Nikki Birkett Yorkshire Canine Coach

07/08/2025

📣Reactive Dog Myths – Let’s Set the Record Straight
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There’s so much misinformation out there about reactive dogs.
These slides bust some of the most common myths and offer a more compassionate, effective way forward.

🐾 Your dog isn’t broken.
💜 You haven’t failed.

📌 Save this if it resonates — or send it to someone who needs to hear it.

05/08/2025

👏👏👏 And don't allow children to approach any unknown dog whilst out and about without first asking permission and getting protocol 🐾

NEWS: Dog owners and parents urged to keep children safe during school holidays

This year, 165 children have been injured by dogs across South Yorkshire - parents and dog owners must act to protect them during school holidays.

As the summer holidays begin, children will spend more time at home and visiting family and friends with dogs or outside enjoying parks and places.

We are committed to educating parents and owners around dog safety, but everyone must act.

During 2024’s summer school holidays, 34 children under the age of 16 were injured by dogs across South Yorkshire.

Research shows you are more likely to be bitten by a dog known to you in your home than anywhere else.
We’re urging families to remember that dogs, no matter how long you have owned them for, are animals and can show signs of aggression no matter their previous history.

Dogs can’t communicate to us. If they’re in pain or experiencing stress and anxiety it can influence their behaviour, acting in ways that may be unusual for your pet.

📣 Inspector Steve Usher explains more: “Dogs are a huge part of people’s families, and bring great joy to children’s lives, but they are animals, and they have innate characteristics and traits. Any dog, regardless of its breed or nature, can cause injury.

“Please stop thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’ and talk to your child about respecting your own dog, and staying safe around other people’s dogs.

“If every owner steps up and makes small changes, we can make a difference.”

If you have children in your home, or around your dog, please remember:

• Never leave children and dogs unattended
• Make sure your dog has somewhere safe and comfortable to go to when you have visitors
• As your family grows and your children become older, changes in your house may need to be made. As children become more mobile, consider stair gates to separate your dog and child

05/08/2025

Just 2 spaces left on this!!! I am really looking forward to giving your dogs a good mental workout 😆

Brand New Workshop, this Thursday!

🧠 Brain Games and Cognitive Skills 🐾

Is your dog clever, curious, or easily bored?

Join me for a 2-hour workshop packed with fun, enrichment, and lightbulb moments as your dog learns to think, problem solve and thrive.

🎯 Build confidence
💡 Tire their brain out (in a good way!)
🧩 Discover simple games you can recreate at home

📍 Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall
📅 Thursday 7th August 6.45pm
🐶 Max 5 dogs
🎟️ Booking essential – spaces fill fast!

Visit:
👉 https://www.yorkshirecaninecoach.co.uk/other-workshops/brain-games-cognitive-skills/

02/08/2025

Brand New Workshop, this Thursday!

🧠 Brain Games and Cognitive Skills 🐾

Is your dog clever, curious, or easily bored?

Join me for a 2-hour workshop packed with fun, enrichment, and lightbulb moments as your dog learns to think, problem solve and thrive.

🎯 Build confidence
💡 Tire their brain out (in a good way!)
🧩 Discover simple games you can recreate at home

📍 Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall
📅 Thursday 7th August 6.45pm
🐶 Max 5 dogs
🎟️ Booking essential – spaces fill fast!

Visit:
👉 https://www.yorkshirecaninecoach.co.uk/other-workshops/brain-games-cognitive-skills/

01/08/2025

🧠 Today, my brain just… gave up.

Words wouldn’t come out right. Dates on the calendar blurred into each other. I couldn’t hold a single thought for more than a few seconds. Everything felt wobbly—like trying to organise a diary made of jelly.

It’s been a busy week, and it’s not over yet. Today was meant to be an “admin day,” but honestly? My head wasn’t playing ball.

And it got me thinking…

This is what happens to our dogs sometimes too.

They reach a point where they’re just… done. Their brain is overloaded, the world feels too loud, and simple things feel too hard. You might see it as “stubbornness” or “not listening”—but it’s often just a sign they’ve hit their threshold.

The difference is, I get to look at my calendar and try to make sure this doesn’t keep happening. I can plan in more gaps and buffer time next week. Our dogs don’t get that choice—so it’s up to us to notice when they need a break.

Sometimes, rest is the work 💜

01/08/2025

What I’m really looking at on a walk (and it’s not just the lead!)

When I watch a dog on a walk — whether it’s a client’s dog or my own — I’m not just checking if they’re pulling or how “focused” they are.

There’s so much more information happening beneath the surface.

Here are 3 things I’m actually paying attention to:

1️⃣ Can they disengage from the environment?
Not just ignore it — but notice something and choose to move away or check in. That’s gold.

2️⃣ Are they sniffing and processing?
Sniffing isn’t “just sniffing.” It is decompression, it's information-gathering, possibly displacement. It’s how dogs feel safe enough to think.

3️⃣ Are they checking in without being asked?
That moment your dog glances back or stays loosely aware of you — that’s a sign of connection, and it tells me you’re on the right track.

These moments might seem small, but they’re big clues about how a dog is coping, learning, and connecting on a walk.
And they often matter more than whether a sit was perfect or a recall was instant.

Let me know if you spot any of these on your next walk or even better share in the comments 🐾

30/07/2025

Why bring your dog to scent work?

Because it’s so much more than just sniffing.
It’s confidence. It’s connection. It’s calm.

We all know how much I love connection 😍

🐾 Scent work taps into your dog’s natural instinct.
🧠 It gives them a job that works their brain without overstimulating.
💜 It’s perfect for anxious, reactive, or overenthusiastic dogs.
🌱 It builds trust between you and your dog—without pressure.
🎯 And best of all? It’s FUN. Like, tail-wagging, eyes-bright fun.

You’ll be amazed what your dog can do when you let them lead with their nose 👃🐶

📍2 spaces available for tomorrow's workshop at Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall – 7.30pm
Drop me a message to grab one!

29/07/2025

🐾What I Wish More Dog Guardians Knew 🐾

That sometimes progress looks like doing less.
Less walking, less pushing, fewer new places.
Because when we reduce the noise, our dogs can breathe — and finally start to learn 💟

24/07/2025

*2 PLACES LEFT*

COME AND JOIN US ON SATURDAY 😍

***
Nice lead walking doesn't happen immediately.

If your walks feel a bit rushed, stressful, and usually end with aching back or knees, then this is for you!

Come and learn some new techniques, practice in an outdoor environment around other dogs, and also just enjoy some focused time with your dog 💕

This Saturday!!

BOOK NOW

21/07/2025

Nice lead walking doesn't happen immediately.

If your walks feel a bit rushed, stressful and usually end with aching back or knees then this is for you!

Come and learn some new techniques, practice in an outdoor environment around other dogs and also just enjoy some focused time with your dog 💕

This Saturday!!

BOOK NOW https://www.yorkshirecaninecoach.co.uk/other-workshops/loose-leaders/

13/07/2025

📢It all starts with connection 📢

Most things people come to me for — reactivity, recall, lead pulling, anxiety — they all have one thing in common:
We can’t make meaningful progress without first building connection.

That doesn’t mean you don’t love your dog. Of course you do — you wouldn’t have reached out to me if you didn’t! 💜

What it means is that you and your dog are two different species, speaking two very different languages.
And my job?
Is to help you translate. To help you both understand each other better.

Because once you’ve got connection — real, two-way connection — that’s when the magic happens. That’s when training becomes more effective, more natural… and something you both actually enjoy 🫶

📸 This was me and my dog this weekend.
No leads. Just being. Speaking, silent conversations. Laughing. Exploring and connected.