Lee Lunt Professional Dog Advice & Training

12/08/2024

Very good this. Not that I’d advise people going to parks and letting dogs tell other dogs off, these people know these dogs and know what they are doing and has been set up to teach the husky, seen this before on the continent. So much to learn off this and how dogs interact and communicate with each other, I’m really impressed with GSD’s. But if your dog or other dogs are acting like the husky, this is how it could easily change into a big fight or bite very easily and why you shouldn’t let your dogs run up to other dogs even if you think they are friendly. Do you see how the big GSD tells the Husky off to stop the behaviour from carrying on and to calm him down, but also once the husky submits the GSD acknowledges the husky, he doesn’t stay angry or anything, no emotion but just behave and peace & order is restored, in the best way possible.

09/08/2024

So we took Diego and Jinni out to a local park where a lot of incidents happen or can happen (and normally for the worse), for some environmental work and hopefully for you to see a little of how to possibly progress things so that you apply the principles you learn everywhere. It’s not a fancy video, but this type of critical and vital training isn’t meant to be. Although I can do out of sight stays with them, if I was going somewhere like this in the building of the dogs training I would reduce my distance and time in the stays, just like in the first video, even if I can do a 2 minute stay at distance without distractions, I would assume the dog might want to move in a new environment with distractions, especially birds walking around and flying, so I build it up, just to show the dog the same thing happens there, but I still perform the same stay until it becomes conditioned. To guarantee success we eliminate or limit the possibility of failure, putting the dog in a situation it isn’t quite ready for can cause the wrong behaviour to happen, if you aren’t careful. Then walking off lead, firstly again with your dog, if it’s new to it and you are training it, build on it. If the dog is already wanting to get to things and pull on the lead then as soon as you take the lead off it will probably run off. I start with hardly anyone around but still plenty going on for the dog to learn and still choose to stay with me, then I push with more distractions etc, what I find is people panic when they let go of the lead whether it’s stays or walking, it’s a normal human reaction, I get it, so practice without distractions first then build on it to gain confidence and teach the dog, everyone learns at a different pace but progress is progress no matter what and some people need to go frame by frame and the dogs do too. Before any of this we walked on lead then sat down and chilled too, just making them lay down and watch and ignore anything that is going on or past, neutralisation (doing nothing, just absorbing the world around them) because this spills into these little clips you see and is the basis of everything you do with your dog. If the dog’s head isn’t right in the environment then it won’t learn until you get this part. Still doing nothing. This is just a little educational video hopefully so you can see or give you an idea how to progress if you are stuck. Nothing really changes with me or what we are doing, it’s still natural. I don’t just get somewhere and let them run wild I work on how the dog approaches something and after it too. It all starts and finishes with calm as a default behaviour. There are too many videos out there showing the finished article and not always how they progressed to that, so some people think you do a couple of drills and it should automatically do it, it doesn’t work like that I’m afraid.

06/08/2024

I really do have the most amazing and best clients. The gifts they give for thanks in helping them train their dogs is overwhelming and I’m so humble that they take the time and thought in offering gifts. This was from Sarah and Paul, all I can say is we must have it right at our classes, the training, the atmosphere and most of all everyone helps and understands everyone else, the messages I also get from new attendees saying how everyone helps and supports them is unbelievable too, that’s what we are about which helps us gain the results that you are getting, better than others. I’ll say it again I am grateful and appreciative of gaining my knowledge and experience from and studying under Ian, I bloody had to work for it though, blood sweat and tears, it certainly wasn’t given to me on a plate, but then that makes you learn better and being able to pass the knowledge on is what it’s about.

