Tails of Success - Labrador Training

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Tails of Success - Labrador Training

Tails of Success deliver training, behavioural, food and nutrition services for Labradors, allowing
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14/08/2024

Sometimes, the best thing for your Labrador to do is… NOTHING!

It might sound a bit odd, but teaching your Labrador to be calm and relaxed in busy environments—like town centres, parks, or even your local café—can be incredibly beneficial.

Some dogs are always on the hunt for the next activity. So wouldn’t it be great if instead of always being ready to play or jump into action, your Labrador can learn that it’s okay to just be.

Teaching the art of doing nothing takes time. Here’s how to Start: ⬇️

1. Take your Labrador to a busy place.
2. Find a spot to sit and watch the world go by.
3. Allow your dog to observe the world around them.
4. Reward your Labrador for staying calm and relaxed.

Over time, this helps your Labrador understand that not every outing is an adventure—sometimes, it’s just a chance to chill out with their favourite human 🐶✨

🦴 A well-rounded Labrador knows when to relax and when to have fun. Teaching them this balance will make them a more relaxed companion in any situation.

13/08/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

We’ve just relaunched our website, and it’s packed with new features and resources just for you! 🐾

Head over to www.tailsofsuccess.com to discover more about who we are, the services we offer, our courses, a selection of hand-picked products and some useful Labrador resources.

Whether you’re new to Tails of Success or a long-time friend, we’d love you to take a look.
Check it out and let us know what you think! 💻🐕

Thank you to .designs.web for delivering the magic 🤓

11/08/2024

Our 1:1 Real-World training sessions ensure you and your Labrador remain our total focus.

Do you need help with loose lead walking, recall or reactivity? Do you want to teach your Labrador additional life skills such as Gun Dog retrieval or Scent Detection work?
Do you need some help and support with a specific challenge you are experiencing?

Our 1:1 Real-World training sessions provide focused attention to you and your Labrador.

In real-life settings such as local parks, town centres, or other suitable locations, we can observe and work on your dog’s behaviours and the skills we are addressing.

The Real-World training sessions are tailored to each Labrador and their handler, and we can assist Labradors from 8 weeks old to their senior years. So, regardless of the age, challenges or desired outcomes, we focus on what is important to you.

09/08/2024

Leash pulling is one of the biggest frustrations for owners.

Ignoring this behaviour or hoping it will get better on its own isn’t going to do you any favours.

08/08/2024

🐾 Enhance Your Labrador’s Recall with Fun Jobs! 🐾

Many working-line Labradors thrive on having a sense of purpose; they love having jobs to do.
Let’s use that desire as a reward for their good behaviour!

🌟 Recall Training Tip: 🌟
Recall doesn’t always need to be about treats.
For working-line Labs, a physical task or job can be even more rewarding than food.

Think about what your dog enjoys doing. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy:

• Sniffing for treats
• Finding a ball
• Destroying a piece of cardboard
• Retrieving a dummy
• Sniffing out a scent

Every time you call your Lab back, reward them with a fun task or job. Scatter treats for them to sniff out, play tug, or let them perform a favourite trick.

🦮 Pro Tip: Find what your Labrador loves the most and incorporate it into your recall training. Whether it’s fetching, searching, or playing a game, making recall enjoyable and purposeful will strengthen their response and keep them engaged.

Train smarter, not harder 🐶✨

What is your Labradors favourite job?

07/08/2024

Hate is a strong word, but some dogs really do dislike being recalled. Let’s explore why ⬇️

Think about all of the times that you call your dog back to you, and it’s probably for one of these reasons

* You’re calling them away from other Dogs.
* You’re calling them back because they’re in trouble.
* You’re calling them back as the walk is coming to an end.
* You’re calling them back to put them on a lead.
* You’re calling them back to take something from them.
* You’re calling them back to put them in the car to go home

Put simply, Recall = all the fun ENDS!!! 🚫
And that makes recall seem negative to our dogs.

🔄 Change the Narrative! 🔄
Make recall a positive event.

