Holton’s Hounds

Holton’s Hounds Reactive & anxious dog specialist
Romanian rescue expert
Helping dogs fit real lives
IMDT qualified
Evidence-based, force-free dog trainer

13/08/2026

Find your dog’s favourite thing 😍

I absolutely LOVE honeycomb ice cream drizzled in chocolate fudge sauce, whilst there are people out there who love eating gherkins (really??? 😂)

But that’s the point. We’re all individuals, and the things that bring us the most joy aren’t necessarily the same things that our friends - or our dogs - enjoy.

Dogs are individuals too, and understanding what your dog really loves can be incredibly useful.

Wolves have a whole sequence of behaviours when hunting: finding prey, stalking, chasing, catching, killing and eating.

Our domesticated dogs don’t necessarily want to complete that whole sequence. Instead, many dogs have particular parts of it that they find especially rewarding, and this is where getting to know the dog in front of you really matters.

Janco loves stalking…

…but his absolute favourite part is the chase.

Give him something to chase and he is absolutely in his element - and this video is a pretty good demonstration of just how much joy he gets from it! 🐾

Other dogs might love:
👃 Using their nose to find something hidden
👀 Searching visually for something
🐾 Stalking
🏃 Chasing
🧸 Grabbing and carrying
💥 Ripping things apart
🍖 Chewing and eating

There isn’t a right or wrong answer. The fun is in finding out what makes your dog light up. And once you know? You can use it.

It can provide fantastic mental enrichment, give your dog an appropriate outlet for behaviours they naturally enjoy, become a powerful reinforcer for behaviours you want to see more of, and - if you’ve built the association carefully - can even become an incredibly valuable recall tool.

Janco has a specific phrase that means “Chase!”, and because I’ve paired that cue with something he absolutely LOVES doing, it gives me a very powerful way of calling him back to me.

So spend a little time watching your dog, because once you find their favourite thing, you’ve got a pretty amazing piece of information about the dog in front of you.

What’s your dog’s favourite thing? Tell me in the comments - I want to know what makes them tick! 👇

And if you’re struggling to work out what re

10/08/2026

How I Help My Reactive Dog on Walks – Part 15 🐾 The Quiet Walk

One of the most valuable things I can give Janco is a quiet walk.

We’re lucky enough to have a few places where we’re much less likely to encounter other people and, particularly, other dogs.

And those walks are precious.

There’s still plenty to explore. Lots of interesting smells, new things to investigate and opportunities for Janco to simply be a dog.

I’m still paying attention to what’s happening around us, but I’m not having to be quite as switched on.

We can both just… relax.

And I think that’s really important for both of us.

Living with a reactive dog can mean being very aware of your surroundings, making decisions and trying to stay one step ahead. Having somewhere we can go where I know we’re unlikely to encounter anyone means I get to switch off too.

This is one of the ways I help Janco - and myself - keep walks enjoyable.

If you have a reactive or sensitive dog, do you have a favourite “quiet” place where you can both relax? I’d love to hear about it. 🌿🐾

And if finding walks that work for your dog is something you’re struggling with, feel free to message me. I’m always happy to chat ❤️

05/08/2026

👂 The ears tell a story… if we know how to listen. 🐾

When we think about canine body language, we often focus on tails or teeth, but it’s actually a whole-body story.

A dog’s ears can give us so much information about how they’re feeling, and it doesn’t matter what type of ear your dog has either!

Janco has floppy ears, so they’re harder to read than a dog with erect ears, but this video gives just a sample of the emotions those ears can relay, if I’m paying attention.

None of these positions should be looked at in isolation of course. Your dog’s ears are just one piece of the puzzle. To really understand how they’re feeling, we need to consider the whole dog - their eyes, mouth, posture, movement, tail and the environment they’re in.

The more we learn to observe these little details, the better we become at recognising when our dogs are relaxed, curious, uncertain or uncomfortable, and the better we are able to support them.

💛 Our dogs are communicating with us all the time.

Sometimes we just need to know where to look.

I love Janco’s happily bouncing ears the most - what’s your favourite ear position that your dog shows? Let me know in the comments👇

Or, if you’re struggling to understand what your dog’s body language is telling you, feel free to send me a message. I’d be happy to help. 🐾

30/07/2026

Why do dogs love rolling in things? 🐾

Janco’s favourite?

A good old dust bath! 😂

If he spots a lovely sandy patch on a walk, there’s a very good chance he’s going to throw himself into it with complete abandon.

