Adhara Dog Training

25/11/2025

A great post 🙌🏼

𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝔻𝕚𝕕 𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝔹𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕒 𝔻𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕪 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝔻𝕠𝕘 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘?

I am honestly sickened with this fantasy world where trainers that push the positive-only and force-free agenda to the extreme, brag about offering your dog “stress free training” while working with dogs who are already mentally overwhelmed. If it wasn't such a serious issue, it would be laughable. It is an emotive based slogan, not a solution. And worse, it keeps dogs stuck in the very problems we’re trying to help them escape.

This propaganda is even being pushed by some vets now. “We provide stress free care and medical assistance for your pet.” Really? Try saying that to a dog getting a thermometer shoved up its backside, a syringe punched into its muscle, or going through medical procedures or surgery that leaves them in pain or serious discomfort for days or even weeks!

There is nothing “stress free” about necessary medical intervention. It is just another emotive slogan designed to tug at pet owners hearts while pretending reality doesn’t exist.

Here’s the truth that nobody in the “all positive, no pressure” bubble wants to say out loud:
‼️Nothing changes without stress.
‼️Nothing heals without stress.
‼️Nothing meaningful is learned without stress.

We know this from science, not opinion. Managed stress has shown to strengthen the immune system, sharpen cognition, and build emotional resilience in both dogs and humans. It is the same biological mechanism that helps athletes get stronger, helps people recover from trauma, helps us work through fears, and helps kids grow into confident adults. Stress (the right kind) is what creates competence and builds self confidence.

Think about it in human terms.
A child doesn’t learn to swim by sitting on the edge of the pool wrapped in towels. A student doesn’t build mastery without struggling through hard lessons. An athlete doesn’t grow by avoiding resistance. Fear doesn't simply disappear without confronting it. Growth demands effort, discomfort, challenge , the exact things these “stress free” trainers insist we must avoid with dogs.

It makes no sense.

Real behavioural change requires a dog to work through pressure, not be sheltered from it. Fear doesn’t disappear because we choose not to confront it. Insecurity doesn’t resolve because we keep everything “comfortable.” Confidence is built by confronting difficulty, navigating stress, and coming out the other side stronger.

✅This is how character forms.
✅This is how resilience develops.
✅This is how dogs, humans, and ALL living creatures learn, that by working through stress they can overcome anything they put their minds to.

So when a socalled professional warns you that “stress will damage your dog and your relationship,” and that's why we offer "stress-free" training, understand that they’re lying to you and pushing a feel good narrative that protects human emotions, not canine wellbeing. That mindset is exactly why so many dogs today are anxious, fragile, and unable to cope with real life. Wrapping them in cotton wool doesn’t keep them safe. It keeps them weak.

Used properly, stress does not break a dog.
✅It builds them.
✅It strengthens them.
✅It frees them to become the best version of themselves.

19/11/2025

🍂 The Environment Matters More Than We Think 🪶

As we head deeper into shooting season here in the UK, it’s important to remember just how much the environment impacts our dogs’ ability to focus, listen, and train.

Even when we can’t see pheasants, partridge, or other game birds, our dogs absolutely know they’re there. Scent is everywhere right now, and for many dogs, that’s incredibly stimulating and distracting.

This isn’t “bad behaviour.”
It’s biology. Instinct. Hunting is in their DNA.

And it’s on us to recognise that.

We need to manage our expectations of what our dogs can realistically achieve in these conditions. If things aren’t going to plan, it doesn’t mean your dog is being stubborn - it means the environment is too hard. That’s when we need to advocate for them and make adjustments.

I’ve had to do exactly this with Olive. At 16 months old, she’s still developing and still learning.

We live near a very large commercial shoot and the areas we trained in all summer - when the game birds weren’t out - are now full of them and their scent! It’s simply too much for her right now.

Instead of pushing on and hoping for the best, we’ve changed our training locations. I want to set her up to succeed, and that means choosing environments she can cope with until she’s capable in more challenging ones.

💡 Remember: If our dogs are struggling, it’s not a training failure - it’s a management failure. We put them in that environment, so it’s our responsibility to adjust it.

Support your dog. Set them up to win. The results will follow!

Need help with your dog? Get in touch 👇🏻

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk







📸

14/11/2025

✨ Train the dog in front of you. ✨

It’s one of the biggest things I emphasise at Adhara Dog Training, because no two dogs (or in my case three!) are the same - and they shouldn’t be trained as if they are.

