Torquay Dog Training

24/03/2025

Struggling with a Dog That Pulls? You’re Not Alone! 🐶😩

If every walk with your dog feels like a battle, I get it. The pulling, the lunging, the total lack of listening—it’s exhausting, frustrating, and maybe even a little scary. You’ve probably tried stopping, saying no, getting them to sit… but they either ignore you or go right back to pulling.

You’re not enjoying walks, your arms hurt, and you’re worried they’ll pull you over. Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: It’s not your fault, and your dog isn’t being “naughty.” Dogs don’t instinctively know how to walk on a lead—it’s a skill they (and we) have to learn. And trying to teach it in the middle of a high-energy walk? That’s like trying to learn algebra at a rock concert!

💡 So what’s the solution? Start lead training in a calm environment, away from distractions. Here’s how:

🐾 Teach your dog that staying close to you is rewarding. The world is full of exciting smells and distractions. Play simple games at home that show them being near you = good things happen.

🌿 Use a longer lead. Dogs experience the world through their nose. Giving them more space to explore naturally can actually help reduce pulling.

👀 Teach “check-in” cues. Before expecting them to listen on a walk, teach cues at home for slowing down, changing direction, and stopping.

🚶‍♂️ Separate training walks from fun walks. Take short, structured walks to practice lead skills. Then, if you want them to have free time, drive somewhere they can run off-lead so they’re not frustrated.

It takes time, patience, and consistency, but trust me—it makes a difference! You can enjoy walks again. Have you been struggling with pulling too? Let’s talk—drop your experiences below! ⬇️🐶

19/03/2025

New Dog Club coming to Torquay!

This is a new, weekly, in-person Dog Training and Enrichment Club.

Elevate your dog-human connection through:

👉 Fun, dog centric Training
👉 Enrichment activities
👉 Learning how to connect and communicate more deeply with your dog

Starting May 9th, there are only 5 spaces so register asap!

Find out more and register here: https://www.embrace-dogs.com/club

11/03/2025

Why I Won’t “Train” My Dog—And Why It Works Better!

I’ve decided not to train my dog. Not in the traditional sense, anyway. No rigid commands, no “because I said so” obedience, no power struggles. Instead, I’m building a relationship based on cooperation, engagement, and mutual fulfilment—where both my dog and I find joy in working together.

Instead of drilling recall, I make coming back to me the best choice my dog could make. Instead of forcing a “heel,” I create an environment where my dog wants to walk beside me. Instead of demanding behaviours, I set things up so my dog chooses to listen—because they trust me, enjoy our time together, and find it rewarding.

Does this mean my dog has carte blanche to do whatever they want, with no rules or structure? Of course not! But it does mean I listen to my dog—their emotions, their needs, and their comfort levels—just as I expect them to listen to me. A real partnership goes both ways.

The result? A dog that recalls happily, walks beautifully on a loose lead, and listens because they want to, not because they have to. And isn’t that what we all want—a partnership where both sides are genuinely fulfilled? ❤️

Let’s stop “training” and start connecting.🐾✨

07/02/2025

I'm working on something very exciting...

Way back when I first got Puppy, the papillon and light of my life, I wanted something to do to spend quality time with her doing something we would both really enjoy.

I looked to see what was around and but all I could find were some agility classes which didn't feel like the right fit for us.

Looking back, all I wanted was a place to go where we could have fun together. With people that could help me learn to really connect with my dog and be the best I could be for her. Something that would help me schedule into my life, regular time dedicated just to the two of us.

Time with our dogs goes by so fast, let's make it count.

I'm working on something new and different that will be in-person for the people and dogs of Torbay.

I'm still working out exactly what it's going to look like. But it will involve:

~ Fun, connection based training
~ Enrichment for you to do with your dog
~ Learning skills and training tips to help life with your dog run smoothly
~ Fun challenges to complete with your dog

If you're in Torbay or nearby and like the sound of this, send me a private message with your email address so I can keep you updated and give you first access when it launches.

24/01/2025

Walking dogs that struggle with other dogs can be challenging.

No matter how carefully you try to manage your own space, strange dogs running over can be a real source of stress.

On walks where we would expect to see dogs off lead, I wear this 'My Dog Needs Space' hi vis. And I would recommend it to others with sensitive dogs for the following reasons.

- It's very clear
Unlike other products, yellow leads, collars, harnesses etc, it's clearly visible from quite far away.

- It means that generally, I don't have to shout over to people to call their dog.
Not only can shouting over to others be unsettling to your dog, if, like me, raising your voice doesn't come very naturally, it can feel very uncomfortable to shout over to strangers, and by the time they are close enough to hear you, it's too late.

