Barker and Hound Dog Training and Behaviour

19/08/2024

How I got Lilo and Stitch to stop toileting indoors, manage their biting and chewing, and learn basic cues.

(Basically every puppy owners dream!)

When their owners came to me, they were really struggling with the typical puppyhood issues listed above.

So they signed up for my ‘Premium’ Clever Puppy Package which helped them by:

Providing a bespoke, comprehensive puppy training plan that was designed exclusively for Lilo and Stitch.

5 x 60 minute 1:1 sessions that covered the all-important basics of training, life skills and behaviours.

Really understanding Lilo and Stitch’s canine needs and the goals their owners had for them.

And here’s what the owner had to say:

“Sarah-Jane has been an amazing support to us in learning how to build a good relationship with our puppies, Lilo and Stitch our first family dogs. She is very positive and friendly, but clear and practical with the advice she gives. Our puppies Lilo and Stitch absolutely love her sessions because she shows us how to make training into fun games! We feel far more confident in handling and training Lilo and Stitch, and it is a great comfort knowing that Sarah-Jane will answer any questions no matter how silly! Thank you Sarah-Jane, would highly recommend! (House trained puppies, who are calmer, less bitey and know some important life skills).”

If you know you need help training your puppy to stop biting, chewing, needing and learn basic cues, DM me the word PUPPY and let’s see how we can help you achieve that this month.

14/08/2024

I use positive enforcement techniques in my training programmes.

And here's why:

The significance of establishing trust and a strong connection with your dog should not be underestimated.

Scientific research has unequivocally demonstrated that relying on outdated concepts such as "the pack leader," "dominance," and other aversive dog training methods is not just detrimental to your relationship but can also result in enduring psychological harm to your dog.

Instead of effectively addressing the root causes of their issues, these methods merely suppress undesired behaviours without teaching your dog the desired alternative behaviours.

I identify as a positive reinforcement practitioner so you can be assured that the use of fear and intimidation have no place in my approach.

Achieving meaningful behaviour modification requires a dedicated investment of time, compassion, and patience but the results speak for themselves.

I use the most up-to-date, science-based training methods that have your dog’s welfare at heart.

DM me to find out more about my dog and puppy training.

05/08/2024

Try this to stop your dog from pulling on the lead...

Firstly, you should never 'punish' them for pulling - this doesn't tell your dog how you want them to behave.

I recommend trialling walks around the garden to help implement good practices even more (this is important as a major factor in lead pulling is due to all of life’s distractions!) Your garden has familiar distractions so its easier to teach your dog new skills there.

Also, make sure that you have a long lead so your dog is able to walk comfortably next to you with some slack on the lead.

Walk at a normal, brisk pace and, from time to time, say your dog's name to pull their attention back to you. Ensure that you praise them when they “check in” with you and aren't pulling on the lead.

If your dog starts to pull, you need to move backwards and encourage your dog to return to your side. The key here is to move backwards to make the lead feel slack.

01/08/2024

How I helped my client’s dog go from anxious to calm in only 12 weeks.

When Martin and his family contacted me, Kimya was an extremely anxious dog.

She was:

Wary of strangers.
A bit of an escape artist.
Nervous of sudden noises.
Causing stress and frustration to the family.

I created a bespoke plan that centred around helping the family understand Kimya’s behaviour and we worked on things like building confidence, calmness and recall.

The result? She is a much happier and calmer dog (and the family are less stressed and less frustrated!)

Here is what the client had to say about working with me:

“Kimya was rescued from Romania with a roulette wheel of behaviours and trust issues. Sarah has given us so many tools, games and techniques to help us all through this. Sarah has helped bring Kimya into our family and Kimya trusts us.”

If you know you need help with your anxious dog to make your life less stressful and frustrating, DM me the word ANXIOUS and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve that this month.

31/07/2024

Puppy training is important for a number of reasons.

Here’s a few:

It will help your puppy turn into a happy, healthy and confident dog.
Strengthens the bond between you and your dog.
It will teach your dog how to behave and make everyone more safe.
Reduces behavioural problems later on.
It can be a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated.

If you are ready to start puppy training, comment PUPPY for more information.

29/07/2024

Share if this is you!

24/07/2024

Meet Alfie!

Here are the top 6 bits of advice I gave Alfie's owners to ensure he grows up to be a happy and joyful pup....

