Pathfinder Pups - Dog Training Coach

21/06/2024

THIS is why I do what I do!
Happy people with happy dogs ❤️❤️❤️

16/06/2024

Happy Father's Day!

Whether you're a human dad or dog dad, today we celebrate you!

15/06/2024

We had a good time DogFest today, but it was VERY busy. Ray was a bit overwhelmed at times.

You can see in this video, that he was trying to pay attention - he was sitting, he was catching treats but very distracted still.

In other places, he could turn to look for a second if I called his name, but he’d spit out any treats. He couldn’t sit, couldn’t keep focus on me.

On the way back to the car, crossing the car park, away from the chaos of the event, he was able to operate normally, walking nicely and taking treats as usual.

I also had my favourite Tug-E-Nuff toy with me and Ray would sometimes ignore, sometimes chase, sometimes tug with enthusiasm.

Does that mean we need to practice sit / lead walking / response to name / recall / eye contact?

Nope! There’s nothing wrong with any of his skills, he was just processing the environment. His response to different things gave me valuable information though!

11/06/2024

It’s so wonderful catching up with old puppy program clients and seeing them as lovely adult dogs!

10/06/2024

Ray came home a year ago today!

When they’re chaotic little puppies, stealing everything and needing toilet training, pulling on lead and teething, it feels like it’s going to last forever.

It doesn’t last forever though. They grow up so quickly and with a little guidance (OK some need a lot of guidance) , they turn into lovely adult dogs (not yet, but soon)!

If you’re struggling at the moment and it feels like it’ll never end, know that you’re not alone.

My coaching programs are designed to help you through the choas and find connection with your dog.

- Katherine x

07/06/2024

It’s so lovely going into the weekend ending on a great walk with these two!

From frustration and pulling and jumping on lead to walking on a lovely loose lead and a much happier human!

Great work guys 😍

05/06/2024

Working with the wonderful gromit again at the moment.

He is such a fun dog to train… as a dog trainer.

He’s super eager to work and earn his ball reward, but he doesn’t always find it easy.

So finding a way that works for Gromit can be challenging. I’ve got experience working with lots of different dogs and none of my “usual tricks” were working. So I played around with a few ideas and we’ve got something heading in the right direction now.

I enjoy this kind of challenge and my experience means I can think up new methods based on what Gromit tells me in his response to other training.

But it can be frustrating. I remember starting training my own dog, unsure if it was me or my dog. Not knowing that it didn’t have to be either and that there is no magic way of making your dog understand.

Training is all about communication. Most things we ask of our dogs, they are physically capable of doing without our help, and we just need to learn how to *ask* in a way they understand.

For bespoke coaching that helps you speak your dogs language, get in touch!

29/05/2024

Just two doggies going for a lovely walk together!

29/05/2024

Very proud of Fergie!

Today he graduated from training and now we are able to have little visits so his mum can go out without worrying about him being home alone.

Well done!

10/05/2024

It can be hard to hear you're doing something wrong.

Even if the thing you're doing is clearly not working, and you're actively searching for alternatives, it's normal to have that instantaneous gut jump when someone challenges the way that you do something.

I have been completing some CPD, to improve my practice, particularly for easily frustrated dogs. It's one of the most common underlying 'problems' I see, and while the techniques I have work great for the middle frustrated, some dogs seem to have no tolerance at all. And this particular module has just told me lots of things I do are 'wrong' for these dogs.

The fight or flight reaction kicks in. Am I going to quit watching or start ranting? Believe me, my brain is telling me to do one or the other, whichever I like, but pick one! (And yes, I know this post is a form of that fight response!)

But no, I'm going to use my big human brain and work through this immediate feeling, to reason that I know they must be wrong because otherwise they'd work better and I wouldn't be searching for alternatives.

**breathe**

So I'll go back to watching my little course, with a deeper appreciation of the easily frustrated dogs, who also hate being told they're wrong.

07/05/2024

Yep, they're real.

Struggling with the demands of a new pup (whether your first or your third) is a common feeling.