Thank you to you all ❤️

30/07/2024

The star of the puppy class on Sunday. A massive well done to Lyn and her little dog Rocco. The difference I’ve seen in this dog and owner over the last couple of weeks is like night and day. When Lyn first came with little Rocco, she couldn’t even make him sit still for more than 20 seconds, jumping up for constant attention, pulling her everywhere, wouldn’t listen, but over the last couple of weeks she has implemented the principles of what we go through and you can see the complete difference. He’s still the same friendly dog, he’s not become a robot, he’s is allowed to do things, he is allowed strokes and affection, he is allowed play etc she knows now how to make him balanced and be able to calm him down and teach him how to behave and enjoy a better life for everyone. Puppy training isn’t done in 6 weeks, you won’t even understand everything in 6 weeks, you might get shown loads of different things over 6 sessions but most of it is just fillers and not needed, what people forget with puppy stage is its ongoing, why because once you teach the puppy something or it learns something it becomes a behaviour then you need to keep on top of that behaviour so the puppy or dog doesn’t via off the path and start doing other things, it’s also know how to address those things should the dog start choosing other behaviours or interpret things in a different way to what you THINK the dog should be understanding. Mould your pup in the first 6/7 months of its life and you will get the dog you want for the rest of its life, don’t just think of the here and now. Repetition, repetition repetition and being consistent is key, even with play and what you do in play depending on your breed, try play games or outlets that suit your breed. Don’t leave toys with dogs, as cute as you think it may be, this CAN lead to so many issues even the dog not wanting to play fetch or something with you, it can also lead to taking loads of different items and even resource guarding, teach them to fetch if the pick something up, even something they “shouldn’t have” this makes playing with your dog easier with a ball/toy and can lead to so many games and fun for you and the dog

27/07/2024

Our latest pack walk from this morning. Another fantastic day, this time up at Pendle. Lots of laughter, enjoyment and experiences for the dogs who all were very well behaved as usual, even at the pub beer garden afterwards. It’s so good from my perspective and a chance for me to see the dogs out and about and that what you all learn in the class is transferred to the real world and to see you guys enjoying your dogs puts a smile on my face, that is worth more than anything. Great day with great people who all help each other in some way.

Looking forward to the next one already.

If you struggle with taking your dog to places and their behaviour, if so get in touch we can help you achieve results. Most of these dogs on this came reactive and had behavioural issues.

23/07/2024

Hulks progress over the last few days. He’s coming along nicely in a week, all the prep work is going great, he’s learning and getting more chilled and relaxed each day and becoming more balanced. Well I don’t need to say anything else, watch the video, hope you enjoy.

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22/07/2024

I’ve got to say a massive well done to Dave and his lab x lurcher pup, star of the puppy class this week. I’ve watched Dave and his dog John over the past few weeks improve massively and he can take his pup anywhere and have fun with him. The change in this dog in the last couple of weeks is great to see. He’s took everything in about the principles and applies it and you can see he does by how the dog has changed week by week, very good stays, recall, walking very nice to heel, knows how to switch off and be calm and can cope in the real world. It’s great to see the dogs and owners improve, you won’t learn everything all in one go and I don’t really believe in these 6 week puppy courses, the trainers might show you things to do and different exercises to train but there is so much more than that especially puppy stage. Puppy stage isn’t just about training sit, heel, food work etc it’s also learning about behaviours and how to spot if something is going wrong, what impact you have on your pup when you let it do things, how it can effect behaviours in the future and more importantly how to fix it and get back on track. Dog training and dog behaviour are 2 different things but go hand in hand. People forget pups become adolescent roughly within 6 months of you taking your pup home and the learn and grow so quickly, even changing week by week. Once your pup or dog learns something then it becomes a behaviour and that’s where you need to be able to address it and read what the dog is interpreting and YOUR job to keep it on track.

Well done Dave & John keep it up.

We have some available spaces now on our puppy class for new ones. Every Sunday at 11:30am. Please get in touch for more information.

17/07/2024

Welcome to Hulk the Malinois, who has just joined me for training. This is the start of his journey to becoming a better dog that can cope in the real world so he can live a stress free and more happier life. After surviving getting him out of his kennel without being bitten (always a good start, as he’s warned a few people away from him, even other trainers), we could then begin the start of us bonding. A very important part of the whole process, he has to learn to trust me and look to me for leadership so I can help and show him how to be. He’s only been with me 2 days and we are making good progress but he’s only at the beginning and still a very long way to go. I will post more updates of his progress as we go. I normally forget to get some before footage so people can see the transformation. I’m Looking forward to the next couple of weeks with him.

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16/07/2024

I love getting sent videos from my clients, so I can show you it’s not just me doing it and that it works. This is what probably around 95% of most dog owners want. To be able to take their dog anywhere, days out, holidays, shops and have the balance, behaviour and enjoyment of spending time with them and not have to worry. This is one of my clients who’s dogs first came reactive and nervous, through training and following the the advice and instructions she can take these dogs anywhere with no worries and enjoy life with them even better. Some things people find hard to change at first when fixing behaviours but when they do they soon see the dog changing for the better. It also proves that when you principles it works everywhere not just in the garden or in a certain field etc. It’s back to one of my previous posts about leadership and leadership isn’t about ruling with an iron fist. Calm dogs are happy dogs.

