Positive Tails Dog Services

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United Kingdom
Orpington
Positive Tails Dog Services

Professional service for dog walking and force-free, modern dog training
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My name is Maggie and I run Positive Tails Dog Services with the help of my little Jack Russell Ivy. I am looking forward to helping you and your furry companion live your best life together!

03/07/2025

☀️ heat doesn’t have to stop the fun ☀️

Even when we can’t leave the house there are still ways we can meet our dogs’ needs and keep them mentally and physically satisfied

🐕 What’s your favourite hot weather activity? 🐕

25/06/2025

Fear in dogs doesn’t always look the way we expect

While some dogs might hide, bark or run away when scared, others respond by freezing, fidgeting or acting goofy - and these signs are often misunderstood

The 4Fs of fear - Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fidget/Fool Around/Fawn - are all natural, instinctive ways dogs cope with stress or perceived danger

Because some of these responses are subtle, it’s easy to miss them or misinterpret them as a dog being calm, stubborn, naughty or excessively friendly/playful. But every behaviour is a message.

They aren’t being naughty.
They are not trying to annoy us.
They are trying to cope.

By observing our dogs and learning about the body language signs they display in different contexts, we can better support them through scary or overwhelming situations, building trust and helping them feel safe ✨

18/06/2025

Positive reinforcement is often misunderstood as “just giving treats” or “letting dogs get away with bad behaviour”

But in reality, it’s about building a relationship based on trust, not fear

It means understanding their needs and helping them fulfil them in a way that works for you both

It means setting clear, fair boundaries by showing them what to do instead of punishing them whenever they get it wrong

It means motivating your dog in ways that actually work for them

And it means guiding them when they’re still learning how to live in our world

17/06/2025

☀️ Prevention is key ☀️

* Walk your dog early morning or late evening
* Skip a walk and do some fun stuff at home instead
* Avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather
* Always provide shade and fresh water
* Give your dog plenty of breaks
* Never leave your dog in a parked car
* Know if your dog is at higher risk

🚨If you start seeing signs of heat stroke 🚨

1. Stop all activity immediately
2. Move your dog to a cool, shaded area
3. Lay them on a cool surface if possible
4. Pour cool or cold water over their body, especially neck, belly, armpits and paws
5. Submerge their body in cold water if safe (but keep their head/airways above water)
6. Use a fan or air conditioning to help lower body temperature
7. Head to the vet using an air-conditioned vehicle

Heat stroke can be fatal. Knowing what to do and acting quickly can save lives 🐾

10/06/2025

We had a great experience with Maggie! She is so knowledgeable and positive and always ready to answer all of our questions, no matter how basic. Our dog - also called Maggie - loves her!

09/06/2025

🥹

04/06/2025

Myth - sometimes 😉

A wagging tail just tells us that a dog is feeling something, which can be positive or negative. While a wagging tail can mean happiness, it can also mean:

🐕 Fear
🐕 Overarousal
🐕 Alertness
🐕 Anger or annoyance
🐕 Frustration
🐕 Discomfort
🐕 Uncertainty
🐕 Confusion

To truly understand how a dog is feeling, we need to look at the context as well as at the dog’s whole body: posture, ears, eyes, mouth, tail 👀

And as different breeds have been bred to have specific physical characteristics (e.g. tails that naturally curl over their backs vs very low neutral tails) the more we get to know a dog’s neutral tail position, the more we will recognise when their emotions have shifted 🐶

———

Assuming a wagging tail always means a dog is friendly can lead to misunderstandings which can result in growls, snaps or even bites - not because the dog is “bad”, but because their earlier signals were missed 🐕

The more we learn to read our dog’s body language, the more we can build trust, avoid conflict and support them 🐾

20/05/2025

Growling is a form of communication, not misbehaviour 🐕 let’s find out more about it here ✨

📌 This is general advice and not a substitute for a personalised assessment. If you’re concerned about your dog’s behaviour, please consult a qualified trainer or behaviourist

20/02/2025

Training your dog isn’t a straight line, and that’s okay!

It’s easy to get caught up in chasing perfection, but the real magic happens in the little moments — that time your dog runs back to you instead of running off, settles a little quicker than she used to, responds to a cue in a new environment, or simply looks to you for guidance.

Every step forward - no matter how small - is a win 🌟 Celebrate the journey, learn from the mistakes, and prioritise connection over perfection.

What’s a recent little win you and your dog have had? Share below! 🐕

04/02/2025

🐶 Myth 🐶

Muzzles are a valuable tool in many situations!

Why might a dog wear a muzzle?

🐕 Vet visits & grooming – even the sweetest dogs can feel stressed or scared during medical exams or grooming sessions. A muzzle can keep both the dog and the professionals safe while making the experience smoother

🐕 Preventing scavenging – some dogs have a habit of eating poo, food or dangerous items off the ground (e.g. drugs, bones, toxic plants, ci******es, plastic objects). A muzzle helps prevent them from ingesting something harmful

🐕 Training & behaviour management – muzzles can be part of a well-structured training plan for dogs that struggle with reactivity, fear or frustration. They provide an extra layer of safety while working on desensitisation and confidence-building

🐕 Breed-specific laws & regulations – some areas have laws requiring all dogs or certain breeds to wear a muzzle in public, regardless of temperament

A well-fitted muzzle allows dogs to pant, drink and take treats. It’s not a sign of an “aggressive” dog — it’s a sign of responsible dog parenting 🌟

31/01/2025

Happy Friday 🥰

30/01/2025

Command or cue - does it really matter? Read more ⬇️

Words matter and this is also true when it comes to training our dogs 🐶

Using the word “cue” instead of “command” shifts how we think about our relationship with our dogs

💬 Command implies control, dominance, and expecting obedience without question

💬 Cue emphasizes communication, cooperation, and mutual understanding

Dogs aren’t robots — they’re living beings with needs who learn best through trust, patience, and positive reinforcement

Not everyone who uses the word “command” actually expects obedience without question, but if we start framing training as giving cues, we’re setting the tone for a much healthier relationship where the dog is an active participant in the learning process

✨ Language reflects mindset—and a positive, respectful approach leads to a healthier and stronger bond✨

Address

Orpington

Website

http://www.thepositivetails.com/

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