Pain isn’t training. Fear isn’t training. Discomfort isn’t training. Intimidation isn’t training. Violence isn’t training. Aggression isn’t training. They are not training styles. They are not differences of opinion. These are all forms of coercive control. Do you want to teach/train/care for dogs, or do you want to coercively control them? - there’s a big difference.   Shay Kelly wrote this recently and it hit home so hard that I had to share it with you all.  I spend a lot of my time worrying about people using punishment-based training methods as it breaks my heart.  I see ..read more

I saw this quote on Facebook recently from Susan Friedman “The animal is never wrong…you get what you reinforce.  All behaviour has a function including undesirable behaviour.  The question is not “Why is the animal behaving this way?” but rather, “What’s reinforcing this behaviour?”   If we can think for our dog’s behaviour in this way, I really believe it would help us understand those behaviours that we wish they didn’t do.  I talk to lots of people who get really distressed that their dog does a certain behaviour, and they think the dog understands this behaviour is wr ..read more

It may surprise you that as a trainer I haven’t started doing much training with Bramley yet.  We have had him 6 weeks, and in terms of obedience training, he knows sit (the breeder started that) and to respond to his name, so the start of recall training.  That’s it.  I think this will surprise some people.  With any new dog (puppy or rescue) the last thing I focus on is obedience training in those first few months.  Don’t get me wrong, I start working on manners such as where to toilet, reducing puppy biting, confident in being handled and showing them how much fun ..read more

However, we do need a bit of empathy and to understand what is going on for our dogs. Do you remember being a teenager? Certainly, a time of change and confusion.  So why wouldn’t our dogs (or an animal) be similar.  The mammalian brain is physically changing during this period between puberty and adulthood.  What this means is that they are more likely to take risks, have less inhibition, their confidence is increasing, their desire to be ‘social’ increases and prey drive kicks in.  Sound fun!!  I remember being a teenager well.  Finding my place within the wo ..read more

I'm sure you are all aware of the news about the likelihood that the Government will ban XL Bully dogs. I have to say I don't agree with banning any breed as this doesn't address the underlying issues, however I do agree that something needs to be done to stop the numbers of dog attacks.  A ban will just move breeding 'underground' and actually could generate more money for breeders of these dogs. The big challenge is an XL Bully isn't a breed so there is no standard, so who can decide what is an XL Bully? These dogs are crosses and most likely created due to the ban on the Pit Bull. I ..read more

Do you worry about using food in training?  Do you worry that you will always have to use it?  Will your dog become obsessed with food?  Can you use ‘human’ food, or should it always be ‘dog’ food?  Will using food make my dog fat?  Using food means you are bribing not training.  I don’t need to use food; my dog loves me and that should be enough. I think there is still confusion about using food in dog training, still some old school myths running around, so I wanted to address this.  Firstly, get comfortable with using food when you are training your dog ..read more

I have just read a recent website article titled “How to Dominate a Dog and become the Alpha Leader”.   This was written this year and the ‘expert’ writing it gives advice about how to makes sure your dog knows you are Alpha. Some of the suggestions were: Make eye contact – stare at your dog when are they acting out of line.    Don’t let your dog walk in front of you because only the Alpha leads the pack. Control all the resources – don’t let your dog have any food or toys without you giving it to them.   Don’t allow them on the bed or sofa.  Misbehaving is your ..read more

It's time to start thinking about Christmas! Now I don't mean what presents you need to buy; I mean thinking about how your dog is going to cope. Think about all the changes that will go on over the festive period: Trees and decorations go up, extra ‘nice’ food is brought, family members come to stay and maybe a totally different routine if you are having some time off work, kids home from school and maybe you’ll be going on different, longer, busier walks. It is hopefully a lovely time to look forward to, but I want you to consider your dog during this period.   If you have a pu ..read more

Hallie has been with us for 2 years now.  We got her during ‘lockdown’, and I thought it might be useful for me to reflect back on our last 2 years and share our journey. Whoever said getting a puppy is easy has either been really lucky with their puppy or have totally forgotten how hard it is!  Having a puppy is a shock to the system.  Your life has to adjust to this new furry family member whether that’s coping with existing pets, or work patterns or simply just puppy proofing your house.   For some the lack of sleep as you have to get up during the ni ..read more

I am definitely a country girl.  I feel safe and comfortable with fewer people and more animals and fields.  I would be happier to walk alone in a wood than walk down a busy high street.  I know this and am very grateful that I live in a quiet village surrounded by countryside.      This fact was really brought to my attention when my husband and I went to Wembley.  We have been a few times before, but Jon wanted to be in the crowds on the pitch area – so no seats.  I agreed knowing that this wouldn’t be my choice and that I may not be able to cop ..read more