Dogs be Dogs

08/12/2024

🐾 Client Spotlight: Meet Louie! 🐾
Say hello to Louie, also known as Louie Loo, Little Lord Lewington, or Chod Puss—depending on the day! At 18 months old, this lemon roan cocker spaniel is a bundle of energy, always ready to take on the world with a wagging tail and a head full of mischief. He’s happiest when chasing rabbits (he swears he’ll catch one someday), attempting to climb trees (squirrels are his Everest), or putting his clever mind to work.

Louie’s true talent lies in burying. Socks, pants, blankets—you name it, he’ll bury it in the garden with such expertise that no trace is left behind. Finding it again? Absolutely no chance. His guardian has a collection of odd socks to prove it. When he’s not digging or playing magician (stealing things in the blink of an eye), Louie’s speciality is making everyone laugh with his meerkat impressions.

A friend to everyone (except the neighbour’s cat and the garden hedgehog—those are still “work in progress”), Louie brings joy and energy wherever he goes. His motto? “Wow, a new day—let’s go!”

We can’t wait to see Louie on Wednesday’s walk! We’re so lucky to have him (and his lovely guardian) as part of the Dogs Be Dogs family.

Want your dog to be featured next? Whether you’ve joined our puppy classes, gundog classes, scent work sessions, or 1-2-1 training, we’d love to hear their story! DM us for the questionnaire and let’s celebrate your incredible companion.

06/12/2024

🐾 Client Spotlight: Meet Hugo! 🐾
Say hello to Hugo, affectionately known as “Hugo Bear.” At three years old, this sprocker spaniel is as mad as a box of frogs and a true connoisseur of “spanieling” through bushes in search of his one true love—tennis balls. If tennis balls ever became contraband, Hugo would be first in line for the job of sniffing them out. He’s that dedicated! 🎾

When he’s not hunting for socks or perfecting his mud diving technique (as chronicled in The Art of Mud Diving), you’ll find Hugo indulging in his guilty pleasure: running upstairs at the sound of the hairdryer for a quick blow dry. A dog’s got to keep his coat in order, after all.

Hugo’s social circle is more acquaintances than besties—he’s happy sniffing around with other dogs but doesn’t really go for a rough-and-tumble play session. Cats, however, are firmly in the “thanks, but no thanks” category.

We adore having Hugo (and his brilliant guardian) as part of the Dogs Be Dogs family, and his muddy escapades never fail to make us smile!

Want your dog to be featured next? Whether you’ve joined our puppy classes, gundog classes, scent work sessions, or 1-2-1 training, we’d love to hear their story! DM us for the questionnaire and let us celebrate your four-legged companion.

05/12/2024

🎉 Start Your Puppy’s Training Journey Today! 🎉

Why wait until January? Our puppy classes have rolling start dates, so you can join as soon as there’s a space! 🐾

Designed by a qualified behaviourist and recommended by local vets, our classes focus on preventing common issues like lead pulling, jumping up, and poor recall—because prevention is always better than cure!

We offer:
✨ Three levels of training to guide you through every stage of your puppy’s development
✨ A family-friendly environment where everyone can get involved
✨ Locations in Mapledurham and Sulhamstead, making us accessible to those in Reading, Tilehurst, Henley, Caversham, Burghfield, Mortimer, and beyond

Our classes are friendly, inclusive, and non-judgemental, with expert support tailored to first-time puppy owners.

🗓️ Don’t delay—puppies are always learning. Give them the best start now!

📍 Find out more and secure your place today: https://www.dogsbedogs.co.uk/

🐶

02/12/2024

🐾 Client Spotlight: Meet Islay! 🐾
Say hello to Islay, affectionately known as the “fluffy pony.” At 2.5 years old, this clever goldendoodle is a much-loved member of our Monday walking club and keeps us all entertained with her quirks. While she’s more poodle than retriever (fetching a ball? No thanks!), Islay’s talents lie in slipper heists—her garden is a treasure trove of “borrowed” footwear—and delivering top-notch bear hugs.

What we love most about Islay is her enthusiasm for life. Whether she’s bounding into walking club, visiting her grandparents and aunt, or charming her cat best friend, Enzo (who may or may not feel the same way), she brings joy wherever she goes. Even her arch-nemesis, the hoover, has to admit she’s a force to be reckoned with!

Outside of her adventures with us, Islay is a real hero—donating blood in her spare time to help other dogs. 🩸🐕 She truly is the whole package, and we’re so grateful to have her (and her wonderful guardian) as part of the Dogs Be Dogs family.

We love celebrating the amazing dogs and their guardians who make our classes and services so special. Would you like your dog to be featured next? Whether you’ve joined our puppy classes, gundog classes, scent work sessions, or 1-2-1 training, we’d love to hear from you! DM us, and we’ll send you the questionnaire.

