Love Thy Dog

23/08/2025

This!!!!

If you don’t physically exhaust them… they just won’t stop.
Whoa there.
Let’s look at the bigger picture.... not just a quick “fix” for today.

I get it, I really do.
Running them longer..... throwing the frisbee for another 10 minutes, chucking that ball again and again, because if you don’t, they’ll pace, whine and struggle to settle.

Here’s the tough question.
Is it helping your dog… or just creating a cycle where they crave more and more?

Their stamina climbs higher.
Their demands increase.
Their adrenaline is off the charts.

Then "suddenly" the amount of exercise you need to give them is unsustainable .
There just aren’t enough hours in the day to “satisfy” them.

What's the solution?
Do less… but carefully.
Reduce that high energy exercise, while adding enrichment in its place.

Low arousal activities that tire them in a different way:

Scatter feeding
Scent walks
Enrichment games
Puzzle toys

Still not convinced?
Try it.... really try it , for a few weeks.

You’ll never look at “tiring them out” the same way again.

22/08/2025

Kindypups week 4🐾
Training this week; adding 3 D’s to their auto sit and engagement. This is the first step toward building impulse control…..which puppies often struggle with.
✅DURATION. Using their release cue allows me to add 1-2seconds to their auto-sit and slowly build duration.
✅DISTRACTION can they stay engaged with me when we add a gate? When their mates are playing? When they are on a mat?
✅DISTANCE ~ can they wait for their release word if I take a step back to take a photo?
And they aced it! 🥳🥰👏🐾

Social skills are practised at playtime as they build trust and form those important social bonds. I’m seeing puppies that were shy starting to build confidence and engage in play. I’m still managing free play but I’m seeing ‘comms’ open up with body language as they start to listen to each other.
Great job puppies!!!

It’s such a privilege to be a small part in their early learning and development …. But when I start to see them change and grow it’s so rewarding.
Just 2 weeks of the programme to go and I’m super excited to help these puppies graduate. #

16/08/2025

This🙌🙌🙌

15/08/2025

Kindypups week 3 🐾 sound desensitisation protocols are introduced at snuffle mat time, social bonds are forming, trust is building, and we take their training “on the road” (add a new environment with more puppies and see where the gaps are in their training). I can also spot the puppies whose owners are doing the mahi at home👏

Knowing when to intervene and how to intervene before play tips to a spat is hugely important when building good social skills….especially with the bitey puppies🫣
My role is to facilitate frequent pauses during play and tire these puppies with lots of enrichment and mental exercise.
A bitey puppy is usually a sign they need a break from play. Important to remember when playing with your puppy.

We are halfway through the programme and I’m super excited to be a part of these puppies early learning as they navigate their way into adolescence🤪

15/08/2025

Looks like our house guests have settled in for the evening🥰😴

12/08/2025

These guys🥰 loving their vibe today🥳

07/08/2025

Littles ❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

05/08/2025

Hunter is happy to be Safes pillow if it means he gets closer to the heater🥰

04/08/2025

Kindypups week 2 - building confidence and learning to be independent are essential skills for puppies to learn early.
🐾Today they learned that good things happen when they’re behind a barrier (treats rain from the sky) and we practise small snippets of separation ( no longer than 30sec - 1min). The goal behaviour is for them to self settle and not panic if they can’t get to me or see me.
🐾Brain games in the training room included obstacle course, ping pong (training an auto-sit) and hand targeting.
And a visit from a special guest at snuffle mat time🥰 Ivy Jean works her magic with the puppies helping them feel comfortable and teaching them what good manners looks like👏.
Thanks so much to their owners for trusting the process and investing in their puppies early development and future well-being🙏

31/07/2025

❤️🐾❤️🐾

29/07/2025

This is brilliant🥰

🐾 Meet the Royal Highness of Cuddles: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 👑

Looking for a lap warmer with a tail? A soulful-eyed snuggler who thinks everyone is their best mate (including the postie, the neighbour’s cat, and that shoe you haven’t worn in years)?

Say hello to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – the canine equivalent of a warm cup of tea and a biscuit on a rainy day. ☕🍪

These little heart-stealers were literally bred to be companions to kings and queens… and they haven’t forgotten it.
They expect daily throne time (aka your lap), full diplomatic immunity (they will sleep on your pillow), and at least three royal pats per hour.

But don’t let their posh pedigree fool you — Cavaliers are also up for a zoomie in the mud, a beach dig that would impress a JCB, or a flirty wiggle with the local Labrador.

🧠 Training Tip: These sweethearts respond beautifully to positive reinforcement, and they thrive on gentle guidance. If they’re not listening, it’s probably because they spotted a butterfly… or a sandwich… or a butterfly holding a sandwich.

💓 Perfect for:
✔️ Families who want a gentle soul
✔️ Empty nesters who need a shadow
✔️ Literally anyone with a lap

Got a Cavalier? Tell us what royal privileges your little monarch demands! 👇🐶

28/07/2025

First day at Kindypups for these new entrants today🥰 Rocky, Kami, Winnie, Chewie, Lucy & Freddie.
Today I learned about their different playstyles and temperaments matching puppies with their buddy, and making sure they felt safe and reassured with me.
They learned where to p*e.
They learned what happens at naptime🥰.
They foraged for food together at snuffle mat time.
And they had regular rest periods chewing on their cow hooves, & having lots of cuddles with me.
I’m thrilled to be a small part of their early learning and development over the next 6 weeks.