West Cornwall Dog Training

19/04/2025

Listening comes first.

Dog training isn’t just about giving instructions or handing over a plan. It’s about understanding what’s really happening—for you and your dog.

That’s why I take time to listen—properly. I ask questions, but not to test you or tick boxes. I ask questions that help you talk. That help me understand.

Because sometimes the challenge isn’t just what the dog is doing—it’s how the whole picture fits together. And when you feel heard, and your dog is understood, we can finally start building something that works.

That’s where real progress begins.

16/04/2025

Are you a bit stuck with your dog?

Have you tried lots of approaches and nothing seems to work?

Or do you just need a helping hand?

Maybe it's time to get a bit of help.

🙌 Here's what a PROBLEM SOLVING CONSULTATION can help you achieve: 🙌

⭐️ I will help you understand your dog, and how you got to this point.

⭐️ You will have the opportunity to clarify realistic goals.

⭐️ You will have strategies to take forward that are realistic and achievable, because YOU have set them!

Imagine what this will do for your life and your dog's life... TO GET UNSTUCK.

Are you ready to make that happen like many of my clients have done?

Yes, you could try googling, watch some videos on YouTube, buy a book, or lots of different pieces of equipment that say they will solve the problem. What my clients tell me is that trying to go it alone ...

🙈makes them even more confused because everything they look at says something different.

🕑it wastes time while the problem continues

💰it costs money, and they end up buying a pile of equipment they never use.

My Problem Solving Consultation may just be the jump start that you need to help. If you think it could be , message me to learn more, book a call, and let's get started.

12/04/2025

🐣 Easter Break Notice 🐾

I’ll be taking a short break from the end of Saturday 12th April and will be back on Wednesday 23rd April. It sounds like a long one—but with the Easter bank holidays, it just works out that way this year!

I won’t be checking messages often while I’m away, but I’ll catch up once I’m back.

📬 I’ll still be posting on social media during the break, and my weekly email will go out as usual—if you’re not on my mailing list yet and would like to be, just message me for the sign-up link.

Wishing you and your dogs a calm and happy Easter. 🌿

12/04/2025

Got friends or family heading to Cornwall? Or maybe you follow this page from further afield and fancy a break yourself…

I’ve just released 2026 dates for Lebanon Cottage, our dog-welcoming holiday cottage in West Cornwall. Feel free to take a look—or share with someone who’d love an escape (with the dog, of course :D ). 🐾

2026 bookings are now open!

Every time I release a new set of dates, I’m reminded how lucky I am. So many of our guests come back year after year—and whether we see you every year, now and then, or after a little break, it’s always lovely to welcome you back.

Some visitors only stay once, and that’s absolutely fine too. Sometimes we’re a one-off part of a tour, or maybe we’re just not quite the right fit—and that’s all part of it.

But what truly stays with me are the lovely comments in the book.
The guests who want to book again before they have even finished their first stay.
The families who’ve made us part of their holiday traditions.
The dogs who arrive and charge straight to the paddock or the front door—because they know they’re home.

Thank you, all of you, for making Lebanon Cottage what it is.

👉 You can find 2026 availability and book directly at www.stjustholidaycottages.co.uk

12/04/2025

Experience-led, not ego-led.

There are a lot of new voices in dog training right now—and many of them are shouting the loudest. Bold claims, big followings, buzzwords that sound good … but when it comes to real-life behaviour, noise isn’t the same as knowledge.

It’s easy to talk loud. It’s harder to show up day in and day out, doing the work with real dogs, real people, and real-life challenges.

And experience matters, especially when struggles are complex, emotions are high, and the answers aren’t simple.

Since 2006, when I ran my first agility sessions, I’ve been building my knowledge of training and behaviour while supporting families across Cornwall and beyond. I’ve helped people navigate everything from early training to behaviour that’s starting to feel overwhelming.

The approach I use today is shaped by years of listening, adapting, learning, and doing the work.

My work isn’t about quick fixes or performance. It’s about real support, at the right pace, in a way that fits your life.

I simply help you understand what’s really going on, and guide you in building something better—for both of you.

Because real progress doesn’t come from ego. It comes from experience, empathy, and putting in the work—quietly, consistently, and with care.

11/04/2025

My mowing assistant today 💚

11/04/2025

What Your Dog Wishes You Knew

We expect a lot from our dogs, but they rely on us to help them feel safe in the world. Here's what they might say ...

"Be my voice—advocate for me.

Not everyone understands me, but you do. I need you to be my voice and set boundaries when I can’t. That might mean asking someone not to approach, giving me space from other dogs or people, or making sure I feel safe in new environments. You don’t have to explain or apologise—just look out for me the way I rely on you to."

