The Good Dog Coach

14/02/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day! 😍✨

13/02/2025

Feedback and Reviews are so important for small businesses like mine. They build trust and are invaluable in the era of unlimited information via the internet. Aside from that, I take great pride in my work and knowing I do my job well is my positive reinforcement. Luckily, I get this in far more ways than the odd review. In fact, the best feedback is usually the one given right on the day and so often it isn't even given in words. 👇

It is in the eyes of the owners that have been blown away by a bit of information. The look of hope when they understand why their dog is behaving the way they are. The relieve when they realise that they weren't doing anything wrong, the training plan they'd been given had just been doomed to fail. The surge of motivation when they see their dog starting to change behaviours right then in their first session. The rekindled commitment to a new training program. And they willingness to trust again despite having been failed previously.

I previously shared how few sessions many of my clients need with their dogs. Being this efficient makes for a poor business model. However, that's not what I am in this business for. I want to see happy people and happy dogs. Seeing a strongly bonded dog-owner-team that are enjoying each others' company and enhance each others' lives, that's the ultimate reward.

Picture of a naughty young miniature Dachshund I had the great pleasure of meeting in London. Their first session was only a few days ago and we're already seeing improvements, thanks to the commitment of his owners. 🐾

10/02/2025

"Will training turn my dog into a robot?"
"Can I train my dog reactive dog so he can play with other dogs?"

The answer to both questions is NO. There is a a difference between training and character and it is a gap that cannot be bridged. Let me explain:

🐾 Training = Influences your dog's behaviour, the things they do in the moment. Behaviour is shaped by environment, experiences, emotions, habits and, yes, their character. A dog may react aggressively when scared, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re an aggressive dog. With training we can teach them which behaviours we do like and which ones we don't, helping them to make better choices from the available options.

🐾 Character = Who the dog is at their core—their personality, temperament, genetic predisposition and natural inclinations. Some dogs are naturally confident, sensitive, social, or independent. The "available options" I mention above are somewhere on a spectrum which is determined by the dog's character. Equally their character will determine how they respond to their environment, experiences and emotional states.

💡 Why does this matter?
Because behaviour can be changed through training, structure, and support, while character cannot. Labeling a dog by their behavior alone can limit their potential. Equally, expecting to change who your dog is at their core is unrealistic and sets both of you up for failure and disappointment.

💡 Examples:
🐾 We can help your reactive dog to learn how to behave around other dogs, but we cannot make them love other dogs if they are naturally selective and not overly social. Just like you cannot turn an introverted person into an extroverted one.
🐾 We can teach your cheeky dog what "good choices" look like and give them an understanding of the expectations, but a cheeky dog will always try to test you and come up with new ideas for mischief. Just like we can teach the class clown to read and write, but they'll always find a way to keep their humour.

Understanding how both training and character can inform behaviour helps us approach training with fairness, patience, and the belief that every dog can learn and grow. 💛

09/02/2025

Dogs ought to rest a lot, but many don’t. Some seem constantly on the go, struggling to switch off. In some cases, this leads to destructive behaviours in the home and demanding behaviours that can make it difficult to live with the dog. But why is it that your dog doesn’t settle?

3️⃣ Understimulation- This is what most people assume is the main culprit. And granted, this may occasionally be the case, especially if the dog is a high drive working breed with no job to do. A good example is a Border Collie living in a flat in London. Such a dog is hard work to give the fulfilment they need and more often than not, the dog find fulfilment themselves by trying to herd cars, chasing the kids and nipping at passers by.

2️⃣ Lack of Training & Guidance- Just because dogs NEED a lot of sleep doesn’t mean they know it. Just like you’ll rarely meet a toddler that will ask to take a nap, so dogs struggle with the same fomo (fear of missing out) and will rather hang out with you than lie down for a kip. It is up to us to teach them to find their rest, whether that be through crate training them or teaching them a “place” command (or, ideally, both!). Don’t rely on your dog to take themselves to bed, tell them when it is time for a nap.

