Canford Canine Co.

28/05/2026

⚠️Volunteers wanted! Helpful Hounds is looking for volunteer Puppy Parents right now in East Dorset - can you help? 🦮

Could you provide a loving home and help raise a future assistance dog? Full support is provided, and you’ll make a life-changing difference to a young person and their family in your local area.

Find out more here: https://helpfulhounds.org.uk/puppy-parents/

27/05/2026

If you avoid stressful situations and alleviate your dog from environments the moment they show the smallest amount of discomfort, you will not make progress.

As dog trainers, we often recommend avoiding triggers. If a dog is fearful of other dogs, don’t walk them in a busy park. If they dislike strangers, don’t take them on the school drop-off. What I mean by this, is avoid trigger-heavy, overwhelming environments. What I don’t mean by this is keep your dog in a sanitized, sterile bubble away from the real world.

If we constantly avoid stress, our dogs will not learn resilience. It is much better to learn emotional tolerance and elasticity in a safe, controlled environment, than avoid it entirely up until the point that management fails.

Your dog will have to have their claws cut one day.

They will have to be left alone if an emergency arises.

They almost definitely will be put in a situation where they face their triggers at some point in their lives.

There’s only so much avoidance that is possible.

That is to say, don’t throw your dog into a situation you know they are unable to cope with. Don’t fully submerge them before they know how to swim. Put them in situations just stressful enough that they can make progress, but not enough that they are traumatised. Teach them coping mechanisms, feel-good tricks, release cues, rehearse behaviours in different environments. And don’t be afraid of a little bit of stress.

Very minor discomfort won’t kill your dog. If anything, it can in the long run make your dog’s life a whole lot less stressful.

23/04/2026

🐾 *Helpful Hounds: Dogs at The Dolphin* 🐾

Join us at The Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole on Saturday 2 May, from 10am to 4pm, for a fun, friendly and relaxed day celebrating dogs and the amazing work they do in our community.

Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to meet some of our wonderful community dogs and assistance dogs, find out more about the important roles they play, and learn how assistance dogs are trained to support the people who rely on them every day.

Whether you’re a dog owner or simply a dog lover, there’ll be something for everyone. You do not need to bring a dog to join us — everyone is welcome! If you do have a dog, they can take part in some of our have-a-go activities and try out a few new skills with the support of our experienced trainers.

We’ll also have a chill zone, where you can take a moment to relax, unwind, and enjoy the calm, quiet company of a dog — perfect if you’d like a gentler experience during your visit.

There will also be games, prizes, demos, and talks throughout the day, making this a great opportunity to learn more, get involved, and spend time with some truly special dogs.

This is a drop-in event, so there’s no need to book and no set time slots — just come along whenever suits you and enjoy everything on offer.

Come and say hello, meet the team, and enjoy your bank holiday weekend with Helpful Hounds at The Dolphin. We’d love to see you there! 🐶💙

20/04/2026

I am heartbroken to have to let all of my clients and followers know that on Saturday 18th April we unfortunately had to say our final goodbye to Duke 💔

Following a diagnosis of Cushings only 10 weeks ago, with a continuation and worsening of symptoms, despite an increase in medication, Duke went in for further tests on Tuesday.

Unfortunately, we couldn't have had worse news as the vets told us that he had been hiding extensive cancer from us (and them) throughout his liver and lungs.

After a few precious days together at home as a family we let him go peacefully in the garden 😭

Duke was a huge part of my life and my business - acting as a stooge dog in his younger years for dogs who struggled with their social skills, as well as a mentor for younger dogs and puppies.

He accompanied me on many housesits, being the "play" element of my old business name, Stay & Play.

Many of the doggy friends he made over the years are waiting for him over the rainbow bridge, and it gives me great comfort to know that they'll all be together again.

Please still bear with me at this time as I navigate the endless grief - I hope to resume normal capacity soon.

13/04/2026

Duke is unwell 😖

To all clients - please bear with me for the foreseeable.

As some of you are aware, Duke has been out of sorts the last couple of months.

Unfortunately the medication we are trying doesn't appear to be improving his condition, even with a recently increased dose.

The past week he has started showing other symptoms also and we will back to the vet this week.

Please bear with me for slower replies etc than normal whilst we prioritise Duke.

(Photo from last year when he was feeling good 🖤)

04/04/2026

Dogs have incredible noses 🤩

Haven't seen one of those dance mats since the early noughties 🫣🤣

27/03/2026

26/03/2026

Most people seek out a dog trainer because somehow, somewhere along the way, the basics have gone wrong. Most of those dog owners simply want a dog that walks nicely on the lead and comes back when called - nothing fancy!

However, what a lot of people don't factor in, is ensuring the dog is suitably fulfilled in every aspect of their life. Equally, many owners expect their dogs to engage with them on a walk, without engaging with the dog in return.

Fulfilling breed specific needs (retrieving, herding, chasing, digging etc) both during and away from your walks will help facilitate a dog that is easier to train, and more keen to work with you - as opposed to going off to make their own fun!

As well as the activities you engage in with your dog, it is important to ensure the equipment you are using fits your dog well and is comfortable for them. Twig is wearing a Dog Copenhagen Comfort Walk Air Harness. I have these for both her and Duke, they're lightweight and don't absorb too much water and mud in the winter! (Not an ad, just my preferred choice of equipment).

If you would like help getting your dog to walk a little bit more politely on the lead - give me a shout and we'll see what we can do 🤓

25/03/2026

Charlie & Harry 🧡🧡

When I started taking the boys back out again in January, after a 4.5yr hiatus, we didn't think that Charlie would be up for big walks and I was leaving him at home (after letting him toilet of course!)

However, Charlie remembers all the fun we used to have and does not like being left behind! So he comes with us, we just sometimes have to walk a bit slower 🫣

25/03/2026

Dara 🖤

Over the past couple of months I've gained the privilege of taking Dara out for weekly solo walks.

Dara is a 10yo Serbian rescue who has always struggled with her social skills.

To avoid unknown dogs as stressors for this elderly lady, we vary our walking routes regularly and often go off the beaten path exploring, just the two of us.

She has absolutely fantastic ears and a beautiful smile, I'm sure you'd agree! 😍