Dog Trainer James

Dog Trainer James Dog Trainer & Behaviourist, based in Tunbridge Wells.

05/07/2025

Do you have a ‘reactive dog’?

We love to label stuff, but that can be harmful…

Reducing anything down to one word, one thing, doesn’t tell the whole story. Nobody, no dog is just one thing.

And if we allow our vet, friends, dog trainers, random people on the internet, to label our dogs as ‘reactive’ it can effect how we view our dogs, how we interact with them.

Everything they do comes behind that label, it’s hard to see all the other amazing traits they have because it becomes all about their reactive behaviour.

Mac would meet most people’s definition of ‘reactive’, but I don’t see him that way; he loves dogs and sometimes that gets the better of him.

But not all the time and he’s actually great with dogs - one of the most socially adept dogs I know in fact. So beware labels - in all parts of your life - because they don’t tell the whole story.

And remember to try and understand the reactive behaviour because that’s what it is; it isn’t a personality trait.

02/07/2025

Got a dog that barks for attention?

I bet that’s annoying 😃

And I bet your gut feeling is to ignore it right?

Well…

This kind of behaviour is often rooted in a need that isn’t being met. That need is sometimes obvious, and sometimes not (that’s where I come in…).

If we ignore the dog and don’t meet their need, are the behaviours designed to express this going to increase or reduce?

In other words don’t ignore your dog when they’re trying to communicate with you. In fact if you respond more quickly you will get less of the unwanted behaviour in the moment, and potentially less over time.

Think about what you’re like when your needs haven’t been met…

Yes we need to teach the dog other ways of expressing this if barking is challenging, and yes we need to be mindful reinforcement, but, you might be surprised by the results if you actually listen to your dog and meet their needs.

21/06/2025

‘My dog is protecting me’

I hear this a lot. I’m not sure why we say it or want to believe it so much, but it’s not what’s happening.

Your dogs reaction is based on many things - mostly how they feel about themselves - but they’re not protecting you.

Often that is challenged by people telling me that their dog will only behave this way with them, and not other people.

That is probably just your dog learning through association.

If you are there when they react you become part of the picture for that behaviour; you’re there when they react so they react when you’re there.

Or another way of looking at it is that when you change something (the human holding the lead is a pretty significant thing) you change something.

Hopefully this helps you reframe your dogs behaviour, stop blaming yourself and start to notice what is in the environment when they react and what might actually be causing it.

18/06/2025

The truth about force free dog trainers…

We are human to.

And as humans we will sometimes loose our temper with our dogs, or tell them ‘no’.

And that is ok.

It’s not a core part of our training, but to expect a human with our learning history and under the pressures of modern like not to sometimes lose their cool is unrealistic.

Verbal corrections and punishment are things we use on each other every day. So it’s no wonder that at times they slip into our interactions with our dogs.

We also establish boundaries and structure with our dogs.

The difference is that those corrections are exceptions, we know that when they happen it’s on us and the boundaries we put in place are done so with kindness.

So if you’ve ever felt intimidated by ‘force free’ training as you sometimes lose your cool with your dog, that’s ok. We do it to.

Putting constant pressure on ourselves to be perfect is not going to help anyone.

15/06/2025

Play with your dog.

This post triggered me this morning; I have no issue with this lady and I’m sure a lot of what she says is great advice, but telling people not to play with their dogs is not the one.

Playing with your dog is one of the very best ways to strengthen your relationship, your bond and behaviours such as recall.

If your dog is getting all of their social play needs met away from you, recall could get tough and you will run the risk of becoming the boring person who just puts the lead on and takes them away from their mates…

I’m sure this was shared with good intentions but I’m sorry I can’t agree; play with you dog.

14/06/2025

What’s the point of a dog?If you ask me, it’s enough just to be a dog. Dogs are perfect. But so much of what I see described as problematic behaviour in our dogs is actually just your dog, being a dog. Barking, chasing, jumping, grabbing, and of course the much used ‘over aroused’ is often just your dog doing what they’ve been selectively bred to do. Often problem behaviours for humans, aren’t problems at all for our dogs. We love them because their dogs right?So worry less and let your dog be a dog as much as you possibly can. Otherwise, what’s the point?

