Jack Fenton - Dorset Dog Trainer

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Jack Fenton - Dorset Dog Trainer Helping you achieve your ideal dog. Bournemouth and Poole's leading reactivity and Nosework specialist.

Nosework classes held on Wednesdays and Sundays - 100+ dogs weekly trained!

15/10/2026

One of the things people get wrong.

Don't let your dog off lead in a park fill with dogs and people.

Hire a secure field. Go on a forest walk. Travel outside of your area if you can.

Not every walk, but once a week by just allowing your dog to run and jump and sniff and mooch uninhibited?

Will massively reduce frustration and great for confidence building.

Almost all of my reactivity students are given 'exercise homework' provided the dogs are physically up to it.

Do it if you can! And comment 'Reactivity' if you'd like to work on getting your dog off lead around dogs and people and you live in Dorset.

An over friendly dog is a reactive dog. And can be more damaging.Imagine this - you're walking down the street and acros...
15/10/2026

An over friendly dog is a reactive dog. And can be more damaging.

Imagine this - you're walking down the street and across the road from you, a man shouts at you. It's quite loud, and a bit concerning, but he quickly moves away.

Now imagine you're on a stroll, and someone beams at you a great distance away, charges up to you, and starts trying to get in your face. Chatting happily about their life.

What's actually more alarming?

For our dogs, it's the latter.

It isn't that dogs shouldn't be able to run up and greet each other, or have interactions with strange dogs. Not at all.

But a dog who cannot disengage from other dogs, whether friendly or not friendly, is one that'll create problems.

And they're also not a fun dog to handle.

Every dog walk is stressful, every pub visit a nightmare, every interaction filled with worry.

Because you can't get your dog to sit still, or ignore other dogs, or just listen when out.

This isn't me shaming anyone. We've all had our dogs run up and bother other dogs when they shouldn't.

It needs sorting. Luckily, that's what we do.

Lots of ways we do that. One of the main ones is Helping Hands walks - where we send you on a walk with one of the 100+ dogs in our training system. Imagine having that many dogs you could actually work your dog around?

We're the only community in Dorset who'll give you this opportunity.

If you're ready to join, drop me a WhatsApp on 07508 883008 and I'll send you the details!

14/10/2026

You focus so much on movement.

Loose lead walking, recall, the whole lot.

What your dog needs is to hang out and watch. No need for loads of food or toys.

Rewarding your dog for existing - whether in a sit, down or stand is vital for all dogs. Especially puppies.

Levi the Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is smashing this. All our puppies and young dogs are.

If you have an adolescent dog or puppy and live around Bournemouth or Poole, and want want to work your dogs out in the real world weekly? Comment 'Nosework' and I'll send you details!

The biggest criticism I get on social media is why you're reading this now.Most of you are here, primarily, because you ...
14/10/2026

The biggest criticism I get on social media is why you're reading this now.

Most of you are here, primarily, because you saw something you liked. A video of reactive dogs on a walk. Some ace loose lead walking. A recall that was to die for.

It was, most likely, a short clip. Seven-ten seconds max.

All the time, people will comment on this clips. They're frustrated. They say:

'My dog couldn't do that.'

'It makes me sad when trainers post stuff like this.'

'Let's see an actual reactive dog.'

'Why don't you post more in-depth stuff?'

But here's the thing - you watched it, didn't you?

People use social media wrong. They use it as an information hub, a place to get all their information from. But that's not what it's for, really. Social media was designed for short, sharp and snappy info.

Do you read essays on Facebook? Have you watched a fifteen minute video on Instagram?

Probably not. And even if those things were created and produced, you'd scroll by them. That's the reality.

Social media is about snapshots. Moments in which grab your attention, provide a little bit of perspective, and then you move on.

You don't have to like it. But it worked here, didn't it? You read the title and thought 'Hmm, wonder what criticism he gets?'

To be clear, this stuff doesn't make me angry. It just makes me a bit sad.

Because people will spend hours watching videos and reading posts and signing up to emails and feeling like they're not making progress. That their dog is still the same.

It's a resources problem, to be clear. Lack of trainers doing it in your area, their lack of confidence, their lack of dogs/people to have your dogs work around.

The dogs I work with succeed because we have a community of 100+ dogs to send them on walks with, and I've been working out in the real world with dogs for 10+ years.

So remember that social media isn't real. It's just a way to share a snippet of information. Nothing you see on here should be taken as 'the answer'. It's a combination of so many skills.

Don't let something that isn't real taint your perception of your world. You're doing a good job. Even if you don't feel like it.

13/10/2026

To be blunt, you're rushing.

Almost everyone takes their dog into a town centre with a goal in mind. Visit a cafe, run some errands etc.

But the first few times you go should be about doing nothing.

The three dogs in this video (Dickie, Mika and Molly) would have lost their minds here. Yelling at dogs, pulling towards people. Not being able to sit still.

Because they have done lots of watching and observing, they are able to do this easily.

We do classes around Bournemouth and Poole purely focused on getting dogs comfortable in new spaces. If this sounds like it'd suit you, comment 'Nosework' and you'll be messaged details.

It's heartbreaking when someone gets this wrong about a Gundog.There's an odd perception of Gundogs that they are 'easy ...
13/10/2026

It's heartbreaking when someone gets this wrong about a Gundog.

There's an odd perception of Gundogs that they are 'easy to train'.

Respectfully, they're not.

They have a number of advantages over other dog breeds, sure. They are bred to pay closer attention to people. In general, they're bred to be social with dogs and humans. They enjoy doing repetitions over and over.

Despite this, I find that Gundogs experience some of the worst adolescence I've ever seen.

Focusing when outside? Nope. Fixating on dogs and people? Absolutely. Recall? What even is that?