1️⃣ Overstimulation- This, I find, is the number one reason why dogs struggle to settle. Between a whole box of toys freely available to them, an owner working from home who will readily engage with them any time they demand it, Kongs, puzzle toys, snuffle mats, licki mats, automatic ball throwers, suction tug toys, the list goes on and on.... Marketing tells us to keep our dogs constantly entertained, stimulated, ‘enriched’ and exercised. What we create is an entertainment ju**ie that cannot cope without constant stimulation. This does make for good earnings - if your dog gets bored of the toys and mental stimulation gadgets you have, you will go out and buy more. All the while your dog remains wired and never learns to relax.

🐶 Struggling with a dog who won’t settle? Drop a 💤 in the comments & let’s chat!

04/02/2025

I so often hear dog trainers talk about not providing quick fixes and suggesting that dog training should take months and months.

While I don’t agree with that in any case (keeping a dog in a stressed state when we can fast track them to a happy life is unethical in my view and I can’t see the benefit of it other than for the trainer to sell more sessions and make more money).

Sure, certain issues just take time. Even when I talk about fast tracking, we are not talking over night fixes. It just doesn’t work like that. There is another aspect to fast results that I don’t see being talked about and that we, as trainers, are absolutely duty bound to provide: compliance!

Hear me out: If I can give a client a quick result on one area, they will be more likely to stick to the program because they have seen that it works.

Maybe I have come to this conclusion because I have worked with so many clients who have seen multiple trainers before coming to see me. Oftentimes, they have had little to no results and have been left rather disilusioned and feeling like improvement is impossible to achieve. When they see that it can be done, even in just one little area, this can restore hope and rekindle that drive to build a better future for them and their dog.

Laszlo’s owners, luckily, hadn’t been through multiple trainers but still approached the training plan in stages. They saw one thing working so decided to try the next and the next. With the increased compliance to the plan, their dog made further improvements even faster.

Aside from trying to provide a quick win, especially for clients who have been through more trials and tribulations, I always create training plans that allow layering, that allow the client to work through it at a pace that is comfortable for them*. While my clients generally need very few sessions, the training progresses from session to session, building new aspects into the plan as the dog’s behaviour and the owner’s handling allows.

*Full disclosure: I do have non-negotiables when it comes to the safety of a dog and I have fired clients over knowingly and willingly putting their dogs at risk.

02/02/2025

Morris is a Romanian rescue dog who is generally a sweet and docile dog.

Except for his explosive reactivity towards bicycle, motorbikes and other dogs. 👀

Potential prey and the thrill of the chase would also kick him into gear and he has been known to chase a skater in a skating pit and not being able to get back out...

Walks with Morris, as calm and gentle as he was at home, had become very stressful and just not enjoyable. But for him and his owners, life has changed.

Morris now gets more walks and more freedom because they can take him anywhere and he is great off the lead. He is neutral to other dogs and will recall away from anything. He is the bestest boy and I am so proud of Team Morris. 🥰

To learn more about my services, drop me a message today!

31/01/2025

Paddy arrived just over two months ago with a list of issues, most of which were due to him being misunderstood and mishandled. When I first read his notes, I thought “right, I’ve got my work cut out for me”. But the reality is that Paddy has been nothing but a breeze. 😍

With just a modicum of structure and consistency, he is the nicest dog I’ve ever had the great pleasure of training. He is fully integrated in my home, where he can now enjoy a lot of freedom. He gets along with other dogs and even sharing resources (see all these toys and bones lying around) is not a problem for this lad.

Paddy has been e-collar trained to a high standard. This includes:
- walking to heel (by your side) on command, both on and off the lead
- consistently coming back when called, no matter the level of distraction
- duration place command, meaning you can send him to his bed and he will stay there until verbally released.

Paddy is also crate trained, settles well and can be left alone for several hours. His training included wildlife and livestock avoidance and coupled with his fantastic recall, he makes a great hiking buddy. He loooves people though does have a bite history and will not be homed with young children.

