Qualified and insured dog trainer based in Surrey and surrounding areas. Positive and ethical training
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03/04/2025
Meet the absolutely gorgeous Darby! 🥰👋 Just look at that smile! 😍
This sweet boy has landed on his paws with the most incredibly dedicated family who adore him (and vice versa) ❤️
Despite feeling a little bit unsure in certain situations outside, Darby is being a super brave boy and trying his best 💪
I have been loving our 1-1 training walks together and he has been showing me how clever he really is, understanding that the best thing he can do when he sees another dog is look at me 😇 During our last walk he even responded to his recall cue despite some very tempting birds! 🐦⬛
Amazing work Darby, looking forward to catching up soon 🐾💙
17/03/2025
There's a common mistake I see when dog parents try to desensitise dogs to triggers such as moving cars, noises, other dogs, and people, and that's the idea of "flooding".
Flooding is exposing the dog to a trigger repeatedly at a high level of intensity, with the goal of "getting them used to it."
While on a surface level the idea of flooding seems to make sense, we need to think about what's actually happening from the dog's point of view...
Imagine you were terrified of spiders, and to "fix" this someone started dropping huge tarantulas on you. You would likely go into a panic and be even more scared! It would be far too intense for someone with a true phobia. 🕷️
This is exactly the same with our dogs. If they are reacting to a trigger, this means they are scared or anxious about it. So exposing them to the trigger at a high intensity is only going to make them more fearful.
Instead, we need to find an intensity and distance where they feel comfortable with the trigger, then build positive associations at this point. Over time, we can gradually move closer, but only when the dog is under threshold and happy with the situation.
13/03/2025
Have you ever had your confidence shaken by unsolicited advice about your dog and their training?
It's relatively common to get dog advice from the general public - even as a professional trainer!
Most of the time the person has good intentions and just wants to help (or have a chat)...
But unfortunately advice from strangers is nearly always incorrect. It's certainly not going to be specific to your dog's unique requirements and is often based on punishment or outdated ideas of dominance.
While we don't want to be rude or cause an argument, it's also important to be firm when you get unsolicited advice and not let it affect your confidence or distract from your training.
With that in mind, here's my favourite way to end these conversations politely but quickly.
Have you had any unsolicited dog advice recently? Let me know in the comments!
11/03/2025
Have you ever been told that you need to be "firmer" with strong, reactive dogs - or even use punishment-based methods?
Here's Luca the German Shepherd Cross doing a great job at showing this isn't the case!
It's a really common misconception that big, strong breeds (like GSDs, Malinois and Rottweilers) can't be trained without punishment...
But the truth is that no dog needs aversive equipment, punishment-based methods, or even a "firm hand" to change their behaviour.
In fact, these methods only make their anxiety and reactivity worse in the long run.
Before I started working with him and his dad, Luca had a history of lunging and barking at any dog he sees on walks - even those up to 25 metres away! As you can imagine, this made walks very difficult and stressful.
It's taken months of dedication and support from his dad, but in the video you can now see Luca walking happily with my dog Waffle. This is HUGE progress and has been entirely achieved with patience, kindness, tasty treats and a slow introduction.
Behaviour change doesn't happen overnight, but Luca didn't need to experience any pain or fear to get to this point.
He's a total gem and I know he and his dad will continue to make amazing progress. Well done Luca!
02/03/2025
Meet the ever so handsome and sweet Murphy. This adorable fluffball is one smart cookie and generally very chilled out! 🍪
Murphy loves learning new things, being social and more than anything his mum!
Many dogs who have formed deep attachments with their family aren't keen on being left alone. But Murphy has clinical separation anxiety, which meant his mum couldn't step out for a moment without him panicking. 😞
There are an overwhelming amount of opinions out there about overcoming separation anxiety, ranging from letting the dog cry it out to giving them a stuffed Kong. However, the only scientifically proven way (that is also ethical!) is a gradual desensitisation programme that allows the dog to conquer their fear at a pace they can handle. 🐶
This can take a long time and a lot of commitment from the dog's family, but thankfully Murphy's mum is a total gem and has already been implementing training successfully for 4 weeks now with amazing progress. 💪
So proud of this dynamic duo! Looking forward to catching up with Murphy soon. 🥰
27/02/2025
Ever wondered if your dog is actually enjoying being stroked or just tolerating it? 🐶
There's an easy way to check - and this video of Goose the Labrador cross is a perfect example!
