North Norfolk Dog Training

20/11/2025

Running your own business is never easy, even in the best of times. Right now, it’s mega tough, and it can feel pretty deflating. I keep reminding myself: I survived Covid…I can survive the current economic climate, which feels brutal for so many of us right now.

And then, just when you need it most, someone sends a few kind words that lift your whole day. This is a perfectly timed reminder of why I do what I do., so thank you kind lady, you know who you are ❤️

16/11/2025

There’s always one 😍

Well done Margot - snooze you loose dad!

16/11/2025

These little beauties have their final week in The Young Ones puppy classes next week!
They’re all doing so well, and I’m incredibly proud of every one of them. I can’t wait to see them progress through their adolescent classes and continue developing — hopefully with only a few hiccups along the way (as we know, adolescence can be a bit of a rollercoaster!).

Their puppy foundations will stand them in great stead.
Well done, pups!

❓Can you name all four breeds? I bet you can’t get all four ❓

14/11/2025

Morston had his first visit to today 🙌

It went really well, considering Morston’s history. Josh, the vet, was incredibly kind and mindful of Morston’s fear of being examined. He stopped the moment Morston gave the first signal that he wasn’t comfortable. It makes a huge difference to know that both Morston and myself are being listened too, and to know that everyone is safer as a result. The reception team were also genuinely lovely and considerate. And the waiting area is huge, so all the animals can find some space if they need it. It may be a bit of a trek for us, but it’s absolutely worth it.

After long-term pain and consequently some negative vet experiences, Morston developed a real fear of vet examinations, and unfortunately his associations with our previous practice became too difficult to overcome. I’ve spent over a year considering different vets, and now I’m so relieved and feel confident that I’ve made the right choice for both of my boys.

14/11/2025

“the use of Shock Collar Products leads to increased aggression and other significant and irreversible behavioral changes, rendering dogs less obedient, and even dangerously defiant”.

Dozens of peer review studies have demonstrated the dangers, potential short- and long-term impact of using shock collars (e-collars) on dogs. And just now a $1.9 million consumer class action arising out of misrepresentations and omissions by parent company Radio Systems in connection with its manu...

13/11/2025

Pepper continues to make great progress. We’ve had a busy walk this morning. We did a little bit of work around the “Tommy” silhouette to start as she was a little unsure of it. We practiced walking past a large group of people (many times, over and over) whilst they checked out of accommodation down by the harbour - she didn’t lunge once, she continues to get better at doing. Pepper is a very busy dog, and whilst out and about, she really struggles to stay still, so we sat and watched the world go by. She’s walking beautifully to heel on and off lead, and her recall is perfect 👌👌👌

11/11/2025

Research tells us that chronic pain cannot be effectively assessed in a clinic. This isn’t due to lack of skill or care on the part of veterinarians, but because the context itself makes it nearly impossible.

1. Pain behaviour changes depending on where the animal is and how they feel about that place. A vet clinic is unfamiliar, noisy, and filled with smells. Most dogs experience stress or fear there which can suppress outward signs of pain.

2. When dogs are stressed, adrenaline and cortisol rise. These hormones dampen pain perception, allowing the dog to appear “normal” even when they are not. It’s very common for a dog who limps at home to walk almost soundly in the clinic.

3. A vet consultation usually lasts 20 minutes. Chronic pain, however, is a condition of patterns, subtle changes in posture, behaviour, mobility, sleep, and mood over time.

4. Dogs are often held for examination. Even gentle handling can cause them to freeze or shut down. A dog that is tense or compliant under restraint may appear cooperative but is actually suppressing communication.

5. Clinic floors are typically slippery, and rooms are small. Dogs who are cautious about movement, weight-shifting, or joint pain will move differently in this setting not because they are pain-free, but because they are trying not to slip.

6. Dogs rarely yelp in chronic pain. Yelping is an acute pain response, a reflex to sudden, unexpected pain. Chronic pain is different. It develops slowly, often affecting multiple systems. Dogs adapt by changing how they move, sleep, interact, or express emotion. They may become quieter, withdrawn, restless, irritable, or reactive. Chronic pain alters the nervous system gradually, and because it becomes the “new normal,” dogs stop signalling it in obvious ways.

8. The most accurate information about chronic pain comes from a dogs behaviour, reluctance to jump, shorter walks, altered posture, increased irritability, licking or chewing at body parts, or changes in sleep and play.

Stress, restraint and environment all interfere with true pain expression. Defensive behaviour often reflects discomfort, and the absence of yelping does not mean absence of pain.

11/11/2025

Thank you John. And I will keep sharing your content.

A very high % of Labradors, Spaniels & Pointers I see where I live, in Norfolk, are subjected to wearing slip-leads like they’re some kind of status symbol or fashion statement, or and I quote this following a conversation only last week, “but it’s okay, he’s a gundog breed, they all have them”! 😤

Positive reinforcement trainers are outnumbered by balanced/aversive trainers here. Something else I hear all the time when people come for help with their dogs, is, “but the other trainer wouldn’t let us join gundog classes unless we agreed to use a slip-lead”. Sadly, this corruption within the dog training community is still rife.

08/11/2025

Thanks for sharing this, Aileen The Perfect Puppy Company. You’re absolutely spot on, as always. You have such a great way of putting these things into words. Definitely one worth sharing!

07/11/2025

He has a good reliable recall, but I put a lot of emphasis on automatic check-ins. Good boy, Luther ❤️

07/11/2025

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Resource guarding isn’t about control. It’s about fear.

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When a dog guards food, toys, or even people, they’re not trying to be in charge. They’re worried about losing something that matters to them. That fear can come from past experiences, uncertainty, or a lack of predictability in their environment.

A growl or stiff posture isn’t disobedience, it’s communication. It’s your dog saying, “I don’t feel safe right now.”

Instead of focusing on stopping the behavior, start by understanding what triggers it. Ask:
• What situations make my dog feel uneasy?
• Can I change the environment to make them feel safer?
• What can I teach them to do instead when they feel unsure?

Helping dogs overcome guarding starts with safety, consistency, and trust. When they know their needs will be met, the behavior fades on its own.