At only 4 and a half years old, Paddy is at the perfect age - still a young dog but mature enough that you know what you are getting. He can be cheeky and will try his luck, which makes me love him even more. He is so easy and undemanding yet always ready for an adventure. 🤩

Would you like to give Paddy a chance at his forever home? Get in touch and let’s see if he is a good fit for you. 🐾

29/01/2025

Timing is everything when it comes to training your dog.

The moment you reward your dog, you’re telling them, "Yes, what you’re doing right now is exactly what I want!" But here’s the thing: if your timing is even a second off, you could unintentionally reward the wrong behaviour.

Imagine this—your dog sits beautifully, but you delay the reward for a few seconds, and in that time, they stand up. What gets rewarded? The standing up, not the sitting. This is where clarity is so important.

Dogs thrive when we’re consistent and clear. Mark the behaviour you want with a word like "yes", then reward immediately. This simple adjustment can make the difference between a dog who understands what you’re asking and one who’s completely confused.

Good timing doesn’t just speed up learning—it strengthens your bond by making communication seamless. When your dog knows exactly what’s expected, they can relax and focus, making training a positive experience for you both.

22/01/2025

Very well said.

I regularly receive messages from dog owners and meet clients who are terrified of their dog running off, chasing something and being injured or killed.

When looking at training, I always look at the whole picture. Is it a dog with high exercise requirements? Is it a dog naturally built to have a higher prey drive? How big is the dog? Where do the owners live? Does the dog regularly encounter livestock or wildlife? Have other methods been attempted?

As Scotland attempts to pass a ban, banning the tool is back in the spotlight. I suspect it's inevitable that e-collars will ultimately be prohibited throughout the UK. We could go into depth on why countries banning things doesn't mean it's the right choice, as is shown worldwide, but that's not a discussion for here or now.

I speak to people daily who identify as 'force-free' in their training approaches, who've exhausted all other methods and are now terrified to speak publically about their choice to use 'aversive' training tools. People lose friends over it (I know I did), are viciously bullied for it and receive a torrent of abuse from a few very loud and rude individuals. These people have tried for years to get their dogs the freedom they deserve and make a brave leap to give them a better life, but they cannot speak out about it. So many people are in this position, but it also provides an inaccurate idea of how many use these tools.

I know many so-called force-free trainers use them. I know people who've publicly slagged me off have allowed their dogs to do awful things to other animals and not even considered the welfare of another animal.

Other animals' welfare matter too. Allowing dogs to kill and worry livestock is not acceptable. A dog chasing a deer and potentially causing an RTC is not acceptable.

I speak to owners terrified of their dog getting out, chasing something and being shot, or lost, or run over.

These are owners desperate to keep their dogs safe.

"Just keep it on a lead"

"Just use secure fields"

As an owner of active, working breeds, a life on the lead is not fair or ethical. My dogs and countless others need to run, stretch their legs, explore freely, and enjoy life. A secure field does not allow them to do all the stuff dogs love doing. My dogs find secure fields boring, and yes, I am doing myself out of business there! We go there to train and for them to periodically romp, but most dogs enjoy nothing more than immersing themselves in the sights and smell nature has to offer.

"Oh, but they're not free if they're using an e-collar"

That old chestnut! Is it no different from a long line?

Well, it is. A properly conditioned e-collar stimulation is used as pressure. If taught properly, the dog will learn how to turn that pressure off on the lowest level they can feel. On a collar of 127 levels, for most dogs, that level will fall below a level 10. Nobody is running around blasting the pants off a dog. Plenty of people don't find this ethical, however, view it as a tap on the shoulder. It can be conditioned in a range of different ways, and yes, it can be done poorly, but if done correctly, it's highly effective AND seriously undramatic for all of those saying the dogs are suppressed by this tool.

But for full transparency, I do work up to offering livestock aversion sessions. And no, these aren't done on lower levels.

However, picture this. Not everyone lives places where they can avoid livestock or wildlife. I myself am surrounded by sheep from all angles, including my own sheep (and goats!). All of my walks contain sheep that can pop up anywhere...even in fields or roads where they're not supposed to be! We hike a lot of hills and mountains too, which are full of sheep, and it's not safe to be dragged after a sheep by a determined dog. Deer and hares pop up from under our feet and hedgerows just inches away. The unexpected happens regularly and we cannot possibly train for every eventuality.