My 8 week puppy program supports you through these challenging first weeks, with trainer-in-your-pocket support every step of the way.

07/05/2024

It’s lamb season. Please be mindful that our dogs are scary to sheep. The “inconvenience” of having your dog on lead is worth it!

SHEEP !! 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

🐾 My dogs ignore sheep and they are pretty well trained with an excellent recall and focus off lead.

However last week I took the dogs out on a long walk.
A significant part of the walk involved walking down a lane past (not through) fields of sheep with new born lambs.

So I put them on lead. Why?
Because I respect the farmer 👨‍🌾and the 🐑 sheep. I don't want the sheep to feel worried about their lambs. My dogs have zero need to be off lead here so they are not.

If your dog is a risk to sheep, keep it away or on lead, it doesn't have to physically make contact with sheep to cause them harm.

It's stressful for a prey animal to have a predator in its environment.

🐑 If you see Sheep, put it on a lead
🐑 If you hear Sheep, put it on a lead
🐑 If you think there might be Sheep, put it on a lead

🚜The Country Code say keep dogs on a lead near livestock!

06/05/2024

I’m proud of my bank holiday Monday work - sorting some toy storage.

Can you spot the few toys that aren’t Tug-E-Nuff?

Why so many? Because then we can find the perfect toy for you and your dog! Toy play is great for relationship building, engagement, focus and as a training reward.

Message to book a 30 minute play engagement training session for just £15, where we find the play style and toys that suit you and your dog.

If you already have a favourite, you can use my code PathfinderPups for 10% off at Tug-E-Nuff. (I get a little commission so using my code supports my small business too ❤️)

🔗 Link in comments to my favourite toy!

05/05/2024

3 top tips;

1. Stop blaming yourself
2. Understand your impact on your dog
3. Take responsibility for the situation

Message to arrange a free 30 minute coaching call on your next steps to a happier life with your dog.

03/05/2024

Rio obviously feeling well at home! Because he is!
There are lots of options for holiday care when you go away beyond kennels.

Home boarding is where your dog goes to a boarder’s house to stay.

Dog sitting is where your dog stays in their own home and the dog sitter comes to look after them.

Because the dogs I look after usually clients, they already know me, they know their environment and although they miss their humans, it’s really easy for them to stay happy and relaxed when you go away.

Bonus that I can even help you with their training while you relax on a beach somewhere!

01/05/2024

I’m really bad at taking photos and videos!

Ferg had his 6th session today, helping him getting used to having people in the house and I’ve only JUST remembered to post his lovely face 😍

In my defence, I’m usually focussed on reading doggy body language

19/04/2024

It’s amazing the difference 2 messages and a 30 minute call can make!

Claire messaged me on Wednesday to say she was having to consider rehoming her lovely 2 year old spaniel because of a change in behaviour. We had a brief chat where I gave her the options and we scheduled a chat for this morning.

Claire and Ringo are puppy program graduates so I said we’d make a timeline of things that have happened since I last saw them. It’s a lot! Written out on paper, Ringo’s behaviour made a lot more sense and with some new management strategies in place, the future suddenly seems a lot brighter!

If you want to chat about your dog, just get in touch
Katherine x

17/04/2024

Midweek reminder to take a moment to enjoy the scenery and live in the moment with your dog.

OK, so they're not technically my dogs, but when I'm looking after your dogs, I love them like they're my dogs!

10/04/2024

I’m so excited to announce that not only am I a KAD Kids Around Dogs Approved Professional, but also trained in the KAD protocol to overcome the fear of dogs in kids!

02/04/2024

Please get in touch with me if you are looking for a 1yo BC for sports or similar. She is farm bred and very athletic. She is just not suited to life in a busy household. I expect she would be quite calm (relatively speaking) with the right outlets and resting space.

Absolutely gorgeous girl that I’d take myself if my situation was different.

02/04/2024

It can be a good idea to take breaks from walks so you know that they can, should something should happen and you *can’t* get out for your normal walks

Yes, it is an official awareness day!

