Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking

Home
Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking

https://linktr.ee/HappyBuddies

Positive Reinforcement. APDT/ABTC Registered. Recommended by Vets and Behaviourists.
(231)

𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 | 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 | 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴
🏆 UKSBA FINALIST 2025
⭐ 180+ 5* Google reviews
❤️ Kind, effective & force-free
🐾 Training & Walking
📍 Courses held in Reigate, Lower Kingswood, Brockham & Dorking. Puppy and Dog Training courses held in Reigate, Lower Kingswood, Brockham and Dorking.

26/11/2025

❤️ 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 ❤️

I feel incredibly lucky at the moment as not only do I have my brother in one of my puppy classes, but I've also got my mum in one of my Hoopers classes (and my dad as spectactor)!

This little compilation of videos though is all about my amazing mum (who is in her 80s!) and her little superstar, Scooby who both gave it their all on their Level 3 course last night!

I think it’s absolutely wonderful that she’s out there continuing to give this a go. What I love most about Hoopers is that it's not about perfection, flawless lines or textbook handling. It’s about the joy in the trying, celebrating every little success, laughing when things don’t go to plan, keeping active and remembering that doing something together is what makes the magic happen and I think my mum and Scooby completely embody that spirit!

Scooby absolutely lights up working with her and the smile (and sometimes confusion 🤣) on my mum's face says it all! I’m so proud of them both. My mum is proof that age doesn’t define what you can do but that giving things a go and making memories with your best furry friend is simply the best!

Well done mum and Scooby! 🐶

25/11/2025

Current Happy Buddies' Puppy School student Willow, clearly didn't read the memo that Labradors are of the Retrieving variety and not the Herding variety 🤣!

Joking aside, how lovely is this little video. Her family introduced her to their chickens very early on in a really positive way - encouraging and reinforcing calm and gentle behaviour from the start. This has meant both she and the chickens feel comfortable around each other.

They are now working on training her to put the chickens away and here's her most recent successful attempt! 🐶🐔🐔

#

24/11/2025

💙🐾 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝟭𝟯𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝘆! 🐾💙

Thirteen years. Thirteen whole years of loving you, learning from you, growing with you and watching you become the incredible dog you are. I brought you home when you were just 8 weeks old, a tiny bundle of floof with no idea just how much you would change my life and my heart - forever.

You’ve never had the easiest road. With more allergies than anyone could ever list and enough health challenges to make Priory Vets practically your second family, you’ve faced every hurdle with such quiet bravery. Even on your toughest days, there’s always been that spark in your eye and that little glimmer of mischief!

And through it all, the scares, the tears, the sleepless nights, you’ve still been my constant. My companion. My laughter when I needed it most, my comfort when I felt low and my teacher. You’ve shaped me, softened me, strengthened me.

You are the reason I changed careers, the reason I found my passion in dog training. You’re the inspiration behind my company name, the heartbeat behind everything I do. You don’t even know it, but you steered my whole life in a new direction - one filled with purpose, joy and meaning.

Now, at thirteen, with your little arthritic joints and your long list of allergies, you’re still somehow the cheekiest, happiest, most full of beans old man. You make me laugh daily and you amaze me always. You are my absolute world and being your human is the greatest privilege of my life.

Here’s to you my beautiful boy. To your courage, your spirit, your tubby little belly, big brown eyeliner eyes and most of all your strength and love.

To every moment still ahead together and to our bond that has shaped me more than anything else ever could, Happy 13th Birthday my special boy Buddy (aka Bluebell Wood, Bud, BudBud, HappyBuddy, Tubster, Budster, PupPup, Pupper, BuddyBoy, BuddyHops and BuddyPops).

Thank you for choosing me all those years ago! 🥰🥳❤️🥳🎂

23/11/2025

🚆𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 - 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀, 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀! 🚇

Yesterday our brave little Puppy School student, Enzo went on a huge adventure that involved a train, exploring the underground and even trying out an escalator!

Early positive experiences to new environments like these help build resilient, well-rounded dogs who can handle the world with confidence.

🚆 Enzo looks so relaxed on the train and a lot of that is down to how his family have helped him feel comfortable - notice his settle mat, something he is already familiar with, a little toy and a lovely reassuring stroke and praise.

🚇 I'm terrified of the Underground so I'm really proud of Enzo here. The new smells, echoing sounds, crowds, movement, barriers are a lot to take in but he's doing so well!

