Samantha Wayland Dog Training

19/11/2025

We all love a holistic approach. Exercise, enrichment, nutrition are important for every dog. But when a dog is struggling with genuine anxiety, it is not just behaviour. It is a medical issue affecting the brain and body.

Just like we could not fix a broken leg by going for more walks, we cannot expect a dog with significant anxiety to learn, cope or settle without proper support. Sometimes an anxious dog is not physically able to learn because their stress systems are working overtime.

Medication is not a failure. It is support. It lowers the emotional and physiological load so your dog can actually take in information, process the world, and benefit from behaviour modification. Think of it like humans using therapy alongside antidepressants. The combination helps us recover faster and puts us in a safer, more stable place for working through trauma.

When we give anxious dogs both medical support and thoughtful behaviour work, we give them the best chance to feel safe and to thrive.

Expert support for rescue dogs, helping them grow and thrive.

18/11/2025

Nobody talks about how stillness in a dog can be a sign of stress, not calm.

When a rescue dog first arrives, people often think they are “so good” or “so calm”. But many dogs are not calm at all. They are shut down. They are overwhelmed. They are just trying to survive.

A shut down dog stays quiet, still and polite because they feel they have no other option. They freeze. They hold their breath. They hope the world leaves them alone.

If we mistake this for calm, we put even more pressure on them. We take them out too soon. We introduce too much. We think they are coping because they do not complain.

But a dog who cannot say no is not a dog who is ok.

In those early days, they need space, predictability and zero expectations. Let them decompress. Let them feel safe. Only then will their real personality appear.

Calm is not silence.
Calm is safety.

16/11/2025

Floyd the Bull Terrier has always had one mission on walks: pull like a freight train, get from A to B as fast as his legs can carry him, and forget about anything resembling focus. Bull Terriers are often labelled as impossible to train or just plain stubborn, but Floyd clearly didn’t get the memo.

Over the past few weeks we’ve been working on self regulation and helping him slow his busy brain so he can actually think during his walks rather than just power through them. And honestly? He is smashing it.

He’s checking in. He’s focusing. He’s starting to walk with purpose rather than panic. And he’s proving exactly what I tell people all the time, it’s about giving the dog what they need to succeed.

Floyd isn’t stubborn. He was overwhelmed. And now he’s learning how to breathe, settle, and engage with his handler instead of the world dragging him along.

I’m so proud of him.

15/11/2025

Some days just need to be quieter.
Sometimes that means giving yourself a day off from training, planning or trying to keep up with everything. I say this often with nervous rescue dogs, but it applies just as much to us. Rest is not laziness. Rest is recovery.

Our overseas rescues teach us this beautifully. When they first arrive, we give them decompression time. We lower expectations. We create space so they can breathe, settle and feel safe. Humans need exactly the same thing.

If today is a slower day for you, take it. If your dog needs a break too, honour that. Calm connection, gentle walks, soft routines and no pressure can do more for progress than constant effort.

💚Expert support for rescue dogs helping them grow and thrive.
📍Essex and Online

14/11/2025

Excited to launch our January 2026 dates for both Bronze UK Sniffer Dogs and Progression Classes!

Bronze Level
• Starting Monday 12th January, 7pm
• Next intake Monday 6th April, 7pm

Progression Classes
• Starting Wednesday 14th January, 6pm
• Next intake Wednesday 8th April, 6pm

Here’s the form to get booked in
https://forms.gle/zwwwDS8zumzwEokr9
it’s first come, first served, so grab your spot now!

13/11/2025

When people think of dog training, they often picture a trainer in their living room, treats in hand, but for many rescue dogs, that can be too much too soon.

Nervous or recently rehomed dogs often feel safest in their own space. Having someone new arrive can be stressful, even when we come with kind intentions. That’s where remote training really shines.

By working together online, your dog can stay calm and comfortable while I guide you step by step. There’s no pressure, no overwhelm, just gentle learning at your dog’s pace.

When dogs feel safe, they can think, learn, and connect. And that’s when the real progress happens.

Remote sessions allow me to help families across the UK, supporting overseas rescues and nervous dogs right where they feel most secure, at home.

Because it’s not about being in the same room.
It’s about understanding, trust, and quiet, consistent support.

12/11/2025

One of the things I love most about Scentwork is that every dog can take part. It doesn’t matter if they’re a bouncy spaniel, a steady old Labrador, a shy rescue, or a cheeky terrier, every dog has a nose, and they all love to use it!

Scentwork taps into your dog’s natural superpower. It’s calming, confidence building, and mentally enriching. For nervous or reactive dogs, it’s a brilliant way to learn focus and relaxation. For energetic dogs, it’s a way to channel that drive into something constructive. And for older dogs or those with limited mobility, it’s gentle but incredibly satisfying.

In this video you’ll see Finn, a blind rescue puppy who has just started his Scentwork journey, and he’s already doing amazing! His enthusiasm and confidence grow with every search, proving that this activity really is for every dog, no matter their age, breed, or ability.

The best part? You get to join in! Watching your dog’s tail wag as they solve the puzzle is pure joy.

11/11/2025

One of my lovely clients’ dogs had a really tough time after a traumatic incident last year, and she lost a lot of confidence. We are rebuilding trust and helping her feel safe again… and wow, is it paying off!

She’s now recalling so fast that she nearly wipes her poor owner out every time 🤣 We’ve now switched it up so she recalls to the side instead (knees saved!), but that speed hasn’t slowed one bit!

It’s amazing to see her joy and confidence shining through again, that tail wag says it all 💛

Expert support for rescue dogs - helping them grow and thrive

10/11/2025

Separation Anxiety, It’s Hard for Them (and for You Too)

Separation anxiety isn’t about disobedience or “naughtiness” it’s about distress.
Some dogs find it really difficult to cope when they’re left alone, and the signs can be heartbreaking to see. You might notice things like:

🐾 Being destructive when left alone
🐾 Scratching or chewing at doors and windows
🐾 Toileting indoors, even when they’re otherwise housetrained

These behaviours come from fear and panic, not spite. The good news is that with the right approach, things can get better.

I work with families to gently help their dogs feel safe and confident being left, using kind, evidence-based methods. All separation work is done remotely, this means I can support you wherever you are, without adding any extra stress for your dog.

If your dog struggles when you leave, you don’t have to go through it alone. Get in touch to find out how I can help you both start feeling calmer and more confident again.

🐕 Expert support for rescue dogs, helping them grow and thrive.

09/11/2025

Some amazing info around fireworks! I know a few of you have been struggling this year 💔

Credit Holly Leake, Paw Chores With sincere thanks to Holly Leake of Paw Chores for allowing us to reproduce her content here I am really tired of the hurtful comments directed at those who have do…

09/11/2025

I love supporting other local small businesses
This amazing artist is also an overseas rescue guardian and if you are looking for something different for Christmas then this is the place to go!

09/11/2025

Not sure who needs to hear this but… you don’t need to compare your rescue dog to anyone else’s. This is your journey, together.

Every dog comes with their own story, their own fears, coping strategies, and ways of showing trust. Some dogs bounce forward quickly. Others take months just to feel safe enough to exhale. Both are valid.

Progress isn’t measured in how far you walk, how quickly they learn, or how sociable they are. It’s measured in connection, in calm moments, in tiny signs of trust that only you notice.

You’re not behind. You’re building safety. And that matters more than anything.

📍Essex and Online
💚 Rescue Specialist