A-Grade Dog Training

15/08/2024

Say hi to super handsome Nevis, another of A-Grade’s new recruits! At his first session we worked on reducing jumping up behaviour and improving recall skills - great session, well done Nevis! 🌟

15/08/2024

Big welcome to gorgeous Dixie who has joined A-Grade for puppy training! At our first session we worked on sit and down with hand signals, leave and recall and she did so well! 🌟

14/08/2024

Lovely testimonial just received from Lottie's owner:

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my training with Sandra. She has so much knowledge and also common sense.

Sandra started training with Lottie when she was 10 weeks old and I was able to let Lottie off the lead in safe areas when she was 14 weeks old - amazing!

Lottie loved the training and picked up instructions quickly. I would highly recommend Sandra and A-Grade Dog Training!"

11/08/2024

WORTH SHARING AGAIN!

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON ….. RECALL!

Do you dread the thought of letting your dog off-lead, knowing you’ll invariably witness your canine companion tear off uncontrollably into the distance? Are you tired of repeatedly calling your dog, embarrassed that they choose to ignore you and just keep doing what they want? Even worse, has your dog’s inability to listen to you put them in the path of danger?

Then you’re not alone! If you take just a moment to observe the off lead behaviour of dogs in the park, it will soon become clear that other owners struggle with exactly the same issue as you!

There are many reasons why puppies and dogs fail to return when called, ranging from the euphoria of freedom, distractions (dogs, people, birds, deer, water, smells etc), inherent traits of chase or scent driven breeds, fear of end of fun (leash going back on) or perceived punishment for late return, the list goes on.

However, in our experience one of the key reasons for poor recall which is missing from the above list is TRAINING ….. the art of teaching your dog this crucial skill rather than just hoping it will happen, see below:

Owner expectation - HIGH
⬆️
➡️ EFFECTIVE TRAINING ⬅️
⬇️
Dog’s ability - LOW

The good news is that poor recall CAN be improved! Our “Come Back Fido!” intensive recall training course is designed to bridge the gap between your expectations and your dogs ability, to build on your relationship with your dog, motivate you both towards success and instil the vital skills and techniques designed to help you achieve your recall goals!

“A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive, force-free and kind.”

Course examples include:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
- Nose Down Intro to Scentwork
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

For more information on recall, puppy and dog training, message or email [email protected]

09/08/2024

My leg is in its happy place - as are my dogs! How do your dogs like to snuggle up to you?

07/08/2024

The moral of this article is ……. Please be careful where you buy your puppy from, do thorough research, look for solid recommendations and ultimately only purchase from a reputable source. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, trust your gut and walk away!

It’s only by stopping the income stream of these awful smugglers that this horrendous, cruel and illegal practice will begin to subside, and of course heavier penalties for these inhumane crimes against helpless animals would also be required.

It’s so easy to feel sorry for the poor puppies (we all do), many of whom will come to your home extremely sick and often die shortly after arrival - heartbreaking indeed, but in the end we are inadvertently killing with the very kindness which defines us as animal lovers. These puppies were lucky, many are not 😢 ❤️ 🐾 ❤️

04/08/2024

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON ….. SCENT WORK FOR DOGS

What is scent work for dogs? Simply put, it encompasses a range of activities which encourage dogs to tap into their natural instincts by using the power of their amazing sense of smell.

When integrated into dog training, scent work can have a number of key benefits:

- Fun for both handler and dog
- Increases mutual trust and bond as both work in tandem
- Can help reduce anxiety and stress, and increase confidence
- Assists with focus and listening
- Gives your dog an opportunity to problem solve (mental enrichment)
- Potential for overall improvement in behaviour

So with the above and other benefits, it makes sense to capitalise on helping dogs use their noses as part of overall training!

“A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with training methods being positive, force-free and kind.”

Course examples include:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
- Nose Down Intro to Scentwork
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

So why not message, or drop an email to [email protected], and get started on your training journey to having that well trained puppy or dog!

www.a-gradedogtraining.co.uk

31/07/2024

Yep

❤...!

28/07/2024

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON …… Ball Throwing (and other repetitive activities)

First of all, let’s talk warm ups! If we are doing an exercise class or going for a run, it makes sense to warm up first and cool down after, so lessening the chance of injury. However, for the vast majority of dogs, balls are thrown from a “standing start” with no warm up, and no cool down after - bad news for their muscles and joints.

Then there’s repetitive strain injury! Forward and back, forward and back, over and over again, with very few dogs self regulating so they will just continue until you decide it’s time to stop.

But surely puppies and young dogs are fine? You would think so, but puppies and young dogs are still developing their musculoskeletal systems until around 18 months old so real damage can be done by pushing them too much, and too young.

Then, there are older dogs with joint issues, arthritis and other problems who will potentially run until they literally drop - dogs hide pain VERY well so you may not even notice until more damage is done.