That's not even including intense prey drive, pulling on lead, and a struggle to switch off in certain places.

Gundogs are hard.

Dogs, in general, are hard.

Everyone dotes on the placid Labrador who trots by their owners side on a dog walk. Those are few and far between.

Reality looks a lot different, and we shouldn't shame those with Gundogs who are struggling.

A quarter of the dogs I work with are Gundogs. Spaniels, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Vizslas. I know them inside and out.

That's excluding my assistance dog days, where I spent hundreds of hours taking dogs like yours out into the real world for training.

So if you want training that isn't just stuck in a secure field, in real world scenarios, with a trainer who gets it?

Comment 'Nosework' and I'll send you the details.

We cancelled our Bournemouth Town Centre classes yesterday for safety reasons.A man continually harassed and stalked stu...
12/10/2026

We cancelled our Bournemouth Town Centre classes yesterday for safety reasons.

A man continually harassed and stalked students around the area we worked in. He posed a legitimate threat to usl We dealt with it through the proper channels, but it would've been unsafe for classes to continue.

I cannot begin to tell you the level of anger I feel about it all.

But I'm also goddamn proud of my students.

On the human side, they remained calm, listened to instructions, and handled it well.

The dog side though? Incredible. The dogs coped with being approached, followed instructions, and had very few negative reactions. The ones they did have were unbelievably justified.

It's a horrible thing to say, but it's what we train for. The worst case scenarios.

Off lead dogs charging at us. People touching our dogs without consent. Cyclists whizzing by.

Every day, we put the work in to deal with those problems. That paid dividends yesterday.

We should never have to repeat this situation. But if we do, we'll be prepared.

People can be cruel, and unfortunately, we need to prepare for that.

So we will. 100+ dogs a week are. Let's continue to get it done.

For the dogs that did manage to complete their classes, they smashed it. Onwards and upwards!

This new law misses the point.On November 1st in the UK, it'll be illegal to leave your child with a banned dog breed (s...
11/10/2026

This new law misses the point.

On November 1st in the UK, it'll be illegal to leave your child with a banned dog breed (such as XL Bullys) in the home or garden by themselves if they're under the age of 12.

Forget, for a moment, the banned dog breed bit.

What about dogs in general?

Children get bitten by dogs. A lot. And it's not the dogs fault, it isn't the child's fault either. Often it is due to a lack of awareness on body language, and knowing when enough is enough.

Kids shouldn't be left unsupervised around any dogs, for long periods of time. As a child gets older, of course they can be for short periods.

But to leave a small child responsible for a dog is almost always a recipe for disaster.

To be clear, I am not saying that if you leave your eight year old with your dog to go to the toilet or grab a parcel that everything is awful. Obviously not, we need to use common sense here.

Children don't understand dog behaviour. Dogs don't understand children's behaviour. Hell, adults don't understand dog behaviour all too well.

There is nothing sweeter than a relationship between a dog and a child. But it needs to be managed, safely, because both sides don't understand what happens when things start to go wrong.

World Mental Health day feels wrong to talk about this year.We had our ‘Search the Plane’ workshop today. The first one ...
10/10/2026

World Mental Health day feels wrong to talk about this year.

We had our ‘Search the Plane’ workshop today. The first one in about two years. During our briefing, some photos were shown at the last event. Someone was featured who looked so much younger.

Spoilers - it was me.

It got me thinking about journeys, and problem solving. One thing I always tell my students is that the problem is the solution.

And my problem, for a long time, was people.

When I was a teenager, it was the idea of them. I’d feel sick talking to another human being. Left formal education five separate times. My outlook on life was bleak.

As I got older, you find people. You build friendships, relationships, situations you think are the correct ones. But they’re not.

And time continues on.

But these past few years, as the world and myself have changed, I’ve realised that what I’d always been missing were the correct group of people.

Those that had known me for years, had seen the versions of me that were the roughest, and still stand by me now.

Those that are newer, fresher, who get a version of me who is more settled.

All of my students, who I am blessed to see weekly.

From those people, I get the support young me actually needed. It’s in everything.

The daily messages talking about nothing in particular, but just checking in. The photos and videos of their dogs because they want to show me their progress. The questions from today of ‘Are you actually feeling okay’ after my health has been a bit grim recently. The sea of events and social plans I have heading throughout the rest of the year. Those that brought coffee and snacks for my nine hour work day without asking.

I think, for me, the thing that feels the nicest, the warmest, is that I can provide spaces for people to start to feel like that. Places where people can grow, make friends, and form relationships. Safety in a social way.

Now, when I tell people what I used to be like, they cannot believe that the nearly thirty (ew) person before them was once a terrified teenager.

That’s nice, but in some ways, I never want to lose sight of him completely. Because he’s who became me, the person who works with 100+ dogs weekly, and the person who is supported, celebrated and enjoyed by the people in his life.

So today, I am proud of me, In the exact same way I am proud of all those in my life.

Mental health is s**t. It’s a vicious, demanding beast that takes and takes and takes. I’m sorry for what it might have taken from you.

Whatever journey you’re on, I hope you see many more sunrises and sunsets with people who value you.

Thanks for a great day to all those who attended. We’ve got so much more in store.

Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your lives. I am eternally grateful.

10/10/2026

Your dog needs a job.

Often with young dogs we focus on skills like sit. But in reality, puppies need hobbies as soon as possible.

Think of a human child - what is more important, teaching them how to do tests, or teaching them how to enjoy their lives?

A fulfilled puppy is a well behaved puppy.

Scarlet is just five months old, but smashed her Search and Rescue work on a 737 as part of our Nosework Masterclass Plane workshop.

She practises these skills weekly. Your dog can too!

Comment 'Nosework' if you live around Bournemouth and Poole and I'll send you details.

Address

Bournemouth

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+447508883008

Website

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