The Dog Lab / Laura Labrador, Churchill, Chipping Norton (2026)

11/05/2026

There’s a reason I teach my dogs to do nothing.
And there’s a reason we practice it every single day.

Because I don’t want four Labradors making a collective decision to chase a fox.

Four dogs in hunting mode means you’ve lost control before you’ve even had time to think.

Today was the perfect example.
Noses up. Air scenting. Bodies changed. They alerted me before I even spotted the fox.

And that was our moment.

Straight away we sat down and did… absolutely nothing.

No drama. No shouting. No chaos. Just steadiness.

Because we rehearse this constantly. They know that when I say the party’s over, it’s over before it’s even begun. The hunt isn’t starting.

And with working dogs, steadiness matters. Massively.

Everyone wants the flashy recall or the big retrieves, but the ability to switch off, hold position and stay connected to you? That’s the foundation underneath all of it.

Sometimes the most important thing you can teach a dog… is how to simply do nothing.

11/05/2026

There’s a reason I teach the dogs to do nothing.
And there’s a reason we practice it every.single. day.

Because I don’t want four Labradors making a collective decision to chase a fox.

Four dogs in hunting mode means you’ve lost control before you’ve even had time to think.

Today was the perfect example.
Noses up. Air scenting. Bodies changed. They alerted me before I even spotted the fox.

And that was our moment.

Straight away we sat down and did… absolutely nothing.

No drama. No shouting. No chaos. Just steadiness.

Because we rehearse this constantly. They know that when I say the party’s over, it’s over before it’s even begun. The hunt isn’t starting.

And with working dogs, steadiness matters. Massively.

Everyone wants the flashy recall or the big retrieves, but the ability to switch off, hold position and stay connected to you? That’s the foundation underneath all of it.

Sometimes the most important thing you can teach a dog… is how to simply do nothing.

10/05/2026

Last night I went to a party.
Nothing fancy, but the music was next level. Just good humans, good conversation and one of those moments where you stop for a second and realise… life feels different now.

A few people said how lovely it is to see how far the three of us have come.
That really caught me a bit off guard because when you’re living it every day, you don’t always see the progress.

But walking the dogs this morning I gave myself a quiet little pat on the back.

We’ve come a long way.
Ollie, Eloise and I.

We’ve built a good life.
A peaceful one.
One with laughter in it again.
One where we genuinely enjoy being together.
One where we operate as a little team and somehow, despite everything, that feels incredibly grounding.

I think rebuilding your life takes longer than people admit. Especially when you leave something that slowly chipped away at who you were. And post divorce they tried to continue those patterns. It took a lot for me and the children to get to this point.

There was definitely a phase of:
“Who the f*ck was I actually married to?”

And also:
“How did I end up accepting things that never aligned with who I am?”

But when you’ve spent years surviving, managing tension and carrying the emotional weight of everything… it takes time to come back home to yourself.

Personally? I’d say five years - and that’s not to scare anyone who may be teetering on the brink of making a life changing decision.

Five years to untangle yourself.
To work out who you are again.
To make sure your children are thriving.
To build what’s next.

And wow… there have been some downs.

But now?

We bob along.

Not perfectly.
Not without hard days.
But steadily. Happily. Calmly.

Held up by wonderful humans.
By friendship.
By laughter.
And by four paws weaving in and out of our lives every single day.

The Labradors who pull me outside when my head is noisy.
Who make me present.
Who remind me that joy can be simple.

Sometimes healing isn’t one big breakthrough moment.

Sometimes it’s dewy paws, Sunday mornings, loud laughter and quietly realising…

We made it through and we’re doing just fine.

07/05/2026

Comment FOOD and I’ll send you the link to the website (this is not an ad, I just really like what he’s done!)

Feeding your Labrador puppy shouldn’t feel like joining a cult!

One person says raw is the only option.
Another says kibble is terrible.
Someone else swears by cold pressed.
And then there’s the tinned food debate…
There isn’t one perfect way to feed every dog.

