🚶♂️🐕 Hansy's First Bark & Hold Session! 🔥
Big day for Hansy—his first time working in front of a blind! 💪 In IGP, the Bark & Hold is all about controlled intensity: finding the helper, engaging with powerful barking, and holding position without making contact.
We're still working on the powerful barking part 😆😆😆😆😊
For a first-timer like Hansy, we’re focusing on:
✅ Building confidence around the blind & helper
✅ Encouraging strong, rhythmic barking without hesitation – still very much a work in progress 😊
✅ Positioning & distance—close enough to pressure the helper but not crowding
✅ Balancing drive & control so he stays engaged but doesn’t break
It’s still very early days, but Hansy is already showing some great instincts! I Can’t wait to see his progress as we refine his engagement and precision.
#IGPtraining #BarkandHold #Schutzhund #WorkingDog #DogTraining #DriveAndControl #canineconfidence #DogTraining #ObedienceTraining #TrainingGoals #fetchdogtrainers #eastcork #corkdogs
From Tight Leash to Loose Leash – A 4-Week Course! 🐕
Does your daily walk feel like a battle with the leash? You’re not alone! But with the right approach, you can turn those frustrating pulls into calm, controlled, and enjoyable walks.
Our 4-week Loose Leash Walking Course will teach you how to communicate effectively with your dog using proven training techniques, including operant conditioning (+R & -P) and engaging, reward-based methods.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ Focus & Engagement – Teach your dog to tune into YOU, making walks more enjoyable.
✅ Leash Skills & Control – Understand when to slacken the leash and when to apply control.
✅ Game-Based Training – Make learning fun and effective for both you and your dog.
📍 Course Details:
📅 Starts April 12th @ 12:00 PM
⏳ 4 x 60-minute sessions (all breeds & ages welcome)
💰 €150
📩 Limited spots available – Register now by email: [email protected]
💡 Take the lead – don’t let your dog walk you! Secure your spot today and enjoy stress-free walks with your dog.
#playingtug #canineconfidence #DogTraining #ObedienceTraining
#TrainingGoals #fetchdogtrainers #eastcork #corkdogs
Loose leash walking mistake #1: Thinking it’s all about control. 🙃
When we first teach leash manners, it’s easy to rely on obedience. Heel position, stopping when they pull, giving a command when they get distracted... but here’s the thing—obedience alone won’t give you a dog that wants to stay with you.
The real magic happens when your dog chooses to stay engaged. That’s what we’re seeing with 6-month-old Sonny here. Despite my best efforts to steal his attention (and trust me, I tried 😆), he’s completely locked in with his handler. Why? Because they’ve built a relationship where staying connected is worth it to Sonny.
Dogs don’t just disengage because they’re stubborn—they disengage because the world is exciting! Our job is to make ourselves just as interesting as those distractions. Not by constantly nagging them to “look at me,” but by reinforcing engagement, rewarding check-ins, and making walks something they actually enjoy with us. 🐶✨
So, tell me—does your dog stay engaged on walks, or do they have “main character energy” for everything except you? Let’s hear your leash-walking struggles in the comments! ⬇️
👀 Curious about how it works? 👉 Book a FREE 20-minute Zoom call to chat about your dog’s needs and see if our program is the right fit. Click the linktree in our bio to get started!
#DogTraining #leashwalking #dogtrainingtips #fetchdogtrainers #eastcork #corkdogs #dogtrainer #MidletonCork #goldenretiever #wellbehavedpuppy
🐶 Fun on Friday!
What’s the biggest life lesson your dog has taught you?
For me, the biggest lesson? Training isn’t a race. If things aren’t clicking, step back, reset, and come back later with fresh energy. Life’s too short to stress—make sure you and your dog are loving the process. 🐕✨
Not every training session will be perfect, and that’s okay!