🔽 Escalators can be very scary and difficult for dogs to navigate so it's great to see Enzo being carried down one here.

Remember, early socialisation isn’t about overwhelming a puppy, it’s about gently introducing them to the world in a positive, structured way. Short socialisation sessions, plenty of treats and keeping things calm help make these busy environments feel safe and predictable. I'm really proud of this little explorer for taking it all in his stride! 🐶

21/11/2025

🐶 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 🐶

Let the fun commence! These dog and handler teams are on their third training course with me and what a bunch they form together!

I'm expecting good things from this lot - no pressure 🤣!

Welcome back to Dog University Bobb, Boss, Indy, Milo, Ozzy and Teebo. 🐶

21/11/2025

🐶 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 🐶

Last night we welcomed to our Puppy School family a beautiful set of pupsters and here they are showing off their best poses!

This is special class as not only is my brother, sister-in-law and two wonderful nephews on the course but we also have two fantastic previous attendees with their new puppies and three new families who are starting their Puppy School journey for the first time!

I'm really excited about this course - bring on Week 2! 🐶

20/11/2025

𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲

Barney starts Puppy School tonight.

Judging by this though, he might need to develop a few brain cells first!! 🤣🤣🤣

20/11/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 - 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟮

Following on from my previous post (Why Spaniels Find Loose Lead Walking a Challenge - Part 1), you'll know that Spaniels are amazing, energetic, scent-driven dogs who naturally want to move, explore and follow their nose. That means loose lead walking is absolutely achievable but it will take structure, patience and the right approach.

My previous post explained why they find it so hard but this post explains my training tips, along with some guidance on how you can help set your Spaniel up for success when it comes to loose lead walking.

🆘️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽?

✅ 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Keep treats in an easily accessible pouch so you can reward instantly whenever they walk beside you. The correct position is roughly their shoulder next to your leg and facing the same direction as you.

𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙨: Spaniels learn very quickly through positive reinforcement. Paying them well for the specific position you want is far more effective than trying to correct pulling later.

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚: Be consistent with timing - the reward should come the instant the lead is loose and they are next to you.

✅ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻
Choose treats that your individual dog finds motivating (chicken, cheese, sprats or anything they find exciting)! Reward frequently at first - you’re teaching a brand new skill in a distracting world.

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚: Be generous early on. Think of it as 'paying for good behaviour' while the habit forms.

✅ 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀, 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀
Spaniels love activity so use that to your advantage! Practice figure-of-eights, gentle turns and changing direction as this keeps both their brain and body engaged with you.

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚: Make yourself interesting by becoming the centre of the walk. Help your Spaniel learn that it pays to stay with you.

✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹
When the lead goes tight, stop walking. Wait for your Spaniel to step back, look towards you or let the lead go loose again. Then continue calmly.

𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙨: It teaches your Spaniel that pulling doesn’t get them where they want to go but a loose lead does.

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚: Consistency is everything. Every pull = stop. Every loose lead = go.

❌ 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀
These leads encourage constant tension because the dog must pull for it to extend. This directly contradicts loose lead walking training.

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚: Use a fixed-length lead (1.5m to 2m) and a well fitted harness to protect their necks when they do drive forward.

In addition:

🐾 Keep sessions short and upbeat
🐾 Celebrate small improvements
🐾 Train in low-distraction areas first
🐾 Progress gradually to more exciting environments
🐾 Stay patient - you’re building a lifelong skill!

As a gentle reminder, always remember your Spaniel isn’t being naughty when they pull - they are simply doing what they are bred for which is following exciting scents, moving quickly and exploring with great enthusiasm!

Your Spaniel can absolutely be taught to walk on a loose lead, but be realistic with your expectations. It is highly likely to take much more repetition, practice and patience training this than it would with other breeds. 🐶

Amanda Childs
Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking and Puppy School
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵. 😊

19/11/2025

OMIDOG!!! I’ve officially reached 2,000 followers! Thank you all so much for supporting Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking on Facebook.

I put a lot of time and heart into creating content, aiming to strike the right balance between helpful information, practical training tips, glimpses into our training sessions and the fun little adventures we have on our dog walks that hopefully brighten your day.

