Are you unintentionally signalling stress to your reactive gundog?
When you’re managing a reactive dog, it’s easy to focus entirely on your dog’s triggers and responses. But what about you? Subtle cues from your body language and energy can reinforce their reactivity without you even realising it or meaning to.
Next time you’re on a walk and a tricky moment arises, pause and take stock of yourself:
🌟 Are you tensing up or constricting your body?
🌟 Is your heart racing or your breath shallow?
🌟 Do you unconsciously tug the lead or stiffen your grip?
These small actions send big messages to your dog, often communicating that there’s something to be anxious about. But here’s the great news: You can change this!
Next time you feel tension creeping in do the opposite of what you are feeling, for instance:
🫁 Breathe deeply and slow your exhale to calm your energy.
🧍♀️ Open up your posture to signal confidence.
🧠 Reframe your mindset – focus on guiding your dog rather than reacting to the environment.
Try identifying just two or three of your own subtle cues and practising how to replace them with calm, open energy. This shift can make a world of difference to your gundog’s confidence and your bond together!
Your energy matters. Let’s use it to empower your gundog instead of accidentally adding stress.
#ReactiveGundog #GundogTrainingTips #HolisticGundogTraining #EssexGundogs #MindfulGundogTraining #GundogLife
Feeling tired, or maybe your dog’s energy just isn’t there today, they feel under the weather today? 🧘♀️
Here’s a gentle reminder: It’s okay to have a day off from training. There’s no harm in pressing pause, especially if you’re not feeling up to it. Some days, the best thing we can do is just be with our dogs—no expectations, just presence and relaxation.
Training can wait, but our well-being (and our gundogs’) is essential. So if you’re feeling low, unwell, or just not up to it, give yourself permission to rest. Honour the moment, and remember that bonding with your gundog is more than training, it’s about being together and finding peace in the pauses.
✨ If you needed to hear this today, then take it as your sign. Just stop, just be, and just enjoy a day of calm together. 🌿
#BeKindToYourself #HolisticDogTraining #MindfulDogOwners #EssexDogs #SelfCareForDogParents #DogTrainingTips"
Are you marking and rewarding your gundog at the right moment? 🐾
A common mistake new gundog owners make is marking a good behaviour, like a lovely heel or loose-leash walk, and then asking for one more thing, often a sit, before actually rewarding their gundog.
Here's the challenge with this: when you add a cue after the behaviour you wanted (like a sit), your gundog will start to think that’s what is earning them the treat. So instead of reinforcing that beautiful walk, you’re actually just rewarding the sit!
💡 Tip of the Day: When you see the behaviour you want, mark it (with a clicker or cue word) and immediately reward. This keeps your gundog focused and helps them understand which behaviours you value.
✨ Ask yourself today: Are you rewarding for the action you love, or what comes next?
Remember, timing is everything in training!
#HolisticGundogTraining #RewardTiming #PetGundogTips #GundogTrainingUK #PositiveGundogTraining #EssexGundogOwners"
Holistic Gundog Training: The Missing Peace
Training a gundog goes beyond just teaching them to sit, stay, and come — at least, it does if you take a holistic approach. What makes my approach unique? It’s that missing peace — the powerful energy work that’s woven into all my training.
Energy is vibrational; it’s the force that moves, connects, and communicates with everything around us. And it’s something your dog is instinctively aware of every moment of every day.
Many trainers focus just on body language and physical signals, but holistic training takes it further. I incorporate energy work into every session because dogs are incredibly sensitive to the energy we bring into their space. They don’t just see other dogs; they feel the energy that other dogs carry.
Often, when I work with reactive dogs, the trigger isn’t what you’d expect. It’s not always a specific breed or size; it’s the energy a dog carries. Dogs communicate, respond to, and even guide one another using this awareness.
As a Reiki master, I know first-hand how much animals value energy work.
When dogs come for Reiki treatments, they instinctively present the areas that need help, almost as if they ask for that missing peace. By using this sensitivity in training, we create a deep bond and a balanced, calming effect that you’ll notice right away in your dog’s focus, responsiveness, and overall well-being.
If you want to experience a training approach that truly honours your dog’s whole being, get in touch. Discover the peace that holistic training brings.
#HolisticGundogTraining #EnergyHealing #DogReiki #GundogTrainer #EssexDogTrainer #PositiveDogTraining #HolisticDogCare #PurleighEssex #MindfulTraining #LetDogsBeDogs
How Energy is Transforming a Reactive Dog’s Journey
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful owner and her reactive gundog. She’d made a lot of progress with traditional trainers, yet her dog still reacted “out of the blue” in certain situations. Other trainers had looked at behaviour patterns, body language, breed tendencies — all the usual factors — but couldn’t pinpoint the root cause.