What about you? What’s the one life lesson your dog has given you that sticks with you every day? Let’s hear them below! 👇🐶
#fetchdogtrainers #eastcork #corkdogs
🟣 Good isn’t good enough—let’s get better! 🟣
Your dog knows the behaviour… but does that mean we stop there? Nope!
Whether you’re training a dog for competition or your family pet it’s a lifelong journey, and we should always be refining, improving, and setting new goals.
In this clip, you’ll see Hansy working on his focused heel, specifically tightening up his response time on my left turns. He knows what I’m asking for, but now I’m fine-tuning his precision and speed. Small improvements make a BIG difference!
⚡ Training tip: If your dog already knows a behaviour, challenge them! Increase precision, add distractions, or speed up their response time. Progress is in the details.
🐕 What’s one behaviour you’re working to improve with your dog? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️
#DogTraining #WorkingDog #ObedienceTraining #DogSport #PrecisionTraining #Malinois #DogsOfInstagram #DogTrainingCork #eastcork #corkdogs #BuildingDogRelationships #DogTrainerLife #rescuemalinois #CompetitiveObedience
🐾 From Nervous to Confident – Martin & Dillon’s Journey! 🐾
When Martin first came to us with his rescue dog, Dillon—a reactive Beagle/Lab cross—he had a big heart and a strong desire to help his dog, but his own nerves were holding them both back.
As trainers, we often have to step back and assess which end of the leash needs the most support—the dog or the human. In this case, it was Martin.
💡 Dogs need confident handlers. They need to know we have their backs and will advocate for them when it counts!
With the right guidance, we focused on building Martin’s confidence first. By equipping him with the right tools and reinforcing the incredible bond they already shared, he transformed into the handler Dillon needed.
And now? Dillon can walk past other dogs without reacting! 🎉
This is what real training is about—helping both ends of the leash grow together. 🖤
Huge respect to Martin for his dedication, and big love to Dillon for trusting the process. 💪 Proof that with the right support, real change is possible!
Want to build the same confidence with your dog? Book a free 20-minute Zoom call and let’s get started! ⬇️
#ReactiveDog #DogTrainingSuccess #RescueDog #FetchDogTraining #ConfidentHandler #DogTrainingCork #FromStruggleToSuccess #eastcork #corkdogs #BuildingDogRelationships #DogTrainerLife
🚨 Let’s talk about something I’ve noticed a lot lately… 🚨
It seems like so many dog owners are hesitating to take the next step in their dog’s training journey, and I can totally understand why.
❗️ There’s so much information out there—and a lot of it contradicts itself.
❗️ Social media is packed with trainers, and it’s hard to know who’s legit.
❗️ Some training services come with jaw-dropping price tags.
On top of all that, many dog owners are feeling stuck. Maybe they’ve gone down a certain training path because they wanted to—or because they were pressured into it.
Maybe the results didn’t meet their expectations, and now they feel scared or unsure about trying alternative methods.
And then there’s the fearmongering.
🛑 “Don’t use this tool.”
🛑 “This method is wrong.”
🛑 “What will people think?”
Here’s the truth:
Anyone who genuinely cares about you and your dog should be rooting for your success—not judging the path you take to get there.
At the end of the day, a well-trained dog means a better life for both of you. Don’t let fear or judgment stop you from reaching YOUR goals with YOUR dog.
💡 Let me remind you: this is YOUR life. You get to write the story. 💡
If you’re ready to start or feel stuck, I’d love to help you take the next step. Let’s chat and figure it out together. ❤️
#ConfidentHandler #DogTrainingTips #ObedienceTraining #fetchdogtrainers #eastcork #corkdogs #MidletonDogs #BuildingDogRelationships #DogTrainerLife
📣 Does your dog inhale their food like it’s a race? 🏁🍖
Speed-eating might seem harmless, but it can lead to serious health risks for your pup, including bloat, choking, and stomach upset. 😟
Here’s what you need to know about why they do it and how to help them slow down:
Why Eating Too Fast Is a Problem:
🐾 It can lead to bloat, a potentially life-threatening condition.