Call your dog back ten times during each walk to have a massive party with them! 🎉
Praise, play, and fuss over them every time they return.
This helps teach them that coming back to you is almost always a good thing.

🐶 Training Tip: Imagine you’re teaching an eight-week-old puppy their first recall. Be enthusiastic and positive, and do this consistently. Soon, your Labrador will come back to lap up your enthusiasm reliably!

06/08/2024

We’ve all been there – walking our dogs while scrolling through social media or listening to music.
This often leaves our Labradors to entertain themselves and create their own fun.

Add structure to your walks by starting each one with a plan: set a goal, decide on the purpose of the outing, and think about what you can focus on to enhance the walk, build your bond, and advance your Labrador’s training.

Here are 5 simple activities to add to your walks this week:

1️⃣ Sit, Wait, and Relax:
Practice patience by having your Labrador sit and wait at random times.

2️⃣ Recall Practice:
Strengthen their response by calling your dog back to you regularly.

3️⃣ Down, Wait, and Relax:
Encourage your dog to lie down, stay calm, and watch the world pass by.

4️⃣ Learn a New Trick:
Keep their mind sharp by introducing a fun new trick or skill.

5️⃣ Calm Off-Leash Walking:
Work on off-leash walking by your side in safe areas to promote calm behaviour.

Incorporating these activities will help keep your Labrador focused and engaged, making walks more enjoyable for both of you.

Give it a try for a week and see what improvement you notice.

02/08/2024

It’s a question that I often get asked. I’ll never fit all of my thoughts into an Insta post, so here’s a summary.

But first, let’s consider:

1️⃣ What constitutes a treat?
2️⃣ What are you trying to achieve?
3️⃣ Are you using treats to reward or bribe your dog?

🔴 What constitutes a treat?
A treat doesn’t necessarily mean food. It’s anything that your dog sees as a reward, whether it’s food, fuss, praise, a tummy tickle, a toy, or even a job to do.

🔴 What are you trying to achieve?
Ask yourself: Will my dog be more likely to understand what I want and repeat the behaviour if a treat is used?
If they’re not doing it for the treat, are they doing it out of fear?
It’s far better to have a happy dog than a fearful one.

🔴 Are you using treats to reward or bribe your dog?
Think of treats as a form of reward for something your dog does well. Just like you expect to get paid for your work, your dog should feel rewarded for their efforts.

🤔So how do you know if you’re rewarding or bribing?

• A simple scenario is recall •

👉 If your dog recalls to you without delay, sits calmly, and you reward them with a pat, praise, and a bit of kibble after they’ve done the job, you’re likely rewarding them.

👉 However, if you have to show the treat before they even consider your request, you’re probably using treats as a bribe and this can lead to problems in training.

For me, treats should ALWAYS be used in training, especially with puppies, but this doesn’t always mean food, and it certainly doesn’t mean bribery.

Use treats wisely; they need to be rewarding, and your dog should be able to perform the required behaviours even if you don’t have a pocket full of food. 🐾

Let us know what your dog sees as a treat and how do you use it to help them learn? Share your thoughts below ⬇️

01/08/2024

🚫Imagine trying to learn a new language in the middle of a rock concert.
Sounds impossible with all the distraction, right?
The same logic applies when training your Labrador puppy!

🔴 Distraction-Free Zone:
When training your new puppy, it’s crucial to start in a calm, quiet environment. This allows them to focus solely on the task at hand and master it without any confusion. It’s about setting them up for success from the get-go.

🔴 Focused Learning:
In a distraction-free area, your pup’s brain can concentrate on learning new commands, skills and behaviours without getting sidetracked. This helps them form solid, reliable habits that will stick with them as they grow.

🔴 Gradual Challenges:
Once your Labrador has nailed the basics, you can slowly introduce distractions. This step-by-step approach ensures they can handle real-world situations with confidence and skill.

🐾 Pro Tip:
Whether you have a young pup or an older dog learning new skills, always start with a distraction-free environment to give them the best chance at success.

