Develop Your Dog

Home
Develop Your Dog

Positive dog training for gundog breeds catering for pets, competition and shooting enthusiasts. Dog Training and Behavioral advice

08/02/2025

We’ve spent the week covering why puppies jump, common mistakes, and training tips - now, we’ve put everything together in one complete guide! 📝🐾

✨ Read our full blog: https://www.developyourdog.co.uk/how-to-train-your-puppy-not-to-jump-up/

In this post, we dive deeper into:
✅ Why puppies jump up and how to prevent it
✅ Step-by-step training techniques (including the “Sit for Greetings” rule!)
✅ Common mistakes owners make that accidentally reinforce jumping

If you’re struggling with jumping, this guide is for you! 🚀

📢 Check it out and let us know - what’s been the biggest game-changer for your puppy? ⬇️🐶

07/02/2025

👏 Puppy Jumping: Success Stories!

This week, we’ve covered why puppies jump, common mistakes, and training tips - now it’s time to celebrate progress! 🎉

Has your dog improved? Have you tried any of the tips we shared? Drop your training wins below! ⬇️

💡 Still struggling? Our training programs are designed to help you and your pup master polite greetings. Send us a message to find out how we can help!

06/02/2025

❌ Stop saying “No!” and start saying “Sit!”

Instead of waiting for your puppy to jump up, get ahead of the behaviour by teaching them a simple rule: “Sit = attention” 🐾✨

Here’s how to train it:

1️⃣ Before your puppy jumps, ask them to sit.
2️⃣ The second their bum hits the floor, reward them with a treat or attention.
3️⃣ If they try to jump, turn away briefly, then try again.
4️⃣ Practice this every time someone greets your puppy so it becomes their new habit!

💡 Why this works: Puppies love attention! If they learn that sitting gets them cuddles and praise, they’ll choose that over jumping. 🎉

Try this out and let us know how your puppy does! ⬇️🐶

05/02/2025

⚠️ Are You Accidentally Encouraging Jumping?

Most owners don’t realise they’re rewarding jumping every day! If you…
✅ Push your dog away when they jump
✅ Talk to them while they’re bouncing around
✅ Laugh (because, let’s be honest, it’s cute sometimes!)

…you might be teaching them that jumping = attention!

The fix? Ignore the jumping, reward the calm. More on that tomorrow!

Be honest - have you been guilty of this? 🙋 Drop a 🐶 in the comments!

04/02/2025

🤔 Why do puppies jump up? Spoiler alert: They’re not trying to be naughty!

Jumping is how dogs get close to our faces - just like they do with other dogs. It’s also a learned behaviour… if they got attention for jumping before, they’ll try it again!

The trick? Teach them a better way to say hello! Stay tuned this week for training tips to stop jumping up. 👀

💬 Have you noticed your puppy jumping more in certain situations? Tell us below! ⬇️

03/02/2025

📢 Question for You!

Does your puppy turn into a pogo stick when they see people? 🙈🐾

Jumping up is one of the most common puppy training struggles, and let’s be honest - it can be cute at first, but not so much when they’re bigger (or muddy!).

What’s the funniest or most unexpected time your dog has jumped up on someone? Tell us in the comments! ⬇️

02/02/2025

The real gundog mystery: where do all the lost dummies go? Clients get called out for taking them home, but let’s be real - I’m the worst at keeping track. Exhibit A: one of mine has just been found on Salisbury Plain. I might need a tracking system… or just better counting skills!🤣

28/01/2025

Sure, they look like model citizens here - but what happens when real life gets in the way?

Holding a solid sit while out and about isn’t just for shoot days. Whether it’s waiting calmly at the park, staying steady around distractions, or resisting the urge to chase that tempting squirrel, consistency is key.

If your dog struggles with:
• Ignoring distractions on walks
• Holding a sit while you chat
• Resisting the urge to say hello to every dog they see

A 1-2-1 session can help! We’ll work on practical skills to make sure your dog’s training holds up, wherever you are.

Drop me a message to book a session and bring a little more steadiness to your daily walks.