If you need help with your dog please get in touch we can certainly help.

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13/07/2024

Our sabre doing what he was bred and trained for. Loving life as Police Dog and his handler. Well done 👏🏻

🐶👮🏻‍♀️ A 20 year old man was located by PD Sabre as MATRIX officers responded to a sighting of a stolen vehicle in Middlesbrough on Wednesday 🚔

The man was arrested on suspicion of several driving offences, interviewed then bailed whilst enquiries continue.

More: https://orlo.uk/lI2KE

11/07/2024

This also applies to dog training. The principles in martial arts is everywhere in life. Not everything is easy. It isn’t meant to be, it dinfines who you are. If you want really to do it you’ll find a way, if you don’t you’ll find an excuse. The teacher has got it wrong more times than you will know, but they found a way and didn’t stop learning no matter how hard it got and then the rewards followed.

(Approx 1 minute 32 second read)

The proverb "Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself" serves as a powerful reminder of the essential role teachers play in your lives. While they provide you with knowledge, guidance, and support, it is ultimately up to you to take responsibility for your own learning and growth.
In today’s society, education is often seen as a means to an end - a way to secure a good job, earn a higher income, or gain social status. However, true learning goes beyond simply acquiring information or skills.
In the martial arts, it’s about developing a deeper understanding of yourself and the techniques and principles inherent in your style or school.
Teachers and instructors equip you with the tools and resources you need for this journey. They introduce new ideas, challenge you to think critically, and inspire you to pursue your passions. Yet, the responsibility to take ownership of your education and use these resources to further your own development rests solely with you.
This journey demands self-discipline and an open mind. Being receptive to feedback, even criticism. View those moments as stepping stones, opportunities to refine your skills and deepen your understanding. Remember, a locked door doesn't signify defeat, you just need the right key.
The responsibility for learning rests entirely on your shoulders. While teachers offer invaluable guidance, the initiative lies with you. Take charge of your learning, utilize the resources available, turn up for class, and contribute to the opportunities provided for you by your instructor.
Here’s an analogy I like:
A teacher arrived at his dojo to find a young boy by the door, looking despondent. The teacher asked, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s locked,” the boy said, glancing at the door dejectedly.
The teacher then reached into his pocket and took out his keys. The boy’s expression immediately brightened. “You’re a teacher!” he exclaimed.
The teacher smiled. “What makes you think that?” he asked, amused by the boy’s sudden change in mood.
“You have the key!”
A teacher can provide information and create learning situations, there is so much available to students these days, but only you, the student, can decide to actually study and learn.
No one can force you to learn; that choice lies entirely with you.

10/07/2024

This applies to dogs too. It is so important to pack animals especially when learning the rules and boundaries. Leadership plays a massive part in the dog’s life. I’ve had people say to me we have dispelled the Alpha Theory, no, you might have but dogs haven’t. People misunderstand what the Alpha is about or the hierarchy in packs. It’s not about being angry, it’s not about sticking your chest out, it’s not about ego or ruling with a iron first, its not being militant or ruling with fear, the Alpha is about leadership, it’s what it says in the photo, it’s about guiding your dog to becoming the best dog you can make it, to keep peace, harmony and balance, so they are happy and content. Most importantly it’s about THEIR NEEDS and to teach them how to COPE in our world. I’m seeing so many more dogs who have no leadership or coping mechanisms and are so stressed and anxious it actually breaks my heart. I often wonder what species is actually meant to be the superior one and is meant to have empathy and compassion because some of the answers I get off people is unbelievable, they say they love them but they obviously don’t because if they did they would stop what they are doing and change to help fix the dog, it’s more cruel to have a dog stressed a lot of the time, confused, anxious or even over excited all the time, living its live at 100mph all the time. YOUR dog is YOUR responsibility, it becomes a product of your environment and what you do. Again being leader doesn’t mean you can’t play, stroke share affection, sit with your dog etc it’s about reading what impact your actions has on your dog especially early on when training it and guiding it to becoming the dog you create. Your dog isn’t the same as your old dog so you might have to do things slightly different but you can teach it to become like your old dog. This is about general behaviour and the state of mind of the dog. This post is about having ago it’s about educating and helping you, so Just take a step back sometimes and think about what you are doing with your dog, what actual impact is it having on them, if you aren’t sure then just ask, calm assertive and neutral, without leadership you will probably struggle with many things with your dog.

If you need help with your dog please get in touch we can help.

