Cotswold DOGS

21/12/2024

The last mantrailing session of the year didn’t look quite as Christmassy as planned, mostly due to a gale and horizontal drizzle 😂

However, we all embraced the weather and had a great time, even if the Christmas jumpers were well hidden under many many layers!

I think everyone burned off the chocolate, mince pies and hot chocolate by running up and down plenty of hills and all the dogs did an amazing job with very strong, gusty and changeable winds.

Well done everyone, such a lovely group of dogs and handlers and a really really fun session.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone- sending you all a huge thank you for your support in 2024. whether you are a venue that allows us to train with you or a dog and handler team, your support is valued.

Thank you to the brilliant Leaf and Ground for hosting us today. Leaf and Ground is one of our favourite venues, not only do we love the hot chocolate and cake, we love the shops too!

Lots of tired dogs this evening…..💤

26/11/2024

A huge thanks to Leaf & Ground for some wonderful trailing this week.

The lemon & pistachio blondie, Biscoff cake and Rocky roads were all a hit, and the dogs did some lovely work searching for their trail layers

We also managed to get some decent weather spells!

17/11/2024

I always enjoy seeing how different trainers work, it was so interesting to see such a wide range of dogs.

Thanks to Laura at Cowarne Christmas Trees for hosting us, it was lovely to see some familiar and new faces.

09/11/2024

We had a really successful and enjoyable morning today, with some planned double-blind trails at Evesham Country Park. We had some really interesting work from all the dogs- problem solving and sometimes going unexpected routes to find trail layers.
We’ve found things the dogs are brilliant at and areas where we need to practice and train- everything the dogs did gave us valuable information about them. I’m so proud of all of them!

Huge thanks to Mountain Warehouse, and to Regatta for allowing us into their stores, and to The Valley. Without the kind co-operation of our venues, we simply couldn’t do this so we’re always really grateful.

28/10/2024

There are some November dates up on BookWhen for both ScentSports and Mantrailing.

There is a fab double blind session for more experienced dogs, which will be a really fun session. There is also a fun progression also scheduled for later in the month - depending on the level of dogs booked on, we can also throw some fun technical challenges into this session.

The Detection Dog workshop is now full, and this is looking like it will be a great day!

Mantrailing booking via the website:

CotswoldDOGS is the sister company to Cotswold Animal Therapy, an established Veterinary Musculoskeletal Therapy business, with a specialism in working with both operational and retired working dogs. 

25/10/2024

Successful deployment for Veterinary Task Force, I’m looking forward to delivering some training days for them in November.

18/10/2024

There are still three spaces available on the detection dog trials workshop on 16th November, at Much Cowarne.

This promises to be a really fun day, learning about the basics of how to trail dogs to compete in detection dog trials. Suitable for all abilities, as long as they have a favourite toy they want to find!

Gorgeous group of people signed up so far, so you can expect a lovely day!

Booking online here

Www.cotswoldDOGS.net

09/10/2024

Nutravet order going in today if anyone would like to order anything?

Particularly with firework season coming up- nutracalm can be really helpful.

03/10/2024

Sally, your hair is inexplicable 😂

My poor dogs have had it tough lately- illness for the last month has just meant they haven’t had the time they deserve.

But life happens….

So I just want to say….if this is also you, sat feeling bad that your training or time with your dogs has gone to pot, you’re not the only one and it’s just part of life.

I might curse them when they are feral 😬 but I’ve missed these guys so much whilst I’ve been tied up with a poorly baby, and it’s so cool that The Springy One can now sit still long enough for a cuddle 😂🤪🥰

29/09/2024

Well done to all of todays mantrailing Intro dogs and handlers. I love working with brand new dogs and seeing how they all learn, figuring out what they need.

As usual I got so hung up on the dogs that I forgot to take many photos 🙄

Thank you so much to Fran at DforDaycare for hosting us at their wonderful venue.

There will be limited progressions in October as I’m away for part of it but if anyone would like to get a group together to organise a session then please do get in touch. We’ve also got the detection dog workshop on 16th November to look forward to! Spaces are still available for booking on the website.

27/09/2024

DETECTION DOG TRIALS WORKSHOP!

Running on 16th November, at Much Cowarne, HR7 4JL, from 10am until approx 4pm.

Handler Spaces are £85 for the whole day
Spectator Spaces are £25 for the whole day

This will be a day filled with detection training! Fun for those who just want to have a go, or a really useful training session for those who'd like to get involved with competing at Detection Dog Trials in the future. All are welcome- even totally beginners to scent sport!

You'll need to bring something for your dog to find - A favourite toy, tennis ball, red KONG, or odour if they have already done search work before.

A little about Detection Dog Trials: Detection Dog Trials are based on the type of searches operational teams like Police, Customs and Excise, Drug Dogs would do.

Searching real live type areas for an odour. This workshop will take you through not only how the trials work and are scored, but look at the foundations of Scentwork which are key to these trials and how they are marked.

You will have a go at being ‘judge’ to really help you understand the 10 areas that are scored.

Dogs can be at any level as we will base this workshop at Prelim level which means if they are not yet confident on a particular odour, they can search for a tennis ball/toy etc.

This workshop will work at the individual level you are working at with your dog. We will have a fun mock Prelim trial at the end of the workshop.

Book Online here:

Please click on the class you'd like to book, click select and then click view selection to proceed to payment and complete booking. Please note that by booking sessions you are accepting the cancellation policy: - Cancellations within 48hrs of the event are non-refundable. - Cancellations within 14...

14/09/2024

What a lovely morning at the wonderful Hayles Fruit Farm. The apples in the orchards are looking absolutely beautiful and there’s nothing quite like the taste of a locally grown apple, farmed with care. Completely different from anything you’ll buy in a supermarket!

Today’s teams did SO well and there are big improvements all round in handling and trailing. Not one of the dogs batted an eyelid at the clay shoot, and Gunner even trailed past a naughty Squirrel! Lots still to work on and lots already achieved- I’m so proud of all the dog and handler teams.

Thanks as usual to Hayles for accommodating us and for baking such brilliant cakes 😋

10/09/2024

Any more takers for Mantrailing at Hayles Fruit Farm this Saturday 14th, at 10am? Fantastic venue, with brilliant cafe and farm shop, and spectacular trailing.

Booking via the website here:

CotswoldDOGS is the sister company to Cotswold Animal Therapy, an established Veterinary Musculoskeletal Therapy business, with a specialism in working with both operational and retired working dogs. 

01/09/2024

Well done to these megastars (and their handlers 😂) who absolutely smashed their level ones today in quite difficult conditions - it’s very very dry, even in a rural area, and breezy.

Well done to you David and Rebecca, brilliant handling today and really good reading of your dogs. Onwards to level 2!

22/08/2024

Join Vic and the Hereford Mantrailing gang for this fab workshop!

🤔 Do we truly know how to effectively play with our dogs as individuals? 🤔 How much more motivation and focus could we build in our trailing dogs by improving this skill? 🤔 As a trail layer how much could improving your play skill and evaluation of behaviour benefit the trailing dog? 🤔 A...

20/08/2024

Does anyone need any 4Cyte or anything from Nutravet?

Order will be going in so just checking if a one else wants anything!

17/08/2024

I've found that creating systems for myself allow me to consistently bring out the best in my dogs and protect their confidence. Today I share my 5C Pyramid which is a formula for success.