27/01/2025

As the season draws to a close, steadiness can start to wobble - whether it’s creeping, breaking too soon, or just getting a little too enthusiastic when the action kicks off.

Have you noticed your dog’s steadiness slipping? Maybe they’ve started second-guessing the sit or edging forward a little more than you’d like?

If so, you’re not alone! End-of-season excitement can unravel even the best-trained dogs, but a tailored 1-2-1 session can get you both back on track. We’ll fine-tune focus, rebuild impulse control, and set you up for success - ready for whatever’s next.

Let me know in the comments - what’s been your biggest challenge this season?

17/01/2025

Connection Before the Lead: Setting the Right Foundations

Have you ever wondered why some dogs walk beautifully on the lead while others make it a daily tug-of-war? 🐾 The secret starts long before you even clip on a lead. Building connection and trust lays the groundwork for calm, enjoyable walks—here’s how. 👇

💡 Why Connection Comes First
A lead is a helpful tool, but it’s not the solution to every walking challenge. Instead, it’s your puppy’s understanding of what it means to walk *with you* that makes all the difference.

Teaching your puppy to:

✅ **Focus on you and stay engaged** during walks.
✅ **Choose to stay close** because it’s rewarding.
✅ **Build trust in you as their guide**—even in exciting environments.

This foundation helps make the lead a tool for guidance, not control.

❓ How Do You Teach This?

Before stepping out the door, practice these exercises:

✅ **Follower Games:** Reward your puppy for staying close as you move around in safe, enclosed spaces.
✅ **Reward Timing:** Mark moments when your puppy chooses to stay near you and calmly follow.
✅ **Gentle Introductions to the Lead:** Clip the lead on for short practice sessions in quiet areas, focusing on calm behavior without pulling.

By the time you head out for your first walk, your puppy already knows what’s expected - and the lead is just a part of the picture.

🌟 The Payoff: Confident and Calm Walks
Imagine your puppy trotting happily by your side, lead loose, and both of you enjoying the experience. By focusing on connection before the lead, you’re building a partnership that lasts a lifetime.

💬 Your Turn!
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced with lead walking? I’d love to hear your experiences - drop them in the comments below! 👇

16/01/2025

The Science of Pulling: How Puppies Learn (Without Realising It!)

Every puppy owner has been there: your puppy sees something exciting, pulls toward it, and suddenly you’re playing catch-up. But have you ever wondered what’s going on in their minds? 🐾 Here’s how pulling becomes a habit—and how to stop it before it starts. 👇

💡 What’s Happening in Your Puppy’s Brain?
Pulling on the lead triggers your puppy’s natural instincts to move toward what excites them. Here’s the cycle:

1️⃣ **See it. Want it. Pull for it.**
2️⃣ **Pulling brings results - closer to the goal!**
3️⃣ **Reinforced behavior = pulling works!**

This “cause and effect” learning happens in seconds. And once they’ve learned it, unlearning takes much longer.

❓ Can You Break the Cycle?

Absolutely - but prevention is much easier than fixing it later. Instead of heading out for walks straight away, focus on teaching your puppy skills like:

✅ **Paying attention to you** even when exciting things happen.
✅ **Rewarding calm behavior** around distractions.
✅ **Walking without a lead first** in safe spaces to build natural connection.

🌟 Over to You!
What’s the funniest or most surprising thing your puppy has ever pulled you toward on a walk? 🐕🍂

Drop your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear about those memorable moments!

15/01/2025

Why No Walkies?

Every new puppy owner dreams of that perfect walk - the lead in hand, a happy pup trotting alongside. But here’s a secret that surprises many of my clients: I don’t take my puppies out for walks.

Why? Because rushing into walks can teach your puppy a behavior you’ll regret later: **pulling on the lead**. 🐾 Want to know how to prevent this and set your pup up for a lifetime of calm, connected walks? Read on! 👇

💡 The Pulling Problem
When we pop a lead on our puppy and step out the door, it’s often straight into sensory overload—sights, smells, and exciting distractions! Puppies naturally pull towards what excites them, and guess what? Every time they succeed, they’re learning that pulling **works.** That becomes their first lesson in lead walking.