24/06/2024

This is where your stays can lead to. It all starts with exactly the same principle what is shown in our puppy class. If you follow the format what is shown and explained why, you just build on it. For me stays are vital and help develop a lot of other areas of training and behaviours in your dog for the good. It helps create more confidence, calmness, obedience and more for everyday life in the real world. Here Jane and Gail are performing an out of sight stay while they walk off around the training shed and coming in from another side. It’s nothing fancy, but then again it isn’t meant to be. When Gail first came her dog was reactive and nervous and didn’t really want to leave her side. Now look. Jane and Salvie have come on leaps and bounds and her dog is as steady as a rock with a sweet nature. Well done you 2 excellent work. The relationship you have with your dogs now is great to see and it shows in both of you too. There are no shortcuts, just trust the process and listen.

If you need help with your dog please get in touch we can help.

23/06/2024

Just a little snippet of Diego, getting the association of speak on command which will be used in his find and speak. He just loves and enjoys everything he does, his tail never stops, that’s the relationship we have, if the dog doesn’t enjoy it then what’s the point, because at some point they will decided not to do it when it counts. The boss always told me if the dog chooses to do it instead of forced then it’s more likely to become a behaviour they want to do again and again. He has an amazing temperament and so does his sister Jinni. Principles 😉

18/06/2024

Just to show you it’s not just my dogs that do it. Here is Ryan with his 6 month old GSD performing a stay at the local park with plenty of distractions. This is real life and to show you the methods work. He has put the work into the dog so that in the long run he can enjoy family days out taking the dog anywhere. The dog has become totally balanced and well behaved and set the dog up for life so he can pretty much do what he wants with the dog, people can stroke, it without getting anxious or over excited, dogs can go past, people, prams, and the other thing to the right of him is a lot of geese, ducks and pigeons cos I know the place. This was actually a minute and half clip of the stay but I’ve only shown you 30 seconds. No need for special words, like settle or place, no mats to lay on etc, stay is stay. Well done mate great work and I watch him and you develop week by week.

15/06/2024

Little clip as we took the pups out today for some more environmentals from what they are used to being around. This is socialisation and habituation. Also practicing some stays with more and different distractions. The comments they got were very nice to hear from passers by. They are learning the principles great. Teaching the principles might take a bit longer than teaching an exercise or routine but it’s far better in the long run.

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08/06/2024

Not long got back from another one of our fantastic pack walks with a great bunch of people. This time up Moel Famau. A little more challenging than the others but what a great day and everyone made it (easily), it’s good to push yourself. All the dogs were very well behaved (and most of the humans too🤣). You can’t beat being outdoors in nature and the scenery and views were amazing. Great day for everyone and probably the best one we have done to date. I see these walks helping people more and more, and putting into practice what you do and learn in the classes. Hopefully see you all tomorrow, no excuses of sore legs 🤣.

Roll on the next one

07/06/2024

Little clip of the pups doing a little training session. Here Diego is practicing a down stay with the ultimate distraction of his sister Jinni and Kian performing some obedience around him. Trust me these two love having time together but ultimately they listen and want to do things with us. All the stays I do with the pups building them up from sitting still next to me, then 5 seconds away, building up to a minute, then out of sight, performed in different locations at any time etc leads to stuff like this, steadiness and impulse control with focus and obedience work, it’s just basics at a slightly higher level, that’s all. (Don’t fall for all the gimmicks of cones, cardboard cut outs, place mats, a stand alone gate in the training arena to teach a dog to walk through, etc these are things people use to fill out teaching a class, walking is walking, sitting is sitting, staying is staying no matter where you go with your dog)
They are trained separately at first and bonded with individually as well as together when the time is right. Only 6 months old. The boss always said to me look at the trainers dog/dogs and ask them to show you there dog. You wouldn’t go to learn how to cook off someone who can’t show you their cooking or how to cook. Still a long way to go with them but coming along nicely. They are happy in everything they do as you’ll see by their tail. No lead (in this), no pinch, no ecollar. Principles not routines or exercises. We have a couple of spaces available in our puppy class due to some people moving up. If you need assistance with your dog please get in touch we can help.