Your puppy is an individual.
Your home is unique.
Your budget matters.
Your lifestyle matters too.

The “best” food is the one your puppy does well on consistently — good energy, healthy coat, solid poos, steady growth and enthusiasm at mealtimes.

Whether that’s:
• kibble
• raw
• cold pressed
• wet food
• or a combination

…don’t let social media pressure make you feel you’re getting it wrong.

I’d always encourage owners to do a bit of research and understand what’s actually IN the food they’re buying. You’ll learn quickly that not all dog foods are created equal!

A brilliant place to compare foods is All About Dog Food — really useful for checking ingredients, ratings and finding options that work for both your dog and your wallet.

Because raising a happy, healthy Labrador puppy is about consistency, balance and common sense — not feeding trends.

DogTraining TheDogLab PuppyOwner LabradorsOfInstagram

04/05/2026

This comes from experience, not opinion.

I’ve run puppy classes. I’ve seen the stress, the overwhelm, and the confusion when things don’t go to plan.

And it’s not because people are doing it wrong—
it’s because they’re often starting in the wrong environment.

Those early weeks matter more than most people realise.

Which is exactly why I’m about to launch an online puppy course—
covering what actually matters in those first few months, without the overwhelm.

If you’d like to be at the front of the queue, just comment PUPPY below

02/05/2026

I’ve been quietly working away on something I’m genuinely so proud of… and they’re finally here.

Leads that don’t just look beautiful, but actually do the job properly.

Handmade here in The Cotswolds, designed with purpose, tested in real life (mud, pulling, chaos… all of it), and created for dogs who need guidance — not just something pretty clipped onto them.

These aren’t just leads.
They’re part of how you communicate with your dog.

Training collar with clip lead
Slip lead option
Strong, practical, and made to last
And yes… they do look rather gorgeous too

I don’t believe you should have to choose between style and function.

They’re now live on the website and I honestly couldn’t be more excited to see them out in the world, being used properly, on real dogs, with real owners.

Let me know what you think — and more importantly, which one you’re going to choose for your dog.

28/04/2026

Not all dog walkers and day care are created equally… and your Labrador puppy will feel the difference.

It’s easy to think “they’ll burn off energy, that’s the main thing”… but what are they actually learning while they’re there?

If you’re putting time into training at home, the last thing you want is a free-for-all environment where habits unravel and overexcitement becomes the norm.

Because true socialisation isn’t constant play.

It’s calm coexistence.
It’s learning to switch off.
It’s being around other dogs without always needing to engage. Resting in company. Like a pack.

Add in things like transport time, group size, structure (or lack of it)… and suddenly it’s not such a simple decision.

And don’t forget — anyone offering day care should be licensed and insured. Always worth checking.

There’s no right or wrong — but there is a right fit for your dog.

Choose wisely. It matters more than you think.

workingdoglife dogbehaviour puppytraininguk dogownersuk thedoglab

26/04/2026

Sundays always make me a little reflective… and if I trace things back, it really all started with Labradors.

I grew up watching my grandmother and my mother working their beloved dogs on shoots in Kent. I didn’t realise it at the time, but I was learning constantly. Watching. Absorbing. Understanding what made a good dog… and more importantly, what made a great partnership. My whole life had Labradors woven through it.

My grandmothertook a much-loved line of Labradors from Scotland in the 1950’s and made it her own, handing on to my mother, and then, at 32, she handed me the baton. One of those quiet, significant moments that shape you.

In between, I built a career in financial recruitment, then went on to set up and run a beauty salon and post children had a wonderful membership group for female entrepreneurs. And throughout all of it, I did what I’ve always done best… I observed.

People fascinate me.
How they show up.
What stress does to them.
How energy shifts a room.
How body language changes everything.

Then life did what life does… and I had to turn on a penny.

So I turned to dogs.

And what came from that was something I couldn’t have quite predicted — but it felt like coming home.

Stepping fully into my passion, into what I know, into what I love… it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like a total alignment.

