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Paws & Minds

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Kind, ethical, evidence-based training and behaviour support for dogs and their families.

1:1 and group work – building confidence & life skills.
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Based in Dumfriesshire, covering North Cumbria, West Northumberland & parts of the Scottish Borders. Need help and advice with training or behaviour struggles? Would you like to understand your dog better, and why they behave as they do? Find out how to communicate more effectively with your dog. Use positive reinforcement, force free training to work together as a team. Learn essential life skills - for all dogs of any age. Have fun!

* Training for all life stages, breeds and backgrounds
* 1-2-1
* Group classes
* Experienced with rescue/rehome struggles
* Positive reinforcement, force free training
* Behaviour advice
* In person and online options

Based near Gretna, England/Scotland border

Get in touch to find out how I can help you and your dog.

20/10/2026

I spent some time recently with a puppy and her guardian who are finding several parts of everyday life more difficult than they had expected.

There are skills we can teach, of course, but as we talked through what was happening, it became clear that simply adding more training wasn’t going to be especially helpful.

Puppy behaviours rarely sit neatly in separate boxes. Difficulty settling can affect mouthing and frustration. The balance of activity and rest can change how well a puppy is able to listen. Opportunities to sniff, explore, chew and use their body all influence what happens at home.

Diet, digestion, physical comfort and the puppy’s stage of development are all relevant too.

My role isn’t just to provide a list of training exercises. It is to help a guardian make sense of what they are seeing, work out which changes might make daily life easier, and identify anything that would benefit from support.

Sometimes that means teaching a new skill. Sometimes it means changing the environment, adjusting the puppy’s routine or creating more opportunity for genuine rest.

It may also mean suggesting a conversation with a vet or another appropriately qualified professional.

Puppy life can be exhausting, particularly when a guardian has already been trying hard and still feels they aren’t getting anywhere.

The answer isn’t always to do more.

Often, we need to pause, look at the whole puppy and decide what support would be most useful first.

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

19/10/2026

Recently, I’ve met three young, energetic dogs whose guardians had already sought help before coming to me.

Each family had reached a point where that support had ended, and they were looking for a different way forwards.

Starting again can feel daunting. There’s another conversation to have, another person to explain things to, and perhaps some uncertainty about what can change.

For me, those first conversations are an opportunity to get to know the dog beyond the behaviours that prompted the enquiry.

What do they enjoy? When do things feel easier? What happens before they struggle, and how long does it take them to recover? Alongside that, we explore physical comfort, food, sleep, daily routines and opportunities to do the things that matter to them.

Gradually, a fuller picture begins to emerge. That young dog who seems endlessly busy may need help finding restorative rest. An exercise that looked straightforward may need smaller steps, a different setting or a rethink of what we’re asking.

Sometimes the next step involves another professional, bringing different knowledge and skills that help with understanding more. Helping a family take those next steps is a valuable part of supporting them.

If you and your dog have reached a sticking point, there will still be useful questions to ask, and different possibilities to explore.

We can begin with where you both are now.

If you’d like some support finding a way forwards with your dog, you’re welcome to get in touch. We can have an initial chat about what’s feeling difficult and how I might be able to help.

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

15/10/2026

Considering adding a puppy to your family?

Meeting a litter of puppies is exciting, and it’s very easy to feel drawn to one straight away, but how do you know which is the best fit for your home and lifestyle?

When we imagine bringing a puppy home, it’s easy to picture the one with the sweetest face, the softest ears, or the one that toddles over and climbs straight into our lap as being "the one".

A good match is about far more than appearance, or that first emotional pull.

It’s about temperament, resilience, and suitability for the life that puppy will grow into.

A responsible breeder should be able to help you understand:
• which puppies are more thoughtful and observant
• which are confident and busy
• which prefer human interaction and closeness
• which are more independent explorers
• how each puppy responds to novelty and mild stress
• early signs of sensitivity

This matters for every home, but especially when a dog will be joining a busy household, when young children are part of the family picture, or there are additional needs to consider.

Good breeders don’t just raise puppies. They observe them closely, understand their individual traits, and help match each puppy to the family where they are most likely to thrive.

Sometimes that means the puppy you’re drawn to isn’t actually the puppy best suited to your home and family.

That's ok. The goal isn’t choosing a puppy, it’s welcoming a companion who can grow into their role with confidence, stability, and trust.