➡️ Simply pause for a moment and see if they lean in, paw you, nudge you, or otherwise move towards you. If they do, they probably want more! But if they move away they are saying they've had enough for now.
The reason we need to pause is that dogs often don't feel able to move away during physical contact. It's only when we stop for a moment that many dogs feel able to get some distance.
Remember that dogs (like humans!) have preferences and limits.
We need to make sure they are enjoying the affection we give them, as this builds trust, reduces stress, and helps prevent unwanted reactions (like a warning growl or even a bite).
Try it with your dog and let me know how they ask you for more affection! ⭐
21/02/2025
Struggling to keep your dog entertained with all this bad weather? Try these 3 quick indoor enrichment games for a mental workout!
1️⃣ Hide & Seek With Treats
This game is really simple but a lot of fun! Plus it activates your dog's nose, which is a great way to provide mental enrichment and release calming hormones.
All you need to do is hide a few treats in a room before letting your dog in to find them. Make sure you start with easy "hiding" places if your dog is new to the game. You can increase the difficulty over time as they start to understand the game better.
I really love watching dogs when they get super into this game - and I'm sure your dog will enjoy it too! 😀
2️⃣ Towel Rollup
A quick way to make a DIY puzzle toy is to roll some treats or kibble inside a towel, then let your dog try to work out how to get to them.
It's actually much more difficult than you think without opposable thumbs! If your dog finds it too challenging you can help them unroll it the first few times. Equally if your dog can do this super quickly, use more towels pass the parcel style!
I find this game works best if your dog sees you roll up the treats (especially for the first few times.)
3️⃣ DIY Destruction/Forage Box
This game takes a bit more planning, but can provide lots of entertainment and enrichment for your dog. Fill an old shoe box with toys, tissue paper, cardboard, and a few treats, then let your dog try to work out how to get inside and find the goodies.
Some dogs will love the challenge of ripping up the box to find the treats and toys. Others, like Waffle in the video, may need some help even getting the box open! Just see how your dog goes and adjust accordingly - it's fine to help them out as much as they need 🐶
18/02/2025
Do you have a dog-reactive dog? This reel is for you!🐕
Resolving reactivity issues is certainly possible, but it takes time and consistency. This doesn't mean you can't have fun walks in the meantime though!
Here are five tips for making walks with a reactive dog more enjoyable for everyone, while preventing your dog from practising unwanted behaviours. 💪
14/02/2025
Meet the stunningly handsome Sydney! 🤩
He's the perfect blend of a super sleek athlete who is also a huge cuddle bug and adores being with his family. 🐶
Sydney has no problem with learning new skills or engaging with his mum when he is feeling calm. But he can easily get overwhelmed by the outside world and then struggle to engage. Being a strong boy with a working background, Sydney can also be quite a prolific puller on the lead. 🐕🦺
It is always important to note with lead pulling that it's often little to do with how 'well trained' a dog is and more about their emotional regulation and how they feel internally. 💗
Fortunately, Sydney has the most wonderful, loving family who want the absolute best for him and have already started implementing lots of strategies to help him feel calmer and in an optimal state for learning lead skills. 💪
Amazing work Sydney! Looking forward to catching up in a few weeks. 😀
11/02/2025
There's a common dog training misconception that I hear on an almost daily basis - and it can have a huge impact on a dog's progress and the bond with their guardian 😔
Here's a quick explanation about this misconception, where it comes from, and why I'm so passionate about teaching force-free, positive methods instead.
