Venture Dog Training

29/08/2024

Have you got questions about your dog?

Get in touch and book a free 30 minute phone consultation.

27/08/2024

Some social media channels are awash with dog trainers.
Many of them tell you your dog needs you to be their leader.

But it depends on how you perceive leadership. Your parent or parental figure is a leader.
A leader of any kind has the choice to use kindness, or they can use fear.

So think about this quote from the American business executive and author Robert C. Townsend, who is noted for transforming Avis into a rental car giant.

How do you want your dog to see you?

26/08/2024

Celebrity pile ons via social media are never a good thing.
What we can learn from Lily Allen is that research and managing puppy's environment are vital.
Also, that if you truly can't give a puppy or dog the life it deserves, it's OK to rehome them.

Lily Allen says she has received death threats after revealing she returned puppy that ate her family's passports.

The 39-year-old singer said she has received "abhorrent messages" since she revealed she had returned the dog after "many months and much deliberation" because her family home wasn't "the best fit" for the animal.

Tap the link to read more👇
https://trib.al/Us2iPgi

25/08/2024

21/08/2024

"Dogs should understand commands instantly."

But here's the thing, dogs don’t speak our language.

We may constantly talk to our dogs, but they don’t hear specific words unless they’ve been taught to pick them out. Then, more specifically, paired with an action and a reward.

Dogs don't come pre programmed with an understanding of the traditional 'commands'. Life would be so easy if they did!

Every dog learns at his or her own pace. They need to learn that your cue, followed by a behaviour, leads to a reward.
So don’t get discouraged if you need a few repetitions.

20/08/2024

Happy Gotcha Day to our Casey.

Seriously, the best dog ever who has been on this journey with me from the start.
She had to put up with several training techniques and practices (including the little Mexican's ones) before I knew any better.

10 years on, and she's still the Queen.

20/08/2024

Yesterday's finds from the charity bookshop in Derry.
What are your favourite dog books?
Let us know your recommendations in the comments.

16/08/2024

Two fresh hounds, looking and smelling great after a trip to Pretty Pawz this morning.
Top class service as usual.

12/08/2024

Celebrating the Glorious 12th and the start of the grouse shooting season!
Wishing everyone a safe and successful day in the field.

12/08/2024

Who heard the thunder and lightning last night?

It's important to remember that while we might find the sound of thunder exciting or calming, our dogs might not share the same feelings.

Even gundog breeds can be unsettled by the loud crashes of thunder.

Imagine having extremely sensitive senses, much sharper than a human’s. Now, imagine sudden, booming noises that seem to come out of nowhere. It's no wonder many dogs, including gundogs, can be frightened by thunder. Here’s why:

🟡 Dogs hear at much higher frequencies than humans, making the sounds of thunder particularly overwhelming.

🟡 Thunder is sudden and erratic, which can trigger anxiety in dogs who thrive on routine and predictability.

🟡 For some dogs, loud noises are linked to past negative experiences, intensifying their fear.

🟡 Loud, unexpected sounds can activate a dog's survival instincts, making them want to protect themselves.

How to help your dog.

1. Create a Safe Haven: Set up a quiet, cosy space where your dog can retreat if they feel scared.

2. Desensitisation Training: Gradually introduce your dog to recorded thunder sounds over time to reduce their sensitivity.

3. Build Positive Associations: Pair the sound of thunder with something good happening to help your dog associate it with something positive.

4. Seek Veterinary Advice: If your dog's fear is severe, consult your vet for advice or possible medication.

Remember, even gundogs like Spaniels, HPRs, and Retrievers, who are bred to be around gunfire, need careful and gradual exposure to loud noises. Just because they’re gundogs doesn’t mean they won’t be scared of thunder.

Be considerate of their fears and take steps to keep them safe and comfortable.

08/08/2024

A quote I have seen attributed to to make you think on a wet Thursday afternoon.

It was probably in reference to religion but can be applied to life with dogs.
There are lots of people who believe the myths society tells us about dogs. Our dogs and society would be better off if we listened to those who have studied canine behaviour and canine learning theory and base their training techniques on evidence and facts.

07/08/2024

Here's an expression I hear all the time.

When people ask what dog trainers do, they often ask if we 'put manners' on dogs.
Or people will call, and their initial enquiry is to see if I can 'put manners' on their dog.

Some dog trainers correct dogs and bring them down a peg or two.

But my job is to help people understand their dog's behaviour and the need the behaviour is fulfilling. Once we've done that, we can work on teaching alternative behaviours, meeting dogs' mental and physical needs, and managing their environment so that unwanted behaviours can't be rehearsed.

Message today to find out more and book your free phone consultation.

06/08/2024

That's a wrap folks.
Thanks to all who called into Pet Value Bunc Pet Value Ballybofey stand today
Great to see too

05/08/2024

Training or Taming?

