Nikki Birkett Yorkshire Canine Coach

06/04/2025

🐾 Scent Work = Fun, Focus, and Confidence! 🐾

Did you know that scent work is not only mentally enriching but also a fantastic way to boost your dog’s confidence and focus? 🧠✨

Benefits of Scent Work:

🐕 Strengthens your bond with your dog

🔍 Engages your dog’s natural instincts

💪 Increases mental stimulation & focus

❤️ Builds confidence and reduces stress

Ready to put your dog’s sniffing skills to the test? 🐾 Book your spot in our Scent Work classes today and let your dog discover the world of scents! 🐾

👉https://www.yorkshirecaninecoach.co.uk/snifficent-dogs/snifficent-dogs-summer-25-series/

05/04/2025

Easing myself into work this week was hard, I'll not lie. It will all be fine so long as noone asks me if I'm OK 😬😭

Here are some of the lovelies who have offered cuddles 💕

Scent work dates going live tomorrow....🙌

04/04/2025

Cancellation for class available tomorrow!!!

Let me know if you want to come.

It's going to be a fun theme as life needs lightening a little 🫶

Ziggi photo for Facebook tax

Message me for your place tomorrow!

01/04/2025

Good evening everyone.

I am easing myself back into work this week but please be gentle with me.

We are feeling the sudden loss of Coco very deeply 😢 💔

Basically what happened is that when she went for her MRI a very large growth was found in her brain. Waking her up meant a massive risk of inducing a seizure which may have been catastrophic. It was kindest and most humane to leave her sleeping.

I am expecting a call in the next few days to collect her ashes, which i know will break me all over again.

All classes will continue as usual this week and I have sorted the dates for the summer scent work, which I will put up for booking later this week!

Ziggi is quieter than normal but also less fidgety, we have to ask ourselves... did he know what we didn't...?

26/03/2025

Unfortunately we got terrible news today and it was right to let Coco go.

I honestly don't know how to function without her.

I'll be taking sometime to process for the rest of the week.

I'll reply to outstanding emails tomorrow and directly contact anyone whom I need to cancel 😞

24/03/2025

A little personal update from me...

My beautiful soul girl has been showing some unusual signs recently, and we’ve got an appointment with a neurology specialist on Wednesday. It’s been a worrying time, and we’re hoping she’ll have an MRI that day so we can start getting some answers.

This has meant a few rearrangements, and I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for your patience and kindness—your support has made things feel so much lighter.

In preparation for the appointment, she’s had to come off her usual medication—which means she’s needing a little extra TLC right now.

As any loving dog owner will understand, this is taking up a lot of brain space. I’m doing my best to stay on top of things, especially the admin, but it’s a bit of a catch-up game right now. If you get an email from me at midnight—don’t be alarmed, just know I’m working through it bit by bit!🙈

Thank you again for being such an understanding and supportive community. It really does mean the world. 🐾💜🐾

24/03/2025

🐾 6 WEEK PUPPY CLASS 🐾

Starts this Thursday at Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall 6.30pm

Limited spaces available!

Prebook at https://www.yorkshirecaninecoach.co.uk/puppy-classes/

24/03/2025

To this girl, life is just so exciting.

Everything is amazing, everything is fun, and it’s beautiful to see.

But… she’s a big dog. And she’s just entering adolescence.

When she sees something exciting, she can get a little… bouncy!
And treats? Oh wow. Treats are the MOST exciting thing ever — which can sometimes make the bounce even bigger!

This is where understanding the changes happening in a dog’s brain during adolescence really helps — alongside thousands of hours of hands-on experience, study, and work with dogs just like her.

We want to harness that excitement, not fight it. That means balancing treat rewards with other types of rewards — and that combo will look different for every dog.

If your young dog sounds anything like this, drop me an email. Let’s work together to bring more calm and harmony to your walks.

21/03/2025

I'll be here tomorrow!

This is where I hold my Puppy and Scent classes.

If you want to come down and have a chat about how I could support you then please do! 💜🐾💜

📣 This Saturday! Come down and celebrate the hall’s birthday! 🎂

21/03/2025

🔥 Lead walking isn't one-size-fits-all 🔥

This week, I worked with young Peggy. She is a prime example of why it is important to train the dog in front of you.

Spaniels can be allergic to straight lines — they’re built to zigzag, sniff, and chase scent, not march in a perfect heel. So, asking them to walk neatly next to you straight away can feel pretty aversive and frustrating for them. It can even make “next to you” the last place they want to be 😟

For dogs like Peggy, I take a very different approach than I would with other breeds. It’s less about training the 'thing' and more about helping them want to be with you — balancing their natural drive with loose lead skills that work for both ends of the lead.

At the end of the day, it's never about a textbook method — it's about what this dog needs to thrive. We never stop learning, and we should never stop looking at the actual dog in front of us. Over the past 8 years I've added so many skills to my toolbox ready to pull out for your dog, no matter how unique they are!

18/03/2025

Aw, these pups graduated last week 😍

It was a rearranged session from me being poorly so we were sadly missing Luna, Kobi and Jax 😔

Amazing dogs, all of them came on in leaps and I think the humans learnt a lot about their individual dogs 💕

Next class starts next week! Spaces available!!!! BOOK NOW 😉😉

17/03/2025

For sale

Butternut Box

13 x Pork 400g
2 x Lamb 400g
1 x Game 800g (?)

Coco is now fully on raw so we don't need these.

£1.50 each

16/03/2025

Sad, but true!

The majority of TikTok 'trainers' give out advice that makes me fear for our dogs.

Look into the credentials of who you follow. Just because they sound confident, doesn't mean they know the subject.

The dog training industry is unregulated, it scares me. By the ethos of some, the fact I've had a car for over 20 years means I'm a specialist mechanic 🙄🫢😬

If you're looking for people to follow, let me know, I'll at least send some good ones for you 💜

This so applies to dog trainers…

13/03/2025

🚨 Think your reactive dog can’t do dog sports? Think again! 🚨

Reactive dogs can enjoy activities like Hoopers and scent work – they just need the right setup! 💪🐶

Discover how dog sports can build confidence, reduce frustration, and strengthen your bond – plus, check out my brand-new Hoopers series for dogs who need more space!

📖 Read the blog here 👉 https://www.yorkshirecaninecoach.co.uk/blog-post/life-with-a-reactive-dog-is-restrictive-right/

🐾 Let’s help our reactive dogs thrive, not just survive! 💙

13/03/2025

Another birthday girl from over the weekend!

I hope you had a fabulous party Luna, the pictures and videos your humans sent me looked like a lot of fun!!

You are loved 💕😍🎉

13/03/2025

Just updating the album!

13/03/2025

12/03/2025

I want to wish a belated Happy Birthday to Poppy 🎉🎉😍

Poppy has been part of the NBYCC training family for a while, she rocks anything she tries whether obedience, hoopers or scent work. She's a happy little soul 💕

It was her birthday on Saturday and she brought party bags to class for the other dogs!

We love you, Poppy 😍💖