🎉 Calling all new puppy families! 🐾Got a puppy under 16 weeks? Our puppy socialisation sessions are coming to Sulhamstead! They are the perfect way to give your little one the best start in life! 🌟✅ Suitable for puppies after their first vaccination✅ Build confidence in new environments✅ Safely introduce your puppy to other dogs, people, and experiences✅ Understand your puppy’s body language and what they’re telling youThese sessions are perfect for families in Sulhamstead, Burghfield, Mortimer, Padworth, Aldermaston, and Thatcham—helping your pup grow into a happy, confident adult dog.📍 Where? Sulhamstead📅 When? Saturday mornings🐕 Who? Puppies under 16 weeksSpots are limited, so don’t wait—join us for fun, expert-led sessions tailored to your puppy’s needs!🔗 Click the link in comments to book your place now!#puppysocialisation #puppysocial #puppiesofinstagram #puppylove #puppytraining #berkshirepuppies #mortimerdogs #thatchamdogs #padworthpuppies
Recall can feel impossible when your dog’s favourite thing is out there—whether it’s a bird, another dog, or deer. But reliable recall is achievable with the right approach.Here’s how to get started:1️⃣ Think of recall like times tables: Start simple—indoors with no distractions is your 1x1. Once that’s solid, move outside (2x2) and gradually add harder challenges. The key is building success step by step.2️⃣ Use irresistible rewards: For most dogs, praise isn’t enough. Think high-value treats like roast chicken, sausages, or cheese—something your dog never gets at any other time! Toys - especially ones that imitate ‘hunting’ is a great option too! (You may need to build value in toys first!).3️⃣ Keep it positive: Recall shouldn’t mean ‘fun is over.’ Call your dog back, reward generously, and let them go play again when it’s safe.4️⃣ Use a special recall word - your recall word should be ‘worth it’s weight in gold’ (or hotdogs!). So don’t use your recall word many times a day conversationally. 5️⃣ Use a lead or long line in the environments that are currently too challenging for your dog, while you are building their skills. So they don’t discover just how amazing it is to chase a deer! 🦌 Every dog can learn recall, but it takes time, patience, and lots of practice. Finding your dog’s motivation is the key to success! Our next recall workshop is on Sunday 16th of February! So you can join us to work on those recall drills! https://www.dogsbedogs.co.uk/dog-training-workshops#RecallWorkshop
🐾 Client Spotlight: Meet Nala! 🐾Introducing Nala, also known as “Dolly Parton” (she’s got the style to match), and the not-so-average goldendoodle! At three years old, she’s a champion ball fetcher, but don’t expect her to dive into the water or make friends with everyone—she’s got standards, you know. Oh, and unlike the “non-shedding doodle” myth, Nala does her bit to keep the hoover busy.Her favourite pastime? Doggy parkour—leaping and bouncing like she’s auditioning for a stunt role. She also has a quirky habit of joining in on every hug and busting moves during family dance-offs. Nala’s true calling, though, is being the personal bodyguard to her baby human brother, a job she takes very seriously (though she might get distracted if there’s a Babybel nearby—her lip quivers, drool appears, and the stare is unrelenting).As for her love life? It’s complicated. Moose the sheepadoodle is her on-again, off-again boyfriend, while Nut is clearly vying for her affections on the side. Her nemeses? Henry the hoover and all cats everywhere.Her autobiography? Golden Girl: The Devil in Disguise. We’re not saying it’s entirely accurate, but we’re not arguing either!We love having Nala (and her brilliant guardians) as part of the Dogs Be Dogs family. She’s one-of-a-kind, and we wouldn’t have her any other way!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 amazing dog.#dogsbedogs #clientspotlight #goldendoodle #dogtraining #berkshiredogs #readingdogs #cavershamdogs #gundogwalks #positivereinforcementgundogtraining
🐾 Client Spotlight: Meet Summer! 🐾
Say hello to Summer, the ultimate snuggler who turns two in January! This golden retriever is every bit the breed’s namesake—gentle, loving, and always ready to retrieve… well, almost. While she’s mastered the art of retrieving with a soft mouth, letting go isn’t exactly her strong suit.