By focusing on distraction-free training initially, you’re setting a strong foundation for your Labrador’s learning journey.

If you’d like to train your Labrador puppy without distractions, take a look at our Online Puppy School. 🐾💻

30/07/2024

Using a whistle to train your Labrador to recall reliably can be a game-changer!

⬇️ Here are some reasons why:

🔴 Consistency:
A whistle always sounds the same, regardless of your mood. Unlike a human voice, it won’t convey anger, frustration, or excitement, which can confuse your dog.

🔴 Reach:
Whistles travel much further than voices, especially in windy, busy, or noisy environments. Your dog will hear it over greater distances, making it perfect for outdoor adventures.

🔴 Clarity:
Whistles cut through distractions better than voices, ensuring your dog stays focused on coming back to you.

‼️ But as with anything, it doesn’t just happen by magic!
you need to educate your dog how to respond when they hear the whistle, so introducing it as part of a well thought out training programme is advised.

Try incorporating a whistle into your recall training programme and watch your Labrador start to respond with enthusiasm! 🐾

29/07/2024

Just like us, dogs thrive on good, varied and healthy foods.

Improving their diet can boost their energy levels, improve focus during training, and help support a balanced temperament.

A nutritious diet filled with natural, wholesome ingredients ensures your furry friend feels their best, making training sessions more effective and enjoyable for both of you.

So, next time you’re buying a bag of kibble or a tin of wet food, consider upgrading to something a little more nutritious that could help make your dog feel better.

If you’re happy with your current food selection, maybe consider adding some dog-safe fruits and veg to their bowl. It will add extra nutrients and can also be a good way to aid hydration during warmer weather

Take a look at our YouTube channel (link in bio) over the next few weeks for some new nutrition tips, listen to for food recommendations and also check out for help with choosing the right food option for your budget and requirements

Your Lab will thank you for it

27/07/2024

Every walk is an opportunity to develop skills and change behaviours.

Daily exercise should be more than just a stroll around the block; it’s an opportunity to develop and strengthen your relationship.

Use your walks to introduce new skills, reinforce good behaviours, and explore different environments. This will add variety but also encourages your Labrador to be calm and confident, no matter where they are. 🐾

Check out the text in the post and think about what small changes you can make to your daily walks to improve and develop skills, behaviours and bonds.

26/07/2024

Working line Labradors have a desire for activity, purpose and tasks, thanks to generations of breeding for hunting and retrieving.

Yet, standard training classes often misses these unique needs, potentially leaving your Lab feeling unfulfilled. 🐶

At Tails of Success, we embrace the uniqueness of each Labrador, offering breed-specific training programmes that channel their natural drive into behaviours beneficial for family life.

It’s about creating a training experience that’s as bespoke as your Lab, ensuring they’re not just engaged, but thriving. 🏆

Breed-specific training helps your working line Lab develop into a well-rounded family companion, catering to their mental and physical needs.

If your Lab could use this tailored approach, let’s chat. We’re here to craft the perfect training plan together! 🏡❤️

25/07/2024

Our 1:1 Real-World training sessions ensure you and your Labrador remain our total focus for a 90-minute training session.

These training sessions take place in real-life settings such as local parks, town centres, or any other location that allows us to see and work on your dog’s behaviours and skills that we are addressing.

Whatever the challenges or desired outcomes, we work on the important things to you, whether that’s loose lead walking, recall, reactivity, gun dog skills, scent detection skills or one of the many other challenges you may be experiencing.

The Real-World training sessions are individual to each Labrador and their handler, and we can help Labradors from 8 weeks old right into their senior years.

Our students travel to us from across the UK for their Real-World training. Why not make a trip of it and book a couple of training sessions during a long weekend in the Cotswolds?

If you are further afield and want to discuss options for visiting us to train, we can recommend many lovely places to visit during your stay in the Cotswolds.

19/07/2024

🤔 Imagine you’re in a stressful, uncertain, scary situation, and all you want to do is escape to safety, where you can take a breath, compose yourself and restore a sense of calm.

