Axe Valley Dog Training

30/06/2025

A quick post to let you know what our values are at Axe Valley Dog Training:

I don’t do correction-based training, coercion, or setting dogs up to fail.

❌ I won’t use prong collars, e-collars or choke chains to force a dog into compliance.
❌ I won’t yank leads or jerk dogs into “listening.”
❌ I won’t punish a dog for being confused or not responding fast enough.

Because I don’t believe dogs should be scared into ‘behaving.’

Dogs are intelligent, sentient beings. They deserve empathy, not threats. They deserve to be treated like family – not like machines trained to obey out of fear.

Instead, I help people understand their dogs.
💛 We build trust.
💛 We nurture resilience.
💛 We create safe, secure relationships where learning feels good – for both of you.

It might not be flashy.
But it’s kinder. More effective. And it makes your dog feel safe, seen, and happy to work with you – not for fear of what happens if they don’t.

If that sounds like your kind of training, let’s talk. I’d love to help you and your dog thrive – together. 🤗

28/06/2025

A couple of days ago I had a lovely email from one of my past puppy class students:

"I’m reaching out about my dog, Elvie, who attended your puppy training classes around this time last year. During those sessions, you mentioned some concerns about her legs and I just wanted to thank you. Your suggestion to have her checked by a vet led to the discovery of an issue, called Pes Varus, that required corrective surgery on both of her hind legs. She’s now doing really well, and I’m so grateful you picked up on it early."

No one wants to think that their cute little puppy - who's not even 5 months old - might have a medical issue.

It can be worrying, scary and full of unknowns.

When I do point things out, it's never to scare you. It's to make sure your puppy stays healthy and happy, and to help prevent something potentially more serious down the line.

And of course it may be nothing, but gettng it checked is always the best call - for your puppy, and for your own peace of mind.

If I hadn't said anything, this pup could have struggled both physically and behaviourally for the rest of her life - which would have made it very difficult for her wonderful guardian too.

If in doubt, get it checked.

26/06/2025

If I could only teach every client ONE thing about recall, it would be this…

👉 It’s absolutely okay to keep your dog on a lead.

Because it takes the pressure off both of you.
You prevent things from going wrong, keep your dog safe, and still get to enjoy quality time together—without the stress.

Long lines and safe areas still offer freedom and peace of mind.

👉 Share this with someone who needs to hear that leads aren’t a failure—they’re support.

24/06/2025

Last week I told you about an exciting new workshop we’ve got coming up, taught by the amazing Lorna and her brilliant dog Nora — Crufts 2024 Heelwork to Music Champions. 🏆

To give you a taste of what’s possible, here’s a fun clip of them performing at our Christmas VIP evening last year.

Now — don’t panic — I’m not expecting you to break out your best Strictly moves at the field! Heelwork to Music is simply sequences of tricks you can enjoy learning with your dog.

The important thing here is the application of these skills to real-life scenarios.

These workshops are really about spending quality time together and having fun, with the bonus that you’ll:

✅ Build better off-lead control
✅ Have a dog who responds quickly to their name
✅ Become the most interesting thing on a walk (goodbye, pulling!)
✅ Help your dog relax — it’s fantastic brain work
✅ Feel way less frustrated and embarrassed by tricky behaviour

💥 And hey — if you do fancy going full doggy dancefloor — we’re here for it!

👉 Book your spot here: https://axevalleydogtraining.as.me/workshops

23/06/2025

Here’s what I wish more people knew about enrichment:

It’s not about exhausting or distracting your dog.

It’s about meeting a need. Helping them regulate. Offering comfort, calm, curiosity, and joy.

The truth is, we often overcomplicate enrichment—thinking it needs to be hard to be effective. We make it tough, hoping it’ll buy us a bit more peace and quiet. But frustration isn’t enriching.

Dogs don’t need to “work harder” to deserve rest or stimulation.
Sometimes the most enriching moments are the quietest ones.

🌿 Sitting together on the lawn.
🦴 A satisfying chew.
🕵️‍♂️ Sniffing around the garden.
🧺 Finding a few treats in a towel.
🐇 Watching wildlife in the distance.

Enrichment should feel good for your dog—not confusing or overwhelming.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to understand what your dog is asking for.

Because that’s where real progress begins. 💛

👉 What’s your dog’s favourite low-key enrichment activity? I’d love to hear!

20/06/2025

🚨 This is your sniff-tastic reminder 🐶 👃

We will be at the Axe Vale Show THIS Weekend - both Saturday and Sunday. 🎪☀️

Come say hi, have a good chat and give Scentwork a go - it’s fun, enriching and brilliant to watch. And more so …. Your dog will LOVE it 🐶

19/06/2025

Want a dog that listens off-lead? 🐕➡️🐾
It all starts with fun, clever training games — and I’ve got something exciting for you!

Join our brand-new “Fun Tricks for Off-Lead Confidence” workshop, taught by Crufts 2024 Heelwork to Music Champions, Lorna and Nora 🏆

✅ Fun tricks for real-life control
✅ Boost your bond together
✅ On-lead training for off-lead success later
✅ Suitable for all breeds and abilities

📅 New dates just released — spaces are limited!
➡️ https://axevalleydogtraining.as.me/workshops

Let’s turn fun into focus. Who’s coming?

Schedule your appointment online Axe Valley Dog Training

16/06/2025

🎉🐾 We’re heading to the Axe Vale Show next weekend — Saturday and Sunday! ☀️✨

Fancy trying some Scentwork with your doggie?? Come find us! We’ll be there with plenty of sniff-tastic fun for you and your dog.

It’s a great opportunity to give it a try and ask lots of questions!

Our Scentwork superstar Lola (yes, the one from the video — she’s basically a canine detective for keys, toys and humans 🕵️‍♀️🐕) will be joining us on Saturday to prove just how amazing sniffing can be.

So grab your ticket, soak up the sunshine, and come sniff out some fun with us! 🎟️🌼

12/06/2025

This video from The Mutty Professor shows just how quickly a fast interaction can happen between off lead dogs.

It shows how important it is to watch their body language throughout as well as when is appropriate to recall and reward - keeping everyone safe in the process. A must-watch for anyone with a doggie 🐶

10/06/2025

Is your dog a live-wire?

Are they always on the go or highly strung?

Do they struggle with new things, strange things, people or dogs?

You're not alone, many of the dogs I've worked with struggle with distractions, short attention spans and sporadic behaviour.

It's highly frustrating and I know how overwhelming it can feel.

That's why I created the scentwork course.

It’s designed to help people like you go from feeling stressed, embarrassed and out of your depth to enjoying calm, focused time with your dog — even in busy or tricky situations, using patience and fun exercises to harness your dog’s natural abilities and help them find focus in a busy world.

Ready to get started? the link here or drop me a message - I’d love to help.

https://axevalleydogtraining.co.uk/dog-training-classes/dog-scentwork-training-classes

09/06/2025

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!

Here at Axe Valley Dog Training we are proud to be a welcoming safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.

Hope you all have a safe Pride month full of compassion, love and dogs!

Rainbows at the ready... ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🖤🩶🤍