The Schnauzer Trainer

07/12/2025

Wow! I’ve had such an amazing response to posts and lots of messages this week. I’m working through them so bear with me 🤩🤩

07/12/2025

Puppy meet up!!

I organised a fab puppy meet up at my local coffee shop today. There were pups, horses 🐴 in the field and lots of lovely Coffee at The Shed in Moore.

Thank you to everyone that came along ☺️🐾

05/12/2025

🧡 The Human Heart Behind a Schnauzer 🧡

We talk so much about the barking.
The reactivity.
The stubborn moments.
The quirks that make Schnauzers so wonderfully… Schnauzer.
But today, I want to talk about you.
The human behind the lead.

The one who has given their heart to a small, bearded soul who doesn’t come with an instruction manual.

Owning a Schnauzer isn’t just a daily routine, it’s a tender, emotional commitment.

It’s the knot in your stomach when they bark at a passerby.

The heat in your cheeks when someone gives you “that look.”

The worry that maybe… you’re not doing enough.

It’s the silent “I hope this goes okay” before every walk.

It’s the breath you hold when a dog appears around a corner.

It’s the quiet moments where you sit and wonder,
“Why does this feel so hard?”
It’s not because you’re failing.
It’s because you care so deeply.

Schnauzers choose their person in a way that feels almost spiritual.
They attach themselves to your heartbeat, your scent, your routines, your emotions....

And sometimes that bond brings challenges.
Sometimes it brings tears.
Sometimes it brings a kind of love so big it scares you 🧡🧡

This page isn't just for your Schnauzers it's for you! The humans at the other end of the lead. Let's support each other and share our experiences with our beardy beuaties.

A chat with me is a click away. Book a call via my diary link below.
https://brand.shapeyourdog.co.uk/widget/booking/XRYNhlNC5rpuyOZKLpHq

04/12/2025

What It Really Feels Like to Own a Reactive Schnauzer…..

If you own a reactive Schnauzer, you already know… this isn’t “just barking.”

It’s their eyebrows lifting, beard bristling, body going stiff — and you thinking,
“Please… no not again!”

It’s scanning the street before they do, because they spot everything.

It’s preparing for the sudden lunge, the lurch forward and the bark that sounds far too loud.

It’s wishing people understood that Schnauzers aren’t “naughty or aggressive” — they’re wired to notice, alert, and protect.
It’s the embarrassment when your lovely, clever, sensitive Schnauzer suddenly loses it over a passing dog. The guilt when someone gives you that look.
The frustration of thinking, “Why is everyone else’s dog walking nicely?”

And the shame that creeps in even though you’re trying your absolute best.

But here’s the truth every Schnauzer owner needs to hear:
Your dog isn’t giving you a hard time —
your Schnauzer is having a hard time.
They bark because they care.
They react because they’re overwhelmed, overstimulated, or unsure.

They’re doing their best with the instincts they were born with.
And with the right support — calm training, predictable routines, safer distances, and you leading the way — your Schnauzer can feel more relaxed and more sure footed.

Walks can feel easier.
Your connection can get stronger.
You don’t have to tackle this alone.
Send me a message if you’re ready to help your Schnauzer feel calmer, safer and more confident out in the world.

03/12/2025

01/12/2025

How often are you and your dog just silly?

We mess around, we chase each other, we have FUN and this keeps our bond really really strong. 💪

This gives us off lead freedom as well as daily smiles 😃

Comment FREEDOM below 👇 if you want 3 top tips for creating off lead freedom.

30/11/2025

“He behaves better when you’re here!”

I hear this all the time — and it’s completely true.
Dogs often behave very differently when a trainer is present.

But here’s the thing nobody tells you:
# Your dog doesn’t need to perform for me.
They need to learn to connect with you.
This is one of the biggest reasons I love training online.

When we work over Zoom, a few magical things happen:
dog isn’t distracted by a new person in the house or on a walk. No sniffing me, staring at me, barking at me, or trying to sit on my lap.

That builds the kind of connection you can’t buy.
# You gain the confidence to handle real-life situations
Instead of me stepping in and becoming the “safe” person who gets great behaviour,
you become the person your dog trusts, follows, and listens to.
# Your dog isn’t overwhelmed by a stranger, and you aren’t juggling a bouncing, barking Schnauzer while trying to hear instructions.

Online sessions put the focus exactly where it should be, on helping you and your dog understand each other better.

When YOU do the training, they’re learning to behave best when they are with YOU.
And that’s what truly matters.

Ready to build a stronger connection with your Schnauzer? Book an online session and I’ll guide you step by step.

30/11/2025

Sunday morning walks with my boy 💙💙💙💙💙

29/11/2025

Who else uses Yutube calming playlists for Dogs?

This Channel is Anti Stress Doggo Music. I put this on when I go out or if I’m on zoom sessions. It’s become a SETTLE CUE for my own dog Chester.

Having some relaxing background sounds can help cultivate settle.

Who else uses calming playlists or videos?

29/11/2025

If your Schnauzer turns into a tiny bouncer at the door… here’s why we start online...

Yesterday, I had a Zoom session with a lovely family whose dog has a habit of jumping up and can give visitors a little nip. And honestly? Starting online was absolutely the safest, calmest way to begin.

If I’d walked through their front door in person, they would’ve had to juggle the dog on a lead or shut them away behind a closed door. Stressful for everyone — especially the dog — and not the best way to really understand what’s going on.

On Zoom, though, everything was so much smoother.
The dog stayed relaxed in their usual environment, the owners could focus on the information being given and the training without worrying about managing their dog and we were able to dig into why their dog behaves this way without any added pressure.

We talked through how to set the home up for success, how to protect visitors, and created the first steps of a plan to start changing those big feelings around people coming into the home.

I always say this, but online sessions aren’t second best — for dogs who bark, lunge, jump up, or feel uncertain about strangers, they’re often the perfect place to train. Calm dog, calm humans, better learning for everyone.

If your Schnauzer finds visitors a bit overwhelming, we can absolutely train online and build confidence from there.

If this sounds like your Schnauzer, drop me a message and we can start with a calm, safe online session to get things moving in the right direction.