I've also had experiences of people becoming confrontational with me, simply for asking them to recall their dog, leaving me feeling unsafe to ask.

Having this vest largely takes away my need to engage with others in those circumstances and allows me to feel more relaxed as a result.

Do I feel a little bit silly when I wear it? Yes
Do I sometimes feel judgmental eyes? Yes

But those feeling are greatly outweighed by knowing that I'm doing the right thing to advocate for my dog and increasing our success rate of walks without stress and barking.

So I would highly recommend them to others with sensitive dogs.

Get your own here: https://amzn.to/3E3nssU

11/01/2025

🌟 New Year, New Goals – It’s Time to Transform Life with Your Dog This January! 🐾🎉

January is the perfect opportunity to take charge and create the relationship you’ve always wanted with your dog. Whether you’re starting fresh with a new puppy 🐶 and want to set them up for success, or feeling frustrated because your adolescent dog seems to have forgotten all their training, now is the time to take action.

Are you struggling with your dog pulling on the lead, barking, or lunging at other dogs or people? Does their jumping and barking at guests leave you feeling stressed? Whatever the challenge, you have the power to make a change—and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

This January, don’t settle for frustration or worry. Together, let’s build the habits, confidence, and trust that will transform your dog’s behaviour and strengthen your bond. You and your dog deserve a happy, stress-free partnership. Let’s make it happen! 💪🐕

Ready to get started? Drop me a message or comment today—I’m here to help you succeed!

07/01/2025

04/01/2025

Did you know that around 75%-85% of dogs worldwide, are not pet dogs?

That's right, majority of the dog population are free-roaming.

While street life isn't always easy, it does mean that these dogs have complete control over their own lives.

They get to choose
👉 What and when they eat
👉 Who they spend their time with
👉 Where they go
👉 Where and when they sleep
👉 What situations they put themselves in and how they handle them
👉 Who they reproduce with, allowing natural selection to function as it should

And
👉 They can learn from and adapt to their environment without human interference
👉 They don't have to figure out and follow confusing and arbitrary human rules

Sure, if they're lucky, there's many luxuries and benefits that come with being a pet dog.

But it's important to acknowledge all of the freedoms they loose when they are born into or imported into the life of a pet.

That's why it's our job to provide them with the best lives we are capable of providing.

04/01/2025

21/12/2024

When is a dog fully trained?

I heard something that concerned me on the radio this week. One of the news segments was a conversation with an XL bully owner.

This person stated that their dog is 'fully trained', implying that their dog wasn't dangerous.

This got me thinking about two important misconceptions about dog training and safety:

Firstly, what does 'fully trained' even mean?

In reality, everyone would have a different definition of what fully trained would mean, so no dog would be considered fully trained by everyone.

The truth is, your dog is not programmable to behave as you want at all times. No amount of training can change the fact they are living, feeling individuals, with emotions and opinions. Their need to keep themselves safe will always take priority over doing what they're told.

Secondly, every dog, well trained or not, can and will bite if they see the need to protect themselves. Biting can also be a genetically ingrained response to specific or a set of specific releasing stimuli for some dogs.

While training can be helpful to prevent and navigate challenging situations, what should take priority is understanding your dog, what worries them and riles them up, and most importantly, their body language.

No matter how well trained or well behaved you think your dog is, you still need to be checking in with them and how they're coping in any social situation. Know their stress signals and when their arousal is increasing.

That is the key to preventing bites and attacks.

Never be complacent that your dog is safe because they are well trained, haven't bitten before, or never minded certain situations before.

The only thing you should rely on is what they are telling you right now, in the moment.

16/12/2024

Do You Have a New Puppy? 🐾

Are you ready to start your puppy off on the right paw? Maybe you’re feeling a little unsure or worried about getting it wrong? Don’t worry—I’m here to help!

My 1-2-1 Puppy Programme is the perfect way to set your pup up for success. These private sessions are tailored specifically to your needs and your puppy’s unique personality, ensuring you both get the most out of your time together.

Why Choose 1-2-1 Training?

✅ A Time That Works for You – Flexible scheduling to fit your lifestyle.
✅ Tailored to You & Your Puppy – Focus on what matters most to you.
✅ Faster Learning – Puppies thrive with personalized attention.
✅ Stronger Communication – Learn how to understand and communicate with your puppy better.
✅ Support for Nervous Puppies – Ideal for pups that might feel uneasy around other dogs or people.

What Will We Cover?