13/06/2025

Neutering male dogs…

So first and most importantly I’m not a vet so I am absolutely not giving medical advice pertaining to neutering. And no other dog trainer or behaviourist should either…

From my personal view and experience, castration is a decision I’d want to make when my dog is fully grown and I know who they are.

Making an irreversible change to them before this is fully understood, to me, is risky.

This is especially relevant if they’re experiencing behavioural issues; we might want to minimise other significant changes while implementing our behavioural modification plan.

But it’s definitely worth bearing in mind the potential frustration associated with being an entire male dog. Imagine having an itch you don’t get to scratch…

So my advice is to look at your dog and make your decision based on them alone. Work with someone who will help you understand their behaviour properly, and then decide from an informed position.

But know that it isn’t a magic cure all. It’s likely that behaviour being exhibited prior to neutering will remain in place afterwards.

I got Mac neutered because I have to. The decision is not in my hands. Would I have done it anyway…stay tuned to find out…

08/06/2025

Kiya has only done that to me once; and I listened.

Here’s the thing; growling is a behaviour and behaviour is information and communication.

As the human if we see this, we are better placed to be able to respond in a considered way. And what I’d like you to consider is that your dog is asking for space so giving your dog that space, and not forcing the dog to have to consider escalating their behaviour to what might be a bite, is the most sensible and appropriate response.

In this case she never growled at me again, and in teaching her that my approach let to better things, I got the behaviour I wanted without having to compromise our relationship.

You don’t have to take your dogs stuff off of them.

All that teaches them is that you are a threat to their resources and increases the likelihood of guarding.

06/06/2025

The best thing about muzzles…that nobody talks about…

Muzzles are for dogs.

They designed to stop the dog from being able to use their mouth fully.

And therefore they’re a good management tool.

However, they’re not designed to change behaviour… but in my experience sometimes they actually do…

But most often it’s with the human.

Training your dog to wear a muzzle is a vital life skill, and you will never know when it comes in handy.

But beyond that, a muzzle dog can help us to relax a little bit.

And that little bit of relaxation, can make the world of difference to our behaviour. And as a result, we are more likely to put our dogs in situations that are slightly stressful.

I am not talking about using a muzzle as an excuse to test a dog, or to put them in situations they can’t handle.

But a muzzle does enable us to move things forward at times where we might feel a little stuck with the worry that our dog may bite.

So muzzle train your dog; will be amazed at the impact it has on you.

05/06/2025

Most people make their dog wait for their food once it’s been put down.

Why?

I think it’s because of old fashioned thinking to be honest; the human must control access to resources.

And I also think people think it creates ‘impulse control’.

Well I’m sorry, but it doesn’t.

It doesn’t make any difference to anything else to be completely honest with you.

If you really want to do it, go for it. Just don’t think it matters because it doesn’t.

Sorry.

Follow me…? 😅😃

30/11/2024

“I’ve tried that, and it didn’t work.”

Dog trainers hear this all the time.

But every time we do, we’re thinking:
• How long did you try it for?
• How did you go about it?
• Where and when did you practise?

Basically, how consistent were you?

Training your dog takes time, patience, and repetition. Sometimes, a lot of time. Progress isn’t instant—it’s built step by step.

So, fall in love with the process. Work with a trainer whose ethos resonates with yours, and embrace the small, daily efforts.

Don’t give up because you tried once and didn’t see results. Change takes consistency and commitment. Your hard work will pay off, one step at a time.

28/09/2024

It’s not about perfection.

It’s about progress.

What you do every day, the small victories;

- The reduced recovery time
- The lower intensity reactions
- The first time they ignore a trigger
- The bad day that felt like the exemption
- Taking food on a walk
- The increased sniffing on walks
- When they start playing with you outside the house
- Making friends with their trigger…

It’s the same as any long term goal, focus on progress and enjoy the process.

As you’ll see from the video ‘perfection’ doesn’t exist…😅🤣

Well I’m sure other people won’t consider that perfect, but actually I think my babies are perfect.

Even when they create chaos 😃

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Tunbridge Wells
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