😳 Now imagine someone is stopping you from escaping the scary stuff, and instead, they are making you sit down and thrusting food in your face..... annoying, right? 😡

🐶 Apply that same logic to your reactive dog and STOP making them sit or lie down. 🚫

All you are doing is keeping them in a stressful situation longer than is needed and escalating their stress levels.

✅ Instead, keep them moving.

🦮Take charge, get them on a short lead, walk confidently, and keep their feet moving until they are far enough away that they no longer need to react.

This will help your dog understand that you have the situation in hand and you will keep them safe. 🤗

⚠️Reactivity is a BIG subject, and every dog and situation is unique, so it might take some time to find the best strategy that works best for you.

If you need help with reactivity, reach out for support, as these challenges rarely resolve themselves unless you make changes.

13/07/2024

🦷🐶 Is your Labrador puppy going through the teething phase?

It can be a challenging time with all the biting, nipping, and chewing. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! 🙌

Our new 11-part series “Managing Labrador Puppy Biting, Nipping and Chewing” is now live on YouTube! 📺✨

Learn expert tips and tricks to help your furry friend navigate this phase with ease.

🔗 Head over to our YouTube channel now! (Link in bio)

💡 Key points you’ll learn:
* Understanding why puppies chew
* Effective pain relief during teething
* Recommended chew toys and items
* Identifying and addressing problem behaviors

Join us and give your puppy the best support during their teething journey! 🐕❤️

07/07/2024

🤑 If I had a pound for every time someone asked:

❓ “What age will they calm down?”
❓ “When do they stop pulling on the lead?”
❓ “When will they stop jumping up?”

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer!
Each Labrador is unique and doesn’t come pre-programmed.

It all comes down to how you guide them. Your approach to teaching them about behaviour, boundaries, and your responses make a world of difference.

If you don’t address these issues early on, they might persist as your Labrador grows older. 🐾

✨ Don’t wait for them to outgrow their behaviours. Train them now to ensure a happier, well-behaved companion in the future.

Remember, your Labrador isn’t a robot and they don’t come pre-programmed to behave in certain ways – it’s your job to teach them! 🦮💕

If you need help, we’re here for you.

25/06/2024

What future goals do you have?

Think ahead to one or two years from now… What do you want to be doing with your Labrador?

☕️ Sitting in coffee shops with a chilled Labrador relaxing by your side?
🥾 Hiking in the hills with an off-leash dog that comes back when called?
🦮 Taking your dog on holiday knowing they’ll walk calmly wherever you go?

🌟 Train for the Future You Want 🌟

Whatever your dreams are, the training you do now needs to reflect your future goals.

Be specific with your training, and make sure that what you do now is going to help you achieve those future goals.

A generic dog training programme might not help you reach your unique goals. If you need any help to achieve your training goals, we’re here to help you

17/06/2024

⚠️ Your Labrador is ALWAYS Learning!

Did you know that your Labrador is learning every minute of every day, not just during training sessions?

They’re constantly figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and what gets them the best results by observing, reacting, and experimenting.

This means being proactive and responding appropriately to every situation is crucial.
If you allow behaviours you don’t like to be repeated, they’ll become lifelong habits your dog thinks are acceptable. 😬

For instance, if your Labrador pulls on the lead during walks and you allow it to continue, they’ll think it’s an acceptable behaviour.

Similarly, if they don’t come when called and you don’t address it, they’ll learn that ignoring recall is okay.

So, are you helping your dog learn the right things, or are they given opportunities to practice the wrong things?

Being proactive can prevent undesirable behaviours from becoming habits.

If you feel your Labrador is picking up the wrong habits, don’t hesitate to reach out for support in guiding them towards better behaviours.

Remember, every moment is a learning opportunity for your Lab! 🐕✨

13/06/2024

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

🐾 YOUR Dog… YOUR Rules! 🐾

Every dog is unique, with their own quirks, motivations, and character. Just like us humans, no two dogs are the same.