Your dog’s story could be the next to inspire and entertain our community! 🌟

29/11/2024

Feeling Like You’re Doing it All Wrong?

🌪️ New puppy? Feeling like you’ve been thrown in at the deep end? You’re not alone.

Maybe your puppy is:
• Chewing everything in sight.
• Crying at night (so much for the whole “cry it out” thing).
• Stealing socks like it’s their life mission.

Let’s clear something up: you’re not failing. Puppies are tiny sponges, always learning, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed with all the information out there.

🐾 That’s where we come in. Our puppy classes provide a safe, supportive space for you to:
✅ Learn how to build trust and confidence.
✅ Work on practical skills like recall, lead walking, and socialisation.
✅ Ask questions and get tailored advice from someone who’s seen it all (and loves puppies, chaos and all!).

📍 Join us in Mapledurham or Sulhamstead for hands-on support and expert guidance.

Read more in my recent blog and feel free to share with any new puppy parents!

useful tips for first time puppy owners

25/11/2024

🐾 When Dogs Bite: A Weekend of Learning 🐾

This weekend, I attended “When Dogs Bite”, a fantastic conference featuring world-renowned aggression specialists, veterinary behaviourists, and scientists. It was a whirlwind of fascinating insights and thought-provoking discussions, and I left feeling inspired (and maybe a little geekier)! 😄

Here’s a glimpse of what I took away:
🗣️ Did you know that the pitch and frequency of a dog’s bark can give us a clue about their emotional state? It’s like cracking a code to better understand their motivations, whether it’s fear, frustration, or anger.
🦴 Michael Shikashio shared how understanding why a dog guards resources can completely change how we approach it—and ensure the process is fair and effective for the dog.
🐕‍🦺 Sarah Fisher’s reminder resonated deeply: “The dog can only choose from the choices we are able to offer.” Helping dogs feel less stressed often starts with giving them more agency and control in their lives.

Learning about these things isn’t just fascinating—it’s practical. It gives me more tools to help dogs and their people in everyday life. Whether it’s a dog barking at visitors, lunging at others on a walk, or showing aggression around food, my goal is always to understand the why behind the behaviour and tailor the support to what that dog needs most.

I love diving into the science so my clients don’t have to, and it’s always rewarding to turn complex ideas into simple, actionable advice that makes life better for dogs and their humans.

If you’re based in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, or nearby areas like Caversham, Henley, Burghfield Common, or Mortimer, and need help with your dog’s behaviour, I’m here. Together, we can work through whatever’s going on and find a way forward. 💙

Help is just a DM away.

22/11/2024

Puppies!!!! The Overwhelm is Real

💬 “Help! My puppy is chewing my shoes, barking at everything, and I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in weeks!”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Raising a puppy is full of magical moments, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. It’s not just you—there’s so much to learn, and the internet can be a minefield of conflicting advice.

🌟 The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s puppy biting, socialisation, or figuring out why they’re barking at the fridge (yes, really), help is available.

📍 Join us for puppy classes in Mapledurham or Sulhamstead and let’s work together to make puppyhood enjoyable for both of you. 💕

To find out more about the common puppy issues and how to deal with them, here you should the link to my recent blog: https://www.dogsbedogs.co.uk/raising-a-well-behaved-puppy-what-every-new-dog-owner-should-know

12/11/2024

🐾 Building Trust, One Paw at a Time! 🐾
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to make your dog feel safe and comfortable at the groomer’s? We’re teaming up with Cheryl a brilliant consent-based groomer, to show you exactly that! This timelapse captures the gentle, step-by-step approach, ensuring every dog feels at ease.

✨ Have questions about making grooming a positive experience? Curious about what consent grooming is all about? Drop your questions in the comments or message us! And keep an eye out – we’ll be going live together soon to dive deeper into creating stress-free experiences for your dogs! 🐶💬

07/11/2024

Gundog walks on Thursdays! (2 spots left on separate walks)
🎯 Two Thursday spots left!

Looking for the right match for your dog? We’ve got two spaces available on separate Thursday walks. One is perfect for a rough-and-tumble champion who loves to mix it up with other dogs, while the other is ideal for a quieter, more thoughtful dog that needs to build their confidence around others.

🌳 What makes it special? Your dog will explore a secure 15-acre field, working on recall, focus, and socialisation. With each walk designed by a qualified positive reinforcement trainer, you’ll also receive detailed WhatsApp videos so you can track your dog’s growth and progress.

