Pawsome Training and Behaviour

18/11/2024

🫶🫶🫶🫶

18/11/2024

Last Friday Walkies
Solo; Riley
Group 1; Margo & Kylo
Group 2; Nessa, Obie, Rolo & Eric 🫶

18/11/2024

Last weds walkies 🫶
Solo; Mac
Group 1; Maverick, Kylo, Tilly & Vera
Group 2; Zephyr, Obie & Nessa ❤️

18/11/2024

Just a recap on holiday dates over the next month or so (until new year).

Saturday 7th December (from 1.30pm onwards)
Tuesday 10th December (away on a course) & Wednesday 11th December (birthday).

Tuesday 24th - Thursday 26th December (Xmas break)
Tuesday 31st Dec & Wednesday 1st Jan

This is for every service.
Also do be aware that all Sunday sessions are now every other week rather than every week to allow myself to have a break ❤️

15/11/2024

A problem I am familiar with in the working dog world: trainers—especially women—who choose positive training methods are often met with criticism or even outright bullying from those who believe only in harsher, hands-on approaches. This isn’t just unproductive; it’s disrespectful to the diversity of training styles that make our community strong.

Here’s the reality: training should be about the dog and what brings out the best in them, not about proving how “tough” or “dominant” we are as handlers. Positive doesn’t mean permissive. For many trainers, using reinforcement-based methods means skillfully guiding their dogs to be confident, engaged, and eager to work—without necessarily making them robotic or suppressing their natural character.

Experienced positive reinforcement trainers know that balance matters. Most stay away from labels like “force-free” because they understand that, especially with working dogs, a completely force-free approach is usually unrealistic. Working dogs need clear boundaries and structure, and a 100% force-free approach can often backfire, creating confusion or even safety risks for both the dog and handler. Good positive trainers recognize there are situations where firm guidance or correction is necessary; they just prefer to use it judiciously and only when it truly benefits the dog’s understanding.

Yes, there are times and places where punishment may have a role, especially for behaviors that need a firm boundary. But if a handler chooses not to use punishment, recognizing there are other ways to handle the issue effectively, that choice deserves respect, not judgment. Positive trainers understand that discipline and structure are key, and they are often just as committed to shaping a reliable dog. Reinforcement-based methods can produce strong, skilled, and dependable dogs without having to lean on punishment as the first or only answer.

When we allow a dog’s personality to shine, we’re creating partnerships that are both powerful and joyful. A positive approach doesn’t make a dog or trainer inferior; often, it requires an open mind, patience, and skill to use methods that guide rather than force, that correct without breaking spirit.

Instead of judging, let’s stay open-minded and remember that each handler and each dog is different. There are many ways to create successful, balanced working dogs. Supporting each other’s paths, learning from different approaches, and staying respectful is how we build a better training community.

So let’s keep egos in check and focus where it matters: building strong bonds and bringing out the best in our dogs.

15/11/2024

New Service announcement 🫶
I'm going to be offering training walks to start next week.
This is going to be the same as my solo dog walks but will be designed for dogs who struggle on walks such as lead pulling, recall, reactivity and aggression.
These are slightly more verses my normal rates.
30mins; £15
45mins; £17.50
1hour; £20
This is designed to go alongside 1-1/group sessions
Be uploaded to website tonight 🫶

12/11/2024

Tuesday 🫶🫶
Bluey, Akira, Ruby, Blu, Teddy, Dougie, Hollie, Tilly & Eric

11/11/2024

❤️💜

10/11/2024

Puppy & Lifeskill Classes for Jan 2025 ❤️🫶

I have added my next lot of dates to my website for the next lot of classes.

Weston super mare;
Mondays; starting 6th Jan
The Gilcraft Den, 41 Totterdown Rd, Weston-super-Mare BS23 4LJ

Worle;
Saturdays; - starting 11th January
Worle community centre
Lawrence Rd, Worle, Weston-super-Mare BS22 6TU

Winscombe;
Wednesdays; starting 8th January
11 Sandford Rd, Winscombe BS25 1JA

All classes are £120 for 8 weeks (puppies) or £100 for 6 weeks (Lifeskill)
These can be split into 2 monthly payment plans

All information is available on my website
www. pawsometrainingandbehaviour.com

I also offer in home 1-1 sessions for training & Behaviour ❤️🫶

Dog Trainer and Behaviourist offering 1-1 Services, Training Classes, Workshops and Courses. Fully Accredited and Qualified.

08/11/2024

Service dogs.
Probably one of the most unpopular topics for any pet dog trainer.
And with the recent rise of scammy online courses offering to train your dog to get "service dog level obedience in 2 days" 👀 this has gotten even worse.
I cannot begin to count the amount of service dog training requests I receive.
“Can your online courses train my dog to be a service dog?”
“I need to make my dog a service dog so he can ride on the bus with me” (Yes, someone seriously asked me this)
“Do you certify service dogs?”
No - no - no - and more no.
Service dog training is completely different from pet dog training.
If your dog is trained to walk nicely on a leash and sit and stay, they are a pet dog.
If your dog comes up to you and nuzzles you when you are sad - they are still a pet dog.
If you want your dog to accompany you into stores or fly in-cabin on planes … they’re still only a pet dog and these privileges are not for them.
Service dogs are task-trained.
They are specifically taught to work for people with disabilities.
A dog that solely provides comfort is not a service dog.
I see a lot of people acquiring dogs, labeling them as “my service dog” and *then* going about training them.
This is not how that works.
You cannot just select a dog, put a service dog harness on them and figure the rest out as you go.
We regularly receive requests from dog owners who tell us that their “service dog” pulled them over on leash or nips at visitors.
That their service dog relentlessly chases wildlife on walks or has intense anxiety in social settings.
One time I got a request from a lady who told me that she got a dog from the shelter to be her son’s service dog, but that “service dog” was now biting the son and could I please fix it.
I’m sorry - none of those dogs are not service dogs then. And they likely won’t be service dogs in the future either.
Please be honest about the dog you own.
Unless you worked diligently to train them as a service animal with specific tasks, they are a pet.
A beloved, (hopefully) well-behaved, wonderful pet.
But not a working dog, and you should not demand the privileges that are reserved for true service dogs and their disabled handlers.
Staying clear with this distinction protects the actual service dogs and their owners 🙂

08/11/2024

08/11/2024

Having to run to convince a rottweiler to run 🤣🤣