Forest Dog Academy Ltd

20/08/2024

Look at the focus on this bunch 🤭 They all smashed it, so proud of them 👏🥰

Do you fancy joining our last Adult Dog Training Class for 2024?

This class is great if you're looking to improve your dogs obedience.

In this course we work on focus and engagement, improving behaviours like loose lead and recall in high scale environments with distractions from other dogs, smells and people. We also work on calm behaviours like sit stays in a busy live environment.

We're keen to help people with their individual targets no matter what level you're at. We'll adapt to your situation and help you progress onwards all whilst earning certificates along the way. 🎓

This class is once a fortnight on Wednesdays at 18:30pm in Minstead and costs £125 for the 6 sessions. Pop us a message to book on 🙂

31/07/2024

Something for everyone! 🥳🐾

Our Fun Dog Agility is designed for you to do something different with your dog. You could easily replace your dog walk that day by joining us for some fun.

In puppy classes we cover all the basic training, show you how to improve behaviours and how to stop unwanted behaviours. We always ensure you leave our classes without any questions.

Higher Obedience is designed to enhance behaviours and how to use them in higher scaled environments.

Not only in our Puppy Socialisation sessions does it involve the puppies playing together but we teach whilst they do. We talk about what is the best socialisation, what each body language displayed means, when to let them play and when to stop play. It's never a free for all so it's even better for those pups who aren't as confident yet and need some space.

The unsocial dog walk is one of our favourite things to offer, as dog trainers we work with lots of owners who want to practice their training but it's hard with other members of the public, so this class is a fully controlled environment where no dogs are allowed to meet but you have a field to loop whilst practicing your training. Behaviours this may include is, barking, pulling, recall, focus, exposure, reactivity etc. You can even join if you want to walk your dog somewhere safe and quiet that day as we know the weekends can be busy everywhere else.

Our biggest events of the year are the breed parties. This is purely for fun, we set up a bit of dog agility in the garden and chairs inside the hall with drinks. Who knows you and your dog may make some new friends. 🥰

This year we have our Spaniel X party, which includes any type of spaniels and those that are crossed with spaniels like cockapoos etc.

We also have our Retriever party which includes Labs, Goldens, Nova Scotia, Flat coated etc.

Any more questions feel free to message us over at Forest Dog Academy Ltd ☺️

*ALL EVENTS REQUIRE YOU TO BOOK ONTO BEFOREHAND*

30/07/2024

🐎 THE NEW FOREST SHOW 🌲

We would like to remind dog owners to take care this week if visiting The New Forest Show and if possible, to leave dogs at home.

If you decide to bring your dog, please be aware of the signs of heatstroke:

- Excessive panting
- Lethargy/collapse
- Vomiting/diarrhoea
- Dribbling
- Weakness
- Seizures

Please seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible if you suspect your dog is suffering.

15/07/2024

Our beautiful Pagan has all of a sudden become very poorly. I can’t imagine how Becky and Carl are feeling as we know how loved and important she is to them 😢 She’s only 3 so this is a big shock, any donations to help pay for her MRI would be hugely appreciated 🩷

Hi, we're Becky and Carl, and our 3 year old Rottweiler Pagan has an unknown issue causing her a lot of discomfo… Becky Levy needs your support for Pagans MRI

01/05/2024

We got married! 💍🩷

We had a beautiful day in Romsey with our close family and friends, the rain and wind didn’t stop us as dog walkers nor did it stop the laughter and happiness. It was perfect! Freddie was obviously the centre of attention but there’s no surprise there. We’re off on our honeymoon real soon which is a cruise to Norway, we’re so excited!

Just an update on what we have coming up this year;
- More puppy classes
- Higher obedience classes
- Fun dog agility
- Unsocial dog walk
- Pet gun dog training
- A spaniel party
- A X poodle party
- A labrador party
- A golden retriever party

If any of these tickle your fancy or you’d like to know more then please let us know so we can roughly gauge when is best to host these for you 😊 We also know we’ve not been as good with replying as we normally have so if we’ve not replied to you (doesn’t matter when it was sent), please give us a nudge with an emoji and we’ll get back to you 🙂

Hope you’re all well,
Love Mr & Mrs Gathercole 🤭 xox

23/01/2024

The famous Winston 🤭

After last week’s adventures of being missing from Highcliffe beach after being chased by a dog, Winston paid me a visit for a much needed freshen and spruce up. Felt so good to cuddle him after worrying about him for what felt like forever 🙈

Few of you have asked how he is and I’m happy to say he’s all good, he wasn’t injured which was reported on the day which is a relief 🥹

Thank you to those who shared the posts, and the amount of people who helped, once again showed why the dog community is the best and what we can achieve when we all pull together 🥰 His human’s couldn’t be more appreciative for all the support and help 😊

21/01/2024

Buster has completed his Level 1 for loose lead walking, field skills and manners!! 👏🎓🎉