If you're thinking about adding a puppy to your family, but you aren't sure where to start, which breeds to consider, or what questions you might want to ask a breeder, send me a message and let's arrange to talk.

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

14/10/2026

A dog stands at one end of a space, with another dog some distance away. She notices the other dog, watches for a moment, then turns her head and looks back at the person beside her.

That moment takes about two seconds.

Most of what made it possible happened somewhere else.

Yesterday’s session with Hettie and Isla continued to explore focus: keeping a connection with their person while the other dog is in view, moving towards them or briefly coming closer and moving away again.

We worked on noticing when that focus was beginning to drift, breaking away early and gradually building what each dog could manage.

The training matters, but the ability to focus doesn’t begin with the exercise itself.

It rests on physical comfort and how much capacity a dog has available that day. A dog whose body is working harder, whose appetite is unsettled or who is carrying discomfort has less left for learning, frustration, or another dog’s movement.

Proper rest plays its part too. A dog who is lying down is not necessarily recovering. Protected, uninterrupted sleep gives the nervous system time to settle and helps new learning become more readily available.

Digestive health can be part of the same picture. Appetite, digestion, physical comfort and emotional regulation can all interact, which is why they belong within a behaviour conversation.

Early experiences matter as well. A dog who missed ordinary learning through illness, necessary restriction or a difficult start may be trying to navigate situations without the experience it's easy to assume they have. That learning can still happen, but the foundations may need to be built more carefully.

The shape of everyday life plays its part. Opportunities to move, sniff, play, engage and rest across the day can leave a dog with far more capacity than brief bursts of intense activity followed by long stretches with little to do.

Then there are the quieter parts of training: practising cues when nothing difficult is happening, allowing enough distance, ending while things are still going well and stepping in before a familiar pattern gathers momentum.

Sometimes the right response is management. If two tired dogs keep returning to the same pattern, repeatedly interrupting them asks more than they can currently give. Changing the environment and helping them rest can be the most useful thing we do.

Progress across all of this is often easy to miss.

A dog who turns back to her person while another dog moves nearby.
A dog who allows traffic to pass without needing to respond.
A dog who takes hold of a tug toy for a few seconds, having previously found play with a person too much pressure.
A guardian who notices the beginning of a pattern and steps in before it takes over.

If progress with your own dog feel slow, look at the whole picture before asking for more focus or training harder.

The thing that makes the next two-second moment possible may be happening somewhere else entirely.

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

13/10/2026

Can you guess Sasha’s breed?

This morning I met puppy Sasha and her guardian for their first training session.

At 18 weeks old Sasha is very much in the depths of puppyhood, exploring everything and learning lots every day.

She shares her home with both feline and canine companions, all of whom can be very exciting!

Like many puppies, she has no comprehension of her size. As a larger breed, that can prove a little more challenging at times.

Today we started by simplifying communication, watching what Sasha was telling us so we could provide the right level of support to work with her, and we continued building the lead walking skills her guardian had already been working on.

Sasha was lots of fun to work with, and I have to say she’s completely adorable!

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

12/10/2026

This is the face of a dog recovering after induced vomiting…

Around lunchtime Woody decided unilaterally to help himself to a couple of items off a plate.

His chance came with a momentary distraction thanks to a newly arrived cow making a bid for greenery in the garden drawing attention elsewhere.

Unfortunately for Woody one of his chosen items was a peach stone, the other item a plum stone.

Both can be toxic.

Whilst Woody would never say no to food, he has never helped himself before and never eaten anything inedible before.

Never say never!
He’s clearly getting wiser in his older years.

So this afternoon Woody and I spent some quality time in the car park at our vet’s practice, waiting on, and mopping up induced vomit.

Good news is he did vomit both stones back up and he’s spending the rest of the day sleeping off the medication.

His Muzzle Movement muzzle worked well too, I wasn’t quite sure what would happen there. It’s now washed and dried, ready for the next adventure which is hopefully nothing to do with a vet visit!

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

09/10/2026

When fireworks are at their peak, walks may not be the best option, but your dog still needs ways to expend mental and physical energy, and relax.

