Axe Valley Dog Training

22/06/2026

We often hear the advice to walk dogs at dawn or dusk when the weather is hot. Usually that's sensible advice, but during the current heatwave it's worth looking a little deeper than the air temperature alone.

According to the Met Office forecast for Thursday, temperatures are still expected to be around 26°C at 9pm and 20°C at 1am. That means roads, pavements, patios and pebbled paths will have been absorbing heat all day and may still be very warm long after the sun has gone down.

Dawn is likely to be the cooler option because things have had some time to cool overnight, but even then temperatures are expected to rise quickly, reaching around 23°C by 7am.

This morning, I went out at 9am and it felt noticeably hotter than the forecast suggested, already quite heavy with very little breeze - already enough for me to want to stay at home in front of a fan all day. Yesterday, at a family BBQ, Alex found the patio too hot to comfortably stand on in his bare feet during the afternoon. And this is only the start of it.

Before taking your dog out, check surfaces with the back of your hand or your bare feet. If it's uncomfortable for you, it's likely uncomfortable for them too. Also, just because it might feel cool enough when you set out, it's only going to get warmer the longer you're out for.

It's also worth remembering that some dogs are more vulnerable to heat than others. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs and those with underlying health conditions can all struggle in temperatures that other dogs might cope with more easily. What feels manageable for one dog may be too much for another.

Dogs don't have the benefit of shoes. They also don't get much say in where they're asked to walk. If your dog would rather stay home, let them. And if you have one of those wonderfully enthusiastic dogs who would happily charge out in any weather regardless of the risk to themselves, make the safest decision for them and keep them at home.

A missed walk or two won't hurt. Heatstroke is serious.

I've suffered from heat exhaustion in the past, and it could have been worse had I not recognised the signs and gone home immediately to drink lots of water and lie down with air con on.

Dogs can't tell us that. We need to see it, recognise the risks and prevent it from happening in the first place.

Stay safe, stay cool, and give your dogs plenty of opportunities to rest in the shade with access to fresh water.

17/06/2026

Apparently crochet is a contact sport.

A few weeks ago I finished 10 granny squares for a blanket project that will eventually need 99. I've already made 50 of them, so I'm on the home stretch at least 🥵

Each square had 6 yarn ends to weave in. That's 60 fluffy little bits of yarn that needed threading through a needle. So there I was, hunched over, squinting at yarn and questioning my life choices.

The next day, my shoulder hurt. I ignored it, assuming it would disappear after a few days.

It didn't.

A week later it was still grumbling. It was making itself known while I practised flute, and I discovered it definitely didn't approve of my usual sleeping position either.

Out came the hot water bottle. It felt lovely. It also fixed absolutely nothing.

What struck me was how one small injury affected lots of other things. Not just my shoulder, but how I slept, how I moved, how relaxed I was while playing flute, and even what activities I chose to do.

The same happens with dogs.

A dog with discomfort might suddenly seem less enthusiastic about training. Their recall may deteriorate. They may become more reactive, less tolerant, less playful, or more reluctant to be handled. They might struggle to settle comfortably or become frustrated more easily.

Sometimes what looks like a training problem is actually a comfort problem.

That's why whenever a dog's behaviour changes unexpectedly, one of the first questions I ask is whether there could be pain or physical discomfort involved.

Behaviour doesn't happen in isolation.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have another 39 granny squares to make and a shoulder that would quite like me to reconsider my life choices.

11/06/2026

Back from our Interrail adventure!

Over two weeks we travelled 2,348km by train, visited five countries, ate our weight in baked goods and somehow managed to fit a giant Toblerone into a backpack.

There were stunning mountain views in Switzerland, medieval streets in Germany, ferry trips around the Stockholm archipelago and a Golden Retriever who very politely attempted to persuade a butcher to share some sausages.

One of my favourite discoveries was in Malmö, Sweden, where there's a free public dog agility area right by the beach. I was very jealous.

Looking back, it was one of the best experiences of my life. If we'd won the lottery while we were away, I suspect we'd still be somewhere in Norway lost in the fjords.

Travelling reminded me how easy it is to keep putting things off until there's a better time, more money or fewer commitments. Sometimes you just have to decide to do the thing.

Life's too short, and there's far too much of the world left to explore. ❤️

What's the best trip you've ever been on?

08/06/2026

04/06/2026

After my adult dog class last week, I was chatting with one of the students. They said to me:

"Something you said a few weeks ago has really stuck with me. You said that dogs have agency."

It was lovely to hear because it's a concept I'm quite passionate about, and one that I think often gets overlooked.

When we think about our dogs' needs, we usually think of food, water, shelter, exercise and enrichment.

But what about choice?

