Mindful Paws Dog Training

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😄 . . . . . . . . #mindfulpaws #positivereinforcement #positivedogtraining #positivedogtrainer #positivetraining #postivereinforcement #ethicaldogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtraining101 #moderndogtraining #forcefreedogtrainer #forcefreedogtraining #forcefreetraining #forcefree

Does Your Dog's Behaviour Get Worse And Worse During a Walk?

🐕 Have you noticed that your dog's behaviour tends to get worse and worse during a walk? If so, a concept called "trigger stacking" could be causing it - and it's something I think every dog parent should understand! Here's a quick overview of what trigger stacking is, how it can affect your dog, and how we can use this knowledge for calmer and more enjoyable walks 💪 👉 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! . . . . . . . . #mindfulpaws #dogbehaviour #ethicaldogtraining #positivedogtraining #positivereinforcement #dogtraininglife #triggerstacking #forcefreedogtraining #positivedogtrainer #doganxiety #anxiousdog

A Walk Begins Before You Leave The House

🐕 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! . . . . . . . . #mindfulpaws #dogwalking #dogwalk #dogwalks #dogwalkingadventures #doganxiety #reactivedogs #dogreactivity #positivedogtraining #ethicaldogtraining

Are Short Or Long Dog Training Sessions More Effective?

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.

Should You Let Your Dog On The Sofa?

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.

Why It's Ok To Continue Using Treats In Your Dog Training

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!

How to Avoid Catastrophizing Your Dog's Behaviour

🐶 Feeling overwhelmed by your dog's behaviour? That's completely understandable, as dogs can be hard work at times! But if you want to make long-term progress, it's really important to keep being kind to yourself and avoid catastrophizing your dog's behaviour. ❤ Here are some quick tips for maintaining a positive mindset even when you're working on their behavioural issues!

5 Signs Your Dog Is Overstimulated

Could your dog be overstimulated without you realising? This is more common than you might think! While all dogs need mental and physical stimulation, too much can potentially cause stress and even behavioural issues. In this reel, I've listed five signs that your dog might be overstimulated and need time to relax.

5 Tips for Preventing Night Barking

😴 Is your dog's barking waking you up at night? 🐶 Assuming your dog doesn't have a medical issue or separation anxiety (both of which need professional help), here are five tips that can reduce the chance of your dog barking overnight! 👉 Do you need help with your dog's barking or another behavioural issue? 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.

Why Management Isn't Just "Hiding The Problem" In Dog Training

🐕 Here's a quick tip if you're struggling with overcoming your dog's triggers🐶 There's a common misconception that we need to expose our dogs to things they find scary or stressful, so that they can "get over it." There are many issues with this approach, but the biggest is that every time our dog reacts negatively to a trigger the unwanted behaviour becomes more deeply ingrained. This makes training an alternative behaviour more difficult and causes unnecessary stress for our dog. Instead, we want to gradually expose our dogs to their triggers at an intensity we know they can handle. This means that during training it's vital to manage their environment to minimise the chance of coming across a trigger that's too intense. Don't worry, this isn't "hiding the problem!" Management is just a way to set your dog up for success while we work on training an alternative reaction. 👉 Do you need help with your reactive dog? 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.

Why New Rescue Dogs Need Time, Not Training

🐶 Just adopted a rescue dog? Traditional training might not be what they need right now! For many of my rescue dog clients, our priority is helping the dog feel comfortable and secure in their new environment. This is the foundation of all future training and can even naturally resolve some behavioural issues. Jumping straight into an intense schedule of training cues such as sit, stay, and heel during this initial settling-in period can make it much harder for the dog to relax and feel at home. Of course, training is still very important! But teaching traditional obedience cues can come later, once your dog has begun to feel truly at home (which can take much longer than many people think!) That's why I've not spent any time on traditional training with Waffle since he arrived. Instead, my husband and I have focused on helping him to feel secure, as he is anxious about being left alone. Like many rescues, he needs time to settle and feel safe before anything else. 👉 Do you need help with your rescue dog? 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.

4 Reasons To Use A Longline for Recall Training

🐕 Are you practising recall with your dog? 🌟 I believe longlines are essential for recall training! Here's why they can be such a useful tool: 1) Longlines give your dog freedom to explore without worrying about them running away. This is vital during recall training when you don't yet trust your dog to come back off-lead. 2) Longlines mean you can practice recalling your dog at a distance, without actually letting them off lead 3) Longlines don't pull your dog towards you in the same way that short or retractable leads can. It's important to remove this physical signal that won't be present when your dog is off-lead. 4) When first letting your dog off-lead, attaching a longline to trail behind them can give you a safety net in case you need to stop them running off. Don't do this in a busy location though, as the longline can be a tripping hazard. 👉 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.