Venture Dog Training

11/07/2025

With the temperatures in Ireland soaring, it’s time to put your dog’s safety first. Walking your dog in the heat can be seriously dangerous — and sometimes even deadly.

Why it’s risky:

Dogs can’t sweat like we do. They overheat fast.

Hot pavements can burn their paws — if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their feet.

Heatstroke can come on quickly, especially in flat-faced breeds (like Pugs or Bulldogs), older dogs, or those with thick coats.

What to do instead:

Walk early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler.

Swap walks for enrichment games indoors — snuffle mats, puzzle toys, or frozen lick mats.

Always have fresh water available and let them rest in the shade or a cool room.

Consider a cooling mat or damp towel for them to lie on.

Your dog doesn’t need a walk in this heat — they need you to be smart and safe.

10/07/2025

It really helps to see things from your dog’s point of view.
made an excellent post about empathy that really stuck with me.

Once you develop that empathy, you’ll realize that environments change—and so does your dog’s ability to handle them. Sometimes, they just need a little help or a different approach.

Have you ever noticed your dog struggling in a new setting? Share your experience in the comments below! Let’s support each other in understanding our dogs better.

10/07/2025

Meeting the legend last year at seminar last year.

It must be time for another one...

08/07/2025

What would our advertising have looked like back in the day?

Well, golly, don’t you worry, this might be it!

Venture Dog Training is here to lend a helping paw — the modern way!

We offer reward-based, force-free dog training for puppies and adult dogs — right in your home, garden, or any tail-waggin’ spot where your four-legged friend feels most at ease.

Whether you’ve got a bouncing new pup or a seasoned scamp who’s picked up a few bad habits, Venture Dog Training brings kind, science-backed guidance right to your doorstep.

Let’s have a chat — book your free discovery call today!
Tail-wagging transformation starts with a message.

08/07/2025

Do you have a working breed dog that seems to have a lot of energy?
Walks are just not tiring them out?

Maybe one of these ideas could help.

Message us today if you'd like some genuine help to fulfill your dog's mental needs.

07/07/2025

Dogs need to chew.
I don't care who told you. It's not a puppy phase they grow out of.

Chewing is a super way for dogs to calm themselves, pass the time, and, depending on the chew, maintain their teeth.

So, get down to the petshop and buy your dog some chews.

Your furniture will thank you for it.

06/07/2025

A proposed bill for licensing rescues has been drawn up and presented to Parliament in the UK.

A rescue can't just be housing multiple dogs and cats and having the best of intentions.

Would you like to see something like this in Ireland?

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dev3e1942o

03/07/2025

Does your dog get enough sleep?
Just like humans, adequate sleep is crucial for the physical and mental well-being of our dogs. 

Poor sleep quality or lack of sleep may affect social relationships. This could be our dog’s relationship with other dogs, or it could be their relationship with humans.

It may also affect their ability to focus.

03/07/2025

02/07/2025

It’s easy to forget that the world we live in isn’t really built for dogs.

All the noise, the people, the strange rules like “don’t jump up” or “don’t eat that thing on the pavement”—it must be pretty confusing.

So, helping them build good habits is essential.
Not just so they’re easier to live with, but so they can feel more comfortable too. Calmer, safer.

There’s this 3-step strategy I’ve been using a lot lately. It’s from the book Retrieving for All Occasions—which sounds specific, I know—but the approach actually works for all sorts of dogs. Not just gundogs.

The idea is simple:

– First, Prevent the thing you don’t want (as much as you can).
– Then, Interrupt gently if it happens.
– And finally, Train what you'd like to see instead.

Sounds obvious when it’s written down like that. But putting it into practice? That’s where it gets interesting.

If you're wondering how it could work with your dog, or even just curious, drop me a message. Happy to talk it through—no pressure.

01/07/2025

🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦

Today, we’re tipping our hats to a true classic—the Labrador Retriever. Though the name is “Labrador,” the breed actually traces back to Newfoundland, Canada. Originally bred to help fishermen retrieve nets and haul lines, Labs were built for hard work in cold water and long days.

Their Canadian roots run deep. Sturdy, reliable, made for the outdoors. Just like the country they came from.

Here’s to Canada—and one of its greatest gifts to the dog world.

30/06/2025

People sometimes ask why I don’t use harsh corrections or anything that causes a dog mental or physical discomfort.

It’s a fair question—especially when most of us, including me, grew up hearing things like “you have to show the dog who's boss.”

But here’s what I’ve seen: when a dog chooses to work with you—because they feel safe, understood, and respected—that connection runs deep.

Trust and cooperation? They last way longer than fear ever could.

Kindness isn’t soft. It’s smart.

This idea comes from Jonathan Philip Klein, a well-known American dog behaviour consultant. He was a strong voice for force-free, relationship-based training and helped thousands of dogs live calmer, happier lives.