Torquay Dog Training

14/09/2025

Why scattering treats isn't bribery...
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/178qJbQbuZ/

08/09/2025

"Dog's Jus Wanna Have Fun"🐾🌞
I think we should all be a little more dog😁

05/09/2025

I almost went down a very different path with my first dog… and this photo reminds me how lucky we were that I didn’t.”

Someone recently reached out to me feeling really worried about their 17 month old dog’s behaviour. They’d already had another trainer in, but things didn’t seem to be improving, in fact they appeared to be getting worse. When they voiced their concerns, they were told they weren’t doing the training properly and that maybe an electric collar should be used. When they hesitated, they were reassured it was “just a little feeling” and “not hurting the dog, just getting them to listen.”

I want to be really clear – I’m not here to judge trainers, or owners who may have thought about using these tools. I completely understand how easy it is to feel overwhelmed and desperate when your dog is struggling.

I’ve been there myself with my first dog Shadow, 18 years ago. He was my first dog and I assumed that all I had to do is train him, exercise him and feed him how difficult could it be?

In reality, I was living with a whirlwind of reactivity – towards dogs, people, cars, bikes… you name it. He was destructive in the home, stealing from bins! I tried everything I was told might work, seen on tv or read in books (internet wasn't such a big back then) such as spray bottles, shake cans, choke chains, being more “dominant.”

Honestly, I would have dressed my dog in purple if someone had promised it would stop the behaviour. But the truth? Things only got worse.

My lowest moment came when my boy was aggressive to a dog on a walk and I was shouted at quite aggressively, followed by a day of constantly saying "No", "Off" and "Stop" I finally went off on my own to the garden and cried for about 2 hours feeling a complete and utter failure.

Then I met a trainer who explained something that completely changed my perspective: my dog wasn’t being “difficult” – he was scared. And the one person who should have been his safe place (me) was instead adding to that fear. That realisation hit me hard and the guilt..... but it was also a turning point.

With support and understanding, I started to see my dog’s behaviour shift, because he finally felt safe.

The photo I’ve shared here is a quiet, tender moment with Shadow. It’s a reminder of the bond we finally found and that true change starts with connection and helping our dogs feel safe.

What I’m saying is this: it’s so easy to go down the route of quick fixes or band-aid solutions when we’re desperate, which I could have so easily done and so thankful and grateful that I didn't.

But our dogs don’t need to be subdued or controlled – they need us to look deeper, to understand why they’re behaving the way they are, and to help them feel safe in their world.

💚 And if this is you right now – please know you are doing the best you can with the information you have. There is no guilt, no judgement here. What matters most is being open-minded, willing to see things from your dog’s perspective.

You may sometimes feel judged by family, friends, or even strangers and feeling pressure for quick change.
But this is your dog – and you know them better than anyone.

Whenever you’re exploring different training methods, if you get that subtle feeling in your tummy that something doesn’t feel quite right… listen to it. Your instincts, and your dog, are guiding you.

💚 Our dogs don’t need us to be perfect. They just need us to be their safe place.

26/08/2025

🐾💚 Happy National Dog Day! 💚🐾

Today’s the perfect day to celebrate everything that makes our dogs so wonderfully unique – from their funny little quirks to the big personalities that brighten our lives every day. 🐶✨

👉 I’d love to see your dogs! Share a photo in the comments and tell me what makes them truly special to you – and how you’re celebrating with them today. 🎉

Let’s fill this space with waggy tails and happy faces!

01/08/2025

14/06/2025

Struggling with walks? You’re not alone — and it can get easier 🐾

Maybe your dog pulls like a steam train the moment you leave the house. Maybe they’re wonderful… until they see another dog, or a pigeon, or a really good smell. Maybe they come back to you beautifully until you really need them to — and then it’s like they’ve forgotten you exist.

I hear this all the time.
And I want you to hear this from me: you are doing a great job.

You might feel like you’re the only one struggling. You might feel guilty for not letting your dog off lead, or worry that other people are judging you. You might wonder why it looks so easy for everyone else, and why your dog “just doesn’t get it.”

But the truth is, what you’re going through is really common — and it’s not your fault.

There’s a lot of information and techniques out there — some of it’s really great and helpful, and some of it… not so much. But even the best advice often misses something crucial: it doesn’t take into account your individual dog.

Your dog’s breed, personality, needs, natural drive, and desires all play a huge role in how they behave and how they learn. No two dogs are the same, and a one-size-fits-all approach can leave you feeling more confused and defeated than supported.