I work with dogs who've killed, worried and chased sheep. None of them were owned by irresponsible owners. Mistakes happen. Leads get dropped, leads snap or get yanked out of a hand. Dogs escape from dog sitters, walkers, gardens, houses, cars... you name it.

And what happens to dogs when those mistakes occur? They get shot.

So many people are in the same situation. We don't all just walk in parks with only a few squirrels to contend with. Many of us have beautiful countryside to enjoy with our dogs, and e-collar training allows us to do that safely, and thus, so do our dogs.

Banning this tool won't do anything. They will still be available to purchase, which will drive their use underground. Owners will not be able to source reputable training, and the poor conditioning (or no conditioning) I mentioned earlier will be rife.

Should we legislate their use? Hell yeah. Should they be available for anyone to purchase freely? Absolutely not. Do I believe that every dog needs one? Absolutely not.

But banning them will do nothing except ensure that responsible owners who are desperate and terrified of their dogs getting themselves in trouble will have nowhere to turn.

21/01/2025

Do all dogs need training?

The short answer? Yes. Every dog needs some form of training to help them navigate our human world. Dogs don’t instinctively know how to behave in our homes, on our streets, or around other people and animals—it’s our job to guide them.

Pulling on the lead, jumping up at visitors, barking excessively, or not coming back when called aren’t just "quirks" or "phases." They’re signs your dog needs guidance. Let’s stop excusing bad behaviour as "just what dogs do" and start giving them the tools to thrive.

Training isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about building a better bond, creating clearer communication, and helping your dog feel confident in any situation.

So, how do you know if your dog needs training? If you’re feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or simply want to improve your dog’s life and behaviour, that’s your sign.

16/01/2025

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but... “Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it!” is one of the biggest myths in dog training. The reality? They won’t.

Behaviours don’t magically disappear as dogs get older—they often grow stronger. A puppy that jumps for attention doesn’t "grow out of it"; they grow into an adult dog who jumps harder. A puppy that pulls on the lead becomes a bigger, stronger dog dragging you down the street.

The good news? You can help your dog grow through it with the right training and guidance. Addressing unwanted behaviours early makes them easier to manage and sets your dog up for long-term success.

Need help tackling a behaviour before it gets out of hand? Drop me a message—I’m here to help.

10/01/2025

Have you ever noticed that your dog only seems to respond to a command when you’re holding a treat or giving them a physical cue? This might be because the word you’re using has been overshadowed by your actions.

Overshadowing happens when you say the command at the same time as giving a physical cue, like luring with a treat or applying tension on the lead. For dogs, movement often overrides sound, meaning your body language is more noticeable than the word itself.

To avoid this, try using the CAR method when teaching or proofing commands:

C – Command: Say the word for the desired behaviour.
A – Action: Pause briefly, then lure your dog into position.
R – Reinforcement: Reward your dog while they’re in the correct position.

By breaking it into steps, your dog will start to associate the word with the action. Over time, they’ll respond to the word alone—often trying to beat you to the reward! 🐾

Teaching commands this way makes learning clearer for your dog and sets you both up for success. Are you ready to give it a go? 😊

09/01/2025

Dogs don’t speak English—or any other human language. Their primary form of communication is body language, with messages that can be as subtle as looking away or freezing for a moment to avoid conflict, or as clear as a lunge or bite if their signals are ignored.

While we rely on spoken words, dogs learn through association and repetition, not the meaning of the words themselves. When you say “sit,” they don’t understand the word itself but associate it with the repeated action of placing their bum on the ground. This is why consistency in commands is key.

One of the simplest ways to help your dog is to keep commands short, clear, and consistent. “Sit” should always mean the same thing—it’s not “Could you sit down, please?” or “I told you to sit!” Confusion happens when we change the language or when different household members use varying commands.