Plus I included some footage of a muddy walk with Waffle for you to enjoy at the same time😄
06/02/2025
Get ready to meet the sweetest little guy Rodney! He will melt your heart. 💚
Rodney may be tiny but he is a very confident, happy puppy - always wanting to play, meet new people and have cuddles with his mum and dad 🐶
Like many young puppies, Rodney initially struggled to be by himself for even a moment. Traditional advice focuses on leaving puppies alone as soon as possible, in an attempt to "get them used to it." However this tends to backfire and creates more anxiety and insecurity at a time that's very hard for them already. 🐕
Thankfully Rodney's mum and dad have spent lots of time getting him happy in his crate and his pen before even popping out of the room. Rodney now sleeps overnight like a dream and will settle in his pen during the day so his mum can still work from home in peace! Slowly does it with little ones. 💪
Rodney is now old enough to start going on walks and building his confidence on the ground Looking forward to joining him on a training walk soon! 🥰
Amazing work Rodney!
04/02/2025
🐕 Something that's often overlooked is that what happens before we leave can have a big impact on how our dog feels and behaves on a walk.
This is because it takes time for a dog's adrenaline to return to baseline once they have been overexcited or overaroused. 📈
So, if our dog is getting hyped up and stressed before the walk even begins, they are more likely to react in ways we don't want on a walk (the technical term for this is trigger stacking - watch out for a video about it coming later this week!)
With this in mind, here are 5 quick tips for how to give your dog the best chance of a calm, enjoyable walk! 🐕
👉 Do you need help with your dog's behaviour? I offer one-to-one training sessions both in-person (Surrey & nearby areas) or online (via Google Meet). Get in touch today using the link in my bio or send a DM!
03/02/2025
It's important to understand that dog behaviour doesn't occur in a vacuum 🐶
Everyone knows that human behaviour can vary depending on factors like stress, health, and tiredness. But the same is also true for dogs! 🐕
A common example is pain. A dog who is experiencing chronic pain may behave differently to normal, and this can manifest as a range of behavioural issues (such as increased reactivity, resource guarding and excessive mouthing.)
That's why it's so important to take your dog for a vet checkup if their behaviour changes or you suspect they are in pain. Aside from being vital for their wellbeing, we can't start addressing behavioural issues with training until we've checked that they aren't linked to pain or other health issues.
With this in mind, here are eight pain signals that I find are often either missed or misunderstood.
👉 Do you need help with your dog's behaviour? I offer one-to-one training sessions in Surrey or nearby areas, so get in touch today using the link in my bio! I also offer online sessions via Google Meet.
01/02/2025
Finding it hard to fit your dog's training into your busy day? 🐶
The good news is that studies have shown shorter dog training sessions are actually more effective than longer ones! So don't feel you need to carve out 30-40 minutes to train your dog - a few minutes whenever you get a chance will often yield better results.
30/01/2025
Say hello to the beautiful Minnie, a stunning little lady full of cocker spaniel puppy energy and love! 🐶
Minnie is a super clever girl who loves learning new skills with her mum. Having a cocker spaniel is always about the right blend of physical exercise whilst channelling their energy into outlets that help them stay calm and give their brain plenty to think about! 🧠
Minnie's parents are so dedicated and have helped her through some difficult puppy stages such as toilet training and learning to be comfortable alone💪 Minnie's current goals are increasing her engagement with her mum when out and about on walks. There are lots of fun things to distract Minnie like dogs, people and squirrels but they are such an amazing team that we have already seen progress! 🙌
Amazing work Minnie, looking forward to catching up soon.
29/01/2025
Sometimes clients have a sense of guilt or shame that their dog is allowed on the sofa, often because they've been told that it's "spoiling them" or that it will make the dog "think they are alpha" 🛋️
But these are misconceptions. As long as YOU are happy for your dog to be on the sofa, there's nothing wrong with it!
In fact, allowing your dog on the sofa can be a wonderful way to bond with them and spend quality time together 🥰
It also won't cause behavioural issues or a sense of entitlement, so you don't need to worry about a negative impact on your dog's behaviour. Dogs like the sofa because it's comfortable and they can snuggle up to you - not for any other reason!
Of course, if you don't want your dog on the sofa then that's OK too. Many people want to keep their sofas hair and dirt free, or just prefer sofas to be only for humans, which is absolutely fine. Just make sure you provide your dog with somewhere equally as comfy!
Do you let your dog on the sofa? Let me know in the comments.