As soon as we started our session, I could see that this wasn’t random behaviour; it was all about energy. You see, dogs are sensitive, vibrational beings. They communicate, feel, and even respond to the energies around them. During our walk, I observed several dogs approaching us, each carrying its unique energy. By tuning into the energetic field, I could tell which dog our reactive friend would struggle with, even before they reached us.
I took time to explain this to her owner, sharing pointers on what types of energy to look out for. When we train from this energetic perspective, we honour the whole dog, not just their behaviour. And the results? In just one session, this dog’s progress was so profound that other dog walkers noticed the shift immediately.
Holistic training recognises dogs as the vibrational, energy-sensitive beings they are. This “missing peace” brings a calm and clarity that typical training can overlook, helping dogs find their natural balance. For this lovely dog and her owner, it was the turning point they’d been searching for.
If you’re curious about a training approach that truly sees the whole dog, let’s connect. This missing peace could be the key to helping your dog thrive.
#HolisticGundogTraining #ReactiveDogSolutions #EnergyAwareness #DogReiki #EssexDogTrainer #PositiveDogTraining #MindfulDogTraining #PurleighEssex #LetDogsBeDogs
🎉 New 6-Week Hoopers Course Starting 10th November 🎉
Curious how Hoopers can benefit your dog? 🐾 Hoopers is a fantastic, low impact way to build confidence, focus, and agility for dogs of all breeds, but it’s especially great for helping gundogs to work away!
Join us for a six-week journey to unlock your dog's potential in a safe, supportive environment 🌟
We'll cover everything from the basics to more advanced handling skills, tailored to meet the needs of each dog and handler. Whether you're looking to enhance your bond, add some fun to your routine, or improve your dog’s overall engagement and coordination, this is the perfect opportunity.
📅 Starting Date: 10th November
🎟️ Limited spaces available! Book now to secure your spot.
🐶 Ready to get started? Tap the link in comments or DM me to reserve your place!
#HoopersTraining #GundogLife #EssexDogTraining #HolisticDogTraining #ConfidenceBuilding #TrainingJourney
Struggling with Behaviour vs. Training? Let’s Clear It Up!
Ever wondered, "Why does my dog know sit, stay, and wait, but still reacts to other dogs?" 🤔 You’re not alone - many owners have mastered the teaching cues but still face behaviour issues and its because they are not the same thing.
Think of it like this: imagine a child getting top marks in maths but struggling to stay calm in class or connect appropriately to others. Cues, like sit and stay, are like learning that one things = another on a logic level, like solving problems; behaviour, however, goes much deeper.
Your gundog’s behaviour isn’t just about knowing commands. It’s their emotions, mental state, physical well-being, diet, and even the energetic vibes they pick up from us and others 🐾
The goal? Go beyond obedience and understand what they truly need ✨
What behaviours in your gundog don’t quite make sense? Drop a 🐾 below, and let’s explore the “why's” behind actions!
#HolisticGundogTraining #BeyondObedience #UnderstandingDogs #GundogOwners #EssexDogTrainer #UKDogCommunity
Are your gundog walks enjoyable or filled with worry because your dog isn't listening when it counts? 🐾
If you're finding it hard to get your dog to come back when called, especially when there's:
🐾 Many owners find their dogs get distracted by:
🐾 Catching the scent of wildlife 🦊
🐾 Seeing a bird fly overhead 🦅
🐾 Running up to greet other people or dogs
🐾 Completely switching off once outdoors, ignoring cues
Then you're are most definitely not alone! It’s easy to practice recall in classes, but it’s a different story when you’re out in the real world! This is where my off-site walks come in—I help you put those training cues into practice during your actual walks.
Here are 3 tips you can start using today to improve recall and engagement:
💫 Rank your rewards: Keep the highest-value treats (like their absolute favourite!) exclusively for recall.
💫 Switch up your route: If your dog thinks they know where you’re going, switch directions with a cue like "this way" or a pip on the whistle to keep them focused on you.
💫 Engage throughout the walk: Ask for more than just recall. Try an emergency sit, toy play, a few tricks, anything that keeps them checking in with you.
BONUS: Before you let them off-lead, ensure they are fully focused on you—don’t unclip until you have their attention!
If you want tailored, hands-on help, I offer off-site walks where I can guide you and your dog in real-world settings, just like we did today with the lovely Gordon Setter.
📍 Based in Purleigh, Essex.
🔗 DM me today to book your personalised session.
#GundogTraining #RecallTraining #HolisticGundog #EssexDogs #DogRecall #PositiveDogTraining
Is your dog feeling overwhelmed on walks? Walks can be a sensory overload for our sensitive gundogs, leading to stress and sometimes frantic behaviour.
One of the simplest yet most effective tips to help reduce their overwhelm is to just stop! It is that simple!
Here are three moments when it's especially helpful to pause:
1. After encountering wildlife, like squirrels or birds – these can really trigger your dog’s prey instincts and cause the over-excitement to tip over.
2. When passing other dogs or people – it gives your dog time to relax and reset, reducing overstimulation.
3. During sudden changes in the environment, like new smells or noises – this helps your gundog process then regain focus and calm down.
And when you stop, here are three top tips to make the most of it:
1. Allow your dog to just 'be' without directing them – they need this time to decompress.
2. Keep the lead short, but relaxed – this helps them settle without keeping busy feelings by inspecting the nearby environment, digging etc.
3. Stay present – practice mindfulness by breathing deeply, listening to the sounds around you, and being still. Your calm energy will help your dog find theirs.
Make this a consistent practice, and over time you’ll notice your dog becoming more relaxed and focused during walks.
Try the tip then come back and let me know how you get on! Or tag me in a video of your PAWS™ (Pause, Anchor, Wait, Start Again) break!
#HolisticGundogTraining #MindfulWalks #PreyDriveCalm #DogTrainingEssex #CalmWalksForDogs #WellnessForDogs #MindfulDogOwner #NaturalDogTraining #WorkingDogLife #PurleighDogTrainer
Is your gundog feeling under-stimulated? 🐾
Our Gundogs are SO intelligent, they thrive on mental and physical challenges. This means that when we don’t push them on, training can stall or even go backwards.
It is easy for boredom to creep in, and that’s when you start seeing behaviours you thought you'd already dealt with or even new ones you didn't need!
Our gundogs need a regular challenge to keep them engaged and fulfilled 💫
Just a few of the signs your gundog may not be challenged enough:
✅Restlessness or increased energy bursts at home
✅ Ignoring cues they once followed reliably
✅ Lack of focus on walks, easily distracted or wandering off
✅ Increased frustration, barking, or destructive behaviour
Simple ways to challenge your gundog this week:
✅ Increase distractions: Try a “stay” command in a slightly busier area or with a tempting distraction nearby or with you standing further away.
✅ Extend duration: Hold commands like “sit” or “stay” for longer periods.
✅ Mix up retrieves: Add more variety or distance to your retrieve games.
✅ Scent work: Set up a small scent trail using their favourite treats or a toy, encouraging them with a slightly more difficult set up.
By pushing them just that little bit more, you’ll find your gundog not only rises to the challenge but enjoys the process far more 🧠🐕
Challenge for you this week: How can you challenge your gundog? Try out just one new task and see the difference it makes!
#HolisticGundogTraining #ChallengeYourGundog #SmartDogs #TrainingTips #GundogLife #HappyDogsHappyOwners #EssexGundogs
Overwhelmed or stressed out gundog? 🐕💨
Reiki isn’t just for humans—it’s a game changer for dogs too!
Here are some ways it can help:
✨ Calms reactivity: Soothes anxious energy, helping your dog stay centred and less reactive.
✨ Boosts focus: A balanced dog is more tuned in to you, making training smoother.
✨ Aids recovery: Supports physical healing after injury or overexertion, crucial for active breeds.
✨ Deepens your bond: Strengthens your emotional connection, creating trust and calm.
Want to help your gundog find more peace and focus? Comment below or DM me to learn how my holistic programme can help or to book a one-off Reiki session 💬🐾
Today's top tip! We’re focusing on building speed into your dog’s recall 🏃♂️
The key is to keep things exciting so they race back to you enthusiastically every time, with no stopping, no mooching, and no bad decisions!
Want to speed up your dog's recall? Try these tips:
🎾 Use fast chase toys to keep their momentum going as they arrive.
🍖 Throw food as a reward so they keep their pace as they reach you.
📢 Use a high-pitched voice and excited encouragement all the way in.
⭐ Drive them in by sometimes sending them straight out for something like a retrieve, this will help future recalls.
Have you tried any of these?
Let me know your experience in the comments!
If you know another dog owner who would benefit from hearing these tips, please share this post with them. Let’s get those lightning-fast reactive recalls going!
#FastRecall #HolisticGundogTraining #SpeedyRecall #DogTrainingTips #EssexDogTrainer #PositiveDogTraining
