Paws4Life

15/08/2024

Only 1 space left!!

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A new block 'First Steps' starting on 20th August !!!

Have you just collected your new family addition - or are you just about to pick up your new puppy? Congratulations!

We are starting out another 5-week block or our popular ‘𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀’ on Tuesday, 20th August at the Community Hall in Whiterashes. An additional block of 5 weeks is offered after this to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest).

'𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' is specifically aimed for puppies to join between 9 and 12 weeks of age which is a time of vital early development. Please note that I can only accommodate puppies within the same age range to ensure an adequate and safe socialisation under supervision and in a protected environment.

‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is NOT about uncontrolled play. It’s all about learning vital life skills and prevention of potential behavioural issues of your companion. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝
Next to basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, connected walking) we will be covering the following topics:
- Importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping up
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues

𝐇𝐨𝐰
I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing. Class size is max 4 puppies. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.

Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

28/07/2024

Have you just collected your new family addition - or are you just about to pick up your new puppy? Congratulations!

We are starting out another 5-week block or our popular ‘𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀’ on Tuesday, 30th July at the Community Hall in Whiterashes. An additional block of 5 weeks is offered after this to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest).

'𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' is specifically aimed for puppies to join between 9 and 12 weeks of age which is a time of vital early development. Please note that I can only accommodate puppies within the same age range to ensure an adequate and safe socialisation under supervision and in a protected environment.

‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is NOT about uncontrolled play. It’s all about learning vital life skills and prevention of potential behavioural issues of your companion. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝
Next to basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, connected walking) we will be covering the following topics:
- Importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping up
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues

𝐇𝐨𝐰
I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing. Class size is max 4 puppies. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.

Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

12/07/2024

Old dogs and subtle behaviour changes - just old dogs or something else????

Our nearly 13 year old girl Bella was tired this week (less interested in games, clingier and sleeping more) and we noticed that she urinated slightly more. Potential explanations (which we all do as guardians of older dogs):
- The weather was wet and cold which might have bothered her (Bella is seen for chronic pain which is usually well under control)
- She is an old girl, and toilet habit changes might have to be expected

I frequently receive requests for help with sudden toileting changes seen in dogs (and puppies) - and I refer them back to their vet if they have not been examined yet by the vet.

However, in Bella's case this change was subtle and could have easily been misjugded as 'an old dog syndrom'. A quick urine analysis and the diagnosis is UTI. She is receiving medical treatment and hopefully will soon recover back to her 'old' self :-)

04/07/2024

Another block of 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 planned to start already on Tuesday, 9th July ! - Only 1 space left
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We are planning to run an additional block of 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 starting on Tuesday, 9th July at 7.15pm at the Community Hall in Whiterashes!

An additional block of 5 weeks is offered after this to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest).

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 is specifically aimed for puppies to join between 9 and 12 weeks of age which is a time of vital early development. Please note that I can only accommodate puppies within the same age range to ensure an adequate and safe socialisation under supervision and in a protected environment.

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 is NOT about uncontrolled play. It’s all about learning vital life skills and prevention of potential behavioural issues of your companion. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝
Next to basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, connected walking) we will be covering the following topics:
- Importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping up
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues

𝐇𝐨𝐰
We use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing. Class size is max 4 puppies. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.

Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact us

25/06/2024

Summer has arrived, yet the hot weather, grass seeds, heatstroke, blue-green algae, and bee stings can all prevent you and your dog from enjoying it.

Find out more about keeping your dog safe this summer at thekennelclub.org.uk/summerdangers

13/06/2024

We still have spaces: Start Tuesday, 18th June in Whiterashes

Have you just picked up your new puppy - or are you just about to pick up your new puppy? Congratulations!

We are starting out another 5 week block or our popular '𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' on Tuesday, 18th June at the Community hall in Whiterashes. Another block of 5 weeks is offered after this to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest).

'First Steps' is specifically aimed for puppies to join between 9 and 11 weeks of age which is a time of vital early development.
‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is all about prevention of potential behavioral issues. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
Next to short and controlled playful interactions (what is good and what is not good!) and basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, connected walking) we will be focusing on the following topics:
- Development periods and importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues

I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰
The classes are held at the Community Hall in Whiterashes. Class size is max 4 puppies and I only take puppies within the same age range to ensure adequate and safe socialisation. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.
Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

31/05/2024

Have a great weekend 🥰

22/05/2024

Have you just picked up your new puppy - or are you just about to pick up your new puppy? Congratulations!