Undoing this habit later is **much harder** than preventing it now. That’s why I take a different approach.

❓ What Should You Do Instead?

Instead of walking your puppy too soon, focus on these foundation skills:
✅ Teaching them to follow you and stay engaged.
✅ Practicing loose lead basics in low-distraction areas like your garden or living room.
✅ Building confidence and curiosity at home before tackling the big, wide world.

These small steps create a strong foundation for relaxed and enjoyable walks later.

🌟 The Results Speak for Themselves
When my clients follow this approach, they often tell me, “I can’t believe how much calmer and more focused my puppy is on walks!” Want the same for your pup?

Ready to give your puppy the best start? My next training course starts on 16th January, and we’ll cover exactly how to build these skills step by step.

📅 Book your spot today - one space left
👉 DM me or visit www.developyourdog.co.uk for more details.

14/01/2025

🍖 Teaser for Training 🍖

Treat delivery isn’t just about rewarding your dog - it’s about precision, timing, and focus. 🎯

Perfecting the art of when and where to deliver that treat can make all the difference in your training. From capturing the right moment to rewarding calm, controlled behavior, it’s a skill every dog owner can learn!

Want to take your training to the next level? Drop a comment below or send us a DM to learn more about mastering treat delivery and timing! Stay tuned for upcoming tips. 🐾✨

13/01/2025

🚫 Common Treat Delivery Mistakes 🚫

We’ve all been there! Sometimes, it's easy to accidentally reinforce unwanted behavior when giving treats. Here are three common mistakes to avoid:

❌ Mistake #1: Reaching too high – This encourages your dog to jump up, not stay in position.
✅ The Right Way: Deliver the treat low and near the ground, to reinforce calmness and control.

❌ Mistake #2: Moving too fast – This can cause excitement and break the dog’s focus.
✅ The Right Way: Deliver the treat slowly and calmly to keep your dog focused and relaxed.

❌ Mistake #3: Hovering your hand – This can confuse your dog and lead to frustration.
✅ The Right Way: Deliver the treat with a confident, clear motion that reinforces the behavior.

Get your timing and delivery just right to improve your training success! 🍖✨

👉 Tag a fellow trainer or dog owner who could use these tips!

"

12/01/2025

⏳ The Science of Patience ⏳

Patience isn’t just a virtue—it’s a skill your dog can learn! The trick? Mastering the sequence of wait, click, and then pay. 🎯

Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Wait: Let your dog hold the position for a moment—it builds patience.
2️⃣ Click: Mark the exact moment they’re calm and steady.
3️⃣ Deliver the Treat: Place it precisely (like between their paws for a down) to reinforce the behavior.

This simple sequence sharpens their training AND their table manners. 🍖✨

👉 How patient is your pup? Test them out and share their best waiting face with us below! 🐕📸

11/01/2025

📍 Treat Location, Location, Location! 📍

Where you deliver your dog’s treat is just as important as when you deliver it! A little placement precision can make a huge difference in teaching and reinforcing good behaviors. 🎯

Here’s the lowdown:

🐾 For a sit, deliver the treat low, close to their chest, so they stay grounded (and not spring-loaded!).
🐾 For heelwork, reward right by your leg to encourage that perfect walking position.
🐾 For down, place the treat between their paws to reinforce calmness and keep them settled.

Training success isn’t just about giving treats—it’s about delivering them with purpose! Want more tips like this? Stay tuned. 🐕✨

👉 Share your training wins or funny treat moments in the comments below! 🐾🍖

10/01/2025

🐾 The Click-Treat Tango 🐾

Timing is everything in dog training! Did you know that the click is like a snapshot of your dog’s brilliance 📸, and the treat is the reward for being a superstar? But… they don’t need to happen at the same time! 🕒

1️⃣ Click/Marker: Mark the exact moment your dog nails it—this tells them, 'YES, that’s the one!'
2️⃣ Treat: Calmly deliver the treat within 2 seconds. It’s like the encore to their amazing performance. 🎉

