Does it feel like it's impossible to tire your dog out? Are they driving you crazy because it feels like they never stop? Why not try scent work?
The normal breath rate for a dog is between 15-35 breaths per min. During physical activity such as walking or running this increases to around 60 breaths per min but during intensive sniffing this increases to 140-200 breaths per min making it a both mentally and physically demanding activity. 10mins of sniffing could equal half an hour of exercise.
This makes it an ideal activity for young dogs whose growing joints need protecting or dogs are on reduced exercise or for older dogs who are physically less able but whose minds are still active. It's also great for tiring out those dogs that just need a job to do.
Dog training classes.
This will be a beginners group of dogs. We will be working on basic obedience including recall and lead walking as well as meetings and greetings, not bolting out doors.
Classes start on Tues 10th June 7-8pm for 6 weeks at Whiteleys near Stranraer.
If your dog is reactive to people or other dogs please get in touch first to discuss your dog's needs.
I completed Scent for Six, becoming a WSDA instructor in 2020 but it's always good to keep up to date and I love seeing how other trainers do things. I'm currently doing a scent course with Fenzi Dog Sport Academy. This was Zuka's first session imprinting on birch odour.
I'm running Scentwork classes from Tues 10th June. If you fancy trying scent detection with your dog give me a shout.
03/06/2025
Unlock your dog's super power and turn them into scent detection dogs. Beginner Scentwork classes starting Tues 10th June 8-9pm at Whiteleys nr Stranraer
Why would you teach this awesome sport?
💥 Sniffing is what dogs were designed to do. It releases chemicals in their brain that makes them feel good.
💥 Allowing them to sniff is an essential part of meeting their needs
💥 It provides mental stimulation so is great for all dogs
💥 Very young dogs will be tired without fear of damaging growing joints
💥 In old dogs it keeps their minds sharp and increases their optimism
💥 For dogs recovering from injury it can be a way to keep them busy
💥 Nervous dogs are empowered and confidence increases as they learn to work independently
💥 It is great fun!
Some dogs are much more likely to suffer heatstroke. The flat faced breeds such as bulldogs and Frenchies are much more likely to suffer from the heat than longer nosed dogs. They reckon bulldogs are 14x more likely to suffer heatstroke. Older dogs, overweight dogs and heavy coated are also more likely to so particular care needs to be taken with them.
❄️ Ensure they have access to shade and freshwater.
❄️ Avoid exercise during hot parts of the day and be careful of over exercising. Nearly 3/4 of heatstroke in dogs is caused by exercise. Consider not walking them at all on the hottest days and mentally and physically stimulating them some other way. Keep walks short and go somewhere with cooling opportunities such as rivers, lochs or the sea.
❄️ Get them wet, encouraging them to go for a paddle or a swim.
❄️ Never leave them in the car even with windows cracked open. Cars can heat up fast
❄️ Watch out for cooling coats. If they are allowed to dry out they will just act as another layer of insulation
❄️ Keep your dog a healthy weight and well groomed
Remember if your dog does show symptoms of heat stroke soak them with water, as cold as you have available and then get them to the vet.
15/05/2025
As the hot weather looks set to continue through next week, we are so lucky round here to have lovely walks with plenty of opportunities for the dogs to cool off.
14/05/2025
Would you recognise the signs of heatstroke in your dog?
Things to look out for:
🥵 Panting heavier than usual. Their breathing may be noisy or laboured
🥵 Excessive drooling
🥵 Bright red gums
🥵 Rapid heart rate
🥵 They may be agitated or restless
🥵 Vomiting or diarrhoea
🥵 In severe cases they will be weak and lethargic
🥵 Seizures
If your dog shows these symptoms takes immediate action. Untreated, heatstroke can kill them. Cool them by soaking in cold water then get them to the vet.
13/05/2025
Did you know that the recommended first aid for dog's with heatstroke has changed?
It's not just the core temperature of the dog but the amount of time they stay at that temperature that is the big risk. The Royal Veterinary College recommends that dogs with heatstroke are cooled as quickly as possible with water as cold as possible, the old recommendation was for tepid water, before taking them to a vet.