🐶 Socialisation – I’ll teach your puppy how to interact positively with other dogs and people.
🐾 Foundation Obedience Skills – Sit, stay, and everything in between!
🐕 Lead & Recall Basics – Build solid walking and recall habits early.
✨ Confidence Building – Help your puppy grow into a happy, well-rounded dog.
🔄 Common Puppy Struggles – I’ll help with house training, biting & chewing, jumping, getting your puppy to settle, and learning to be left alone.

Why Not Just Puppy Classes?
Some people assume that puppy classes are the best way to train their puppy because they provide socialisation with other puppies. However, puppies are actually the worst teachers for showing other puppies how to behave around adult dogs. It’s a bit like expecting a 3-year-old child to teach another child how to interact with adults—it’s not a true fit. My 1-2-1 programme ensures your puppy learns appropriate social behaviour in a structured and supportive way.

My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to know you’re giving your puppy the best start possible. Together, we’ll help your pup grow into a well-behaved and confident adult dog.

Ready to get started? Let’s make your puppy’s journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible! 🎉

10/12/2024

🐾🎄Dog Christmas Advent 🎄🐾
Day 10
"Two Feet on"🐶🎁

09/12/2024

The Puppy Blues🐾🐾

Bringing home a puppy is one of life’s most exciting moments. You’ve done your research, chosen the right breed, and found a reputable breeder. You’ve met the puppies, fallen in love, and carefully prepared your home. Finally, the big day arrives, and your new puppy is everything you dreamed.

At first, it’s magical. Your puppy is adorable, curious, and full of energy. You share pictures, soak in the cuddles, and feel proud of your decision.

And then… reality crashes in.

The sleepless nights begin, with a crying pup needing comfort at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. (and 5 a.m.). The endless toilet breaks and inevitable accidents start to wear you down. You’re dealing with chewed shoes, constant attention-seeking, and what feels like a miniature tornado tearing through your home.

You might start asking yourself:
"Did I make the right decision?"
"What have I done?"
"Why is this so hard?"
Or even, "I don’t like you right now."

Guess what? It’s okay to feel this way. Expressing these thoughts doesn’t make you a bad puppy parent. It makes you human. Adjusting to life with a puppy is tough, and admitting that it’s harder than you thought is not only healthy but also necessary.

You’re not failing – you’re learning. This is a journey, one where both you and your puppy are growing together. Right now, it might feel overwhelming, but this stage is temporary. Your puppy isn’t a Tasmanian devil forever (promise!).

Celebrate the small wins – the first accident-free day, the moment your pup learns “sit,” or even just getting through the day without tears. Lean on your support system, whether that’s family, friends, or fellow puppy parents.

And most importantly, be kind to yourself. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough. This tiny, exhausting bundle of fur will one day grow into the companion you dreamed of – and the bond you’re building now will make it all worth it.

Hang in there. You’ve got this, and so does your pup. ❤️🐾

Call now to connect with business.

07/12/2024

Our Expectations vs. What Our Dogs Are Capable Of 🐾✨

When we bring a dog into our lives, we want the best for them and our family. Training and understanding is crucial to guide them and keep them safe, but it’s just as important to meet them where they are—understanding their emotions, needs, and learning journey.

🐾 Your dog is always doing the best they can with the skills they have in the environment we’ve placed them.(Susan Garett) Puppies may look grown at 6 months, but their brains are still maturing. Emotional control often doesn’t develop until 1.5–2 years old, and adolescents face hormonal changes that make focus and self-control harder.

It can be so easy to get caught up in striving for perfect recall, flawless lead walking, and a dog that listens first time, every time. But when one day they do exactly what you ask, and the next they don’t, it’s not disobedience or personal—it’s part of their learning process.

🐕 Why your dog might not do what you ask:
1️⃣ They don’t see value in the behaviour.
2️⃣ They don’t fully understand your request.
3️⃣ They’re emotionally overwhelmed (overstimulated, anxious, or worried).
4️⃣ It’s physically uncomfortable or painful for them.

Having expectations higher than what your dog is ready for can lead to frustration and strain your bond. Be patient—this is a journey, not a race. Some days will feel amazing, and others may feel like a step back, but that’s completely normal.

Let go of the idea of the “perfect dog.” Celebrate small wins, stay consistent, and focus on building trust. This journey is about growth, love, and partnership—not perfection. ❤️

07/12/2024

🐾🎄Dog Christmas Advent Day 7🎄🐾
Spin💫
This is a super easy trick to teach your dog🐶Have a play and see how fun it is🐕✨

Remember if you have any questions just give me a shout📢