Summer’s day job? Toy collector extraordinaire. Her side hustle? Stick thief. Poor Benson, her fellow retriever, has to put up with her cheeky habit of nicking his sticks on walks and legging it before he can object. All in good fun, of course!
When she’s not outwitting Benson, Summer enjoys being a social butterfly and keeping tabs on the neighbourhood. Her meerkat impressions at the window are second to none—she’s a true nosey parker and proud of it!
We absolutely adore having Summer (and her lovely guardian) as part of the Dogs Be Dogs family. Her antics keep us smiling every time we see her!
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 share their story. DM us for the questionnaire and let’s celebrate your superstar pup!
#dogsbedogs #clientspotlight #goldenretriever #dogtraining #berkshiredogs #readingdogs #cavershamdogs #gundogwalks #positivereinforcementgundogtraining
🐾 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.
#dogsbedogs #clientspotlight #sprockerspaniel #dogtraining #berkshiredogs #readingdogs #cavershamdogs #gundogwalks #positivereinforcementgundogtraining
Off-lead freedom doesn’t mean free hunting! With positive reinforcement, my gundog and terrier stay focused through check-ins, recalls, and rewards. Follow me for tips on safe, enjoyable off-lead adventures! #offleaddogs #positivereinforcementtraining #dogtrainingtips #gundogtraining #terrierlife #dogrecall #happydogs #offleadsafety #rewardbasedtraining #dogsoftheday #berkshiredogs #oxfordshiredogs #readingdogs #cavershamdogs #henleydogs #dogtrainingberkshire #dogtrainingoxfordshire
1. Command → Switched to “cue”
Why: A cue invites collaboration; “command” implies dominance and control. Relationships thrive on mutual respect, not authority.
2. Obey → Switched to “respond”
Why: “Obey” feels authoritarian, while “respond” emphasises mutual understanding and communication.
3. Owner → Switched to “guardian” or “partner”
Why: “Owner” suggests possession, while “guardian” or “partner” reflects a more caring and equal relationship.
Words matter. Changing how we speak about our dogs changes how we connect with them. What words have you replaced in your dog training journey? Let me know below!
#dogtrainingtips
#positivedogtraining
#dogloverlife
#dogbehaviour
#happydoghappyhuman
#bondwithyourdog
#dogsoftheday
#trainwithlove
#dogfriendlycontent
#dogsarefamily
#puppytraining
#cuebasedtraining
#dogguardians
#connectionnotcorrection
We enjoyed our pumpkin Halloween display! Rather than wasting the pumpkins - here is an easy way to cook a delicious snack/meal topper for your dog. We had a lot of pumpkins, so we froze them. If I only had one, it would have probably got eaten on the day! Save this for next year if you have already disposed of your pumpkins! 🎃 #dogsbedogs #dogpumpckinrecipe #dontwasteyourpumckin #savethisrecipe
Absolute cuteness overload in today’s puppy classes in our Mapledurham venue! To book your puppy’s spot in Mapledurham or Sulhamstead, head to our website and click on the book now button: https://www.dogsbedogs.co.uk/puppy-classes #puppyclassescaversham #puppyclassesreading #puppyclassesoxfordshire #puppyclassesburgfield #puppyclassesberkshire
Is your dog craving an adventure and they are of gundog variety (don’t be fooled by the cockapoos fluffy appearance!)? 🐾 15 acres secure field;🐾 Pick up and drop off;🐾 Some training on every walk (we are promoting checking in, recall, as well as name recognition); 🐾 Not just exercise but mental stimulation and enrichment;🐾 Groups are matched and introduced carefully;🐾 Maximum of 6 dogs per walk (to ensure plenty of individual attention);🐾 We also cater for entire dogs, as long as they are assessed and suitable to the group environment. Current availability:🐾Monday 1 spot (can collect from Pangbourne, Caversham or Tilehurst);🐾 Wednesday 1 spot (Caversham or Tilehurst)🐾 Thursday 3 spaces (Tilehurst, Calcot or Caversham) 🐾 Friday 1 spot (Tilehurst or Caversham). Comment or DM for more info! #dogsbedogs #gundogwalkscaversham #gundogwalkstilehurst #gundogwalkscalcot