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03/06/2024

I’ve got this lovely little rescue dog just come in for some training, that came from Romania. Let’s just say she had a few issues. Through no fault of the owner Little Millie was fearful, anxious, stressed and didn’t know how to cope which lead to her pulling the owner everywhere and acting in a very erratic way and scared. Not good for the dog. It breaks my heart when I see dogs unable to cope, stressed, anxious etc which unfortunately is often caused by humans and over excitement too. Those who were at the advanced class yesterday will be able to confirm how bad she was. Less than 24hrs with me and this is the result. The first thing I’m doing is calming the dog down so I can teach and train her and also have a default behaviour so I can switch the dog off and relaxed from whatever is going on and to bond with me. She has to learn and process it for herself I can’t do it for her I can only guide. This is a must whether you want to accept it or not. Dogs NEED to switch off and be able to relax for many reasons. I get so many dogs coming to me for behavioural issues and they are often hyper stimulated in some way and people don’t know how to calm the dog down, which often leads to reactivity etc, you have to know and learn how to stop or recognise unwanted behaviours in dogs and pups and act accordingly to guide them. Remember right and wrong does not exist in the dog world so everything YOUR dog does thinks it’s right at that moment in time, it’s up to YOU and YOUR responsibility to guide them and LEAD them to help them make the right decisions as best as possible when living in our world and keep them in a positive balance. In the video I’m using a slip lead, why, because that’s how the dog can interpret what I’m saying and it helps calm the dog down, there is a reason why, dogs, wolves, cats infact any carnivorous animal carries pups around the neck, because in nature it tells the pup/dog to relax, slip leads and chains aren not for abuse, choking, yanking the dogs head off, causing fear or being STRICT, it’s a tool for communication (along with food rewards) so I don’t actually need to use it, if needed to be used it should only go tight for a split second to give a signal and why it’s slack in the video. Yes it requires practice. If I don’t need to use one then I won’t and often just use a collar or no lead when I’m training. I use food and positive reinforcement to teach the dog/pup what I want, but at some point I and you will also need to teach the dog what I or you don’t want them to do at times. That’s why horses have a bit in the mouth, a bull a ring in the nose etc to help communicate. It’s actually worse to just let your dog pull everywhere on a harness or collar. Puppy stage is critical and a vital imprinting stage. What the pup learns is what the dog becomes. They are only a product of the environment, that means you and what you teach. Get it right at this stage and you will have the dog you want for the rest of its life, do it the wrong way and the same will happen. Every pup and dog is different but the principles remain the same. My job isn’t to tell you how you must live your life with your pup/dog, it’s your rules, (but the pup/dog does need rules and boundaries, they are social pack animals who live by rules and boundaries) but to help you achieve it, and give you the education and tools so you can, that’s what it’s about. Nearly everyone wants a dog that will walk nice on the lead, can switch off, can play fetch, take it anywhere, let it off the lead, not run off chasing everything and to be friendly. Not a nuisance demanding strokes, going hysterical to get attention etc. For example every time your pup gets over excited and jumping up and it gets a stroke or biscuit, in the dogs eyes they are being rewarded for that so will keep on doing it and as it gets older it often gets worse and can lead to many other issues. Pups and dogs are a living breathing species that learn for themselves and have their own instinctual behaviours and genetics that you have to contend with and understand. Great if your dog does everything without having to do much, but the teachings that where taught to me by the boss works for every dog, because it’s a tool or principle, and how dogs actually learn and see things. I only need to get a spanner out when I need to address a nut or bolt, if that nut or bolt doesn’t need addressing then I don’t need to use that tool, but I’ve got it incase I do. I hope this makes sense to a lot of you and why our puppy class is different to most and about giving you tools to train your dog as well as address behavioural issues should they arise, because they will, if you learn the basic principles then they will work anywhere and everything, just like the spanner will address a nut a bolt anywhere or everywhere if I use it the same way and apply how it is meant to work. As I always say we can get you to do irrelevant things that makes it look like the pup or dog is doing things in a class but most of the time stuff like that doesn’t work everywhere else, learning the fundamentals of stay, heel, recall, socialisation and teaching the dog to be able to do nothing will. Dog training and dog behaviour are 2 separate things but go hand in hand. You can watch Millie’s progress over the next couple of weeks.

If you need help or come to my classes already and are stuck on something or don’t understand something, please ask, if you don’t ask you won’t know, there is no such things as stupid question, people get embarrassed to ask then they don’t learn, I will happily help anyone and answer any questions

I hope this helps people

25/05/2024

I really do have the best clients. So nice of people to send me a card, message or gift to show their appreciation and gratitude, it really does mean a lot. Thank you Lesley and Paul for the card and gift, it’s really nice and very kind of you. ❤️