Now, my focus is simple.

Foundations.

Because when you get the foundations right, everything else becomes possible. Whether that’s gundog training, scent work, or simply having a calm, happy family dog — it all starts there.

Most of my clients work with me online, building these basics into real life (because that’s where it matters). Locally, I blend online with in-person support.

And the thread that runs through it all?

Owners who care. Who are committed. Who want to really understand their dogs and build something solid. That their relationship and how they show up matters just as much as the training they give their dogs.

That’s my kind of work. 🤍

Laura x

25/04/2026

Crate training a puppy… controversial or clever?

I’m firmly pro-crate — when it’s done properly. Here’s the honest take

The Pros
• Gives your puppy a safe, calm space of their own (think: bedroom, not prison)
• Helps massively with toilet training — dogs instinctively avoid soiling their den
• Supports better sleep routines (for them… and you)
• Prevents destructive behaviour when you can’t supervise
• Builds independence and reduces separation anxiety over time

The Cons (when done badly)
• Can feel restrictive if overused or used as punishment
• Some puppies may initially find it stressful without gentle introduction
• Not a substitute for training, exercise, or attention
• If left too long, it can lead to frustration or anxiety

The bottom line?
A crate is a tool — not a lifestyle.

Used with kindness, consistency, and common sense, it creates calm, confident dogs.
Used poorly… it creates the opposite.

My rule:
Crate = safety, rest, and reset.
Not punishment. Ever.

If you’re raising a working breed (hello Labradors ), structure isn’t cruel — it’s essential.

Would love to know… are you pro or anti crate?

23/04/2026

Getting a Labrador puppy? It’s exciting… and if I’m honest, a little bit chaotic too.

Before they arrive, a bit of simple prep will make all the difference (to your house and your sanity).

Labradors are curious, bright and VERY keen to explore the world with their mouths… so puppy-proofing isn’t about having a perfect home, it’s about setting some gentle structure from the start.

Think:
– Cables tucked away
– Shoes moved (they will find them)
– A few clear boundaries
– A calm space they can properly switch off

And when it comes to what you actually need… keep it simple.

The essentials:
✔️ Crate or puppy pen
✔️ Bed (and yes… probably a spare)
✔️ Good quality food
✔️ Collar, lead & ID tag
✔️ Proper chew toys (this is your biggest win—something like KONG will save you more than once)

You really don’t need loads. You just need the right things.

Those early days aren’t about getting it perfect… they’re about helping your puppy feel safe, settled and gently guided.

If you’re getting ready for a puppy and want a simple checklist so you feel calm and prepared…

Type HOME in the comments and I’ll send it over

23/04/2026

Please excuse the editing. Instagram was being a bu**er.

Getting a Labrador puppy? It’s exciting… and if I’m honest, a little bit chaotic too.

Before they arrive, a bit of simple prep will make all the difference (to your house and your sanity).

Labradors are curious, bright and VERY keen to explore the world with their mouths… so puppy-proofing isn’t about having a perfect home, it’s about setting some gentle structure from the start.

Think:
– Cables tucked away
– Shoes moved (they will find them)
– A few clear boundaries
– A calm space they can properly switch off

And when it comes to what you actually need… keep it simple.

The essentials:
✔️ Crate or puppy pen
✔️ Bed (and yes… probably a spare)
✔️ Good quality food
✔️ Collar, lead & ID tag
✔️ Proper chew toys (this is your biggest win—something like KONG will save you more than once)

You really don’t need loads. You just need the right things.

Those early days aren’t about getting it perfect… they’re about helping your puppy feel safe, settled and gently guided.

If you’re getting ready for a puppy and want a simple checklist so you feel calm and prepared…

Type HOME in the comments and I’ll send it over.

The Dog Lab / Laura Labrador

11/05/2026

11/05/2026

10/05/2026

07/05/2026

04/05/2026

02/05/2026

28/04/2026

26/04/2026

25/04/2026

23/04/2026

23/04/2026

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