Social media can be great for ideas, but it can also make you compare your dog to someone else’s. Their progress, their behaviour, their “perfect” videos… none of that reflects your dog, your lifestyle, or your goals.

Your dog deserves training that’s based on who they are - their personality, their needs, their learning style. And the only way to get that is by working with an experienced trainer who can actually see your dog, understand them, and guide you both in real time.

If you’re ready to stop scrolling for answers and start making real progress with the dog right in front of you, I’m here to help.

Let’s train your dog, not the internet’s version of one.

Need help with your training? Get in touch 👇🏻

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk

05/11/2025

🐾 New puppy? Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone! 🐶

So many of my new clients have recently welcomed a puppy into their homes, and it’s such an exciting (and sometimes chaotic) time. There’s so much to think about, from toilet training to socialisation to getting enough sleep!

One of the most important things to focus on from day one is leadership and boundaries.

👉 Leadership doesn’t mean being dominant or shouty.
👉 It doesn’t mean you can’t be affectionate, playful, or fun.

True leadership is about:
💪 Providing structure and consistency in daily routines
🧠 Reinforcing boundaries calmly and clearly
💖 Protecting your puppy from harm and guiding them through new experiences
🍗 Providing their basic needs like food, water, shelter, love, and companionship

When we take control of situations, our dogs can relax because they know we’ve got it covered.

Start as you mean to go on: think about the kind of adult dog you want and begin shaping your dog into that now. The early days are about teaching, guiding, and building trust.

And finally……Don’t fall into the “you’re too cute to say no to” trap 😉 Your future self (and your dog) will thank you for setting consistent boundaries from the start ✨

If you’ve just welcomed a puppy and want support building great habits from day one, get in touch to book a puppy home visit or training session. Let’s set you and your pup up for a successful future

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk

03/11/2025

🧠 The Adolescent Dog Brain: When Manners Go Missing❗️

If your once-polite puppy has started jumping up, ignoring cues, pulling on the lead, or pretending they’ve never heard “sit” before - congratulations, you’ve officially entered canine adolescence 😅

Between 6–18 months, your dog’s brain is in full remodel mode. Hormones surge, impulse control tanks, and curiosity rules the show. They’re not trying to be naughty - their brain is literally rewiring.

👉 But here’s the key: adolescence explains the behavior - it doesn’t excuse it.

Bad manners like jumping, mouthing, barking for attention, or ignoring recalls aren’t just “phases.” They’re habits in the making. This is why consistency and insistency are so important right now.

✨ Be consistent: Stick to the same commands, same rules, same expectations every time.
✨ Be insistent: If you ask for something, ensure it’s followed through. Don’t let commands such as “sit” or “come” become optional.

Your dog is still learning how the world works and where the boundaries are. The more reliable you are, the more reliable they become.

So keep training, keep rewarding the good choices, and manage the rest. It’s a challenging stage but with patience, structure, and consistency, you’ll come out the other side with a confident, well-mannered adult dog 🐕

Need help with your adolescent dog? Get in touch👇🏻

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk

02/11/2025

It’s always a proud day when a dog I’ve trained finally gets out in the field – not just doing what they were trained to do, but also what they were bred to do.

This is Ned. I’ve been working with him since he was eight months old, and over the past 18 months his owner and I have built his skills, confidence, and steadiness – step by step, bit by bit. His handler’s dedication and consistency have been incredible, and it shows.

Ned is the perfect pet gundog – working hard during shooting season, then enjoying the rest of the year as a family companion, holidays, home comforts, and a cozy snooze by the fire.

For me, the number of days a dog works doesn’t matter – the quality of training and behaviour in the field should always be to a very high standard. Seeing all that effort come together out in the field makes it all worthwhile.

So proud of Ned and his handler – all the hard work has truly paid off 🙌🏼

Whether you’re hoping to work your dog in the field or simply want a well-mannered, responsive companion, our training approach offers structure, clarity, and results. Using principles from gundog training, we help dogs of all breeds build focus, self-control, and strong handler engagement.

We offer Accredited Pet Gundog Training through one-to-one sessions and small group classes, from puppy foundations to advanced levels. Our training is effective, educational, and motivational—for both you and your dog.