14/01/2024

*FOUND* 🥹 Thank you everyone for sharing and helping! 🩷

LOST DOG - Highcliffe

Please help by sharing! He’s been chased by another dog and now possibly injured. This is unlike him and we know he’ll be scared and cold! He lives in Southampton so won’t know the area either 🥺

Missing from Highcliffe beach.
Sunday 14th at 3pm
Please call 07926159594 if seen

06/10/2023

Fun agility is on tomorrow if anybody would like to join us? Everyone who’s currently attending is completely new to it, so if you’d like to give it ago for the first time you won’t be alone 😊

Minstead, 10am till 11am 🐾

Fun Dog Agility - Forest Dog Academy Ltd
(Dogs must be over a year old, not reactive or in season for these sessions)

10/09/2023

Who’s ready for autumn? 🍁
We definitely are but we’re also making the most out of the weather and evenings as we have so many new classes and events coming up.

🍂 Puppy Classes
🍂 Dog Training Classes (More life skills)
🍂The Unsocial Dog Walk
🍂 Fun Dog Agility
🍂 One on One sessions

There’s something for everyone. I really want to talk to you about the dog training classes as we use to teach these but struggled finding a new venue that was suitable. Now we have a gorgeous place in Minstead with a horse arena and fields.

We often get ask at the end of puppy class if we have any sessions they can continue with and these classes are ideal for that. It’s also ideal if you want to make your recall and loose lead more bulletproof, and to teach their settle in a high scale environment.

If your dog needs a complete fresh start with training and is 6months + or even 10years old and under, these also will suit you. We will help everyone on an individual basis to make sure you achieve what you would like 🍂

06/09/2023

Bomber 🎓🎉

Well this little cutie is just a sweetheart. We’re super glad we get to continue to teach him and watch him grow. He did excellent at puppy class, smashed it ⭐️

25/08/2023

Lenny’s Graduation 🎓🎉

This boy always has his tongue out and it’s mostly to the side 😅 He’s given us lots of laughter and appropriately awarded class clown but we’re super proud with how well he’s come on. His loose lead, jumping up and snatching treats has improved so much. Well done Eliza and Sue your hard work is paying off 👏

13/07/2023

Mabel 🐾🎓🎉
She’s growing fast as you can see from the last two photos. She’s a heart stealer and easily makes everyone laugh or fall in love with her 🥰

12/07/2023

Betty joined puppy class very nervous, she would bark and get spooked easily as well as being super wary of movements. After speaking to her lovely owner Donna, we agreed that taking it slowly and on Betty’s terms would be beneficial for her in the long run.

Often with nervous dogs or dogs that are nervous of a situation, humans can push them into it and say “you’ll be ok, it’s fine, you’re fine”. This can lead to dogs shutting down, giving calming signals and not trusting their owner. Unfortunately a lot of people want quick results but being patient and listening to a nervous dog pays off massively in the long run.

By week 6, I was doing some training with Betty myself, she easily took treats from me, could be close to strangers, and she made friends and played with all the other dogs.

Just like Donna it was hard not to get a lump in my throat with relief and proudness 🥹 This is the reason we love what we do, results make it all worth it.

Well done Betty, Donna, James and Megan 🥰👏

11/07/2023

Penny 🐾🎓🎉
Couldn’t pick a favourite picture, she looks cute in them all. She’s such a bundle of joy and made friends with everyone 🥰 Great work Penny 👏

10/07/2023

Bailey 🐾🎓🎉
He was so proud of his certificate he wanted to show everyone 🫢

14/06/2023

Because who doesn’t want to see a picture of Mabel on their timeline today 🥹

Half way through our Colbury puppy classes already, it’s flying by! ☀️

Three new upcoming puppy classes:
🌻 Dibden, 6:30pm till 7:20pm, starting Friday 16th of June (only 2 spaces available)
🌻 Dibden, 7:30pm till 8:20pm, starting Friday 14th of July.
🌻 Colbury, 6:30pm till 7:20pm, starting Monday 17th of July

Pop us a message for more details 👩‍💻

06/06/2023

Bonnie - 8 years of loving you 💞

Even though we were told this day would come eventually you put up a really good fight. Kept bouncing around, loving life. I’m going to miss not having my sidekick, you were never far. You’d have your funny hyper moments which always made us laugh but you were known best for your cuddles. You’ve been our main girl from the start, taught us so much and you’ll never leave our memories. That’s if the photo album called Bonnie with over 1,000 photos in wasn’t enough to remember you by 🙊

Thank you for introducing us to your family who’ve become extended family to us and will be a permanent part in our lives. We are all heartbroken tonight without you.