We are starting out another 5 week block or our popular '𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' on Tuesday, 18th June at the Community hall in Whiterashes. Another block of 5 weeks is offered after this to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest).

'First Steps' is specifically aimed for puppies to join between 9 and 11 weeks of age which is a time of vital early development.
‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is all about prevention of potential behavioral issues. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
Next to short and controlled playful interactions (what is good and what is not good!) and basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, connected walking) we will be focusing on the following topics:
- Development periods and importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues

I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰
The classes are held at the Community Hall in Whiterashes. Class size is max 4 puppies and I only take puppies within the same age range to ensure adequate and safe socialisation. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.
Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

26/04/2024

I couldn't agree more with this statement. Well written and to the point The Perfect Puppy Company

Please assess whether your life style and your priorities are suitable to share with a dog (or any other animal) for the next 12-15 years.

Yesterday I read a post on a colleague's page which should have been entirely noncontroversial. The post stated that dogs shouldn't be regularly crated for 8 hours or more at a time. Incredibly some people pushed back hard on that point on the basis it excluded people who worked full time/long hours from having a dog.

And there's the rub. 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙙𝙤𝙜. Much as they might want one. Not everyone's lifestyle is compatible with dog ownership. Which can be a bitter pill to swallow if you desperately want a dog in your life but that doesn't make it any less true.

Dogs need social contact*. They need space to move*. To deprive them of these things has a detrimental effect on their well being, no matter how loved they may be. So if the only way someone can fit a dog into their life is to leave it alone & crated for 8-10 hours every day they really need to do some soul searching and consider the dog's experience, not just their own wants.

If you do work out of the home for long hours and still want a dog in your life then you have to be prepared to pay for support to help you care for your dog - a dog walker, pet sitter, day care etc. And high quality, ethical pet care costs.

Does that mean that those who work long hours out of the home and can't afford high quality pet care can't have a dog? Yes, very possibly.

Owning a dog isn't a right. It's a responsibility which means that you have to consider the dog's welfare ahead of your own wants. There will be many such decisions along the way and the first one is whether your lifestyle can meet a dog's most basic needs. And if it can't, the answer should be 'no'.

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*𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘴:
• 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢 𝘉, 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘔 𝘉 𝘏, 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘑, 𝘥𝘦 𝘝𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘏 𝘞, 𝘔𝘰𝘭 𝘑 𝘈 (1998). 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘢, 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘪 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴, 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 58: 365-381.
• 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢 𝘉, 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘞, 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘔 𝘉 𝘏, 𝘔𝘰𝘭 𝘑 𝘈, 𝘷𝘢𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘑 (1999𝘢). 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘰𝘯𝘦: 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘗𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘳 66: 233-242.

18/04/2024

Have you just picked up your new puppy - or are you just about to pick up your new puppy? Congratulations!

We are starting out another 5 week block '𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' on Tuesday, 7th May at the Community hall in Whiterashes. Another block of 5 weeks is offered after this to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest).

'First Steps' is specifically aimed for puppies to join between 9 and 11 weeks of age which is a time of vital early development.

‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is all about prevention of potential behavioral issues. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
Next to short and controlled playful interactions (what is good and what is not good!) and basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, connected walking) we will be focusing on the following topics:
- Development periods and importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues
I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰
The classes are held at the Community Hall in Whiterashes. Class size is max 4 puppies and I only take puppies within the same age range to ensure adequate and safe socialisation. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.

Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

10/03/2024

Amongst all the negativity around Crufts, something positive to enjoy - Love it!

This was amazing! Lorna and Nora smashing it at Crufts! The hard sork and desication finally pays off. I know this has been a hard year for them so the fact ...

25/02/2024

Only 1 place left!!!

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Are you picking your puppy up within the next few weeks? A new block of '𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' starting at the end of March!

We are starting out our 5 week block on Tuesday, 26th March at the Community hall in Whiterashes - and are planning to offer additional 5 weeks of training to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest).

'First Steps' is specifically aimed for puppies to join between 9 and 11 weeks of age which is a time of vital early development.

‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is all about prevention of potential behavioral issues. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
Next to short and controlled playful interactions (what is good and what is not good!) and basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, lead manners) we will be focusing on the following topics:
- Development periods and importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues

I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰
The classes are held at the Community Hall in Whiterashes. Class size is max 4 puppies and I only take puppies within the same age range to ensure adequate and safe socialisation. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.

Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

24/01/2024

A new block of '𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' starting on 20th February!!!

We are starting out our 5 week block on Tuesday, 20th February at the Community hall in Whiterashes - and are planning to offer additional 5 weeks of training to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest).
'First Steps' is specifically aimed for puppies to join after their first vaccination and before their second – ideally between 9 and 11 weeks of age which is a time of vital early development.

‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is all about prevention of potential behavioral issues. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
Next to short and controlled playful interactions (what is good and what is not good!) and to basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, lead manners) we will be focusing on the following topics:
- Development periods and importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues
I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰
The classes are held at the Community Hall in Whiterashes which will be cleaned and made safe before the class.
Class size is max 4 puppies. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.
Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

04/01/2024

Grooming - for groomers

The cooperative care protocol has made a huge positive impact on dogs that I have seen who needed behavioural guidance for veterinary care and handling at home. Many veterinary practices and/or vets have adopted their handling protocols.

I would love and support this movement in the grooming world and would be open to discuss future collaborations and support with clients. Many breeds need lifelong grooming and this should be fear and stress free for all involved. Please be in touch!

What is this all about?
This great article written by Pat Miller explains in more detail: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/cooperative-care-giving-your-dog-choice-and-control/?fbclid=IwAR1t19D3ld_muSjSMe6tVG4oWCjaDIzDT5pcy33byANJFCCKLY5w1qjAEdk

I love this very supportive group led by Sue Williamson: Taking the Grr out of grooming' : https://www.facebook.com/groups/353057908715260 and would encourage the groomers to join.

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

31/12/2023

Bella and Kiran opening doors

24/12/2023

We are wishing you all a peaceful Christmas 🎅

14/11/2023

Some great advice by Fusion Vet Physio

24/10/2023

Love this quote from Animal training legend, Bob Bailey… never a truer word spoken! Dogs are amazing animals to learn despite us, and often not because of us…. We should all be striving to be the best teachers we can for our dogs!

17/10/2023

This is an older post of mine, but the content is as important - please read before you sign up your puppy or dog to training or behavioural guidance

Help - I am need a trainer for my puppy!

There are many puppy trainers offering advice in form of classes and/or 1:1 sessions – but who to choose?!

Please do not be afraid to call the trainers and ask the questions that are important for you and your puppy. Pick the one that will guide and provide you with all the tools you need to help develop your puppy into an adult who copes with most that might occur. You will need a professional who of course advertises positive based reinforcement training and adheres to organisations who promotes this (and/or has the equivalent experience), but also actually applies the principles:

- recognises and addresses signals indicating that your puppy is struggling
- recognises and addresses signals indicating that the guardians/owners might be struggling
- allows you to sit-in a class without your puppy before signing up
- provides a structural environment that is safe and enables learning for your puppy and yourself (e.g. limited numbers of puppies, enough space to settle, non-slip flooring if inside, noise reduced environment etc)
- has an understanding of crucial development periods of puppies and adolescents and consequently structures classes which allows only puppies/dogs of these age groups
- understands and reasons a specific exercise and what effect this might have
- provides clear instructions (visual, written) and if necessary (and adequate) adapts these to your circumstances
- sets up the entire class for success and promotes purely positive based training
- does not belittle you or your dog - or uses any form of pear pressure and/or bullying to force you to do things you are not comfortable with.

Some trainers sell structured blocks, others sell roll-in and roll-out classes. It is up to you what you prefer and choose what is right for you. My advice is: enjoy your freedom to ask/question and to refuse if you are not comfortable. Please don’t be blinded (social media is a world of wisdom, but not always adequate and accurate) – you owe a great start to your lovely new companion with whom you hopefully will enjoy a long lasting and happy friendship.

Please don’t hesitate to drop me an email if you have any questions or need advice with regards to puppy classes.