To find out how we can support you and your dog, get in touch 👇🏻

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk

29/10/2025

✨ Are You Really Putting the Time In? ✨

It’s easy to feel frustrated when your dog isn’t behaving the way you’d like – but before you blame them, take a moment to ask yourself… have you really been putting the time in?

Training isn’t something that just happens once a week at class. It’s the little moments every single day that make the biggest difference. Consistency, patience and practice are what build understanding and good habits.

Remember – little and often works far better for your dog to learn than longer, less frequent sessions. Even if you only have 5 minutes, that’s better than 0 minutes. Those short, positive sessions add up and help your dog stay engaged and confident.

If we don’t take the time to teach, we can’t expect our dogs to know what we want. They’re not being “naughty” – they’re just guessing. And that’s not fair on them.

So instead of getting frustrated, take a step back and think:
✅ Have I given them clear guidance?
✅ Have I practiced enough?
✅ Have I made it fun and rewarding for them?

Your dog wants to get it right – they just need your help to do it. Put the time in, and you’ll be amazed at how much progress you both make 💫

Whether you’re hoping to work your dog in the field or simply want a well-mannered, responsive companion, our training approach offers structure, clarity, and results. Using principles from gundog training, we help dogs of all breeds build focus, self-control, and strong handler engagement.

We offer Accredited Pet Gundog Training through one-to-one sessions and small group classes, from puppy foundations to advanced levels. Our training is effective, educational, and motivational—for both you and your dog.

To find out how we can support you and your dog, get in touch

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk

27/10/2025

✨ Expectations vs Reality ✨

I’ll admit it – even as a dog trainer, I sometimes have to give myself a bit of a reality check 🙈

Last week I caught myself getting frustrated with Olive, one of my working cocker spaniels, who is just over a year old, when training didn’t go right. Then I had to stop and remind myself – she’s still a young dog in so many ways.

When I actually think about it, Olive can already do so much more at her age than any of my other dogs could. But maturity takes time, and adolescence is a real thing! Sometimes I forget that she’s still learning, growing, and finding her way in the world.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of expecting too much, too soon and comparing your dog to what you see on social media – but putting pressure on yourself or your dog only leads to frustration. The fastest way to ruin your relationship is to forget to enjoy the process.

So here’s your reminder (and mine!):
✨ Have fun with your training
✨ Celebrate the small wins
✨ Remember they’re learning – and so are we

Even trainers need to take a step back sometimes and just be proud of how far we’ve come!

26/10/2025

Here….have some puppy spam to brighten up your Sunday 🥰

Gorgeous Truffle came to see me for her first session today. She‘s just 3 months old and a typical Working Cocker puppy - full of beans and living life at a million miles an hour 😅

At this age, it’s important to keep sessions short, fun and engaging which is exactly what we did.

Looking forward to seeing her again in a few weeks! 🐾

25/10/2025

An action packed Saturday of training! Three gundog groups - intermediate, novice, and adolescent boys - plus a 1:1 session!

It was windy and chilly on the hill, but lovely to have some sunshine and finish the busy day with a rainbow 🌈

Whether you’re hoping to work your dog in the field or simply want a well-mannered, responsive companion, our training approach offers structure, clarity, and results. Using principles from gundog training, we help dogs of all breeds build focus, self-control, and strong handler engagement.

We offer Accredited Pet Gundog Training through one-to-one sessions and small group classes, from puppy foundations to advanced levels. Our training is effective, educational, and motivational—for both you and your dog.

To find out how we can support you and your dog, get in touch!

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk

20/10/2025

A rather wet day of 1:1s today but the rain doesn’t stop us training 🌧️ Fair weather training makes for fair weather dogs!

A Labrador filled day training with Rufus, Cooper and Steve and also Kaili the Spaniel joining the fun!

Whether you’re hoping to work your dog in the field or simply want a well-mannered, responsive companion, our training approach offers structure, clarity, and results. Using principles from gundog training, we help dogs of all breeds build focus, self-control, and strong handler engagement.

We offer Accredited Pet Gundog Training through one-to-one sessions and small group classes, from puppy foundations to advanced levels. Our training is effective, educational, and motivational - for both you and your dog.

To find out how we can support you and your dog, get in touch

📞 07799 732194
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 AdharaDogTraining.co.uk