Many dogs also love rolling in grass.

Others… unfortunately… prefer fox poo, dead animals or anything else we’d rather they left well alone! 🤢

So why do they do it?

The honest answer is that we’re not entirely sure.

There are several scientific theories, and one of the most widely discussed is that rolling in strong-smelling things may have helped wild canids communicate important information to the rest of their social group. By carrying a scent back with them, they could potentially let others know there was a predator, prey or another interesting find nearby.

Another theory is that some wild canids use scent to disguise their own smell, while it’s also possible that some dogs simply enjoy the smell or the sensation itself.

When it comes to rolling in dust, sand or grass, it may simply feel good! Much like we might enjoy stretching after a long day, some dogs seem to find a good roll incredibly satisfying.

Whatever the reason, it’s worth remembering that our dogs aren’t rolling in fox poo to annoy us or because they’re being “naughty”. They’re simply following instincts that have been part of canine behaviour for thousands of years.

Of course, that doesn’t mean we have to let them! If your dog has a habit of seeking out particularly unpleasant things to roll in, using a long line, keeping an eye on the environment and calling them away before they reach it can save everyone from an unwanted bath later. 😅

Sometimes, taking a moment to understand why our dogs do something doesn’t mean we have to like the behaviour…

…but it does help us see the dog in front of us with a little more empathy ❤️

Does your dog love a dust bath like Janco, or are they more of a fox poo connoisseur? Let me know in the comments! 👇 Or, if you’d like help training a more reliable recall to avoid unnecessary baths, feel free to drop me a message!

26/07/2026

How I Help My Reactive Dog on Walks - Part 14 🐾 Be Present

One of the biggest ways I help Janco on our walks isn’t a training technique…

It’s being present.

I’m not scrolling on my phone, getting distracted by messages. I’m not listening to music or a podcast through earbuds.

Instead, I’m paying attention.

I’m therefore able to notice how Janco is moving, how he’s carrying himself. Whether he’s relaxed or a little busier than usual. Whether he’s sniffing more, checking in with me, or finding the environment more challenging than normal.

I’m also aware of what’s happening around us. Not constantly scanning for every possible trigger - that would be exhausting for both of us - but simply staying aware enough that I can make good decisions before we’re caught out.

Being present means I can give Janco the support he needs, when he needs it.

The more present I am, the more information Janco gives me. And the more information I have, the better I can support him.

❤️ Our dogs are communicating with us all the time. We just need to make sure we’re listening.

If you’re struggling to read your dog’s body language on walks, send me a message. I’d love to help. 🐾

23/07/2026

🐽 One of My Favourite Training Tools 🐾

Sometimes, one of the simplest things can make the biggest difference.

On today’s walk, Janco was in quite a busy mood. Nothing dramatic - just being extra nosey and finding it a bit harder to settle into the walk than normal.

So I reached for one of my favourite tools…

A scatter feed.

By scattering a handful of cooked pork into the grass, I encouraged Janco to do what dogs do brilliantly - use his nose.

Sniffing is a natural behaviour that allows dogs to engage with their environment in a way that’s calming, enriching and rewarding. For many dogs, it can help them slow down and refocus before carrying on with their walk.

It’s not a magic fix and it’s not appropriate in every situation. But when the environment is right and your dog is still able to eat, it’s a brilliant tool to have in your training arsenal.

I often step just off the path into a quieter patch of grass, giving Janco the opportunity to slow down, sniff and reset before we continue.

Have you ever tried a scatter feed on a walk? I’d love to know if it’s something your dog enjoys. 👇

Or, if you’re struggling with a dog who finds walks overwhelming, feel free to send me a message. I’d be happy to chat about ways to make walks feel a little easier for both of you. 🐾

21/07/2026

❤️ Small steps really do become big wins.

Last weekend, Romanian rescue Blanco achieved a huge milestone.

We started in the familiarity of the back garden, practising some lovely loose lead walking and building confidence in an environment where he already felt safe.

From there, we took the next step…

His very first controlled training session outside the front of the house 😍

For many dogs, walking out of the front door wouldn’t seem like much, but for a Romanian rescue who’s still learning that life here is safe and predictable, it’s a really important moment.

There was no pressure to go further than Blanco was comfortable with, nor will there be until he’s confident and ready to take the next step(s).

We will continue to work at his pace and will celebrate every success along the way.

I’m incredibly proud of both Blanco and his owners. It’s been a steep learning curve for everyone and it’s a privilege to be part of their journey. ❤️ 🐾

Shared with kind permission of Blanco’s guardians.

