Canford Canine Co.

02/11/2025

This week I had the pleasure of beginning to take out the adorable Nellie a couple of times a week.

Nellie, we believe, is Twiggy's half sister, having come from the same hoarding/puppy farm environment, though she was rescued much younger so has less trauma related to her previous life.

Nellie has recently started to show some concern towards dogs larger than her when out on walks so our walks have centred on general confidence building, as well as counter conditioning and some short and sweet, positive social interactions.

🤎🤎

31/10/2025

Many firework displays will be happening over the weekend and this time of year can be very unsettling for dogs 🎇🐶

The loud noises and flashing lights from fireworks can cause your dog distress and it’s important to take steps to support your canine companion.

Here are our top tips:

1. Be prepared

Check when and where firework displays are being held in your local area and ask your neighbours if they have any fireworks planned.

2. Draw the curtains

Close the curtains or use blackout blinds to stop your dog being startled by flashing lights. Use blankets along the bottom of doors to block out sound and light.

3. Distract your dog

Have fun indoors by playing fetch, teaching your dog new tricks and offering tasty treats, toys and verbal praise as rewards. Wherever your dog does choose to settle, providing them with a long-lasting chew or toy can be a great distraction from the noise going on outside.

4. Make a snug safe place

Make sure your dog has access to somewhere that feels safe. Creating a den with extra blankets is a good idea. However, if they choose a small, dark corner instead, that’s fine too! Keeping the lights on in some rooms and leaving others in darkness will allow them to choose where they feel safest.

5. Ignore the noise

If there are fireworks outside, ignore the noises and lights yourself. Be as relaxed and normal as possible and your dog will mirror your mood!

6. Walk before dusk

Take your dog for a long walk while it's still light so they’re relaxed and won’t need the toilet once the fireworks start. If they need to be taken out again, try to wait until after any fireworks have finished and keep them on a lead.

7. Keep your dog company

Make sure to keep your dog company if you’re expecting fireworks nearby. If you want to go out, arrange for a friend who knows your dog well to come and sit with them.

8. Secure your house

Escape-proof your house by keeping doors and windows shut. Block off any unsuitable areas for your dog as if they become startled, they may run and hide in new places.

9. It's okay to support your dog

If your dog is frightened, it’s okay to provide them with support and comfort. Ignoring your dog during this tricky time may make things worse. Allow them to settle where they feel safe, perhaps next to you.

10. Being calm and kind is key

If your dog is showing destructive behaviours or goes to the toilet in the house whilst fireworks are going on, it’s likely to be due to them feeling stressed.

Getting annoyed with your dog will only make things worse. It's best to ignore the behaviour and then seek advice from your vet if you’re concerned – these behaviours could be a sign of severe noise phobia.

Our friends at Dogs Trust have created a calming playlist called 'Soft Sounds for Dogs' that is available on Spotify and YouTube >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfAfDTVRYrM

28/10/2025

As a dog trainer, I'm always recommending that people stock up on high value rewards for training their doggos!

As an owner of 3 dogs however, I'm always looking for ways to stretch the pennies!

I popped into my local Pets Corner to do some maths 🤓

15/10/2025

🐕 The RVC, in collaboration with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, has today launched a nationwide survey to explore how canine behaviour impacts the lives of dog owners and their families.

Now calling for adult UK-based dog owners to take part in the survey, the researchers hope the insights gathered will help veterinary professionals, canine behaviour experts and animal welfare organisations and charities provide better behavioural support for owners and their pets across the UK.

✍️ To participate in the survey, visit: https://rvc.uk.com/living-with-dogs-survey-main

➡️ Read more: https://rvc.uk.com/from-cuddles-to-chaos

13/10/2025

This year I've started working as a third party trainer for Adolescent Dogs - Award Winning Dog Training, hosting dogs for residential training.

If you're looking for board & train services, you can enquire via their main website and they have a network of trainers across the country who can host your dog - this can be a great alternative when you're going on holiday, to normal boarding kennels or pet sitters.

Here is Albie who stayed with us this summer for training 😊

🐾 Albie’s 4 Weeks of Transformation! 🐾Albie the Golden Retriever has just finished his 4-week residential training, and we’re definitely going to miss this...

14/09/2025

Training Walks 🤓

Does your dog need help with any of the following:

- Loose Lead Walking
- Recall
- Environmental Confidence
- Social Skills

If so, I can help! ✅

Instead of sending them on a group walk with a normal dog walker, why not get me to walk them whilst you're working? As a qualified and experienced trainer, I can chip away at your training goals each week with feedback and homework provided for you to practice in-between.

If your dog needs improvement of their social skills, I can match them with one of my own dogs, or trusted stooge dogs owned by friends, to walk them with who can set a good example and give them positive social experiences.

Get in touch today to discuss booking in an initial consultation and first walk! 🐾

11/09/2025

Do you need help with a new puppy or an unruly teen? Do you simply want a dog that is easy to live with and a pleasure to walk? Get in touch today and we'll make all that happen! Covering Wimborne, Ferndown, Poole and the areas in between 🐾

11/09/2025

Hello there, it's been a minute! 👀 👋

First things first, we're back in Dorset! 🥳🥳

Secondly, we have a new(ish) addition, Twiglet the Springer Spaniel. A little rescue we've had nearly 2 years now who came from a horrific hoarding and neglect case, where she was one of 46 dogs. We're still working through some PTSD struggles she has around strange humans, understandably so, but she's a little ray of sunshine in our lives ☀️

Thirdly, you may have noticed, a new name for the page! A new start needed a new name - as simple as that 😊

Canford Canine will mostly focus on helping people with their dog training struggles, alongside my main role as a dog trainer for an assistance dog charity.

(That's where I've been since the start of 2023, training assistance dogs!)

However, old clients in particular, feel free to get in touch for any of your pet sitting needs and I'll see what I can do!

Looking forward to working with some of you again soon 🐾