Mad4Mutts

14/07/2025

Hello to all our followers and apologies for not being here for a little while. It's been an exceptionally busy time and we owe it all to our loyal followers and clients who recommend us day in day out so a huge thank you from all here at Mad4mutts. We really do appreciate you all. Our followers are increasing daily so when we reach the 1000 follower milestone we are going to do a mad giveaway of a £400 Training Package you can use yourself, or gift all or part to a friend. All you have to do to take part is share this post and post a comment. Thank you once again and good luck! We will announce the winner as soon as we hit 1000!

Dog training specialists: We have a thorough knowledge of canine behavior, dog safety, dog training, and empowering you.

01/07/2025

Messages like this make everything worthwhile. This is from Leonie, Nala's Mum who we worked with a few months ago. What a bunch of Superstars! Well done everybody! "I'm so proud of Nala and how well she's doing!
Yesterday I took her by myself to meet her bestie for a walk at Preston, I usually only go with my husband because when she lunges I have a bad neck and can't risk displacement of my slipped discs😅
We didn't meet any other dogs on our walk, which left me feeling quite brave.
So today, I met with our pack, who we used to walk with daily prior to the reactivity starting.
We only went to Goodrington beach!!😱
In the water, long line on, playing with her mates, watching other dogs and redirection with 'leave it' when she hyperfixated. But not one reaction, no glaring, lunging or growling.
We even went to Cantina for a cuppa after🤯
Photos below for proof because I still can't believe it 😂
She was brilliant.
Yes we avoided getting too close to other dogs, but this is the most exposure and proximity she's tolerated.
She also walked on loose lead, no pulling etc and was an absolute star
Thank you Steve!" Well done Nala Top of the class!

01/07/2025

Ooh errr, we missed this one! " QBA Awards - "We have awarded Mad4Mutts Dog Training as The Best Dog Trainer in Torquay for 2024. An overall quality score exceeding 95% was achieved, making them the top ranked in Torquay" Go us!

30/06/2025

What's the most overlooked subject in dog training? In the name of "enrichment" dog owners are emotionally manipulated into spending more than ever on toys and brain exercises, and enrichment activities and puzzles, and and and... We are trapped in a mindset of do, do, do and do more. Dogs need an outlet for healthy exercise, play, fun and affection, training, structure and good leadership, and most importantly of all, the most overlooked subject in dog training, teaching an off switch. Without it dogs can become a neurotic anxious mess because nobody has taught them how to relax and be calm. A healthy balanced life that meets the dogs needs is enough, but please, please please teach your dog the off switch.

28/06/2025

It's fair to say that the majority of our work is with reactivity or aggression of some description, and one of the top requests on the wish lists we get from owners is "We just want to go to the pub or coffee shop with the dogs and have a nice relaxed time without them going crazy". Well here's Missy (Poodle under the table and Nala her GSD sister. Both reactive in different ways, both enjoying a nice calm hour in the pub, and both being very well behaved and enjoying their time out. Anything is possible if your consistent, and put the effort in. Well done to Mum & Dad for all the hard work. Your enjoying the fruits of your dedication!

26/06/2025

The pups and their friend Amos enjoying blackberries nearly 3 years ago. That went quick!

25/06/2025

On our last post we talked about the effectiveness of leadership and confidence. We worked with Luna around a month ago as she was very shy around other dogs and would hide behind Mum’s legs to avoid them. At the time Mum felt she was anxious and was concerned about her fearfulness. We’re thrilled to say that Luna is now living her best life, doing wonderfully with walking on lead nicely, her recall is on point and she happily plays with other dogs. What made the difference? Confident leadership makes confident dogs. Huge congratulations to Sonia Luna’s Mum. Great job and well done for all your hard work.

24/06/2025

Are you a leader or a carer?
This is my Buddy. He's a wonderful dog, he loves routine and structure, and he gets it and that's why he's a wonderful dog. After working with thousands of dogs of all shapes and sizes over the years, we see patterns and one of the biggest is how us humans can slip into “carer” mode rather than leader and decision maker. In my opinion, and my day to day experience as a trainer is that many problem behaviours stem from a lack of leadership, or in other words, failing to provide guidance, structure, or direction and good decision making for the dog. Is this because we are sold the lie that any correction is bad for the dog? Damages your relationship with the dog? Shuts the dog down? I don't buy that, and my experience with some of the most difficult dogs doesn't bear that out. Dogs are amazingly resilient we just pass our own insecurities on to them through wrapping them in cotton wool and constantly telling them, "there there, it's ok" This doesn't inspire confidence.
You can humanise your dog as much as you like, but it’s still a pack animal—hardwired to function within a cooperative social structure.
If the owner abdicates the leadership role, the dog will step into it, even though its uncomfortable doing so.
Poor leadership from the human creates a frightening space for a dog. And a miserable place to be. In my view being a "carer" just makes things worse.
When working with a troubled dog, I always begin with consistent routine, expectations, clear communication, and boundary setting. Many owners resist this approach because they are uncomfortable with it (even though the dog isn't) but once consistent leadership is on the table, with fairness and firmness you can physically see the dog in front of you relax because the burden of being the decision maker has come off their shoulders.
Dogs thrive in structure, and in an environment where the rules and boundaries are clear. We create a space where they can hand all the stress of decision making to their human and when they do, everything changes. My view is that allowing minor indiscretions creates the major behavioural problems, in other words you get what you allow, but you must lead fairly, clearly, positively. We all love our dogs, but if you truly do, you must be willing to love them by leading them.

23/06/2025

Olive is the sweetest pup you will ever meet. So much so that she wants to share the love with every person and puppy she sees, and will pull excitedly toward anyone and everyone to say hello. Olive thinks that all doggo's and people are super friendly, just like her so to keep Olive safe from running up and greeting the wrong dog, (or human) we are working on helping her become neutral and control her impulsiveness in the presence of the things that excite her. Olive has been a model student, and she's making great progress. Well done to Mum & Dad for all the hard work.

18/06/2025

18/06/2025

If you are struggling with your dog's behaviour regardless of the issue, why not join us on one of our live advice calls on our whatsapp chat where you can get answers to your questions from the mad4mutts team in real time. We also have nearly 200 members who help and support each other with their dogs challenging behaviours day to day in our chat and its a very supportive, positive, informative and fun atmosphere. So if you are struggling with your dog, drop in and chat. It's a lot of fun, its totally FREE and we promise we won't bite! Come and join the Mad4mutts family, you'll be glad you did! Please email your name and mobile number to receive the group joining link to [email protected] See you soon!