Victoria Cooper - Certified Canine Behaviourist & Mentor

04/11/2025

Puppy training? Highly recommend - award winning People and Dogs. Dog Training and Behaviour

🐾 Last 2 Spaces for Puppy Training This Year! 🐾

Our final Puppy Life Skills Course of 2025 starts Thursday 13 November at 17:00 at Unstone - perfect for pups under 20 weeks who are ready to learn calm behaviour, confidence, and focus in a fun, positive environment.

💻 Week 1 is an online induction – choose Tuesday 4th or Thursday 6th November.
We’ll chat about biting, toilet training, diet, enrichment, spending time alone, how puppies learn and much more, so you’re ready to hit the ground running when classes begin.

🐾 Then enjoy 5 face-to-face lessons focused on real-life skills, confidence building and calm connections with your puppy.

What’s included:
✅ 1 online induction + 5 in-person lessons
✅ Small, supportive classes (max 6 pups)
✅ Personalised help from a qualified, force-free trainer
✅ Access to online training resources for home practice
✅ Certificate of completion

📍 Unstone
💷 £95 for the full 6-week course

🎓 Give your puppy the best start — this is your last chance to join before the new year!

👉 https://www.peopleanddogs.co.uk/life-skills-puppy

Train me, don’t blame me 💛

04/11/2025

Please share

01/11/2025

LOVE THIS - spot on Kamalfernandezdogtraining . Sadly far too
Many people don’t do enough research on their chosen breeds genetic inbuilt instinctive behaviour and drives, and then struggle when the dog displays the behaviour it was bred to do!!
You can’t have a gun dog and not expect it to want to possess and carry things
A guardian breed will guard and be suspicious of novelty
A terrier wants to chase prey shake it and kill it
A sight hound wants to chase prey and run
A hound wants to follow its nose
A sheepdog wants to herd

Choose your breed wisely ! Will it suit your lifestyle - can you meet its needs ?

💭 What If It’s Not a Problem… But a Purpose?

When we talk about “problem behaviours” in dogs, we often start from the idea that something is wrong.
That the dog is sick, unbalanced, too much, or needs fixing.

So we try to suppress.
To quiet.
To stop.
To control.
To prevent them from rehearsing the very behaviours that make them who they are.

But let’s take a step back for a moment.
Dogs were not created to be pets. They were designed to be partners.
Every breed, every type, was intentionally crafted by humans for a purpose — a job that served us.

The herder that gathered the flock.
The terrier that cleared the home of vermin.
The gundog that retrieved our game.
The guardian that protected our homes.

Their instincts, their energy, their passion — all of it was by design.
It wasn’t a flaw to be fixed. It was a purpose to be fulfilled.

But as society evolved, those jobs disappeared — or were replaced.
The flocks that once needed gathering are now moved by quad bike.
Homes that needed guarding are now protected by alarms and cameras.
Vermin that once required a tenacious terrier are now kept in check with chemicals and pest control companies.

The dogs, though… haven’t changed.
They still carry their purpose — in every cell, in every line of their DNA.

Now, imagine this.
Think about the thing that gives you purpose.
The thing that makes you feel alive.

Maybe it’s helping others.
Maybe it’s teaching, creating, caring, running, building, painting, singing.
That thing that fills your heart and gives your life meaning.

Now imagine being told you can never do it again.
You can’t sing.
You can’t paint.
You can’t help.
You can’t move.
You can’t express who you are.

How would that feel?
Frustrating? Empty? Sad?
Would it affect your mental health? Your self-esteem? Your sense of worth?

That’s what it’s like for a dog who’s been bred for a purpose — but has nowhere to put it.
It’s not a behavioural “problem.”
It’s a purpose left unfulfilled.

Our job isn’t to suppress that drive.
It’s to honour it.
To find healthy, meaningful ways to let it shine.

That’s why I talk about the Five E’s — the daily ingredients for a fulfilled dog:
💚 Enrichment – mental challenges that engage their instincts.
💚 Exercise – movement that satisfies their drive and energy.
💚 Entertainment – fun and play that builds connection.
💚 Emotional Stability – safety, predictability, and trust.
💚 Education – learning that gives structure and purpose.

When we invest in these, we’re not “fixing” dogs — we’re allowing them to become who they were meant to be.
We’re not managing a problem.
We’re meeting a purpose.

So maybe the next time you see your dog display that unstoppable drive, that intensity, that passion — instead of asking “How do I stop it?”, try asking…
“How can I fulfil it?”

Because when we meet dogs where they are — not where we wish they’d be — something magical happens:
Calm.
Confidence.
Connection.
And a life that feels right.

Maybe it’s time we stop seeing behaviour as a symptom to cure…
and start seeing it as a story waiting to be understood. 🐾

💬 Now I’d love to hear from you:
Does your dog have a purpose that’s being fulfilled?
How do you help them live it every day?
Share your ideas below — you might just inspire someone else to see their dog through a whole new lens. 💚

30/10/2025

It may not be Friday just yet... but this amazing pooch gives out that Friday vibe all day everyday! 🫶💛💙 She is such an amazing pooch and gives us the Friday feeling 🫶💛💙

Our gorgeous girl heartbreakingly had to return to us (see her write up below 👇 for details as to why) and so we are on the look out again for her forever home! 🤞✨️🏡

Here's a few musts for our Coco...
🐶 Be able to deal with some slobber! 💦
🐶 Enjoy the quirky bulldog habits that all you bulldog lovers LOVE 🤭 Just a few being.... she's a little stubborn... she is secretly part bulldozer when excited 😅... she is absolutely a lapdog with no spacial awareness... 🤣
🐶 Happy to support Coco if she finds anything a little overwhelming, sometimes her confidence can be knocked and she just needs a little extra support 🥹🫶
🐶 Be ready to be LOVED by everything this girls got! As when she loves you... she REALLY loves you! 🥹😍

Can you help us by liking and sharing our girl please guys 🙏🏻 We know it's tough at the moment and not everyone is in a position to rehome a pet... but just by interacting and sharing this post you are helping Coco and massively improving the chances of her forever home spotting her! 🤞✨️🏡

https://www.rspca.org.uk/findapet/search/details/-/Animal/COCO/ref/BSA2139077/rehome

30/10/2025

Some great advice from colleague The GSD Hub with Jenny Gould

Be careful of trainers who advertise ‘pack or social walks’ for reactive dogs unless they’ve slowly and gradually introduced the dogs using the systems Jenny describes . Pack walks where reactive dogs are forced together in close proximity and trainers use aversive collars and corrections do more harm than good .
Choose wisely

'Socialising' The 'Reactive' Dog

There is a common misconception that 'reactive' dogs need socialising in order to 'get better'. Whilst this can be true of some dogs there are others who simply need to learn how to co exist around other dogs without feeling defensive.

Just the same as us humans some dogs are socially selective. Socialising comes in many forms. Some humans love visiting a nightclub. For others that would be their worst nightmare. Some love a natter in a quiet coffee shop whilst others would find that mind numbingly boring. Who are we to say which is right?

As an owner of a socially selective dog myself I know how daunting it can be heading out into the big wide world alone not knowing when the next 'don't worry he's friendly' encounter will happen. Yet I love taking my dogs out and visiting new places.

This is where on lead group walks come in. There is safety in numbers and also moral support to be had. The inclusion of some very confident and relaxed dogs are a bonus but 'reactive' dogs can walk together without conflict or concern if carefully introduced.

Sometimes owning a socially selective dog can be a lonely place. Other owners in the same position understand how you feel and can therefore make ideal on walking companions. You will be absolutely amazed how relaxed your dogs will be when they realise that they are not going to be expected to interact physically with each other.

'Socialising' does not always have to be off lead fun...you and your dogs can gain just as much from on lead 'no contact' walks together.

Whatever your dog's social preference, learning to walk on lead next to another dog without physically interacting is a life skill that all dogs should learn and accept.

Now we just have to persuade human owners to accept the same!

Here are some tips for building a relaxed and content group

🐾 Parallel - no head to heads

🐾 Distance - as big as necessary initially

🐾 An established 'watch me' cue to diffuse any offensive glances

🐾 A strong 'getaway' cue - the ability to change direction immediately

🐾 Accept your dog's limitations

🐾 Walking equipment which enables you to physically hold your dog

🐾 Plenty of high value food reinforcements

🐾 Choose location wisely. Ability to create distance and preferably an on lead rule such as National Trust properties for example

The happy little group in this picture includes 'reactive' dogs, adolescent idiots, entire males, entire females. These guys all started off walking miles apart and now they pretty much accept anyone into their group and can walk at parallel close quarters.