Would you know what to do?
❄️ Get them into shade
❄️ Immerse or soak them in water as cold as possible making sure there head is out of the water
❄️ Cool with fans to speed up evaporation
❄️ Don't cover with wet towels. This could be less effective as it may reduce the evaporation and just end up being a warming blanket. You could lie them on a wet towel.
❄️ Offer them water to drink but don't force it
❄️ Seek veterinary advice ASAP
This is not that new advice but there's still a lot of mixed messages on the internet. Here's a couple of links that you may find helpful.
The RVC urges owners of hot dogs to “cool first, transport second” Published: 20 Jul 2023 | Last Updated: 20 Jul 2023 07:00:23 A new study by the VetCompass team at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found that dogs with heatstroke may be suffering even further due to outdated first aid pr...
04/05/2025
Reminder to everyone attending classes at Whiteleys on Tuesdays to pick up after their dogs and keep dogs on lead in the carpark and steading
06/04/2025
What's going on here then? Poor little Kong is being sacrificed for the new scent work classes. I forgot how hard they are to cut up
06/04/2025
Dog training classes for dogs over 6months of age. We will be working on basic obedience including recall and lead walking as well as meetings and greetings, not bolting out doors.
Classes start on Tues 22nd April 7-8pm for 6 weeks at Whiteleys near Stranraer.
This class is suitable for dogs reactive to people or other dogs but please get in touch first to discuss your dog's needs.
Bit of an end of an era 😢 Following the closure of Lochans Hall I'm moving all my classes to Whiteleys Livery as of 22nd April. I'm sad to be leaving Lochans and have enjoyed my time at the hall. I hope they can sort something out as it's a great venue but I'm excited for the new start at Whiteleys. Hopefully see you there!
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About us
I can hardly remember a time that there weren’t dogs in my life except for when I was at uni. My parents always had a houseful of dogs, sometimes as many as 7 or 8 at a time and they also bred golden retrievers for a while. They owned the local boarding kennels so from the youngest age they employed me and my brother, and any unfortunate friends that came round as dog walkers. I worked with them all, young and old, big and small, scared and friendly.
On leaving uni I was finally able to get my own dog, Jazz a German shepherd/ collie cross, as my dad said, “the original and the best”. She truly was the best dog. My passion has always been with German shepherds, ever since looking after them in the kennels and I couldn’t wait to finally get my first one. I’ve had 5 shepherds in my life, some of them rescues and some of them since puppyhood. They have all presented their own challenges and it is through them that my passion for dog training has grown. I love working with them and trying to bring out the best in them.
Apart from years of practical experience with all kinds of dogs I have completed Susan Garrett’s Recallers course. She is a world champion agility trainer and her positive, choice based methods truly changed my views on dog training. I have also just passed the Pro Dog Trainer course through Absolute Dogs, one of the largest and most successful dog training facilities in the UK. I am currently working on my Canine Coaching Diploma.
The world of dog training is constantly changing, with new methods being proven and old outmoded styles hopefully being left far behind. My goal is to help you build an amazing relationship between you and your dog using the most up to date methods out there. Teaching behaviours such as sit and down has its place but won’t teach your dog the self control, optimism, confidence and flexibility needed to be your loyal companion who is calmly focussed on you, who is able to make awesome real life choices, like racing back to you when you call him off chasing a rabbit and who is able to meet all your dog parenting expectations.
When you got your dog you probably had an idea of what you thought that dog parenting journey would look like, a loyal companion, an amazing sport dog or someone for the kids to play with. Often the reality doesn’t quite match up, chasing, jumping up, barking at other dogs, counter surfing and so on.
PLAY IS THE KEY TO YOUR DOG’S HAPPINESS!
Dogs and humans are some of the few animals that play into adulthood. Studies have shown that dogs that do not engage in a lot of play with their humans suffer many behavioural issues from whining, jumping up and not coming back when called to anxiety and aggression.
Using game based training I will show you how to teach your dog real life skills. It will take some patience and effort but it will be FUN for both you and your dog.
ARE YOU READY TO PLAY?
Message me if you would be interested in a training class or one to one session.