Skip your usual walk today and spend time at home with your dog doing fun activities instead.

31/03/2024

Happy Easter 🐣

Remember to keep your choccy out of your dog’s reach.

This calculator is really handy if something does happen and you need to know whether to get to the emergency vets!

https://www.vets-now.com/dog-chocolate-toxicity-calculator/

31/03/2024

Really sad news from our friends at Vanity Fur Magazine that they are sadly having to close.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PLEASE READ

Today is a very sad day.

Our passion, commitment, and dedication has been completely wiped out by illness.

As you may or may not know, our Editor-in-Chief, Diane, has suffered with a chronic illness for the last 12 years. It didn’t deter her being apart of the team that wrote, designed, and published Vanity Fur Magazine.

However, at the end of February 2024, Diane suffered a complication and is currently in hospital with no short-term resolution in sight.

We therefore have no other option but to close down our beloved magazine.

It is, at this point, that we would like to thank our fabulous, loyal, and knowledgeable Contributors, without whom VFM would not be possible:
Anabella Ragno
Anna Webb
Claire Robinson Weekend Candy
Giuseppe Bloom-Mangione muthapuppa
Hayley O'Keeffe Animal News Agency
Joe Nutkins
Katherine Moseley Pathfinder Pups - Dog Training Coach
Lisa Hannaby-Aird
Maleki Burke Snootiful Hound
Nigel Wallace Photography - Dog Photographer
Patricia McGrady Be More Dog
Rachel Bean RVN MCFBA Rachel Bean
Steph Allinson
Tess Eagle-Swan Kratu
Vannessa Jones

We would also like to thank our valued readers and subscribers. We are devastated to have to let you down, but we feel we have no choice.

It’s been a blast!

Di, Jade & Ian

24/03/2024

Looking after the lovely Lottie this weekend.

Since I last saw her, Lottie has had a change of food after a food intolerance was found and seems to have got about 5 years younger! Not bad for 12!

You know what else? Her “obedience” is better! Her recall is faster, she walks with more focus on lead and all with a happy face. It’s so great to see her feeling good!

This is why I always start by asking about potential sources of discomfort, even if you’re “just” struggling with something like recall.

20/03/2024

It’s important that all dog owners, indeed all *people* know about yellow dogs.

If you spot a dog wearing yellow, stay away unless their human lets you know it’s OK to approach.

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you.
Today is for you, our dogs in yellow.
This day is for our wonderful friends.
A day where you can be celebrated from a distance, just the way you like it.
A day where we tell the world about how special you are and help others to understand your wonder.
A day where the stars shine bright yet silent, for we know how much you may hate sudden noises.
A day where we appreciate beauty in the still, for movement can make you wary.
A day where we just be and enjoy your presence.
A day where nobody will come anywhere near you, unless you want them to.
Happy day
We love you 💛

18/03/2024

I had an amazing session this morning with Gromit!

His mum felt like she was in control when she had the ball (Gromit loves a ball!🥎) but totally out of control when Gromit had it.

We worked on doing some harder finds with him searching for the ball - he’s an amazing search dog! And some toy switch so Gromit can keep listening when he has the ball - because there’s another one!! 🥎🥎🥎🥎

No photos because I’m rubbish as always! 🤣

16/03/2024

Updated my first aid training with Canine First Aid Workshops - UK - Rachel Bean RVN
Amazing learning from Rachel’s experience and bonus appearance by Chilli aka Linda Biscuits

13/03/2024

Still working on the post-Crufts hangover (it’s a busy few days - I really should have taken some time off instead of diving straight back in)

Managed to find time to read this fabulous book by Debby from KAD Kids Around Dogs! Double bonus because she signed it for me!

06/03/2024

I'm so excited to meet up with lots of people at Crufts this year (and also do a bit of cruftsmas shopping).

I'll be on the Tug-E-Nuff stand (Hall 3, Stand 92) Friday afternoon and Saturday morning so if anyone wants to pop by to say hello - please do!