🤔So why should we all follow the same rules?
The answer is… we shouldn’t!!!

🛋️
▫️If you love having your dog on the sofa, embrace it!
▫️If you prefer your dog to stay off furniture, that’s good too.

🐕‍🦺
▫️If you’re okay with lead pullung during walks, keep it up!
▫️If you want your dog to walk to heel, go for it.

🦮
▫️If a harness is your go-to, that’s fantastic!
▫️If a slip lead works for you, carry on.

🏆
▫️If you use positive reinforcement for training, keep it up.
▫️If balanced training works for you, that’s brilliant too!

The life you share with your dog is one-of-a-kind.
Only YOU know what’s best for both of you.

Be open-minded, seek advice, be flexible, and be confident in YOUR choices.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all in dog training and care.

➡️ YOUR dog, YOUR rules ⬅️

If you ever need support in finding what works best for you and your Labrador, we’re always here to help with a huge amount of support and an open mind.

11/06/2024

Doing nothing but wasting time in a wildflower meadow can make for a great time.

Do you ever sit and do nothing with your dog when you are out?

Try it, you’ll help your Lab realise that calmness is a good thing.

10/06/2024

🧀🦮Just because you think a piece of cheese will be irresistible to your Labrador, it doesn’t mean they will feel the same way!
And even if your dog does think it’s the most rewarding thing ever, you must use that reward correctly.

When deciding how to reward your Labrador for their positive behaviours, it’s essential to think about a few key points:

🐾 What does your Labrador genuinely enjoy as a reward?
🐾 Is a good game of fetch more appealing than a piece of food?
🐾 Could a belly rub or some kind words be the ultimate reward?
🐾 Is there a specific task they love doing that feels rewarding to them?

A reward can be absolutely anything that YOUR DOG finds rewarding. For example, I have one Labrador that is all about food rewards; I have another that will happily spit out treats to lap up some verbal praise.

⏱️When you’ve found your Labradors preferred reward, you must also understand that timing is EVERYTHING when delivering a reward. It must be so spot-on that your Labrador instantly recognises it’s for a very specific action they’ve just performed.

So, ask yourself:
1️⃣ Is the reward you’re giving actually something your dog values?
2️⃣ Have you timed the reward so perfectly that your Labrador knows without a doubt what they did to earn it?

👉Remember, a well-timed and valued reward can make all the difference in your training journey!

❓Got a question about rewards, comment below. 👇

28/05/2024

🌞🐾 Good weather is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to start planning your summer adventures with your Labrador!

Whether you planning a camping trip, long walks in the countryside, relaxing evenings in a pub garden, or off-leash fun at the park, the key to a great summer with your Lab starts with training TODAY. 🌳🐶

✨ Want your dog to join you on holiday?
Begin training helpful travel skills now.

✨ Dream of peaceful pub evenings?
Start settle training to ensure your dog is calm and relaxed.

✨ Looking forward to off-leash fun?
Recall training is essential for a stress-free experience.

✨ Excited about long country walks?
Leash walking training is the way to go!

At Tails of Success, we’re here to help you achieve your goals, whatever they are.

Whatever your summer plans, we can guide you every step of the way.

Can we help you achieve training success?
Drop us a message and let’s make this summer unforgettable for you and your Labrador! 🌟🐕‍🦺

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🦌🚫 Impulse control, the ability to stay focused and listen to their handler is potentially a lifesaving set of behaviours for your dog to learn. You never know what you might encounter and where, so having a dog that listens and remains calm and in control around distractions will make your life less stressful. 👉 The secret to the relaxed and calm response you see in this video is that she is used to sitting and watching all manner of distractions. This 16 minth old has beene exposed to livestock very frequently. She’s seen deer, horses, sheep, cows, chickens and plenty of dogs running around her, without freedom to chase and play unless she has permission. 🦌🐓🐄🐎 ⚠️Having rules and giving opportunity to practice will help keep everyone safe. Thanks to @ellie_foxred for her guest appearance in this video 🧡 . . . #foxred #foxredlab #foxredlabrador #impulsecontrol #chasedrive #labrador #labradorpuppy❤️ #labradorpuppy #dogsaroundlivestock #distracteddog #reactivedog #labradortraining #tailsofsuccess #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #labradorsarebest #gundoggames #gundogtrainer #petsarethebest #dogtrainingpaysoff #alwaysworkinghard #dogvideos #deerhunter #whitetaildeer #countrysideliving #ruralphotography #labradorretriver #onlinedogtraining #labradorsofscotland

