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.

29/06/2022

Horror movies for dogs 🤭🐶

21/06/2022

Welcome to the family Estevaninha 🥰

dogsofestoril #

14/06/2022

🐶 Why choose Enrichment based Dog Walks?

Over the past 6 years of professional Dog Walking & Training, I have found that majority of the dogs that I have worked with have benefited the most from
SLOW
INTENTIONAL
QUIET
and CALM walks 🧘‍♀️

This is time outside of the house specifically dedicated for your dog to be a dog, with as little human interruptions as possible 🐕🐾

I have found that when dogs are given the chance to engage with and process their environment in a quiet and calm way, they are able to learn better and make better decisions. They also carry that clam energy into other parts of their everyday lives, which results in a decrease in many behavioural issues 🤓

This is definitely not a blanket solution for all behavioural ‘problems’, but why not give it a try - What have you got to loose? Take your dog to a nice quiet place and let their noses lead the way 🐶💚

07/06/2022

True Dog Training 😂🐶

01/06/2022

Mapping out a trail with Clara my adventure co-pilot 🐕🐾🌳

An exciting exploration of the forest with a nice dip in the water to end things off 🐶

Want your dog to join the next adventure? DM me for more information ✉️

30/05/2022

⛑ FIRST AID COURSE UPDATED ⛑

Safety while out on adventures is top priority! Knowing what to do incase of an incident, big or small, is important. We will always have a small first aid kit on us while out on Adventure Walks, and a larger kit in the car at all times.

One more thing giving you peace of mind that your dog/s are in the best hands possible! 🐕🐾

30/05/2022

Discovering the trails of Quinta do Pisão. A perfect place for an Enrichment walk with all the farm animals and quiet trails 🌳🐕🐾

Enrichment walks typically result in:
🐶 a tired and satisfied dog
🐶 a decrease in behavioral issues
🐶 increased confidence in anxious/nervous dogs

These types of walks are a chance for your dog to escape the everyday stresses & pressures of city life. They help to satisfy the physical and psychological needs of your dog by allowing them to engage in the world at their own pace.

🐾 Walks are 60/90mins depending on your individual dogs’ needs
🐾 Focus on Mental Stimulation
🐾 Positive Reinforcement training included
🐾 All dogs can benefit from this type of walk

✉️ Want more information or have questions? DM me

28/05/2022

Use science to train your dog. No choke, no shock, no prong, no fear - just kindness 💚🐶

🚨 RANT ALERT 🚨 The rise of “dominance training” is back.

Over the last few years, I really thought the tide was turning in favor of modern training methods that require a more intelligent, ethical and scientifically-backed approach. 

But recently we’ve seen a TIDAL WAVE of super old-school trainers who use an excessive amount of force with dogs on social media.

Of course, there is still a ton of work to be done in the field of canine learning and cognition, but there is no denying that current research is pointing us firmly away from using harsh corrections and “balanced” techniques.

None of us can be experts at everything. Particularly when we’re new to something, we don’t know what we don’t know… until we know it. 

If something “feels right” or seems like “common sense”, we’re less likely to question it. Modern dog training is EXACTLY one of those things that can be straight up counterintuitive to most people.

Avoiding punishment as much as possible, and focusing on rewarding desired behavior instead, is actually MORE effective, faster, and contributes to a higher quality of life for dogs. 

It can be easy to miss this point, since prompt corrections in dog training appear to “do the trick”.  But modern trainers understand the shortcomings and serious potential side effects of these methods.

Searching for dog training help on the internet can be REALLY confusing when you’re presented with so many contradictory opinions. 

I want to specifically recommend a champion of ethical dog training, Emily Larlham AKA Kikopup. 

Emily represents a shining example of what we should all strive to be as dog guardians and trainers, and there can be no doubt that she’s been one of the most major forces propelling our peers forward in the field of dog training.

If you want a broader understanding of how dogs actually learn, demonstrated vividly, and intelligently explained, is an indispensable resource.

Anyone halfway serious about understanding dog training in the 21st century should be following all of her accounts:

🐾 YouTube.com/user/kikopup
🐾 TikTok.com/
🐾 Instagram.com/kikopup
🐾 Facebook.com/dogmantics

12/04/2022

Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and everyone is right! 🐶

28/03/2022

Introducing CLARA the newest member of the pack 🐶

We adopted her in November 2021 from a local shelter in Portugal 🇵🇹

We have been exploring and mapping the local trails in preparation for new friends & clients! She is always up for an adventure 🐾 🌲🐕

28/03/2022

Hello 👋 I have been very quiet on here for a while, navigating C-VID and a major move from South Africa to the beautiful country of Portugal 🇵🇹

This page will be rebranded as I launch my new business here in Portugal, Tails & Trails 🐕🐾 (Previously City Canines CT)

You can expect the same content - dogs on adventures, Positive Reinforcement training tips and all doggie topics 🐶

Thank you for your patience during this transition ☀️

17/05/2021

HOW TO PROVIDE FOOD ENRICHMENT FOR YOUR DOG
Has your dog lost all excitement for his food? Despite changing his food, trying different brands, and ruling out all other possibilities, they seem to be bored with their feeding routine. In such cases, food enrichment ideas are a game-changer.
https://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/how-to-provide-food-enrichment-to-your-dog.html