Every living being benefits from having some control over their own life. The ability to move away from something they find uncomfortable. The opportunity to engage with something they enjoy. The freedom to say "yes", "no", or even "not right now".

When you think about it, we control much of our dogs' daily lives.

We decide when they eat.
When they go for a walk.
When training happens.
When they interact with other people and dogs.
When it's time to settle down.

Of course, that's part of being responsible for them. But it can be easy to forget that our dogs are individuals with their own preferences, feelings and opinions.

Sometimes, small opportunities for choice can make a big difference.

Maybe it's letting your dog choose which direction to go on a walk.
Whether they want to greet someone.
Which enrichment activity they'd like to engage with.
Or simply giving them the option to move away from something they're finding uncomfortable.

Training isn't about controlling every decision a dog makes. It's about helping them navigate the world successfully while recognising that they have agency too.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this. What's one choice you regularly give your dog?

31/05/2026

If your dog turns into a bit of a whirlwind on walks… you’re not alone.

Most of the time, it’s not about “too much energy” or “bad behaviour”.
It’s a mix of excitement, frustration, and just not having been shown how to be calm out there.

This is something I work through with a lot of clients, and small changes can make a big difference.

Which one do you think applies most to your dog?

28/05/2026

A quick one as we head towards June.

There are just a couple of spaces left in the evening agility class starting on 1st June at 6pm.

It’s a small, supportive group, and very much aimed at dogs (and owners) who are just getting started.

No pressure to be perfect. No expectations that your dog already knows what they’re doing.

Just a chance to build confidence, focus, and have a bit of fun together.

If you’ve been thinking about it, now’s a good time to jump in before it fills.

26/05/2026

One of the biggest shifts I see in dogs is when they realise they have a say.

That they don’t have to approach something if they’re unsure.
That they can pause and watch.
That they can move away.
And that we’ll listen when they do.

Giving dogs more choice doesn’t mean a lack of structure. It means creating space for them to communicate.

I’m working through this at the moment with a client, and it’s such a good example of why this matters.

Their dog is terrified of the vet. And it makes sense. From the dog’s perspective, that’s the place where uncomfortable things happen, where they feel restrained, where they don’t have much control.

But the reality is, if that dog gets injured, they will need to go.

So instead of pushing through that fear, we’re taking a different approach.

We’re teaching the dog that they can opt out. That saying “no” is allowed.

We’re starting at home with small, gentle “pretend” check-ups. And the focus isn’t on getting through the handling. It’s on giving the dog a clear way to consent… and just as importantly, a clear way to say no.

And when dogs learn that their “no” will be respected, something really interesting happens.

They start choosing to stay.
They start opting in.
They become more willing, not less.

Because they feel safe.

When a dog knows they have a choice, they’re not bracing themselves for what might happen. They’re able to engage, process, and build confidence at their own pace.

It builds trust. It strengthens your relationship. And it often reduces frustration on both sides.

Because instead of feeling like things are being done to them, they feel like they’re part of it.

If your dog struggles with handling or vet visits, this is something that can be worked on gently over time.

Feel free to drop me a message if you’d like to chat it through.

24/05/2026

“I’d love to try agility… but my dog wouldn’t be good enough.”

I hear this a lot.

People picture super fast, perfectly trained dogs flying around a course.

And assume theirs wouldn’t cope.

But beginner agility isn’t about perfection.

It’s about learning.

Learning how to move together.
Learning how to communicate.
Learning how to have fun doing something as a team.

Dogs don’t need to have it all figured out before they start.

In fact, that’s the whole point.

If you’ve been curious about it but held back because you’re not sure your dog is “ready”, you’re not the only one.

I don't teach agility to get dogs to a competitive level, I teach people who just want to have a go. Who want to do something with their dogs. Who want to spend quality time with their best friend.

There are a few beginner spaces coming up in June if you wanted to give it a go.

22/05/2026

When people think about socialising their dog, they often picture lots of dog-to-dog interactions.

Saying hello to every dog on a walk. Playing with as many dogs as possible. Getting as much exposure as they can.

It sounds like the right thing to do. But for a lot of dogs, that approach can actually make things harder.

Good socialisation isn’t about the number of interactions your dog has. It’s about the quality of their experiences.

It’s learning how to be around other dogs without feeling overwhelmed.
It’s being able to observe without needing to rush over.
It’s understanding that they don’t have to say hello to every dog they see.

In fact, some of the most valuable socialisation happens at a distance.

Watching calmly. Taking things in. Choosing to disengage.

Because not every dog wants to interact. And not every interaction goes well.

Teaching your dog that they have a choice, and that it’s okay to walk away, often creates far more confidence than pushing them into every greeting.

Sometimes, doing less leads to a much more social, content dog.