27/01/2025
Dog guardians often ask me how long they should continue to use treats when training 🐕
This is a great question - and the short answer is that you can (and should) keep using treats! 🍪
We need to shift our mindset from seeing treats as a "bribe," to simply a way to communicate with our dog that they've done something we like.
While you can reduce the quantity and frequency of treats once your dog has fully learned a behaviour, there are many practical benefits to not stopping the treats entirely.
One of the biggest is that treats keep key behaviours and cues strong 💪
A good example is recall. I always recommend clients (and pupils in my Recall Masterclass course) give their dog a treat for a successful recall, even if the cue is already solid. This ensures that when we REALLY need a fast recall the cue is strong and fresh in our dog's mind.
Giving treats can also make tasks more enjoyable for your dog. We ask a lot of behaviours from our dogs that aren't innate to them, so treats can keep them enthusiastic and engaged.
Plus there's the added benefit of getting to see our dog enjoy a tasty treat!
If you're concerned about your dog's weight when using treats, a simple solution is to set aside some of their meal kibble to use as a reward during the day. You can also reduce their meal portions slightly.
Happy training!
19/01/2025
Meet the absolutely beautiful Penny! 😇
This stunning young lady is everything you could want in a Golden Retriever, loving and playful and so sweet natured.
Penny's favourite things are playing with her big brother and cuddles with her mum. She is very bright and picks up new tricks and cues quickly (especially as she is partial to a tasty treat!) ❤
Despite being raised in an amazing home with a family that dotes on her, Penny is a puppy that can find the outside world a little overwhelming at times, especially when it comes to traffic. She also isn't quite sure how to handle herself when she sees another dog on walks. 🐕🦺
Thankfully, Penny has an incredible mum that is so committed to helping her feel confident and calm outside. By implementing some new strategies and working hard on her training at home, Penny's walks are already becoming so much more enjoyable again! 🤩
It's really important to know that when a puppy or dog has big feelings about certain triggers in the environment, that this is not because they are poorly trained or because they have been "mollycoddled." It is often a combination of genetics, personality and potentially something they perceived as scary (even as a one time event).
But Penny is proof that giving a puppy the right support and guidance, can still help them flourish into a happy, well-rounded adult dog despite these obstacles! 💪
Amazing work Penny, looking forward to catching up soon. 🥰
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Mindful Paws
Mindful Paws was founded and created by Rebecca, a fully accredited trainer and life long canine fanatic, who aspires to ensure as many dogs as possible live a calm, healthy and content life in a human world.
Rebecca believes in empowering people to make measured, knowledgeable and compassionate decisions on behalf of their dog on a daily basis. Often challenges faced between dogs and people can come down to misunderstandings - the dog sees the sofa as a chew toy, the person does not! Mindful Paws is here to help bridge the gap and offer training to help with current and potential future behavioural issues.
Rebecca transitioned into the dog world working for several years within Assistance dogs UK, training dogs to change people’s lives and teaching clients to care for their wonderful service dog. Following this she moved to a large rescue centre, helping train and rehabilitate hundreds of dogs, many of whom had behavioural issues.
Mindful Paws was set up to directly help those struggling to manage their dog’s behaviour. Rebecca knows first hand how difficult it can be raising a dog that becomes stressed by the sight of a person or barks at the slightest noise, but with the right training and management, it really does get better.
The Mindful Paws Ethos
Ethical
Placing a strong emphasis on the welfare of dogs whilst using only kind and humane techniques. Not only does positive training cultivate an exceptional bond between you and your dog, but it is scientifically proven to be effective and long lasting in changing behaviour.
Cooperative
Building strong relationships between you and your dog based on mutual understanding. Learn to communicate with your dog and get the best from them.
Empowering
Instilling knowledge so you can understand the reasons behind your dog’s behaviour. Giving you the skills and confidence to manage your dog’s behaviour on a daily basis and solve potential future issues independently.
Whether you are thinking of getting a dog or you already have one (or six), Mindful Paws is here to give you guidance and support at any stage of your dog journey. Please don’t hesitate to contact Rebecca to learn more about the services provided.