Introduce new experiences gradually - good socialisation is not about engaging with every single person and every single dog

Train key life skills (with a qualified, ethical trainer...like me!)
https://barkerandhounddogtraining.com/clever-puppy

Ensure Alfie has positive associations with other dogs and people during his critical socialisation period

Think quality over quantity when planning every new day with him

Be patient and go at Alfie's pace when training him

Make sure he has enough sleep

These are of course very generic tips - to get tips that are tailored to your unique dog and to help them fulfil their potential, then send me a DM 🙂

Sarah-Jane 🙂

22/07/2024

How I helped my client have stress-free walks with their dog.

When Mel came to me, she was really struggling to walk her dog, Willow, a 2-year-old cockapoo.

Willow would pull on the lead and it was driving Mel crazy. She felt like her dog was taking her for a walk, not the other way round.

She wanted to get to the point where walks weren't stressful and here is how we achieved this:

I devised a bespoke plan and training programme catered to Willow and Mel.

Personalised, hour-long sessions that included practical demos so Mel was confident in executing the plan.

Support via email so Mel could ask any questions in between sessions.

Now, Willow hardly pulls and Mel can walk her stress-free.

Are you ready for your walks with your dog to be less stressful? DM me the word STRESS and let's chat about how we can help you achieve this.

20/07/2024

When can puppy training start?

It's a question I get a lot as a puppy trainer.

You can start training puppies as soon as you bring them home (and you usually collect them around 8 weeks old).

Dogs can absorb information from a very young age, so in short, it's never too early to start puppy training!

And if you want to start getting your puppy trained and set-up good behaviours, send me a DM!

12/07/2024

Your puppy's first night away from their biological mum and siblings can be really difficult and stressful.

Not only have they been taken away from their mum and warm littermates, they have then been put in to a brand new environment with new people and then are generally expected to gain independence straight away. Its no surprise then that the majority of puppies will cry if left alone at the night in their new home.

My top tip? Prevent unwanted crying at night by allowing your puppy to sleep upstairs in your room - in a crate on their own bed - which ever the pup is more comfortable with.

By doing this you will help keep your pup feel safe and you will be able to attend to the pup when you get woken up for toilet time.

Once your pup starts to build a routine and sleeps for longer each night, you can start to increase the distance of the bed or crate further and further away from your bed, until it's in your desired location.

If you found that helpful, head to my bio and click the link to download your guide to bringing home your new puppy

10/07/2024

💕 July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month. 💕

We don't like to dwell on the thought of our much loved pets going missing. It really doesn't bear thinking about!

But there are a few simple things we can do to ensure our pets stay safe.

🐾 Ensure your pet is microchipped
🐾 Secure your garden
🐾 Have your contact details on a pet tag
🐾 Teach your dog to come back when called
🐾 Be aware of distractions or dangers when out and about

Let's reduce the chances of our pets going missing not just this month, but every month!

Just a few precautions like above will help you keep your pet where they belong - by your side.

Did these tips help you? Let me know in the comments below... 👇

08/07/2024

💕 The results I achieve for my customers is by far the most fulfilling part of my job. 💕

I recently started working with Bianca and her new puppy Reggie.

Bianca reached out as she had some separation struggles with Reggie; he would whine whenever she left the room and cried when left alone in his crate😬

But after one session of working with me (and a bespoke training plan which followed the session - the results are incredible!

Reggie is now able to settle in his crate and Bianca can now get on and do the things she needs to as a busy mum of 2!

I am so happy I was able to help Bianca and Reggie with crate and settle training.

If you're struggling with your puppy's inability to settle or want some step by step advice on carte training and you'd love to see these results for yourself, I have the perfect solution.

👉 Email me on [email protected] now

05/07/2024

💖 Check these out... 💖

These are my 5 non-negotiable happy dog training habits that Rebel and I follow every day.

🐾 Walking Rebel on a well-fitting harness which does not tighten as he walks

🐾 Rewarding Rebel whenever he checks in with me on a walk.

🐾 Rewarding him every time I recall him and he comes when called - whether in the house or outside.

🐾 Doing 3 short 3-minute training sessions a day with him.

🐾 Not disturbing him when he is asleep

Hope these help!

Which of my 5 non-negotiables will you try first?

Let me know in the comments...

05/07/2024

It's crucial for our furry friends to have a quiet place to nap where they won't be disturbed. I generally suggest placing their beds in a corner to keep them away from foot traffic and ensure they get the rest they need.

Just like us, sleep is essential for dogs—it helps them heal, process new learning, and empty their stress buckets. Providing a peaceful environment for your dog to catch those Z's can make a world of difference in their overall well-being.

And remember, caring for your dog involves more than just sleep—follow me for more tips on keeping your furry friend happy and healthy! 🐾❤️

03/07/2024

😍 I had the pleasure of working with Deborah and Ruby (Roobz) this month. 😍

And what a brilliant duo they've been!

"𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘚𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘩-𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘣𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧. 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘩 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦."

You've been an absolute delight to work with and I look forward to tracking your progress over the coming weeks. 🙌

👉 If you're ready to get big results like this dream team right here, click here to get in touch: https://barkerandhounddogtraining.com/contact

01/07/2024

🐶 How to get the most out of your one-to-one dog training session... 🐶

🐾 Have high value treats ready
🐾 Come with an open mind and willingness to learn (and to have fun!)
🐾 Make time to practice outside of sessions
🐾 Have everything ready for the session (treats, leads, etc)

🐾 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 (𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜'𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿!)

When you follow these guidelines while working with me, it ensures you and your dog get the best training results while under my care. 💖

👉 If you're ready for this, click here to get in touch with me: https://barkerandhounddogtraining.com/contact

28/06/2024

🤩 I’ve created a super useful freebie called Your Guide to Bringing Home a New Puppy! 🤩

If you need some top tips for getting off to a great start with your new family member, you’re going to want to grab this!

👉 Click here to download the e-book now: https://barkerandhounddogtraining.myflodesk.com/sd9cnuhl4b

27/06/2024

There are many things I’d change about the pet industry. Here are three I hope to see change within the next 5 years.

👍 Regulation in the training world. The sad fact is anyone can call themselves a dog trainer without real knowledge or qualifications. This can and has lead to many ‘trainers’ leaving pet parents and their dogs with more problems than they started with. I’d like to see a standard accreditation that every trainer should pass before they’re allowed to offer their services.

👍 Ban the use of aversive equipment and training methods. It's disheartening to see that some trainers still rely on harsh tools and punitive techniques that can cause physical and emotional harm to our beloved pets. Dogs deserve to be treated with kindness and respect, and training should focus on positive reinforcement and building trust. We need to ensure that only humane methods are used, protecting our furry friends from unnecessary pain and fear. Let's advocate for a compassionate approach to dog training, where the well-being of the animal is always the top priority.

👍 Stricter regulations on pet food labeling to guarantee that all products meet high nutritional standards. It's disheartening how easily we can be misled by confusing labels, potentially putting our beloved companions' health at risk. Clear and accurate labeling is essential to ensure that pet foods provide the necessary nutrients for our furry friends' well-being.

I’d love to know if you agree with me and what you’d like to see change too. Let me know in the comments. 👇

25/06/2024

🐾 Well look at that - it's Pet Appreciation week! 🐾

This is the time to raise awareness of the benefits of pets in our daily lives.

Like we need an excuse! 😆

Everyday is a time to appreciate all the furry friends we share our lives with.

But this week is no better time to share a little extra love with all the pets we hold close to our hearts.

So go on. Take them on a longer walk this week. Play their favourite game, or just give them that extra tasty treat.

They deserve it. 💖

What will you be doing this week to show your pet some extra love?

21/06/2024

Imagine this…

⭐️ Having a dog that greets people calmly and politely, without jumping up on them.

⭐️ Experiencing a more manageable and relaxed dog, free from constant bouncing around like Tigger.

⭐️ Inviting visitors to your home with confidence, knowing your dog won’t leave muddy marks on their best clothes.

⭐️ A peaceful and enjoyable life with your dog, free from constant apologies about your dog's behavior.

Now, how does that sound?

If you’re ready for 👆 to become your reality, I'm here to help.

Click here to learn more and sign up for my Stop Jumping Up Dog Training Package : https://barkerandhounddogtraining.com/stop-jumping-up

19/06/2024

We all have good days.

We all have bad days.

And there are lots of unremarkable days in between.

Whatever kind of day comes your way, your dog will be by your side through all of it

Let’s never forget how much our pets mean to us. Never forget how much joy they bring us and how much they depend on us for everything they need.

It’s a relationship like no other that we are truly blessed and honoured to have in our lives.

From one pet guardian to another. 💖

17/06/2024

🖐 Hands up, who feeds their dog from a classic doggy bowl?

If that's you, I have a sweet little hack that's going to bring way more joy to you and your dog's life.

Only using a regular bowl is a missed opportunity to provide mental stimulation for your dog. It also encourages your dog to eat quickly, which can cause pain, discomfort and sometimes vomiting as they swallow air as they eat. 😬

So instead, I advise clients to feed their dogs their daily food allowance in bowls as well as through enriching ways. So pop some food in a bowl and scatter some in the garden for the dogs to snuffle out!