27/08/2023

Layla enjoying her entry for the another RallyO Online event last weekend. She smashed it 🥰

18/08/2023

📣 Calling all pet gundog owners … or any owner really … we are looking for likeminded dog owners to come along and spectate as we have the fantastic Gundog trainer Lynsey Moss visiting to offer workshops over the 9th and 10th of September … although the handler spaces have been snapped up there are still spectator spaces ideal for those who aren’t quite sure if they’d like to dip their toe in their pet gundog journey … with particular aspects being the positive reinforcement of your dogs - building partnership and bond - while allowing them their instinctive drives and outlets without loosing connection … If this sounds of interest please get in touch email: [email protected]

09/08/2023

We are full

Only 1 space left for this next block starting out on the 29th August!!!

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New Puppy Class starting out on the 29th August!!!

We are starting out another group of our puppy pre-class '𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' on Tuesday, 29th August at 6pm at the Community hall in Whiterashes - and are planning to offer additional 5 weeks of training to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest)

'First Steps' is specifically aimed for puppies to join after their first vaccination and before their second – ideally between 𝟗 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟎 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐞 which is a time of vital early development.

‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is all about prevention of potential behavioral issues. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
Next to short and controlled playful interactions (what is good and what is not good!) and to basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, lead manners) we will be focusing on the following topics:
- Development periods and importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues
I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰
The classes are held at the Community Hall in Whiterashes which will be cleaned and made safe before the class.
Class size is max 4 puppies. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.
Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

02/07/2023

Due to last minute cancellation - there is 1 place open
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New Puppy Class starting out on the 18th July!!!

We are starting out another group of our puppy pre-class '𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀' on Tuesday, 18th July at the Community hall in Whiterashes - and are planning to offer additional 5 weeks of training to ensure that you can start your puppy's adolescent phase with great skills (only if enough interest)

'First Steps' is specifically aimed for puppies to join after their first vaccination and before their second – ideally between 𝟗 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟎 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐞 which is a time of vital early development.

‘𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬’ is all about prevention of potential behavioral issues. You will learn how to take proactive steps which will facilitate building a trusting relationship with your puppy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱
Next to short and controlled playful interactions (what is good and what is not good!) and to basic training exercises (sit, down, look, recall, lead manners) we will be focusing on the following topics:
- Development periods and importance of Socialisation/Habituation/Prevention and Management
- Handling (grooming and veterinary visits)
- Separation issues/Barrier frustration
- Toilet training
- Play biting and chewing
- Jumping
- Food bowl and other potential resource guarding issues

I use only the most up to date, fair, kind and effective training-methods and aim to create a learning environment that both you and your pet will find highly reinforcing.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰
The classes are held at the Community Hall in Whiterashes which will be cleaned and made safe before the class.
Class size is max 4 puppies. All exercises and information topics are followed up with handouts and/or videos.
Do you have any further questions or interested in booking? Please don’t hesitate to contact me

24/06/2023

Well done Vanya-Louise Matthews for this achievement! I am looking forward to recommending you to anyone who is interested in Gundog training 😊

Congratulations to Vanya-Louise Matthews 🎉

More about Vanya 👇

Having been brought up with 4 Springer Spaniels it was perhaps inevitable I was going to end up working with gun dogs.
In 2015 I became one of the Clever Dog Companies Licensed Method trainers, and have spent the many months and years since, shadowing, learning from and developing my skills as a trainer – working as both a helper and then in 2019 opening my own as Barkwrights Dog Training School for dog and puppy training and working to try and improve training for owners who had rescued or had taken dogs in from local rehoming centres or from abroad.

During lockdown I came across the Gundog Club and the online training provided got my Lab Fig and I through our Grades 1 & 2 with the club – now aiming for Gr3.

In 2022 I had the privilege of joining the GTA Instructors Course on dummies, taking my final exams in April 2023 and I am just delighted to have passed.
Although I do call myself the “worlds worst gundog trainer” (scared of birds) I feel that positive, force-free, reward-based methods are particularly lacking in the gundog world in my area and I am now delighted as a member of the ABTC and GTA to be able to pass these learnings on and combine this along with the advancement of my own dog's training.

Go to our website to find Vanya and more trainers who could help you:
https://gundogtrainersacademy.co.uk/pages/gta-accredited-instructors?fbclid=IwAR37shXLl2F7haGwffj2X8SDJmie9vLLBXd8160bMQdDs4Y09cHwRE8lTMg

02/06/2023