Being an advocate isn’t about controlling everything—it’s about making sure your dog knows you’ve got their back.

10/04/2025

🎯 Quality Over Quantity: What Can You Tackle in One Training Session?

When booking a 1 to 1 training session, it’s easy to think "Great, we’ve got 90 minutes (or two hours for home visits)—let’s fix everything!"

But training doesn’t work like that.

I learned early on that less is more. Trying to cover too many things at once might feel productive, but in reality, it leads to information overload—for both you and your dog.

Instead, we focus on getting things right, not just getting through a list. That might mean tackling one key issue in depth or working on two or three smaller areas with clarity. The goal isn’t to rush through fixes—it’s to set you up for success long after the session ends.

💡 Tip for your session: Have a think beforehand about what your top priorities are, so we can focus on those first. That doesn’t mean we won’t touch on other things—but starting with the right stuff makes all the difference.

So if we don’t tick off everything in one go? That’s not failure.

Quality, not quantity, is what makes the difference. 🐾

15/03/2025

🐾 It Feels Personal, But It’s Not!

It feels very personal when your puppy is nipping, jumping up, or chewing everything in sight. But they’re not trying to misbehave—they’re just learning.

We all know that, don’t we? But let’s be honest, it’s really frustrating when you’re living through it. And when that behaviour carries on into adolescence, it can feel even more concerning. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked: "Will he grow out of it?"

Well, it’s a risky strategy—and I’m not a fortune teller.

Here’s what I tend to say instead:

✅ Manage life appropriately—use kiddy gates, a house line, and set things up so they’re not constantly getting into trouble.

✅ Make sure their needs are in balance—food, sleep, health, mental stimulation. If something’s off, behaviour will be too.

✅ Instead of constantly saying no, show them what they can do. Give them something appropriate to chew, guide them towards the right choices, and reward them when they get it right.

The more you help them out, the more they’ll figure it out for themselves. 🐾

14/03/2025

🐾 The Joy of Tracking

What a photo!. The focus isn’t perfect. The angle is a bit off. The cropping could be better. But none of that matters—because what this shows you is the joy of a dog who has followed a track and found you - it's something special.

And the only thing that matches it? The joy of the person following the line.

In 1-to-1 tracking sessions, we work on more than just your dog’s skills. We also look at what’s happening at your end of the lead—your handling, your timing, and how the environment plays a role.

Tracking isn’t just about the dog—it’s a team effort. 🐾

Want to find out more? Pop me a message and I'll send you more information.

13/03/2025

Thursday Thought - Are We Confusing Our Dogs? 🤔🐾

I meet so many people who are struggling with their dog’s behaviour—and yet, their dog is brilliant at some things. It’s always fascinating!

These dogs are bright and quick to learn.

It can be about recall, barking. toilet training, lead walking, mouthing ... often, it’s not about the dog being “bad” but about what we’re teaching (or not teaching), how clear we are, and whether we’re reinforcing the right behaviours.

Dogs aren’t mind readers… though sometimes they seem like they are! They’re incredibly good at picking up on tiny cues—things we might not even realise we’re doing. But if those cues aren’t clear or consistent, it can leave them feeling confused about what we actually want.

Clarity, consistency, and reinforcement go a long way towards helping them—and us—succeed! 🌟

What’s the thing that your dog is amazing at? And what do they struggle with?
Let me know below! 👇

12/03/2025

🐾 A Little Treat for Jess!

Jess isn’t one to miss an opportunity. After we’d finished our cream tea, Jess got the best bit—licking the spoon.

Bad dog? Not really. She waiting reasonably patiently 🤣 and it's just a little treat. As you can see she enjoyed every second of it.

What’s your dog’s favourite little indulgence? Let me know in the comments! 🐶🐾🍦

09/03/2025

The Rise of Kinder Training—And Why It Matters

There’s a shift happening in dog training, and honestly? It’s heartening to see.

I am old enough to remember the Barbara Woodhouse days—when training was sometimes about being as tough on the people as on the dogs.

Thankfully, times have changed.

What I see now is a wave of trainers who recognise that kindness isn’t weakness. That training isn’t focused on control, but about communication. That both dogs and humans deserve to feel understood and supported.

That’s not to say there hasn’t been a push in the other direction. There’s been a worrying resurgence of harsher methods, with some trainers telling people they need to be tougher, more “in charge,” to avoid comforting a fearful dog, or that positive training is too soft. Believe me, I have heard it all. But here’s the truth—science, experience, and real-world results all back up the fact that training based on trust and understanding works. We don’t need to go backwards.

