Nikki Birkett Yorkshire Canine Coach

24/06/2025

🐾 Last-Minute Spot Alert – Scent Work This Thursday! 🕵️‍♂️👃

Fancy trying something a little different with your dog this week?

We’ve got a space (or two!) left on Thursday’s scent work workshop – a brilliant way to boost your dog’s confidence, build focus, and have fun together in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Whether your dog is young or old, bouncy or nervous, scent work is for every dog – and you don’t need any experience to join in.

📍 Thorpe Willoughby Village Hall
📅 Thursday 26 June
⏰ 7.30pm
💷 Just £28

Come along and enjoy a calm, enriching evening with your dog. It’s a great way to connect and give them a job they were born to do!

Drop me a message or book using the link in comments 👉

23/06/2025

Sometimes....we look back and think why did I do that.

I remember making mistakes with Coco I'm the early days, nothing aversive but feeling like I could have done more.

I will speak with new clients who maybe took an approach they wish they hadn't in the past.

There's no judgement, not from me, not from your dog.

It's about what we do moving forward 💕

In order for our dogs to get it right, we need to allow them to be confident enough to try, offer and progress. This all comes more naturally when we allow them to confidently make mistakes.

The same goes for us. You wouldn’t be able to look back and say ‘I wish I’d done it differently’, if you hadn’t made those mistakes in the first place. Mistakes are what progresses us, keeps us unstuck and helps us grow. Mistakes are never really mistakes at all.

19/06/2025

Im not long back from a walk with Ziggi.🐾

We went to the woods, and it was lovely and shaded — but we were in the sun for less than two minutes of the walk, and he really felt it. It’s warming up already!

So why do we make such a fuss about the heat? 🥵

Because this isn’t normal weather for us — and more importantly, it’s not consistent. Our dogs don’t get the chance to slowly adjust to rising temperatures like they might in hotter climates.

It takes around 2–3 weeks for dogs to properly acclimatise to temperature changes, and we just don’t get that gradual shift here in the UK. One minute it’s cool and damp, the next it’s 26°C and humid.😅

And that humidity? It makes it harder for dogs to regulate their body temperature. Panting becomes less effective, which puts them at greater risk of overheating.

There are small things we can do to help them (and ourselves!).

For example, this door has a glass panel, and the sun hits it directly from early morning. By hanging a towel on the *outside*, it does two things:

1. Shades the room to keep it cooler.

2. Reduces the amount of heat absorbed into the glass and transferred into the room.

It’s not a big change — but it makes a difference. 🐾

18/06/2025

☀️ Heatwave = Behaviour Wobble? You’re not imagining it ☀️

The current heatwave doesn’t just affect dogs physically – it can have a big impact behaviourally, too. 🐾

You might notice:

• More grumpiness or reactivity
• Less tolerance for people, dogs, or handling
• Dogs may seem more clingy or more distant
• A struggle to settle or an increase in pacing/restlessness
• Training falling apart – because they’re just not coping

Just like us, dogs can feel fatigued, uncomfortable, and overwhelmed in the heat. They may sleep more, avoid eating, or seem a bit “off” – and that’s OK. It’s not always about ‘bad behaviour’ – sometimes it’s a heat-stressed body and brain.

🔥 Behaviour support may look a little different right now. We’re adapting sessions, making the most of shade and cool times of day, and in some cases postponing when it’s just not safe to work outdoors.

🐶 Your dog’s wellbeing comes first – always.
If they’re not quite themselves at the moment, give them some grace. Keep cool, keep it calm, and as always, reach out if you need support.

Enjoy this vision of Ziggi keeping himself cool 😎 He is a goon around water BUT only natural water courses. He scoffs at paddling pools 🙈

Share any observations about your dog or show my photos of them being cool 😎

16/06/2025

🌡️☀️ Hot Weather Notice – Welfare Comes First ☀️🌡️

As the temperatures climb, I want to give a gentle heads-up that some of our training sessions or classes may be rescheduled or adapted over the coming days.

I always put the dogs' wellbeing first – and that includes recognising when it's simply too warm for them to focus safely or comfortably. 🐾

My conscience couldn’t cope if anything happened as a result of pushing on in heat they’re struggling with. So please know that any changes are made with care, not inconvenience.

If adjustments are needed, I’ll be in touch with plenty of notice, and we’ll work together to find the best solution for you and your dog – whether that’s an earlier/later session, moving indoors, or switching to online for a day.

Thanks so much for your understanding 💜 Stay safe and keep those paws cool!

13/06/2025

This girl is having a short course of intensive 1-2-1s.

She’s hit that delightful adolescent phase where it’s “I’ve forgotten everything I ever learned… and also, who are you humans?” 🙈

But yesterday, she made brilliant progress – and so did her humans!

Because let’s be honest, it’s always a two-way street. What we do has a huge impact on what our dogs do. We all pick up habits – some helpful, some… not so much 😆

So tell me – what’s one habit you have that you know is sabotaging your training… but you just can’t seem to break? 🙈👇

12/06/2025

Mornings are not my strong point 🙈

They never have been! My day tends to run upside down – if you’ve ever had a reply from me late at night, that’s why 😂 That’s when my brain finally kicks in.

Ziggi’s much the same. He’s a fan of a morning snooze and our big adventures usually happen in the afternoon. But with the forecast looking warm again today, we were up and out early!

I’ll admit I got it wrong yesterday and skipped the walk altogether 🙃 Sometimes it’s just not worth the risk when the heat ramps up.

Ziggi definitely appreciated the cooler stroll this morning... although he’s been muttering something about his breakfast being late 🤔

🌞🐾

What little tweaks do you make when the weather suddenly turns hot? I’d love to hear your ideas 💕

11/06/2025

Today is World Pet Memorial Day 🕊️

It’s a day to remember the companions who shaped our lives with their love. I still carry a Coco-shaped hole in my heart—some days it aches quietly, others it roars. She’s woven into everything I do, and I miss her deeply, always.

If you’re grieving a beloved pet today, please know you’re not alone. The Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service is there if you need someone to talk to:
📞 0800 096 6606
💻 bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-support

Take a moment to honour their memory—light a candle, share a story, or simply feel what you feel. Their love never really leaves us. 💜🐾

10/06/2025

What's on this month??

Here you go!

Spaces are available on all at the time of writing, but I can't guarantee it'll stay that way!

Scent work 🐾

Social walk 🐾

Hoopers for dogs who need space 🐾

Cool and Focussed Workshop - perfect for those happy, giddy dogs who can't control themselves 😂 🐾

10/06/2025

🎉NEWS TIME🎉

I’m incredibly proud to say I have the honour of being part of the Professional Village at Edition Dog Live!!🐾

This isn’t just an event. It’s a space filled with people who genuinely care about dogs, who are pushing for better understanding, compassion, holistic and ethical support 💕

To be included among them means a lot.

I’ll be there offering advice and support for anyone with:
🐾 Nervous dogs
🐾 Reactive dogs
🐾 Rescues — especially overseas dogs
🐾 Or any dog who doesn’t quite fit into the “easy” box

If that’s you, please come and say hi. You’ll be met with understanding, not judgement. I know first hand how hard it can be.

🎟️ Want a free ticket? Use the code below!

Let’s make this a day to help more dogs be heard 💜

10/06/2025

Big News incoming later today 🎉