The above is physical, but there’s also the mental impact of over-excitement arousal which many, if not most dogs experience with such activities, increasing their heart rate, adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline is usually only released in short bursts, such as in the wild if a dog is chasing prey, but when throwing the ball over and over adrenaline is released for much longer than it should be, meaning that the dog then struggles to settle and relax.

Should I never throw a ball for my dog? He/she enjoys it so much! Please just take into account the above, including warm ups, cool downs, physical and mental impacts and with such increased awareness of the potential of overdoing it, consider including other lower impact activities which your dog will also enjoy, such as scent work, interactive toys and games, walking, swimming etc.

Throwing balls for your dogs doesn’t have to be their only source of fun!

“A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive, force-free and kind”

Training includes:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
- Nose Down Intro to Scentwork
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

For more information on this and other training, message or email [email protected]
www.a-gradedogtraining.co.uk

26/07/2024

What does this dog trainer do on her “day off”? Clip her own dogs of course!
🐾 ✂️ 🐾

24/07/2024

Feedback/reviews don’t have to be lengthy to be meaningful!

23/07/2024

Soooo true!

This so applies to dog trainers…

23/07/2024

Big welcome to A-Grade’s latest pupil Daisy! At our first session we worked on strategies to help manage and reduce her residual puppy mouthing habit, and to help mentally stimulate her in other ways. Clever dogs need to be given jobs so they don’t become bored as they will relieve that boredom inappropriately elsewhere!

22/07/2024

Puppy Lottie learns to stay! A wee star @ 12wks old! 🌟

21/07/2024

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON … TRICK TRAINING! (AKA FUN FUN FUN!)

Teaching your dog tricks is an excellent way to mentally stimulate them, it’s a great bonding experience and can be really good fun for you both! Also, if you feel your training has reached a bit of a stalemate (it happens to us all!), trick training can be just the thing to give your training a boost!

Before you dismiss teaching your dog tricks as irrelevant or useless, consider the possibility that this training still encourages excellent listening skills, obedience, focus and communication, just in a different way.

So what are you waiting for?! Let’s get your pups high fiving, spinning, rolling over, stepping up, speaking, washing their face, sitting up nice, shutting the door, ringing a bell and so much more …. ultimately their own mini performance principally for their fun and enjoyment, but also yours!

For more information on this and other training, message or email [email protected]

“A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive and kind.”

Training includes:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

www.a-gradedogtraining.co.uk

16/07/2024

Despite the “summer” torrential rain, a great recall session was had with Yoshi and his humans Katherine & Colin! We worked on calm behaviour and consistent recall responses and Yoshi was a soggy 🌟!

15/07/2024

A-GRADE DOGS doing some natural agility! Do your dogs love being active?

14/07/2024

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON ….. PLATINUM ONLY!

Do you find it confusing when faced with a choice of training packages from platinum to bronze, with or without added extras or freebies, sliding scales of prices, more or less hours, etc etc?

Here at A-Grade we believe in keeping it simple and that EVERY dog deserves a PLATINUM experience when being trained - so our aim is always to deliver the best service for you and your dog!

“A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive, force-free and kind.”

For a flavour of the training and to read recent testimonials, please feel free to visit our FB page

Course examples include:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

So why not message, or drop an email to [email protected], and get started on your journey to having that well trained puppy or dog!

www.a-gradedogtraining.co.uk

14/07/2024

TESTIMONIAL TIME! A revisit of the kindest of words from my client following our session today:

“A-Grade Dog Training - Sandra just makes me feel like everything is ok 😚, we started training with Sandra at 12 weeks - Arlow is now 28 weeks and is a very happy puppy - yes he has his moments but don’t we all 🤣🤣 - she is amazing, reassuring, patient and caring - to not just Arlow but to me too when I was having days of being overwhelmed by having a puppy. Look forward to many more sessions as Arlow grows and learns his way in the world. Would highly recommend 😊”

07/07/2024

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON ….. WHISTLE RECALL!

Let’s talk whistles! Have you ever tried a whistle to call your dog, and if you have, how successful was it?

Here’s the thing - a whistle, at first, can be an interesting sound to your dog and you may well initially get the attention, and even recall response you’ve been hoping for. However, without reinforcement, any advantage you think you’ve gained may fade away over time as that interesting noise becomes ….. well, valueless!

Here at A-Grade we believe in the importance of a solid recall, and that, properly trained, a whistle can become a crucial tool to call upon, especially in those highly distracting situations where your voice might not cut it! However, the key to an amazing whistle recall is in preparation and training rather than just expectation, so that your dog views a whistle (and by extension, you) as the most amazing sound resulting in a super fast return!

Are you struggling with your puppy or dog’s recall? With positive, kind and force-free techniques, we can help!

So give us a whistle, or drop an email to [email protected] and let’s get started on that journey to a better, more reliable recall!

“A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive and kind.”