🐾 Increases the risk of vomiting or choking.
🐾 Food isn’t digested properly, which could upset their stomach.
Easy Fixes to Help Your Dog Slow Down:
✔️ Use a slow feeder bowl to make meals last longer.
✔️ Try hand feeding during training sessions
✔️ Feed smaller portions more frequently throughout the day.
✔️ Add obstacles (like tennis balls) to their bowl to slow them down.
Make Mealtime Fun!
🧊 Freeze food in Kongs for a slower, more enriching experience.
🌱 Scatter kibble in your garden or around the house for a "food hunt."
🧩 Use puzzle toys to challenge their brain while they eat.
#DogTrainingTips #fetchdogtrainers #eastcork #corkdogs #MidletonDogs #DogTrainerLife #DogEnrichment #HealthyDogs #HappyDogs
🐾 Why Loose Lead Walking Matters for You and Your Dog 🐾
Loose lead walking isn’t just a skill—it’s a foundation for safety, control, and harmony in your daily adventures. Here’s why it’s so important:
1️⃣ Safety First
A dog that pulls on the lead can put themselves, their handler, and others at risk. Pulling might cause accidents, like tripping or running into the street. Teaching your dog to walk calmly on a loose lead helps avoid these dangers and ensures every walk is safe.
2️⃣ Better Control in Busy Environments
When your dog walks politely beside you, you can easily manage unexpected situations, whether it’s a crowded park, a passing cyclist, or an excitable dog. A loose lead gives you the confidence to handle tricky moments without stress.
3️⃣ Walks You’ll Both Enjoy
Say goodbye to frustrating tug-of-war battles and hello to peaceful strolls. Loose lead walking makes every outing relaxing and enjoyable for both you and your pup, encouraging longer, more frequent walks that benefit your physical and mental health.
4️⃣ Reduces Stress for Your Dog
Pulling often comes from excitement, anxiety, or frustration. By teaching calm walking habits, you’re helping your dog feel more relaxed and secure, which can positively impact their overall behaviour and well-being.
5️⃣ Builds Trust and Cooperation
Training loose lead walking with positive reinforcement strengthens the bond between you and your dog. They learn to trust your guidance, making them more responsive and eager to cooperate on and off the lead.
Loose lead walking isn’t just a convenience—it’s an essential skill that enhances safety, control, and the relationship you share with your dog. Ready to start your journey?
➡️ Book a Free 20-Minute Zoom or phone Call via the Linktree in my bio to discuss which program is the best fit for you and your dog’s journey.
✨ At F.E.T.C.H. Dog Training Services, we work with the dog in front of us to create solu
🎯 Training Progress Update with Hansy! 🐾
This week, we’ve started work on a new behaviour and raising Hansy’s game by working on the “Stand Out of Motion” for competition sports! 💪
After nailing the “stand” from a static position, we’re now adding MOVEMENT to the mix. 🐕
🛑 Cue: I’m using "Halt" as his command. Since Hansy has already mastered the stand from a static position, we’re now adding movement to the mix. The goal? Get him to confidently freeze mid-stride on my cue. It’s all about building that muscle memory! 🐕
Consistency, timing, and patience are key here, and Hansy is already showing incredible focus and drive. 💜
🔑 Trainer’s Tip: Breaking complex behaviours into smaller steps helps build confidence and clarity for your dog. Start simple, then add layers like movement and distractions. Training is all about patience, precision, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Anyone else feel like their dog sometimes “interprets” commands with a little creative flair? 🙃 Let me know your funniest training moments in the comments! 🐾💜
Stay tuned for more updates as we refine this skill – one paw at a time! 🐕💥
#StandOutOfMotion #DogTrainingJourney #WorkingDogGoals #SportDogTraining #DogTrainingProgress #DogObedience #malinois #WorkingDogs #CorkDogs #fetchdogtrainers #eastcork #DogTrainingTips #DogSport