Seeing your likes, comments and especially your shares truly means the world to me. It shows that the effort I put into each post is making a difference and reaching people who genuinely care about dog training and helping their dogs thrive.

So, thank you - every single one of you. I absolutely wouldn’t have reached this milestone without your support. 🙏🤗🎉

19/11/2025

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 - 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟭

I've been meaning to write this post for a long time but as we’ve got a lot of Spaniels in our classes at the moment, I thought I'd best get on with it!

Spaniels excel in so many areas but the one main exercise they can find challenging is learning to walk on a loose lead and it’s not due to disobedience - it’s due to breed-specific traits that strongly influence their behaviour. Understanding why it’s hard for them can make training feel far less frustrating and more achieveable.

💨 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩.
Spaniels (e.g Cockers and Springers) were originally bred for hunting, flushing out birds and retrieving game. This background gives them:

🐾 High energy levels
They are designed to keep moving, not amble slowly.

🐾 Impressive stamina
They can keep going long after many other breeds would take a break.

🐾 Strong exploratory instincts
Their job required them to push through undergrowth, investigate and think ahead.

🐾 A desire to work independently
They were expected to work away from their handler rather than glued to their side.

All of these traits make them want to charge ahead instead of walking calmly next to you therefore, a slow, on lead walk can feel very unnatural to them.

👃𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙨.
Spaniels are extremely scent-driven dogs. Their noses are not just good, they are exceptional and their brains are wired to prioritise scent information.

This means their instinct is to follow whatever intriguing smell crosses their path. Even the faintest scent trail can be more compelling than the pressure they feel on the lead or any cues you might give them.

Because of this, Spaniels often:
* Pull towards strong or interesting smells
* Zig-zag, weave and dart back and forth as they pick up scent changes
* Tune out lead pressure when they’re following a scent trail.

Loose lead walking requires the ability to ignore distractions but for a Spaniel, scent isn’t a distraction, it’s their main focus!

🌿 𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮.
Spaniels are naturally alert, quick to respond and easily stimulated by their surroundings. The movement of a bird, leaf or the sound of a rustle in a hedge can be enough to instantly switch on their working drive.

This heightened awareness can make it difficult for them to:

* Maintain a consistent walking pace
* Stay focused on their handler
* Resist the urge to surge forward to investigate movement or sound.

Their brains are constantly working, scanning and processing the environment and loose lead walking requires them to slow down that mental drive, which takes a lot practice!

If you have a Spaniel (especially a working variety) remember they will be alert and highly responsive dogs. Movement, wildlife and even slight changes in the environment are likely to increase their desire to drive forward and if on a lead, pull!

Your Spaniel can absolutely be taught to walk on a loose lead, but be realistic with your expectations. It is highly likely to take much more repetition, practice and patience to training this than it would with other breeds. Our next post (Part 2) will include training tips and guidance on how you can help set your Spaniel up for success when it comes to loose lead walking! 🐶

Amanda Childs
Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking and Puppy School
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘵. 😊

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 20:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 20:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 20:00
Thursday	09:00 - 20:00
Friday	09:00 - 12:00
Saturday	09:00 - 12:00

Telephone

+447842301754

Website

http://www.happy-buddies.co.uk/, https://linktr.ee/HappyBuddies

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Happy Buddies - Dog Training & Walking:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Business
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Country:

City:

About Happy Buddies

Happy Buddies provides friendly, professional Puppy/Dog Training services, a fun and motivational Dog Walking service and Home Pet Pop In services. Training: Amanda runs both group and 121 training for puppies and older dogs. She is a member of the APDT and an ABTC Registered Animal Training Instructor and a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild. All training is undertaken using modern, kind, effective and reward based methods. Dog Walking: Amanda offers a friendly, rewarding and motivational dog walking service where walks provide both appropriate physical exercise and mental stimulation for your dogs. Home Pet Pop In Service: This friendly service provided by Amanda is designed for puppies, cats and other small animals that need a little TLC while you are away from home. Whether the service provided is training, dog walking or home pet pop in's, you can be sure that all animals in Amanda's care are looked after to the highest standards and where their welfare always comes first. Kind, positive, reward-based: That's why our dogs are Happy Buddies!

26/11/2025

25/11/2025

24/11/2025

23/11/2025

21/11/2025

21/11/2025

20/11/2025

20/11/2025

19/11/2025

19/11/2025

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

About Happy Buddies