More and more, we’re balancing the needs of the human and the needs of the dog. We’re focusing on management. boundaries and training that builds trust. Because at the end of the day, most of us don’t want a robot—we want a companion, a friend, a dog who feels safe with us as much as we feel safe with them.

Let’s keep riding this wave of kindness. Because if we know better, we can do better—for our dogs and for each other.

Do share if you agree ❤ 🐾

08/03/2025

🐾 Time to Pause, Time to Grow

Building something sustainable and valuable—whether it’s a business, a skill, or a relationship with your dog—takes time and effort. But it also takes space to reflect and process.

That’s why I make time for pausing as well as doing. It’s easy to think progress is all about action, but real growth happens in the moments in between—when we step back, take stock, and let things settle.

It’s the same with dogs. Training isn’t just about repetition; it’s about giving them time to absorb, process, and figure things out. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a step back and allow learning to happen at its own pace.

So as the week winds down, here’s a reminder: progress isn’t just about what you do—it’s also about the time you take to let it sink in. 🐾✨

07/03/2025

🐾 What’s Your Go-To for Tiring Out Your Dog on a Busy Day?

We all have those days where time is short, but our dog still needs mental and physical exercise. The answer for me? Tracking. It’s a great way to engage my dog’s brain, give her something purposeful to do, and work with her natural instincts—all without needing hours of exercise.

Every dog is different, and what works for one might not work for another. Some dogs love sniffy walks, others thrive on puzzle games, and some just need a good chew to settle down. But often it's getting their brain working that really helps.

So, what’s your go-to way to tire out your dog when life gets busy? Let me know in the comments! 🐾👇

06/03/2025

🐾 Thursday Thought: Calm Doesn’t Just Happen!

It’s easy to assume that an excited dog will eventually settle down on their own—but in reality, unless you are very lucky and have a really chilled out dog, calm behaviour needs practice too.

If we only pay attention to dogs when they’re active, they learn that movement and excitement get all the engagement. But if we start reinforcing the quiet moments—a deep breath, lying down at home, a pause on a walk—we show them that stillness is just as valuable as action.

Next time your dog is naturally calm, take a moment to quietly reward it. No big fuss, no over-excitement—just letting them know that relaxation is worthwhile too. 🐕💛

Do you already do this with your dog? Let me know in the comments! 👇🐾

05/03/2025

📸 Behind the Scenes: Real-Life Dog Trainer
🎒 What’s in My Trainer’s Toolkit?

When I first trained as a dog trainer, I was told to carry a full kit bag—packed with leads, toys, treats, and various training tools. But over time, my approach has changed. Now, I travel light and work with what the client already has, because ultimately, training needs to fit into their daily life, not mine.

So what do I bring? Not much!

📒 My notebook and pencil – For jotting down notes and sketching weird little diagrams that seem to make sense at the time (but often don’t later!). This helps clients visualise things in the moment.

📱 My phone or tablet – For looking things up, filming key moments in training, and showing helpful videos when needed.

🦴 Maybe a lead or some food – Just in case, but usually, we work with what’s already available.

👓 My glasses – it comes to us all, but looking at videos or notes I now need a bit of help!

If I know we’ll be working on something specific—like muzzle training or harness fittings for lead walking—I’ll bring what’s needed. Otherwise, I keep it simple.

Oh, and let’s not forget my puppy shoes—not because they’re easier to slip on, but because they don’t have laces! (If you’ve ever had a puppy think your shoelaces are a tug toy, you’ll understand why.) Plus, I always keep some sturdier outdoor shoes in the car for when needed.

Training isn’t about fancy equipment—it’s about understanding, adapting, and making it work in real life.

And sometimes, the most important thing I bring to a session isn’t in my bag at all—it’s the ability to listen, observe, and help clients make sense of what’s really going on.

01/03/2025

Catching Up with Old Friends (and Their Humans!) 🐾

Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of catching up with some clients I haven’t seen in a while. It’s been lovely to see their progress, chat about any little glitches, and help them get back on track.

Let’s face it, the world of dog training can be a lot. TV shows, social media, advice from friends, or that random person on the beach who knows everything (🙄)… it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

This week, I refreshed some lead walking with one client and had a great chat about setting expectations with another. Sometimes, a quick check-in is all it takes to clear the noise and feel more confident moving forward.

If you’re feeling a bit stuck, need a reset, or just want a plan to keep moving forward, a one-off session might be perfect for you! Take a look at my Support Sessions on the website, or message me for a chat about how we can work together. 😊

🐶 Let’s get you and your dog back on track! 🐾