Your dog will thank you for it! 💖

🤷‍ Why make meal times over in a flash when you can make it a fun event, eh? 🤷‍♀️

If you'd love to understand how you can add more enrichment into your dog's daily life, click here to find out more about my one-to-one dog training packages: https://barkerandhounddogtraining.com/

14/06/2024

🐶 Where do you want you and your dog to be in 1 month? 🐶

How about your dog walking nicely by your side without pulling on the lead! 🙌

How would that feel...

I don't know about you, but my clients have gone from being pulled around the park, dreading walks and feeling like their dog is walking them, to achieving their dream of long walks with a canine companion who potters happily by their side. 💖

Curious about how I can help you achieve the same?

👉 Click here to find out more about my Loose Lead Success dog training package: https://barkerandhounddogtraining.com/loose-lead

13/06/2024

How you know when it’s time to get help from an ethical dog trainer…

🐾 Day to day life with your dog is more stressful than it should be. You dream of calm walkies, relaxed sofa snuggles, and a well-behaved dog - but things are a little different.

🐾 You love your dog and you want to help them fulfil their potential. You long to understand your dog's behaviour and meet their needs, instead of feeling frustrated by them.

🐾 You've had enough of hearing all the conflicting advice - you want to work with a properly qualified and experienced professional, who you can trust.

🐾 You want to be sure you will get compassionate, effective and ethical solutions tailored to meet your needs - while being in a safe and enjoyable learning environment for both you and your dog.

If you can see yourself in any of the above, it may be time to seek help for you and your dog.

I'm here to chat if you’d like to learn more about how I can support you and your dog to have a fulfilling and enjoyable life together. 💕

👉 Click here to learn more and get in touch: https://barkerandhounddogtraining.com/about

11/06/2024

🥰 Today I'm celebrating a big achievement in my business! 🥰

I’ve just received another 5* Review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

A big thank you to everyone that's supported me since I launched my business 6 months ago. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. 💖

★★★★★ · Dog trainer

07/06/2024

Who else can relate? While our human partners' snores can be a bit much, there's something about our furry friends' snores that just melts our hearts. 💤

Tell us in the comments: What's one thing your dog does that you find absolutely adorable, even if it might be annoying from anyone else? Let's share some love for our pups! 🐾❤️

04/06/2024

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀! 🌟 As some of you might know, I'm a HUGE fan of Tug-E-Nuff.

They make motivating, durable toys that will help you nail your recall, smash your goals and get simply amazing results.

I'm proud to say I've just become a Tug-E-Nuff Partner. That means I can offer my followers and students 10% off! Just enter my exclusive code BARKERANDHOUND at checkout.

Head to https://www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=barkerandhound to browse the range and let me know which toys you choose!

31/05/2024

Have you ever thought about your dog becoming a therapy dog? 🐶

Maybe you have some time to volunteer with your dog to help children with their learning or provide a positive impact to people with additional learning needs.

You may want to offer comfort sessions to older people.

Whatever your goal, therapy dog training UK can help you on the start of your journey.

I’m proud to be the trusted trainer for East Hampshire so if you live in this area and want some more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me ☺️🐶

30/05/2024

Does this sound like you and your puppy? 🐶

I often get dog owners telling me their dog is REALLY good at performing cues in classes or in their home but when out and about it all goes to pot.

"He does a beautiful sit at home, its so annoying that he wont do it now"! (I totally believe you by the way!) and its due to something called generalisation.

In the most basic terms generalisation refers to a dog’s ability to apply a learned behaviour or cue across different environments and situations. and dogs are not good at it!

The solution?

CONTINUE TO TRAIN NEW THINGS IN NEW ENVIRONMENTS

Reteach behaviours from scratch in new environments for best results.

Start in your living room, then go to the kitchen, then the garden before moving outside.

Follow me for more dog training and behaviour tips 🥰 or join my private Facebook group for top tips and training advice. I would love to see you in there https://www.facebook.com/groups/391959933443508

28/05/2024

💕 10 ways to invest in your relationship with your dog. 💕

🐶 Make time for play
🐶 Teach them a new trick
🐶 Surprise them with a treat
🐶 Take them to their favourite walking spot
🐶 Give your dog an ear rub
🐶 Treat them with the respect they deserve
🐶 Enrich their life with scent games
🐶 Let them snuggle with you on the sofa
🐶 Organise a play date with their best friend
🐶 Have warm conversations (Even if they can't understand you! )

There are so many ways to show your dog you care!

We all need to take more special moments to slow down and truly appreciate our furry best friends. 😍

Share this post to spread the love.