Is dog training about control or cooperation? In our sessions, we foster a partnership with your dog, not just obedience.

What are your thoughts on the balance between guiding and commanding?

04/08/2024

All roads lead to Clonmany this week!
We're delighted to be joining Pet Value Bunc and Pet Value Ballybofey at their stand at Clonmany Agricultural Show on Tuesday.
Be sure to call in and and ask any dog related questions you have while checking out the superb range of pet products Marcus and his team have with them.

03/08/2024

02/08/2024

Reward-based dog training is the way to go.
Build a strong bond, get consistent results, and train humanely.
Your pup will love it, and so will you!

01/08/2024

Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane!
Venture Dog Training was inspired by my family and grandfather Ted Reed's bus company, Venture Transport. Just like Venture Transport, which connected people and places with reliability and care, we're all about connecting you and your dog through experttraining.

Venture Transport was a staple in the community in North East England for decades, known for its dedication and service. We're proud to carry on that legacy, but with a twist! From buses to pups, the Reed and now Ramshaw family continues to venture with you.

Check out more about Venture's history here
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venture_Transport

30/07/2024

Our dogs have to value whatever reward we are using.

We're not suggesting that dogs should work for everything they get, or you should withhold their food.
However, if you free feed your dog, it will decrease the value of the. Especially if you want to use part of their daily food as training rewards.

If your dog doesn't finish their meal, pick it up and dispose of it or put it away for later.

28/07/2024

Time to 'fess up'

What's the worst piece of dog training advice you ever got?
We don't need to know who it was from.

Ours was definitely to alpha roll our puppy to make them calm and submissive.

Let us know in the comments!

25/07/2024

We're all guilty of this with our dogs. Just because we love them and they're cute doesn't mean they know things before they've been taught.

Are you expecting too much from your dog? Put yourself in their shoes and think how you'd react. And you're the one with the bigger brain!

Set your dog up for success by starting easy and gradually building up to more difficult things.

24/07/2024

This is a super piece of advice from

Imagine being taken for a surprise dance class. Would you enjoy it as much as you would if you'd known it was going to happen?

Even our dogs need a bit of warning before we start a training session.
You can also wait for engagement from your dog at other times, like getting out of the car or going through the door to go for a walk.

23/07/2024

Let us know in the comments what you think.

23/07/2024

Here's the thing...

Having a big garden doesn't replace the joy of walking your dog! Simply letting them roam outside isn't a match for the excitement of exploring new places with their favourite person.

When dogs spend extended hours in the garden, they miss crucial sleep and often feel bored, resorting to destructive behaviour like digging or excessive barking.

Dogs aren't meant to be outdoor ornaments – they want and need human companionship.

Eager to transform your walks into exciting adventures and teach your dog loose lead walking?
Contact us today to discover how!

23/07/2024

Do you know the difference between a livestock herding and a livestock guarding breed?

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/PX9HXfASfZrGe8nR/

20/07/2024

Spread some love for small businesses!

Whether it's sharing their content, giving a thumbs up, leaving a glowing review, dropping positive comments, or snagging a gift voucher, every little bit counts! 🌟

Let's show our support and help these incredible entrepreneurs thrive!

19/07/2024

The 70s called, they want their obedience classes back... The lady in the photo is Barbara Woodhouse, who was the celebrity dog trainer of her day who could make dogs obedient with her no-nonsense approach and trademark expressions, "Walkies" and "Sitttttt!"

But what do we actually want from our dogs? To come back when we call them. To walk next to us and not pull. To lie down and settle when we ask them, to sit when asked and to just be a nice, friendly dog.
To me, these are Life Skills, not obedience.

Obedience conjures images of dominance, arrogance, and submission. Do you really want to be your dog's master and for them to obey you like a robot?

I want a means of communicating with my dog that is based on trust, friendship, and mutual respect. I want my dog to be comfortable living in our human world. Reward based training gives me that.

Obey has been taken out of wedding vows.
Isn't it about time we took it out of dog training?

18/07/2024

There is a lot of online dog training content available to us. Using a variety of techniques.

When you're scrolling through reels, always look at the trainer's dog. Are they alert, engaged, and interested?
Or hesitant, subdued, and reluctant?

Then ask yourself, which one do you want your dog to look like?

13/07/2024

What's usually the very first thing we teach dogs and their humans?

Answers in the comments please.

11/07/2024

It's not your dog's responsibility.

Your dog can only be a dog. They will react to whatever is in their environment the way dogs do.
They are excellent learners and are designed to learn rather than be trained.

They don't know right from wrong because their version is different from yours.

It's your responsibility to teach your dog the behaviour you would like from them so that they can live happily with you.