For clarity and success, I always suggest writing a list of commands with their definitions. Be specific about what’s expected. For my dogs, ‘sit’ means to turn and look at me, put your bum on the floor immediately, and stay seated until released or given another command, no matter the distance or distractions.

This clarity creates predictable outcomes for your dog, reduces stress, and helps strengthen your bond. Communication, after all, is the foundation of trust and understanding. 🐾

It’s a message worth repeating—because understanding your dog starts with learning how they communicate. Have you written out your dog’s command list yet?

08/01/2025

Shielding your dog from every stressful situation might feel protective, but it can actually limit their ability to handle life’s challenges. By responsibly introducing them to different environments and experiences, you’re helping them build resilience and confidence. 🙌🏻

The key?

Controlled exposure. Gradually and safely introduce new situations while supporting your dog through them. This isn’t about overwhelming them—it’s about teaching them to cope and adapt.

Preparing your dog for the world is an essential part of their development and strengthens the bond you share. So yes, it might feel uncomfortable, but it’s worth it—for them and for you. 🐾

03/01/2025

How this boy has not yet found himself a new home is beyond me. 🤔

It is very unfortunate that, due to previous misdiagnosing of the issues and resulting mishandling, Paddy does have a bite history.

However, while he has been with me, where he has the structure a dog needs and wants, I have seen no signs of aggression whatsoever. He has been nothing but easy breazy, loving and joyful.

Due to his bite history, we are looking for an adult only home though would consider dog savvy older children. He really does thrive with some structure and being allowed to be a dog rather than being treated like a baby.

That being the case, he is the easiest dog and all he wants to do is be your best friend. He is friendly with people and dogs and can be taken anywhere, whether that be a busy town centre for a pub lunch or a long hike in the countryside, Paddy is the perfect sidekick. AND look at those eyes... 😍😍😍

31/12/2024

2024 was full of adventure for me and my dogs, after ditching London for a life in the Cotswolds countryside at the end of 2023. Here are my highlights:

January: I got giften an original Denby dinnerset, hand painted in the 60 and long discontinued, by a neighbour. How gorgeous is that?🥰

February: I had my first experience of an English Panto, worked with my first local client and finally, after 4 months without one, had my new sofa delivered. The only piece of furniture I decided to buy brand new.

March: Rehabilitating two practiced wildlife chasers and putting staff at Lorockmor through their paces with my boy Menace!🐾

April: Someone bumped into my car while it was parked up during a visit to London. This worked well, as you will see as you read on...

May: I finally got proper broadband, finished restoring this lovely garden arbour bench and had my car repaired and that’s where I met the chickens that would soon be mine.

June: After nearly a year, a home for Dozer was finally found.

July: I treated myself to some van livery and could not be happier with the results! Thanks to the Wright Signs.

August: Judging the annual Brailes Show’s dog show, I had some tough decisions to make! I also got to enjoy having a garden for the first time in my adult life.🌸

September: I finally got them! With the help of very good friends my chickens finally arrived in their new home - my garden.🐓

October: Enjoying a village highlight: The annual opening of our 18th century traditional apple press. I got a laundry basked of apples from my garden pressed, took home a big bucket of juice and sampled some local cidre. 🍎

November: We had snow, which was absolutely lovely. Willow particularly loves the snow (no surprise, being a Husky x). My dogs and the chickens can finally free roam the garden together, which gives me immeasurable joy. 🥹

December: Not travelling to Germany for Christmas, I decided to take in a foster in need, so Okanines gave me 4... Thanks Kayla. Hopefully in the new year, these four beauties will find their forever homes. 🏡

What a year! What highlights did you have?

30/12/2024

Lenny arrived overweight and scared of his own shadow. 😕

While he is not yet ready for his forever home, he has started to come out of his shell. 🥹

His obedience is at a great level with excellent recall, walking nicely by my side and settling beautifully both in his crate and on his place.

We will need to build his confidence more and test him in more environments before he will be ready to go to a new home, but we are accepting applications in the meantime.

If you think you could give this big lad a loving home with structure, do get in touch! 🫶🏻