*** Dog Training Walks ***
Now the weather has cooled down enough dog training walks are back! I have limited dates available but depending on popularity I could add more.
Training walks are designed for dogs that I have met and that have a sound temperament walking with other dogs. They are not something I would advise for reactive/extremely nervous dogs. Dogs that are currently training with me please talk to me re the suitability of attending.
The walk consists of an hour and a half walking in the countryside and if appropriate your dog will have the opportunity to go off lead/on a long line depending on ability to practice recall around another dogs. Please come dressed for any weather and be prepared for mud! I would suggest bringing towels and drying coats for your dogs.
Dates/times available are:-
30th of September at 11am
15th of October at 9:30am
4th of November at 9:30am
The cost of the group walk is £20 per dog. Please message me to discuss or book a slot
The wonderful Jet bear, the original, my first dog as an adult and the start of my dog training journey and my inspiration.
What stories I could tell about Jet, as a puppy she was wild and her eyes used to roll into the back of her head showing the whites of her eyes, her tongue hanging out at the same time while she just ran like an unguided missile…
I took her to training classes, agility classes and then I started doing some gundog work with her. She had all the talent and ability in everything she did, qualifying for crufts at a agility but an injury meant we couldn’t go, always being one of the fastest in the gun dog scurry’s at the game fair. That being said she has ALWAYS had her own mind and embarrassed me frequently (things like making up her own agility course and just coming back to me when she was done). The area she has excelled in most is with my dog training business, she has been patient and kind to every dog I have ever introduced her to, she has taught many dog boundaries through appropriate communication and she certainly keeps my boys in line. She isn’t the most highly trained obedient dog in the world (she does know upwards of 30 commands) but she’s a fantastic all rounder who in her prime would have tried absolutely anything asked of her as she’s fearlessly brave and loyal.
Why am I posting this, I suppose to say all dogs start out somewhere, perfection isn’t achievable nor is it realistic. Look at your dog and your lifestyle and how can you work together to achieve an equilibrium. Look at what our dogs give us and what we can give them, let’s not focus on what they can’t do or what they find challenging let’s focus on what they need. We need to adapt to our dogs and learn from them, we need to stop putting them in scenarios when all they can do is fail and get it wrong, unless we are willing to accept their failure with good grace. Sometimes we need to compromise with our dog, sometimes we need to show them exactly wha
Every day’s a training day, impromptu retrieve building Solly’s confidence retrieving blinds over long distances… he didn’t know the ball was there. He has brought it home as a trophy 🤣. Anything can present itself as a training opportunity or improve our dogs confidence in all kinds of environments/situations. It’s rare I will take my dogs for a walk without challenging them or asking them to do tasks.
Jet bear on good form this morning
Also a little snippet of one of todays training walks, a perfect example of 4 dogs all staying close off the lead and being clam in each others company. Well done to everyone to came along, lots of improvements made and lots to work on. I still have space on my march and April dates, please message if you would like to book. £20 per dog and we are out for an hour and a half. (I should add that none of these dogs have been off lead together in a public space before today and one of them had never met the other 3).
Old dog initiated the turbo today on the eve of her 14th birthday tomorrow 🤣😍
I often talk about everything being a training opportunity and how we make each contact/experience we have with our dogs a positive learning one. Here’s an example for you, both my boys just sat by the side of the canal watching the world go by (including the ducks) until they are told differently. Patience and the art of being bored are two of the best attributes we can teach our dogs.
A little case video, this video was taken by Monty’s owners a few days after he came for a 1-2-1 session. Like a lot of spaniels he loves to pull as it means he gets to use his nose and sniff! Look how happy he is in his training, now giving eye contact, concentrating on the task in hand and doing so well. Big round of applause to his owners for being dedicated, trusting me and asking for help. Plus he’s black and tan so how could I not love him 😉
Good old Jet bear still loves a good play at nearly 13. Cherishing every moment 🥰