Your dog isn’t being stubborn, and you’re not doing it wrong. You’re both learning — and learning takes time.

🐶 Recallers & Loose Leaders Course
Starts Saturday 29th June – 5-week in-person course

This course is designed for real life — for dogs who get distracted, and for owners who are doing their best. I’ll work with you to understand your unique dog, what motivates them, what worries them, and how to help them walk calmly and come back confidently — even around distractions.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start — and I’d love to support you.

For more information visit

Do you worry about letting your dog off lead? What if they don't come back and either get hurt or get themselves into trouble? Does your dog struggle with pulling on the lead. Join Recallers & Loose Leaders and show your dog how to build great recall and lead skills.

22/04/2025

🐾 A space has opened up on my new Training & Enrichment Club! 🐾

I've been finding it really hard to describe what the club actually is, and that's because I've intentionally left it open so we can explore any number of fun, connection based, dog centric things!

But to give you an insight of the club experience, is here's a sneak preview into the very first session plan.

On arrival, you will guide your dog inside the venue to your own space with the support of Freework pathways. (Freework is a setup of exploration activities) Creating a positive experience for your dog right off the bat, as we also observe how they are responding to the new environment.

Then you'll be taking a moment to relax and helping your dog do the same. Start learning how to communicate with your dog when it's time to settle.

Then we'll be using the Freework setup again to introduce a calm connection game, where you'll learn how to build engagement with your dog, without any pressure that can sometimes come from the typical training practices.

To wrap up, we'll be checking out what basic skills you and already have as an information gathering exercise to guide future sessions and give you a baseline so you can track how much you grow with your dog through attending sessions.

So there you have it!

This is what I have created in response to thinking what I would have liked to have attended with my own dog.

A space for dog centric people, to spend time with and learning about their dog, in a way that is fun and will build your connection with your dog.

If this is also something you'd love to do with your dog, click through to register on my website, where there is also more information about the club: https://www.embrace-dogs.com/club

For anything else send me a message or email [email protected]

15/04/2025

Your Dog is Always "Doing"—But Are They Doing What You Want?

Dogs are always doing something. Whether it’s sitting quietly by your side, pulling on the lead, barking at people, running off instead of coming back when called, or jumping up and barking at visitors to your home—they are constantly behaving. The key question is: are they doing what you would like them to be doing?

💭 We expect a lot from our dogs. They’re a completely different species, trying to work out how to thrive in a human world—with all its strange rules, noises, and expectations. That’s a big ask.

🐾 Your Dog Isn't Being Naughty, Disobedient, or Stubborn 🐾
They are simply responding to the world with the skills and emotional regulation they currently have. If they’re struggling, it’s not because they’re choosing to misbehave—it’s because they haven’t yet learned how to respond differently. It’s our job to guide and teach them.

For example:
🐕 If your dog pulls on the lead → Instead of focusing on stopping the pulling, ask: What do I want them to do instead? Walk on a loose lead? Check in with me? Train for that.

🐶 If your dog barks at people in a café → Instead of thinking, “I don’t want them barking,” ask: What would I like them to do? Relax on a mat? Settle beside me? Teach that skill.

🏃‍♂️ If your dog doesn’t come back when called → Rather than saying, "I don't want them running off," ask: What do I want them to do? Turn back to me immediately? Stay engaged with me on walks? Build a recall step by step in easy environments before expecting it in distractions.

🚪 If your dog jumps up and barks at visitors → Instead of saying, "I don’t want them barking and jumping," ask: What do I want them to do? Greet calmly? Go to a bed or mat? Teach this in a quiet setting first, then gradually add real-life practice.

🐶 Train for the Situation, Not in the Situation
It’s easy to get frustrated when your dog struggles in real-life moments, but remember: learning happens in a controlled, calm space first. If your dog is already overwhelmed, they can’t learn effectively.

✨ Start small: Teach recall, relaxation, and calm greetings at home.
🏡 Build up gradually: Practice in quiet outdoor spaces before heading to busier areas.
☕ Set them up for success: When you finally take them to that café, park, or welcome guests into your home, they’ll already know how to behave—because you’ve taught them how.

So next time your dog is "doing" something that frustrates you, pause and ask:
🔹 What do I actually want them to do?
🔹 How can I train that skill in a way that sets them up to succeed?

Training isn’t about stopping behaviours—it’s about teaching the skills that we feel are more appropriate for us. And that shift in mindset? It makes all the difference. 🐾✨

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 1 space left 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.