Heartful Canine

21/10/2026

🎃🐾 ONE SPACE LEFT! 🐾🎃

Fancy joining us for the Trick or Treat Trail next Thursday 29th in Landkey?

Follow the scent, enjoy some autumn sniffing and see if your dog can sniff out the treat! 🍂🐾

🎃 £20 per team

Message me to claim the last space! 🧡

17/10/2026

What my dogs have taught me about myself…

Left to right

🐾 Rio taught me to love unconditionally. And that life is far too short not to. 💚

🐾 Jelly Bean – mostly wonderful, quirky, not quite wired up right and with a screw or two loose! 😂 He's taught me that it's okay to keep your circle small, your boundaries strong and your trust earned.

🐾 Hope – my beautiful, sweet, sensitive, slightly needy girl. She's taught me so much about sensitivity, gentleness and the beauty of feeling things deeply, whilst still embracing life with so much joy and enthusiasm. ❤️

🐾 Tena taught me compassion, care and nurturing, alongside independence and a strong will. She was also a rather uncomfortable reminder of what happens when you pour so much into caring for others that you forget to care for yourself. 🫶

🐾 Brook – wild, adventurous and rebellious, yet equally appreciative of her creature comforts and cuddles. A reminder that you can be independent and free-spirited while still wanting somewhere safe to land. 😈😇

🐾 And finally, Skipper – the newest addition. Watch this space! 😂 So far, he's teaching me to skip and bounce my way through life without fear, and to express my needs clearly and verbally, if necessary!

Our dogs have such a beautiful way of holding up a mirror to us. Sometimes they show us our strengths, sometimes our struggles, and sometimes the things we still have a little work to do on.

Every one of mine has taught me something different, and I'm sure they're not finished yet. ❤️

What is your dog teaching you about yourself? 🐾

16/10/2026

🎃🐾 TRUST, TRACK & TRAIL PRESENTS… THE TRICK OR TREAT TRAIL! 🍂

👻 No tricks, just treats — and lots of sniffing!

Will your dog follow their nose and sniff out the treat? 🧡

Our Trick or Treat Trail is all about having fun, exploring their incredible natural scenting abilities and enjoying the satisfaction of following a trail.

No spooky surprises, just a fun, nose-led adventure and a tasty treat at the end. 🍂🎃

📅 When: In two weeks’ time — details coming soon!

💷 £20 per team

Further details to follow or message me to find out more.

🐾 Follow the scent. Build the bond. 🐾

15/10/2026

A couple of weeks ago at the beautiful Crossways Country Caravan Park in North Devon. 💚

Two perfect examples of dogs who, no matter how fabulous the hider might be, find their greatest reward in the trailing itself. 🐾

This is why I love trailing so much. It’s not really about training in the traditional sense; it’s about harnessing their incredible natural instincts, giving them the freedom to follow their noses and watching them do what they were born to do.

The reward isn't always at the end of the trail. Sometimes, the trail itself is the reward. ❤️🐾

29/09/2026

A little review from my lovely new stockist, The Complete Canine.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my book and for such wonderful words. It really means a lot. 🐾❤️

Book Recommendation – Heartful Canine 🐾

I’ve just finished reading Heartful Canine by Katherine Nias, and what a beautifully written book it is.
This book offers such a thoughtful insight into the connection between canine emotions, behaviour, physical wellbeing, and nutrition. Katherine shares a wealth of knowledge and experience, helping readers look beyond the behaviour itself to better understand what may be underpinning it.

What I particularly loved was the empathy woven throughout the book; a reminder that our dogs are individuals with their own emotions, experiences, and ways of communicating with us. It’s a compassionate, holistic approach that resonates strongly with the way we support dogs here at The Complete Canine.

Whether you're a dog owner, behaviour professional, therapist, or simply someone fascinated by the emotional lives of dogs, this is a wonderful read and one I would highly recommend.

🎄 With Christmas just around the corner, it would also make a lovely gift for any dog lover in your life. Copies available at The Complete Canine❤️🐕💙
Heartful Canine

ChristmasGiftIdeas TheCompleteCanine

10/09/2026

Raising a Puppy: Heartful Canine Style

Raising a puppy again, for the first time in 8 years, has really made me stop and think about how much we expect from them.

At just 12½ weeks old, Skipper has so much to learn about the world around him. So right now, I'm not asking him to sit, stay or lie down on command.

We're exploring, experiencing, resting, playing, making choices and learning together — at a pace he feels comfortable with and without putting unnecessary pressure on him.

There is so much focus on not physically exercising puppies too much, but perhaps we also need to think about how much learning we ask them to take on.

Sometimes, learning about the world is enough.

I've written a little more about how I'm approaching Skipper's puppyhood, and why raising him has made me reconsider some of the expectations we place on young dogs.

Read my full blog post here:
https://heartfulcanine.blogspot.com/2026/09/raising-puppy-heartful-canine-style.html

25/08/2026

Did you know one of the simplest ways to make your dog happier is to let them sniff?
A 2025 study showed that dogs who spent just two weeks doing daily nose work approached new situations with greater optimism, confidence and curiosity.
Why? Because sniffing isn’t just how dogs explore the world; I t’s how they think, solve problems, and satisfy one of their most important natural instincts.
Every walk doesn’t have to be about covering distance. Slow, strolling “sniffaris,” scent games, hidden treats, and nose work activities give your dog’s brain the enrichment it craves while helping reduce stress and improve emotional well-being.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your dog’s mental health is simply giving them permission to stop... sniff... and experience the world the way nature intended. 🐾
🐾 Let your dog lead the next walk. You might be surprised how much happier you both become.

18/08/2026

When you think you know where the hider is...but your dog knows better! A lovely example of trusting the nose and letting the dog lead. Beautiful teamwork! 🐾 💕