This simple timing trick helps your dog connect the behavior to the reward with laser focus. Want to see this in action? Stay tuned for more tips in this series! 🐕✨

👉 Have you tried the click-treat combo? Share your funniest or proudest training moments below! 👇"

09/01/2025

Frustration-Free Training: Take a Break and Keep It Positive! 🌟

Training your dog should be a fun and rewarding experience, but let’s face it—sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and frustration can creep in. 😤 Whether your dog isn’t getting it right or you’re just feeling stuck, it’s important to hit pause and reset. Don’t worry—you're not alone! Here’s how to take the pressure off and get back on track. 🐾

Tips for a Frustration-Free Training Session:

1️⃣ Pause and take a break:
If you or your dog are feeling frustrated, stop the session. Take a few minutes to breathe, relax, and reset. A short break can often lead to fresh perspectives and improved focus for both of you. 🌬️

2️⃣ Switch to an easier exercise:
When you hit a roadblock, don’t push harder. Instead, switch to something simpler. Revisit a behavior your dog knows well and end on a positive note. This boosts confidence and sets the tone for the next challenge. ✔️

3️⃣ Celebrate the small wins:
Training isn’t just about perfection—it’s about progress. Celebrate every little step forward, no matter how small. Every moment counts, and every success is a win! 🎉

4️⃣ End on a positive note:
Always finish your training session with a successful exercise or a calm moment of bonding. This way, your dog looks forward to the next session, and you both leave feeling accomplished. 🏆

5️⃣ Stay patient and kind to yourself:
Training is a journey, not a race. Be patient with your dog and yourself. The bond you're building is more important than achieving perfection right away. 🌱

What’s your go-to strategy when training feels tough? Share your tips, or let’s chat about how to make training more enjoyable in the comments! 💬 Don’t forget to tag a friend who could use a break from training frustration.

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:30
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:30
Thursday	09:00 - 17:30
Friday	09:00 - 17:30

Telephone

+447901651663

Website

http://www.developyourdog.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Develop Your Dog posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Develop Your Dog:

Videos

🎉 New Year, New Skills for your Puppy!🐶 Are you ready to turn your excitable pup into a focused, confident companion? My 6-week training course is here to guide you every step of the way.💡 What makes it different?✔️ Age-appropriate exercise strategies✔️ Positive, gundog-focused training✔️ A fun and supportive environment for both you and your dog📖 Not sure? Start by reading my blog about why tailored exercise is so important for puppies: https://shorturl.at/zMaDn📅 Course starts January 9th—spaces are limited! Message me today to book your place or head on over to the website to book here https://www.developyourdog.co.uk/class-sessions #PuppyTraining2024 #GundogTrainer #PositiveTraining #HealthyPuppy #DogTrainerUK

✨ Teamwork in Action! ✨ Our retriever group absolutely nailed their group sit-stay today while we placed dummies for a memory retrieve. Calm, focused dogs and confident handlers—what a dream team! 🐾 💡 Why practice this? Sit-stays build trust, patience, and control—key ingredients for a polished retrieve. Plus, it gives the dogs a chance to soak in the scene and set up for success. 🎥 Watch to see how we set the stage for perfect memory retrieves. Which dog do you think had the best focus? Let us know below! 👇 #RetrieverTraining #MemoryRetrieve #GundogGoals #DogTrainingJourney

Ever wondered why placeboards are such a powerful tool in gundog training? Here’s a sneak peek from our puppy class as they master the basics of getting on the board. It’s not just cute—it’s the first step toward focus, steadiness, and stop whistle success!#gundogtraining #workingdogs #dogtrainingtips #gundogtrainingjourney #wellbehaveddog #puppytraining

Today’s Cold Game Workshop was a fantastic success! 🎯🐾 Watching both handlers and their dogs make incredible progress was a real joy – each team should be so proud of how far they’ve come! 🙌 Whether it was building confidence or refining retrieving skills, everyone took huge steps forward.One of the highlights of the day was watching a dog learn to follow a scent trail onto a bird that had moved from its original position – it was an amazing moment of teamwork and focus! You can check out the video in the reel to see this in action. 🎥🐕It’s days like this that remind why gundog training is so rewarding – those lightbulb moments and the growing bond between handlers and their dogs are what it’s all about. 💡❤️A huge thank you to everyone who attended – both dogs and handlers truly excelled today! 💪💫#GundogTraining #ColdGame #DogTraining #Progress #ProudTrainer #TeamWork #RetrieverTraining