29/10/2025

Raising Rosie:
Many of you know I have Crohn’s disease - which took a nasty turn on Monday night resulting in a blocked bowel needing emergency hospital care. I was admitted at midnight and I’m still here. The blockage has cleared thankfully but I can’t go home yet until everything works properly again. 🤮💩🥴

My wonderful friend Helen from Canal Cottage Dog Training and Behaviour
stepped in and collected Rosie from my house on Monday night and I can report she’s having a blast at Helen’s with all the dogs, cats, chickens, donkeys, horses and Helen and Neil
Thank you SO much guys for rescuing me and Rosie .

Apologies to clients who were due to see me this week - I’ll be in touch as soon as I’m home .
Thank you for patience .

26/10/2025

Raising Rosie:
It’s Never too early to start pub training 👍🏻
Rosie our RSPCA rescue Cockapoo is now 12 weeks old and we’ve had her a week! She’s beginning feel safe and loved by us and we’re establishing a routine and building a relationship .
My advice is start slow with new environments and not too busy. Take some toys, bedding and treats as well as a chew. Give yourself some space and don’t stay too long to avoid your dog getting bored or restless.
Living near a dog friendly pub that sells great food is a massive bonus to moving to Chesterfield 👍🏻 thanks to the Woodside for welcoming us and serving a delicious Sunday dinner . Highly recommend

26/10/2025

Learning more about Separation Distress and
how I can help Rosie to feel safe and loved. Living with separation anxiety is so hard for both the dogs and their families. Sending out warm
And supportive thoughts to all those struggling with their dogs needs. You are not alone

https://www.facebook.com/share/1UaNa14ypg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

24/10/2025

Raising Rosie update: flower bed barriers installed to protect both plants and puppy . Something not quite right with this picture …. Has someone planted a puppy in my raised beds?! 🙄😤🤔

23/10/2025

We moved into our new home in July and have decorated it from top to bottom. It was immaculate and I’ve been working on the garden.
Then Rosie arrived last week - now I’m sleep deprived 😵‍💫 and the house looks like a tornado has swept through it !! The lawn has holes in it. I’ve had to fence off the flower beds and put all my plants in pots up off the floor !!
Puppy paraphernalia everywhere!! And my cat 🐈‍⬛ is having a breakdown 🫣
Send gin and a fireman to rescue me 🤣
If you are thinking of having a puppy you can’t be house proud and you need a LOT of time for them 🤣😂

20/10/2025

Note to my followers:
My post about Daisy and Rosie has been harvested off here and shared in a group called I Love Cockapoo and passed off as the post of the admin there !! Someone apparently called Esther Pearse. I’ve reported it to Facebook
Reported the admin
Checked the other admin and they are all fake profiles !!!
There are dozens of stolen harvested posts in there not just mine
If you are a member of that group report it
There’s not much I can do about it except take down my post about Daisy and Rosie but the fake group now has my photos anyway !!

It absolutely beggers belief that people have the time and energy to trawl Facebook for popular posts and then harvest them as their own . I believe it’s called data harvesting and they are capitalising on my grief 😞
So do be careful which groups you join and what you share as there are weirdos out there up to no good

19/10/2025

Please think about your dogs emotions when exposing them to scary experiences. Many dogs can be scared of the unfamiliar. Please don’t take your dog on Halloween walks with the kids , or dress them up . And keep them away from the front door if you follow Halloween traditions

🧹✨ Halloween and Your Dog ✨🧹

Halloween can be exciting for children, but the sights, sounds, and treats can be worrying (and even dangerous) for our dogs. Here’s how to keep them safe and settled this spooky season:

🎃 Create a Safe Space
Set up a cosy den with bedding, toys, chews, and water. If your dog hides, let them - don’t lure them out.

🎃 Block Scary Sounds & Sights
Close curtains and play music or TV to soften knocks and outdoor noise.

🎃 Plan Walks Early
Exercise and toilet before dark so your dog is relaxed while trick-or-treaters are out.

🎃 Trick-or-Treat Visitors
Doorbells and knocks can be stressful. Use a gate, keep your dog in another room, or leave sweets at the gate.

🎃 Costumes
Masks and outfits can cause confusion and stress dogs. Only dress them up if they’re comfortable - never force it.

🎃 Sweets & Chocolate
Keep treats well out of reach. Chocolate, raisins, and xylitol (in sugar-free sweets) are toxic to dogs. Remind children not to share.

🎃 ID & Safety
Check ID tags and microchip details are up to date, just in case they panic and bolt.

🎃 Stay Calm
Barking and pacing are natural signs of stress. Don’t punish - comfort and reassure them.

💡 A little preparation makes Halloween happier for everyone - including your dog.

🐾 Train me, don’t blame me.
People and Dogs.©️™️

👉 Need support? Email me at [email protected]