If you’re not sure what to teach your Labrador and you’re stuck for ideas, try these skills for starters. Here are just some of the skills we teach and encourage our students to use when they train with us at our in-person and Online training programmes. Teach your dog practical skills and keep them safe 👍 👇 What is the best thing you’ve taught your dog and why? . . #notricks #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #doglover #doggosoninstag #dogslovewater #dogsdaily #labradors4life #labradorsofinsta #labradors_universal #labradorsoftheday #labradorsofpetsagram #petscorner #petsofinstagram #labsofinsta #puppyoftheday #puppiesforall #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainer #dogtrainingadvice #labradortraining #puppytraining #puppytrainingclass #onlinedogtraining #canineenrichment #caninenutrition #newpuppyparents #newpuppyproblems #happydoghappylife #happypuppyhappylife

💥When you teach a skill to a dog, it should have a function. Teaching your dog to always return to heel if the leash gets dropped means they stay safe if you accidentally lose control or become unable to hold them. No verbal instructions were used here, @ellie_foxred knows the routine and what’s expected of her. 👉Next time you are in a safe location, drop your dogs leash and see what happens. #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainingchallenge #labradortraining #labradortrainer #labradortrainingtips #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraininginprogress #puppytrainingvideos #viraldogvideos #viralreels #foxredlabs #foxredlablove #foxredsquad #pupstagram #greengrass #bluesky #dogwalking #leashwalking #looseleadwalking #assistancedogintraining #assistancedogsuk #assistancedogs #dogswithjobs #gundogtraining #scentdetectiontraining #countrydoglife #ruraldogs

Evie joined us a few years ago at Online Puppy School. Today we caught up for an in-person training session and it was great to see her put some of her skills into action. She’s a bright dog and super cute too… check her account @eviethefoxredlab Want to join us for online or in person training? drop us a message or check out tailsofsuccess.com #foxredlab #foxredlabrador #foxred #foxredlabsofinsta #foxredpuppy #foxredlab_luv #labrador #labradorpuppy #labradorlove #labradorlovers #labradorlife #dogtrainingvideo #dogtrainingisfun #dogtrainingschool #puppytrainingtips #puppytraininguk

The "Stop Whistle" is such an amazing skill to teach your Labrador. It's great for getting their attention from a distance and is perfect for dogs that like to chase or run towards distractions. This is 8-month-old Ellie responding to her "Stop Whistle" She knows that hearing her white means: 👉 Stop what you're doing, face your handler and sit until you get another instruction. Would the stop whistle be a good skill to teach your Labrador? Check out our Instagram and Facebook account posts this week to learn how.

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About Tails of Success

My name is Vikki Sharpe, the founder and owner of Tails of Success.

Tails of Success is a canine consultancy that delivers training and behavioural services to dogs and their owners. Our proven techniques and skills, recognised by the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) and the British College of Canine Studies (BCCS), allow families to live a stress-free life together, using positive, force free training methods.

Whilst we deliver training and behavioural services to all types of dog, we have a special love for Labradors, making this our speciality. Being Labrador owners ourselves, we know the Labrador breed inside out and back-to-front, allowing us to offer specialised training and guidance to help you deal with specific challenges, or take preventative steps to deal with them before they arise.

We offer small group training, personal consultations and one-to-one training for families and their dog in The Cotswolds, plus other surrounding counties. Not limited to the UK, Tails of Success also delivers online consultations and training packages worldwide, using the latest video technology