t know what’s expected yet! With patience, consistency, and the right techniques, you’ll be amazed at what they can achieve.

23/03/2025

As a professional dog trainer, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the growing discussions around the Cane Corso and whether it could become “the next XL Bully.” With the recent ban on XL Bullies, many people are turning to other large breeds, and the Cane Corso has been gaining popularity. While they are an incredible breed in the right hands, they are not suitable for everyone.

The comparison between Cane Corsos and XL Bullies comes from their size, strength, and protective instincts. Both breeds are powerful and require experienced handling, but they have different origins. The Cane Corso is an ancient Italian mastiff bred for guarding and hunting, whereas the XL Bully was developed more recently with a focus on companionship. However, as we’ve seen with the XL Bully, any large, strong breed can become dangerous if bred irresponsibly or placed in the wrong hands.

One of the biggest concerns is that, as the XL Bully ban takes effect, some owners and breeders may shift their focus to Cane Corsos without fully understanding the breed’s needs. Corsos require proper training, structure, and responsible ownership. They are intelligent and highly trainable but need confident , fair leadership and socialisation from an early age. If people start acquiring them for the wrong reasons—whether as status dogs or without the knowledge to train them properly—it could lead to an increase in incidents and, eventually, government restrictions.

Rather than banning breeds, the focus should be on educating owners and promoting responsible breeding. Any dog, regardless of breed, has the potential to be dangerous if not raised correctly. Licensing, temperament assessments, and proper training should be the priority, rather than a knee-jerk reaction to incidents.

If you’re considering a Cane Corso, or any large guardian breed, take the time to understand their needs. Work with an experienced trainer, ensure they are well-socialised, and be prepared for the responsibility that comes with owning a powerful dog. With the right training and leadership, Cane Corsos can be wonderful companions, but they are not the right choice for everyone.

As always, education is key. Let’s focus on responsible dog ownership rather than blaming breeds.

23/03/2025

Defying the laws of physics—and fashion.”Part bowling ball, part beauty queen. She may not have the spring of a border collie, but she’s got style, sass, and a tail wag that says “I did it my way.”

23/03/2025

Fluffy, Fearless, and 0.5mph of Pure Determination”Who says agility is just for the speedy? Watch this glorious giant Newfoundland defy physics, expectations, and probably her own desire for a nap—all in the name of agility. Slow and steady-ish wins the laughs!

23/03/2025

How we got Charlie to go through the tunnel 🤣

22/03/2025

When you said “bring your own snacks,” Louie took it very seriously. Catch him if you can—he’s got the whole buffet!