Training Starts at Home—Watch How I Use These Techniques with My Own Dogs 🏡🐾Ever wondered how to teach your dog to resist temptations and stay calm, even around their favorite things? It all starts with building trust and communication through consistent training. In this video, I'll show you a simple exercise I do with my own dogs: moving away from the food bowl.This exercise is a great way to practice self-control and teach your dog to focus on you, even when something exciting is right in front of them. It's a technique I use with all my dogs, and it's incredibly effective for building steadiness and obedience, whether it's around food, toys, or wildlife. Watch the video to see how it’s done and to get a sneak peek into the methods I use every day. Remember, training isn’t just about cues - it’s about creating a strong, trusting bond with your dog. Curious how these techniques can work for your dog? In our workshops, we’ll cover practical exercises like this and more to help build a well-behaved and happy companion. Reach out to learn more! #GundogTraining #DogTrainingTips #SteadinessTraining #ImpulseControl #PositiveReinforcement #DogBehaviour #ObedienceTraining #TrainingTechniques #CanineTraining #DogTrainerLife #TrainingFoundation #RealWorldTraining #CalmDog #BuildTrust #TrainingJourney #WellBehavedDog #DogOwnerTips #FocusAndControl #TrainingSuccess #TrainYourDog

Wilf came for his first 121 yesterday. His owners were very keen to get his training started so we worked on putting value in being by his owners left leg, responding to his name, and pairing running back to them for a recall. All of these skills and more are taught on our Puppy Course Starting in September. So if you’re bringing home a puppy or already got one and want help getting all those important life skills in place then please head on over to my website and grab a space before they go. Thursdays @ Marlborough Cricket Club for 6 weeks starting on 5th September. Suitable for any gundog breed under 6 months the of age who have had their vaccinations. #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytrainingclass #gundogpuppytraining

The lovely Targa was back for another 121 this morning before the heat set in. Working in the shade we concentrated on rewarding behaviour that didn’t involve jumping up. There can be many reasons why puppies/dogs jump up some just find intrinsically rewarding and others we contribute to inadvertently. Once we did a couple of exercises Targa began to understand that keeping all 4 🐾 on the ground was so much more rewarding and she began to offer self control making some very good choices.

On Tour in Yorkshire 🐾🐏🐑

Did you know that dogs are rubbish at knowing where all of their feet are at any one point in time ? Over the years I’ve learned the importance of teaching our gundogs where their feet are to help them understand how to move their back feet independently from the front. This helps in so many situations 🐾 Increases awareness of limbs 🐾 Increases muscle 🐾 increases strength, mobility and flexibility 🐾 Reduces risks of injury 🐾 Increases control of movement and posture 🐾 Improves balance and potentially athletic performance Using a small obstacle course like this gives your dog the opportunity to safely negotiate their way round learning how to place their feet, engage different muscle groups and have a bit of fun.

Training doesn’t have to take up lots of time. We did this little exercise in less than 5 mins. The key to any training is little and often. Enlist the help of a fabulous friend and their dog (s) and you both help each other other out. Thanks again to Penny Davies - Canine Consultant and her wonderful stooges Clover ☘️ and Lolly🍭

Kiwis Kapers on Tour. Making the most of a rare opportunity to train around well behaved dogs. When Penny Davies - Canine Consultant suggested setting up an exercise to help progress Kiwis heelwork I snapped it up. With the help of our gorgeous assistants Lolly and Clover 🐾.

It’s a lovely warm day and perfect for introducing your puppy to water. Kiwi is helping me find the nice safe entry points so we can build confidence in our dogs swimming and retrieving. #puppyretrieve #puppywatertraining #gundogwatertraining #workinggundogs

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Business
Videos
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Country:

City: