Paws-ative Dog Training

03/08/2024

(Weather permitting) I am running a powder photo shoot next Friday (9th Aug at shortlanesend)

If you would like to book, please drop me a message for prices etc.

Many thanks.

21/05/2024

Sorry for the quiet!
New puppy class dates.

https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining/e/ev-sk93-20240605123000

30/03/2024

I know this is a subject done to death but maybe consider?

We had an incident on a walk yesterday. Luckily no one was injured but that was simply due to my management of the big boys and the fact my other dogs can cope so well with situations.

So please - if you see someone with multiple (or just one!) dogs stop on seeing you approach, or that person actively tries to move out of your way. Consider if there is another path you can take, or a way you can make the passing easier, by getting your own (not matter how friendly) dog back on a lead, or with you.

I use multiple tactics
1. I will stop
2. I try to create as much space a possible (I know my dogs are ok, but I also understand it is very intimidating for a lone dog to come across a group like mine.)
3. I will take another path (your walk is not always set in stone!)
4. If I am not 100% sure that my dogs can cope with random interactions I keep them safe on a line. This does not restrict the fun the dog can have on a walk nor does it have to be the entire walk, if you can clearly see what is around and the dog has a good recall they can have parts of off lead walking.
This is what I do with my younger Saarloos. This is for his safety as well.

09/03/2024

Over the past month, I have been undertaking a new venture with a couple of my dogs.
Scent work has become more of an interest for me over the past 8 years, where I have trained and competed in the world of sport dog scent work. However, we are now moving towards working as team in the real world. I always knew Quin loved this game and had the right temperament to work , but I'm so thrilled that it has been something that has allowed Niche to grow in confidence as well.
Here are a couple of short videos of them working.

05/02/2024

Exciting times for these two Paws-ative dogs :)

They are off to learn a new skill next week (which means I will not be around!)

05/02/2024

New Puppy sessions starting 21st Feb :)

Daytime sessions with Max 4 in a group.

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21/11/2023

I have some availability for photography sessions this weekend - happy to travel to a local location within reason - Love taking beach pictures or woodland stuff :) Drop me a message for prices :)

19/11/2023

Oh look....another stunning pup!!

17/11/2023

Puppies are such fun! Today I had a fabulous photoshoot with a stunning young boy and his mum. He has a great future ahead I am sure and I am so pleased to have caught some of his cheeky character.

I am happy to do photoshoots with pups in a safe location so they can be off lead and we can get some lovely memories for you to look back on :)

10/09/2023

We had a great time playing pictures on Saturday - I will allow others to share if they like. But these are a couple of other shots we did. Not everything was about the powder.

I am hoping to do a bit more photography but obviously needs to be right conditions. I am happy to discuss group sessions or events if people are interested :)

04/09/2023

Still a couple of spaces on puppy class starting on Wednesday - any takers?

https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining

03/09/2023

I am hoping to do a Powder photography session next Saturday (9th September)

If anyone is interested could you please PM me.

28/08/2023

As you know, we do quite a lot of scent work ;)

One reason I love it is the fact it is all inclusive (your dog has a nose and can therefore sniff!!)

Secondly you can do this anywhere, from your front room to out on a walk in the woods.

Thirdly, how much it allows dogs to cope with life in general.
Scent work has been a way to allow this dog to navigate the world feeling relaxed. I wish I had some before videos of her, but the truth is, once I saw how stressed she was in these environments I did not push her into them.

She did some brilliant coping at the weekend so I asked my friend to hide her ball somewhere off to the side around some equipment.... I love how focused and happy she is to do this :)
This is her favourite game!

21/08/2023

New puppy class date for September - daytime sessions small groups :)
https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining

17/08/2023

Secure dog walking areas

(for those who do not know...)
These are areas you an hire for a set length of time, to allow your dog to be free and run about in the safe knowledge that you will not meet any other people!

Living in Cornwall we have some truly stunning walks - and are blessed with many places that dogs are allowed off lead. However - we also have a fair few people coming to visit the county , as well as a healthy population of Adders! (in the locations I enjoy walking!)

So, at this time of year particularly, some of my favourite walks are less fun.

Added to that fact, I do have a few dogs (7 at the last count) and some who have (shall we say...) challenging personalities ;)

To that end, I have started to hire these places a bit recently.
They range from well maintained fenced fields, to woodland with lakes. (check out pictures or ask for more info from the owners if you are looking for more 'interesting' times for your dogs. )

A quick note about etiquette

1. If you arrive early stay well away from the entrance - a lot of people use these areas to get away from the stress of the dog meeting people as the dog may have reactivity issues.

2. Clean up after your dog.... and if you find one - do a penalty poo or 2 - we have all missed them in the past, we can do our best to help out when it has happened to others as well.

3. Time keep.... I know an hour for me is not quite long enough as one of my dogs can be an issue to catch - so I tend to book 90mins or 2 hours. This allows me freedom to worry less about rushing back to the vehicle and I often leave 10 mins early.

Many of the venues will have their own rules so double check before you go.

but the benefits can be huge -
Do not underestimate the value of some time where both you and your dog can relax. It is a lovely thing.

If you have a young or easily distracted dog, they can be fantastic training sessions, working on recalls and fun training in between just allowing your dog to be a dog.

The photos below were taken today at Merrins Meadow where we had a lovely chill in a beautifully maintained area with some well thought out features for the dogs to interact with. (Added bonus of a shed if it happens to suddenly rain on you!)

05/08/2023

Wow! We had such fun this morning. The weather was really not the best for learning to follow a track!! (yellow weather warnings for wind!) but the dogs did amazingly well!

Thank you to the people who came and joined in for this little experiment, Safe to say we will be doing more!

We may look at fine tuning a bit more but the overall format worked well and the feedback was great.

Hopefully your dogs are all processing what they learned?!!
Mine.....

31/07/2023

***Flash Workshop! ***

Exciting stuff, we are teaming up with Anne from Moor dogs to bring you a really fun workshop.

This is a 2 hour workshop, trying to pack as much in for the dogs as possible.
PLAY with Anne, specific games for creating focus while having FUN with your dog.
SNIFFING with Hannah to give the dog a good work out through the nose!

Each dog will be worked individually with a maximum of 4 people per group meaning that you will get two focused sessions with each trainer.

Booking though the link below !
https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining

12/06/2023

I have a couple of spaces left on a puppy course starting on Wednesday.
Day time sessions with small groups. Book below :)
https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining =ev-svto-20230614113000

05/04/2023

Just a couple of spots left on new puppy intake - Wedensday 12th April.

Daytime classes with small numbers

https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining =ev-s4by-20230412113000

25/03/2023

I love my border collies and I am often sad I cannot 'work' them properly although I find other outlets. I have however worked all of them on sheep at some point it is a fascinating and amazing thing to watch (although I would caution against starting if you cannot keep up with training).

I will never forget the moment I watched one of my own, lovely, the nicest dog in the world, do this to a sheep who was standing up to her and we needed to move in a different direction.
No harm was done and no actual 'proper' contact was made, but in that instant she knew it was the only way to get out of the stale mate with the sheep.

When you watch the instinctive behaviour of collies, doing what they are bred to do, watch your own as pets and ask yourself 2 questions,
1) Is my collies behaviour really bad? Or are they finding an outlet for an instinctive behaviour?
2) Am I giving my collie the best life I can? they NEED a job (it might be agility/obedience/scentwork or bringing your chickens in!) but it is a NEED.

and thirdly.... if you are considering a collie as a 'pet' question with yourself all of the reasons you are doing it and whether it really will be the best fit for your situation. They are amazing dogs, but they are not always the best 'pet' dogs.

07/03/2023

Still a couple of spaces left on the Sniffing for Fun session for older dogs on the 18th March.

The dogs will be working individually and taken out of the setting between goes so dog reactive dogs are welcome.

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26/02/2023

***Edit have changed it for adult dogs as there seems to be more interest that way :)

I have added a puppy sniffing session for the 18th March.

It is a short session but if there is a lot of interest I will add in another.
This one is specifically for pups, but likewise, if there is interest for an older dog session we will do that.

This is not a session where we will introduce a specific odour.

https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining

11/02/2023

A very common question I'm asked....

What should I be feeding my pup?

There is no simple answer .....I totally understand how overwhelming it can be with SO many options on dog food!
Wet? Dry? Raw? Home cooked?
Mix it up? Stick with one??

The reason there is no simple answer is because no one size fits all...
Questions to ask yourself...

1. Cost and availability..... Can I afford this food and am I able to get hold of it when I need it?

2. Storage and waste..... When feeding Dry food, I get through 15kgs in less than 2 weeks ..but probably different for most 'normal' situations ;) therefore storing 15kgs might not be ideal for your chihuahua ;)
Raw food takes freezer storage, wet food can generate more plastic waste (although much can be recycled now)

3. Does it suit by dog??! Sometimes the 'best' foods in the world does not sit well with your dog. Do not stick with a food that is not suiting your dog simply because you have been told it is the 'best'.

All this before we get to the how much to feed how often.....;)

Currently my pup is on between 3 and 4 meals a day (at 13 weeks)....not really fixed schedule but if her evening meal has been earlier she has a late night settler ;)

Also....never rigidly stick to what it says on the pack...your pup may need more or less on a daily basis, based on what they have done and how their body is growing, allow yourself a little flexibility....

And ..if like mine, your pup inhales food so fast they do not believe they have actually eaten anything, here is how I slow her down a bit ;)
(please also note that, because she is a spaniel and prone to eating anything that is in her path, she is supervised while using the lick mat and snuffle mat to ensure these are also on ingested accidentally! ;) )

01/01/2023

Happy New year!

Want to start on the right foot with your pup? I have a new class starting next week - We will look at loose lead walking, recall foundations, general manners and polite greeting (human and canine!) ... among other stuff!!

https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining =ev-shky-20230109090000

24/12/2022

Merry Christmas everyone

Thank you so much for the continues support over the last year

I hope you can all enjoy a peaceful festive season with your 4 legged friends :)

Quin says he hopes everyone gets to play favorite games... his is digging holes in the sand!

28/11/2022

Got a couple of spaces left in Puppy intake starting on Wednesday :)

Get a head start before Christmas!!

Puppy classes Puppy classes are designed for puppies between the ages of 10-20 weeks (from the start date of the course). You will be asked this on booking, please do NOT book the session if your puppy is under or over this age (this is important for your own puppy a well as being fair to others in...

22/10/2022

I think this pretty much sums up life ;)

Secrets of a Pet Dog Trainer

1. Puppy teeth just don't hurt us anymore, but we pretend it's awful just to make clients feel heard

2. Pockets are life. Clothes without pockets are pointless, you may as well go to work naked.

3. No, we are not like The Dog Whisperer. No, we do not love Cesar Milan. But we get asked at every party anyway.

4. We don't know where, but somewhere in our house or van is a handful of meat slowly rotting away

5. We rarely eat meals at your standard breakfast, lunch, dinner times. Most food is consumed in the van between sessions because we can prep DIY raw dog food til the cows come home but our own food....na

6. We can't drive past a "Land for Sale" sign without looking up the price on RightMove before remembering we've already spent all our money on our dogs

7. We hear "do you train husbands too?" and/or "I suppose you're a people trainer more than a dog trainer really aren't you?" every single day of our lives but we smile back every time.

8. Our garages, sheds and outhouses are ram-packed with random bits of equipment and other assorted junk pretending to be equipment, just in case we ever need a broken A-frame and 506 tennis balls to fix someone's dog

9. No matter how qualified & experienced you become, you will always be mansplained how to do your job by an old man in the park who's had German Shepherds his whole life.

10. For all the poo, wee, blood, saliva, sweat and tears we wouldn't have it any other way and most of us feel lucky to wake up in the morning and actually be excited about going to work.

Who has more to add?!?

15/10/2022

A couple of spaces left on the Wednesday Puppy classes and a new monday date added :)

Daytime sessions with small (max 5) numbers -

Please book by following this link

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20/09/2022

**** PUPPIES!!! ****
Wonderful little additions to your life..... with teeth! ;)

I now have a couple of puppy courses up starting in October. Daytime classes on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The classes will be there for you to ask questions, practice exercises and find out that you are not alone in your puppy woes as everyone else will be going through the same!

Through basic exercises, play and learning what to (and not to!) focus on to help set a good foundation for your new life with your best friend :)

Book in below
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://bookwhen.com/paws-ativedogtraining

17/09/2022

I know it has been a while!
I have been trying to update the website to be more up to date with what I am doing.

I have also added the online booking system for puppy sessions (which will be back in October!) Daytimes only at the moment...