Training includes:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

www.a-gradedogtraining.co.uk

30/06/2024

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON …. PRECIOUS PUPPY BEST START TRAINING

Do you have, or will you soon be welcoming a new puppy into your home? Would you like your puppy to be well trained from the start?

Are you struggling with toilet training, socialisation, sleeping, mouthing/nipping behaviour etc and would like our advice .... no matter your needs we’re here to help!

We never underestimate the challenges a new puppy can bring - puppies are adorable but they have teeth like needles and know how to use them, can run like the wind and don’t come with a full command of the English language!

All training is positive, kind and force free, which means that your puppy will enjoy their training experience from beginning to end - and you will too!

So why not message, or drop an email to [email protected], and get started on your training journey to having that well behaved puppy!

A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive and kind. Training includes:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

www.a-gradedogtraining.co.uk

26/06/2024

Big welcome to gorgeous Lottie who has just joined A-Grade for puppy training. At her first session we worked on toilet and crate training, introduced a clicker for marking wanted behaviours, we began to teach the basics of a sound recall and looked at strategies for mouthing - a lot done and this little lady was a total 🌟

23/06/2024

C’mon Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
A-Grade Dog Training

19/06/2024

Frankie’s final puppy training session today focused on recall in the park and, as ever, he was a wee star! 🌟 Recall skills are a vital aspect of puppy/dog training to allow our dogs off leash freedom whilst remaining under control - don’t neglect teaching your dogs this paramount skill and you and your dog will both benefit from doing so!

16/06/2024

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON ….. PLATINUM ONLY!

Do you find it confusing when faced with a choice of training packages from platinum to bronze, with or without added extras or freebies, sliding scales of prices, more or less hours, etc etc?

Here at A-Grade we believe in keeping it simple and that EVERY dog deserves a PLATINUM experience when being trained - so our aim is always to deliver the best service for you and your dog!

“A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive, force-free and kind.”

Course examples include:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

So why not message, or drop an email to [email protected], and get started on your journey to having that well trained puppy or dog!

www.a-gradedogtraining.co.uk

13/06/2024

Bonnie by name and a bonnie girl indeed! Big welcome to this lovely girl who has joined A-Grade to upskill her existing training and in particular to work on improving her recall - great first session, a wee 🌟 👏🏻

11/06/2024

SPOTLIGHT ON …. PRECIOUS PUPPY BEST START TRAINING

Do you have, or will you soon be welcoming a new puppy into your home? Would you like your puppy to be well trained from the start?

Are you struggling with toilet training, socialisation, sleeping, mouthing/nipping behaviour etc and would like our advice .... no matter your needs we’re here to help!

We never underestimate the challenges a new puppy can bring - puppies are adorable but they have teeth like needles and know how to use them, can run like the wind and don’t come with a full command of the English language!

All training is positive, kind and force free, which means that your puppy will enjoy their training experience from beginning to end - and you will too!

So why not message, or drop an email to [email protected], and get started on your training journey to having that well behaved puppy!

A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive and kind. Training includes:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training
-Train From Anywhere Live On-Line

www.a-gradedogtraining.co.uk

07/06/2024

Friday fun! Do your dogs spoon? If yes, post pics in comments!

31/05/2024

TESTIMONIAL TIME! Lovely testimonial just received from Cupar and Dre’s owners:

“Sandra is really warm, friendly, professional and passionate about what she does! She trained myself, my partner and our two doodles; Cupar (in 2017) & Dre (recently) really well!

Sandra had a fantastic approach to our doodle issues and has offered easy to understand and effective solutions.

We have worked with Sandra since our first doodle Cupar arrived in 2017 and had no hesitation to contact her again for a refresher course, when we got Dre! He is a nervous “lockdown puppy” and a work in progress. However, he is getting there and we will keep using the methods that Sandra has advised to continue his progress.

Sandra is a fabulous person with a great sense of humour and a real passion for dogs!

Our boys are always really happy to see her … and I have always felt that dogs are great judge of character!”

26/05/2024

SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT ON …. Just enjoying your dog!

It’s a miserable weather kind of day but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, so this Sunday’s Spotlight is just to encourage you to enjoy this day with your dog!

Why not go for a long walk with your waterproofs and wellies on (wet weather usually makes for a peaceful stroll with few people around!), perhaps curl up indoors with your pup and watch a movie (101 Dalmations?!!), get the squeaky toys out and play a game of fetch, or indeed all three interspersed throughout the day.

Of course, you could also fit in a little training! But whatever you do, make sure it’s positive and you all have fun!

For more information on puppy and dog training, message or email [email protected]

A-Grade Dog Training is local, professional, experienced and friendly and offers training solutions for puppies and dogs of all ages, abilities and breeds, with all training methods being positive and kind and force free.

Course examples include:

-Pre Puppy Prep Advice In Advance
-Precious Puppy Best Start In Life
-Teenage Tearaways Adolescents
-All Grown Up Adult Dog Training
-Come Back Fido Intensive Recall
-Trick & Treat Fun Trick Training