Tails & Trails - Cascais

23/02/2024

04/09/2023

Welcome to all the new and returning pack members!! 🤗🐶

We are settling everyone in to their adventure groups before we open for new applications.

Making sure that all doggos are happy and comfortable in their group is very important, it makes sure that everyone is their happiest and having the best time while out and about 😊🐕🌲☀️🐾

30/06/2023

We are proudly an advocate for R+ training 😊🐕🐾🌲

Image from

17/05/2023

My positive reinforcement 😊

15/05/2023

What would your dog say their name is based on what you always call them? 🐶

21/02/2023

We have space for 2 more clients in the Group Adventures 🙌😁

We have also started 2hr Adventures on Tuesdays, where your dog will spend 2hrs exploring, sniffing and having fun with friends! Travel time is not included, so your dog will be out of the house for much longer 😉

Would your dog like to join us? DM us for more info or an application form 🐕🐾🌲☀️

16/02/2023

How many times a day you say ‘YES’ to your dog? 🤔

Focus on what your dog is right, instead of what they are doing wrong, and see how their behaviour transforms and grows 🌞🌱

You are helping them figure out what you DO wants from them, instead of only what you DONT want from them 🙂

06/02/2023

Every dog needs off lead time. Time to move freely. To follow their nose. To run. To snuffle in the undergrowth. Or swim. Or dig. Or do whatever ‘dog stuff’ they love to do.

What that ‘off lead’ time looks like will vary from dog to dog. It doesn’t have to mean totally off lead in a park around people and other dogs. It can mean using a long line, hiring a secure field or taking them somewhere secluded. And, although daily off lead time is ideal, something is better than nothing so do what you can.

It might feel scary to let our dogs off lead. We might worry about losing them, or them running away, or their interactions with other off lead dogs. But some risk is inherent in life and we do our dogs a disservice if, in trying to protect them, we deny them more freedom. We have to balance those risks with the rewards. We can mitigate risk by choosing the environment wisely, by training our dogs to come back when they’re called, by using equipment like long lines as a safety net when it’s needed.

Giving our dogs more freedom can take a little bit of effort & creativity but your dog will thank you for it.

09/01/2023

Sometimes we accidentally teach dogs or cats to do things we don’t want.

21/11/2022

So many Adventure Dogs to train….. so little time 🙈

If you are still keen to sign your dog up for Adventure Hikes, please head to the website and put your name on the waiting list. I will be in touch in January 2023 😊🐕🐾🌲⛰

14/11/2022

Do you know which personality characteristics are due to your dogs breed? 🐶

09/09/2022

😂 Who else is a personal poo slave?

04/09/2022

People make all sorts of assumptions about us when we say we are reward based/fear free/force free trainers. So I thought I would dispel a few myths.

Assumption 1:

You are just bribing them with food.

Reality: it's not about food, it's about what is important to the individual dog. By finding out what the individual dog loves we can offer them things when they are doing the things we like. This can be toys, environmental rewards, touch, voice. But is often food because most dogs, like most humans, love food.
And yes, when we first start to teach a behaviour, luring is a form of bribery. But, if you have a good teacher, they will help you faze this out as quickly as possible so the food just becomes the reward, NOT a bribe.
We also use a whole host of other techniques to teach. Such as long line work, body language, relationship development, the list goes on.
And the last point about food. Yes it can be used coersively if we do not recognise frustration, fear, conflict. But a good trainer will support you to recognise these things. The way we deliver food, when, what and how is a skill that is multifaceted in its approach. So no we do not just bribe with food.

Assumption 2.
We let dogs do what ever they want. They dont have boundaries.

Reality:
I personally AM very easy going with my dogs. They are free to go anywhere in the house. They often share our food. But that is because it works for me and my INDIVIDUAL dogs. When I work with my clients we look at what is important to them. If you dont want dogs on the sofa or bed, that's fine, we can work with that. If you dont want dogs sat by the table when your eating, thats fine, we can work with that. A good trainer will work with you as an individual with individual needs. We will support you in understanding that we also have to understand the dogs feelings and needs too. Sometimes it is US that need to change and bend a little. All relationships need compromises.
Many of our protocols are being imaginative and coming up with management and boundary strategies that prevent the behaviours that cause us problems. A good reward based trainer would be great at the crystal maze. We are excellent at working out the whys and solving problems. But we dont see the dog as the problem and manipulate them. We manipulate the environment in which they are in to solve the problem.

Assumption 3:
We can never prove our work because we dont show before and after videos of our dogs barking and lunging.

No, I do not set up a dog to become frustrated, anxious or fearful so I can video them and promote myself. In fact the best outcome for me is that I never see your dog reacting to their environment like this again! My goal is not to have 16 dogs in a class all looking obedient so I can make myself loads of money and look impressive. My goal is to only ever have small groups where I can focus on each individual and how they feel. Creating an environment where it is easy to learn. A dogs welfare is more important than how much I can impress you.

So, yes, we use kind methods. Yes, we always put your dogs emotional needs and welfare first. Yes, we sometimes compromise and put our dogs needs before our own.

But, No, we are not push overs. No, we dont just coerce and bribe.

Kindness, vulnerability and compassion are strengths not weaknesses.

In fact most of us are bad ass bi***es with a whole lot talent!

23/08/2022

WHAT - WHO - WHY of Tails & Trails 🐕🐾

09/08/2022

What is your go to? 🤭🐶

Comic by

29/07/2022

“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know” - Albert Einstein 👩🏻‍🎓

The industry is forever developing and evolving - I choose a positive reinforcement (R+) approach to training. No fear, intimidation or force needed 😊💚🐶

05/07/2022

Don’t be a yanker ⬇️

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/202207/yanking-dogs-leash-welfare-concern-dogs-and-humans?fbclid=IwAR3xbp7m9CvgZ4EKgaSisfuy75Q29SRiaV0Ew7mXoMYhAXE8b-3C_pLY6HY

Research shows that dogs and humans suffer when a dog is pulled here and there.