Sweet dreams our little Bon-Bons ❤️🌈🐾

05/05/2023

New puppy classes ✨
Come join our relaxed and friendly classes. We cover lots of practical training and topics. We're also here to help you extend behaviours and teach you how to limit other behaviours. We help everyone on an individual basis to make sure you leave happy and confident. 😁
We'd love for you to join and start your journey with us.
Pop us a message for all the details on these upcoming classes 😊

26/04/2023

A big Happy 25th Birthday to Toby today 🥳

Finally after driving vans since he was 17 he can now actually hire a van 🤦‍♀️😅

We’re off camping tomorrow so will try our hardest to get back to all messages and emails before we leave as our signal isn’t great where we’re staying 😊

10/04/2023

Hope you’ve all had a lovely Easter 🐣

🎉 This Saturday we have our Pawty for all types of Spaniels and all Spaniel crosses. We only have 2 spaces left so if you’re interested here’s how you can find out more: 🥳 Spaniels and Spaniel X Party 🥳

👉 New Puppy class to start soon in Dibden for all the puppies 🐶

🐕 We’re thinking of hosting our fun agility sessions again as we’ve been asked by several people now.

✂️ Dog grooming is still fully booked.

🐾 1-2-1’s are busy but still have space for two more weekly clients.

✨ And more events coming soon 🥰

(Featuring Murphy and Freddie rocking their Easter bows) 🙊

29/03/2023

I’ve always loved Paul so this is heartbreaking to hear 😢 What a wonderful human he was though, so kind and funny ❤️

Thank you for everything you’ve done for all of those dogs 💕

Battersea joins the nation in mourning the loss of Paul O’Grady - an entertainment legend and much-loved Ambassador to our charity. We’d like to extend our deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and friends. To millions Paul O’Grady is the popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up their screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth. Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell in love with every dog he met at our centres. Paul will always be associated with Battersea, and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.

13/02/2023

Puppy classes at Dibden on Friday evenings and Colbury on Monday evenings.

Puppy socialisation sessions at Dibden on Sunday the 26th of Feb at 10am and 11am.

(Both are designed for puppies under 6months old and you need be booked on to attend.)

For more information you can find us over at Forest Dog Academy Ltd😊🐾

24/01/2023

I’m so ready for Spring! 🌷

23/01/2023

Just sat down to this watch, anybody else watching too?

Tonight on BBC One at 20:00, Panorama will be exploring the reality of puppy mills. Reporter Sam Poling goes undercover to reveal the increasingly close relationship between organised crime and dog dealing.

It is so sad that inhumane and high-volume dog breeding still happens. This eye-opening programme will offer a glimpse into the dog breeding facilities that churn out puppies for profit, ignoring the needs of the pups and their mothers 😥

Here are some signs that a puppy might be in a puppy mill situation.

🐶 Breeders do not let you see the parents of the puppy, or if they do, you’re not sure they are the real parents

🐶 You see puppies regularly advertised online using the same name or slightly different name variations

🐶 You see poor living conditions, or you’re asked to go to a house address and you’re not sure it’s the place of birth

🐶 Puppies and parents seem to be in bad health

🐶 Puppies are leaving the mother too early, before eight weeks

🐶 Breeders are selling large amounts of puppies and lots of different breeds

🐶 Puppies have not been health checked

If you visit a puppy and don't have a good feeling or feel like you need to save the puppy, trust your instinct and report it to your local authority, the Police or the RSPCA. In the long term, you'll be helping dogkind.

20/01/2023

What do you use to measure your dogs food? We use a Huel scoop, it measures Freddie’s food perfectly 👌😄

How much is a handful? ✋

When discussing feeding routine with owners we often get told they feed a ‘handful’ of food so many times per day.

We asked 4 different members of the team to all take a ‘handful’ of dry cat food and then measured each of the portions. They varied from 16g to 28g meaning that the biggest handful of food was almost double the size of the smallest! 😮

Weighing scales is the most accurate method of measuring out your pets food, or if not a measuring cup specifically designed for the food you are feeding.

A ‘handful’ is not an appropriate form of measurement and could mean your pet is being under or over fed! 🚨

18/01/2023

This week we’ve created new puppy classes due to demand and new one off puppy socialisation sessions. Can’t wait to meet all these new puppies 🥰

Here’s Bandit being super handsome. It’s cold out there but it’s giving us some gorgeous views so we can’t complain! ❄️

09/01/2023

This is brilliant! 😂

04/01/2023

Happy 2023! 🎉

We’re excited to meet lots of new doggies and their humans this years 🥳 and of course continuing to see our lovely regulars too 🥰

We’re also working hard behind the scenes to come up with some new ideas 👀🤫 We’ll let you know soon once they’re finalized 😊

Also who likes mine and Freddie’s matching jumpers that my nan and grandad brought us for Christmas? 🙊😅

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas from us at Forest Dog Academy Ltd! Hope everyone has a lovely day, we look forward to seeing you all in the new year! 🎄🎅🏻