Here are some at home alternatives to out and about exercise:
⭐️ Food enrichment: stuffed Kongs, lick mats, puzzle feeders, cardboard box, towel,..., your imagination is the limit! Single items or combinations. What level of challenge is right for your dog?
⭐️ Scent games: scatter feeding, hide-and-seek with treats or a toy, and games like plant pot searching (ready made holes to let the scent out!). Start of with easy wins if this is new to your dog, and build complexity gradually.
⭐️ Interactive play: tug, chase, retrieve, searching. What does your dog enjoy?
⭐️ Training to practise everyday skills, or you could try teaching a new trick or two.
⭐️ Relaxation: encouraging your dog to settle with you, slowing your breathing, listening to calming music or guided meditation (it'll help you feel calmer too!), you could try some gentle strokes or light massage if your dog enjoys it.

Mental stimulation can be just as tiring as a walk, and it can help your dog feel calmer indoors when the outside world feels overwhelming and impractical to navigate.

Preparation now makes for a much calmer firework season, and those activities can be beneficial year round too!

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

08/10/2026

Even with preparation, some dogs need a little extra help to feel calm and safe during firework season.

There are natural products that many guardians find useful, and it’s important to choose ones that are well-researched and trusted. It's important to remember that natural based products may not provide sufficient support for every dog.

If your dog is noise sensitive, a real worrier, or you already know fireworks are a significant struggle, speak to your vet about medication options in plenty of time to trial doses. For some dogs, this is the kindest and most effective route, and benefitting from medication really isn't a failure or last resort.

There are many products to choose from. Here's a couple of natural options you might find helpful:

🌿 Pet Remedy
A gentle blend of valerian, vetiver, sweet basil, and clary sage. Available as plug-ins, sprays, and wipes, it can help create a calmer atmosphere for your dog at home.
✨ As a Pet Remedy affiliate, you can use my code 'PawsMinds' at checkout for 25% off your purchase from the Pet Remedy website.

🌿 Dorwest
Dorwest have been making trusted herbal supplements for decades. Their Valerian Compound (liquid), and Scullcap & Valerian Tablets can be popular choices for dogs who struggle with fireworks and other loud noises.
✨Dorwest have a discount code for calming bundles at the moment, see their website for details.

Important to remember:
Every dog is different. What helps one may not suit another.

Whether you're trialling natural options or pharmaceutical products start early, not when firework season has started, so you can see how your dog responds and make any adjustments in good time.

Supporting your dog through firework season often takes a mix of preparation, safe spaces, enrichment, and the right calming support.

Tomorrow I’ll share ideas for when walks aren’t an option.

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

07/10/2026

Yesterday I shared tips for supporting your dog out and about during firework season.

Today is all about making home remain the safe, familiar space where your dog can relax.

Here are some simple but effective ways to help your dog through firework season:
⭐️ Draw curtains/blinds to block flashes.
⭐️ Use TV or music a little louder to mask bangs.
⭐️ Create a cosy den (a covered crate, blankets over chairs, etc.).
⭐️ Offer long-lasting chews, stuffed Kongs, or other food games for distraction.
⭐️ Calming, dog safe scents can help too.

Start practising changes to your routines and set-up at home now, don't wait until fireworks start.

Myth busting ❌: comforting your dog does not make them more fearful.
If your dog wants cuddles, give them.
If they’d rather be alone, that’s okay too.

These small steps at home, combined with changes to your routine outside, can really reduce stress.

If your dog would benefit from some extra support, tomorrow's post shares information about some natural based products, and next steps if that isn't enough.

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

06/10/2026

💥 It might feel a little early to be talking about fireworks… but preparation makes all the difference.

For many dogs (and their guardians), firework season is stressful.

What used to be one night has now stretched into weeks of bangs, flashes, and smoke.

By starting now, you give your dog time to adjust to the changes gradually before they're needed.

You could try altered walk times, a different evening routine, and using calming supports...

If your dog struggles with fireworks, now’s the time to:
⭐️ Practise walks in daylight hours, whenever possible.
⭐️ Explore quieter routes or book secure fields.
⭐️ Trial changes to feeding and toilet times.
⭐️ Get into the habit of using a lead or longline in the garden so if your dog is spooked they can't run away, an you can guide them safely back inside.

The sooner you start, the calmer it can feel when firework season hits.

Tomorrow I’ll share some ideas to make your home a safe haven.

Tara
Paws & Minds 🐾🧠

Photo by rovenimages

Address

Evertown
Canonbie
DG140TW

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 8pm
Tuesday	9am - 8pm
Wednesday	9am - 8pm
Thursday	9am - 8pm
Friday	9am - 8pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.pawsandminds.co.uk/

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