20/07/2026

Sleep is Training Too 😴 🐾

Because learning doesn’t just happen when we’re teaching…

We often focus on exercise, training and enrichment when it comes to keeping our dogs happy, but one of the most important things we can give them is enough quality, uninterrupted sleep.

Just like us, dogs process their day while they rest. Sleep plays an important role in learning, memory, emotional regulation and physical recovery.

A dog who’s constantly overtired may find it harder to cope with the world around them. They may become more excitable, struggle to concentrate, or react more quickly to situations they would usually manage.

Getting enough sleep isn’t just about time though - it’s also about environment.

Some dogs can happily snooze anywhere, whether that’s in the middle of a café or stretched out on the kitchen floor, but others need a little more support.

For puppies, sensitive dogs, or those who find the world a bit overwhelming, we may need to help create the right conditions for restful sleep. That might mean a crate, a quiet room, a cosy bed away from the hustle and bustle, or simply settling at your feet while you work.

Just as importantly, try to avoid disturbing them unnecessarily. Constant interruptions make it much harder to get the restorative rest they need.

Sometimes the kindest thing we can do isn’t another walk or another training session…

…it’s making sure they have somewhere they feel safe enough to truly switch off.

❤️ Every dog is different. Pay attention to the dog in front of you and find the environment where they sleep best.

If you’re wondering what you can hear in the background (besides Janco’s rather impressive snoring! 😂), I also have Solfeggio frequencies playing. I’ve gradually conditioned Janco to relax with this playing in the background, and I find it helps him settle into a lovely, deep sleep. It’s certainly not something every dog needs, but it’s another little management tool that’s worked well for him.

Where does your dog choose to have their best naps? I’d love to hear in the comments, or message me if your dog is struggling to settle and we can take a look at how to

🧦 Don’t Chase the Puppy! 🐾 🧦It’s almost a rite of passage…You turn around for two seconds, and suddenly your puppy has p...
15/07/2026

🧦 Don’t Chase the Puppy! 🐾 🧦

It’s almost a rite of passage…

You turn around for two seconds, and suddenly your puppy has proudly stolen a sock!

Our first instinct is often to chase them, but from your puppy’s point of view, you’ve just joined in the game!

The more we chase, the more fun stealing things can become.

There’s another reason to stay calm too.

Repeatedly trying to grab things from your puppy’s mouth can increase the risk of resource guarding, where a dog starts to worry that people approaching mean they’re going to lose something valuable.

Some early signs to watch out for include:

🐾 Freezing over the item.

🐾 Turning their head away.

🐾 Showing the whites of their eyes (“whale eye”).

🐾 Tensing their body.

These are your puppy’s way of saying they’re feeling uncomfortable, so it’s important to listen before those signals need to become louder.

If your puppy has picked up something harmless, like a sock, sometimes the best option is simply… don’t make it interesting!

Stay calm, avoid chasing, and let the novelty wear off.

If they’ve found something that really does need picking up, try calling your puppy away in a cheerful voice, or encourage them to move with you using a favourite toy or high-value treat while someone else quietly retrieves the item. That way, everyone wins.

Your puppy doesn’t learn that people steal treasures…

…and you don’t accidentally create the world’s fastest game of “catch me if you can!” 😂🐾

Message me if you have concerns about resource guarding, or comment below if your puppy has ever proudly paraded around with something they definitely weren’t supposed to have! I’d love to hear what their favourite stolen treasure was! 👇

13/07/2026

How I Help My Reactive Dog on Walks – Part 13 🐾 It’s Not About the Miles

When I first started working through Janco’s reactivity, I realised I needed to change what I thought a “good walk” looked like.

It’s easy to measure a walk by how many miles you’ve covered, but dogs don’t necessarily measure success that way.

Sometimes I have a route planned…

…and then Janco finds a scent that is clearly far more interesting than my plan!

So our walk becomes his sniffari, and that’s absolutely okay.

Not only is sniffing one of the most natural things our dogs can do, but allowing Janco to move through the world at his pace helps him stay relaxed and engaged with his environment.

For a reactive dog especially, lowering arousal and giving them time to process the world around them can be far more valuable than rushing from A to B.

In our walk we could cover 3 miles, or maybe just half a mile.

And honestly…

I don’t really mind.

He got to be a dog.

And that’s exactly what we both want ❤️🐾

Feel free to message me privately or comment below, if you ever let your dog decide the pace of your walks or would like to learn how to👇

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