03/11/2024

Gundog walks availability:

Friday Spot (1 spot left)

🎓 **One Friday spot left for an easygoing dog!**
Is your dog calm, laid-back, and happy to focus on their human? Then the Friday group is the perfect fit. Our small, exclusive walks are ideal for dogs that enjoy a bit of play but are more focused on human connection. Under the guidance of a qualified behaviourist, your dog will get a chance to explore, engage, and return home just a little better than when they left.

📹 **Exclusive updates** are sent via WhatsApp—so whether you join the walk or not, you’re always connected to your dog’s adventure. This spot won’t last long, so apply now!

31/10/2024

Comforting Your Puppy During Fireworks 🐶

This is one of the most common misconceptions that you should not comfort your puppy if they are scared!

If your pup seeks comfort, don’t hesitate to reassure them. Fear is an emotion, not a behaviour, and you can’t “reinforce” it by offering emotional support.

After the fireworks are done:

• Give your puppy a calm, quiet day to unwind
• Be patient and understanding if they’re more on edge.

Your calm presence and responding to their needs (both physical and emotional) helps them build confidence. 🐶❤️

For more of the puppy first fireworks tips - check out my recent blog: https://www.dogsbedogs.co.uk/how-to-prepare-your-puppy-for-their-first-fireworks-season

Know someone with a puppy? Share this post to help them get through fireworks season!

30/10/2024

Gundog walks 🐾Wednesday (1 spot left):

🌾 Does your dog prefer to do their own thing?
We’ve got one Wednesday spot left for a dog that could use a little more focus on their human! Whether they’re a spaniel or an HPR breed like a Stabyhoun (we’ve got one in the group already!), this is the perfect walk to help your dog build their attention skills in a fun, non-pressured environment.

🐾 Why it’s different:
Our walks are small, with a maximum of six dogs, and tailored by a qualified behaviourist. You’ll get updates via WhatsApp so you can see how your dog is doing, and if you want, you’re more than welcome to join the walk yourself!

If you want to find out more, drop us a DM for more information!

29/10/2024

Spooky season!!!! 🎃👻

Is your dog getting into the spirit? Show us your best Halloween pictures!!!

Post them in comments!

28/10/2024

What a beautiful day for Gundog Club Field Tests assessment day yesterday!

These dogs absolutely smashed it! Thank you so much to Jay from cedarlily_gundogs for assessing!

🐾 Robbie - Retriever Grade 2 (Distinction);
🐾 Nacho - Retriever Grade 2 (Pass);
🐾 Charlie - Hunting Retriever Grade 2 (Pass);
🐾 Effie - Hunting Retriever Grade 1 (Distinction);
🐾 Napa - HPR Grade 2 (Distinction);

We already booked the date for the next test (put 23rd March in your diaries!).

If you have a gundog breed or one of their crosses (looking at you, cockapoos 😉) - gundog training is one of the best ways to tap into their natural talents and give them a ‘job to do’!

Our classes are aimed at dogs in pet homes!

Qualified trainer, positive reinforcement training, beautiful venue!

To find out more about our gundog classes and book, here is the link: https://www.dogsbedogs.co.uk/gundog-classes

25/10/2024

Friday musings about grooming…

Does your dog regularly visits the groomer?

What is more important to you, how they look in the end or how they feel during the process? Or both?

Do you know what consent based/fear free grooming is?

And would you like to learn about it, or find out more?

If you have any thoughts on the above, please share them in comments!

🐶🐾✂️

24/10/2024

Gundog walks update - if you have a Gundog or a cross of gundog breeds (looking at you - cockapoos!) and looking for a tailored walk to meet their needs - look no further!

Monday Spot (1 spot left)
🐕 One Monday spot available—perfect for any gundog!
Looking for a walk that’s designed just for your gundog’s needs? Whether your dog has boundless energy or needs a bit more help with their recall, our Monday group has a space for them. Entire males are also welcome—something some walkers don’t offer! With a balanced group of dogs and plenty of space to roam in a 15-acre secure field, this walk is all about giving your dog the chance to practice recall, focus, and proximity in a safe and stimulating environment.

📲 You’ll get real-time updates via WhatsApp with videos showing your dog’s progress, so you’re always in the loop. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our exclusive, positive reinforcement-based walks!



DM us for more information and to apply for the walking spot!

22/10/2024

Walking Your Puppy on Firework Days

Heading into fireworks season, one way to keep your puppy calm is by planning ahead:

🚶‍♂️ Take your puppy for a walk during daylight hours to avoid unexpected bangs
🧠 Use interactive games or toys to mentally stimulate and tire them out
🏠 Once home, draw the curtains and turn on some background noise to help block out any sudden fireworks.

The more relaxed they are, the better they’ll handle the evening!

Help other puppy owners get ready—share these tips!

For more tips on helping your puppy to have as stress free fireworks night as possible - check out my latest blog!

Tips for the puppy's first firework experience