Positive Canine Coaching

11/10/2026

Out of the office is turned on........We'll be back on Tuesday 20th October when we'll take a look at any messages, etc.

08/10/2026

A job they were born to do......

Sniffing. Searching. Thinking. Exploring. Finding.

Instead of asking your dog to simply stop doing something, scentwork gives them a positive activity that allows them to use their natural abilities, make choices and experience success.

Level 1 Scent Detection starting soon.

If you've always wanted to get started with Scent Detection, this is the course for you (and your pup).

Two spaces left.

Email - [email protected] for more details.

05/10/2026

It was a weekend of Trailing and Scent Detection.
Here's Betty in action (yes, she is in ff), looking for our Misper.
She is awesome to watch.
Nice work Banjo, Betty, Tally, Zeke and Stanley.

29/09/2026

Working with dogs needs to start with safety. Ensuring the emotional wellbeing of your dog is the primary focus providing the space for them to feel safe.

All our Charter professionals start with this premis.

28/09/2026

Scent Detection - SIX reasons why it's SO good for dogs.

1. Builds confidence
Dogs learn to problem-solve at their own pace, without pressure or conflict.

2. Encourages independent thinking
Error-free learning helps dogs feel successful and reduces frustration.

3. Activates the SEEKING system
This boosts motivation and emotional regulation, making rewards more powerful and learning easier.

4. Offers a safe outlet for natural behaviours
Sniffing, searching and hunting are canine instincts. Scentwork provides a healthy way to express them.

5. Strengthens your bond and builds trust
Dogs learn that working with you brings safety, clarity and success.

6. Promotes calm
Scentwork is mentally demanding and naturally brings arousal levels down.

NEW LEVEL 1 - Starts Tuesday 27th October from 7.30 pm. Two spaces left. Email - [email protected] for more details.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd1MPQZDTZC/?stkn=c3ZiZHVoNmQ0aTdq

Do you dread taking your dog out for a walk? Do they pull your arm out of your socket every time you step out of the door?  Perhaps you're concerned about letting them off of their lead, as you're worried they won't come back?  Or your dog is worried by other dogs or people and finds the outside w...

27/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BqgsaXdtb/

Mental stimulation provides important environmental information!

26/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19fFnfTzy7/

HUMAN DIRECTED AGGRESSION AND THE USE OF AVERSIVES

I’ve had several dogs come to me in the last year who have aggression issues around people that either started or became much worse after they’d had aversive training. By aversives we mean the use of slip lead corrections, body jabs, rattle cans, prong and Ecollars etc. Some dogs went for general loose lead/recall/obedience training but became so scared after the use of aversives that they are now lunging at or even biting people who approach them or try to handle them. Some were already worried about people (growling or barking etc) and are now lunging or attempting to bite people. Some have bitten their owners since this training.

These dogs didn’t have these issues beforehand and they’ve become so scared of what people may do to them now that they are showing aggression. Some of them are now misinterpreting normal human interactions with them and see people as a threat to their safety and are using aggression to try and keep people away. By normal human interactions I mean people taking collars and leads off, reaching out to touch them, walking past then when they are resting etc. These dogs are traumatised by what’s happened to them, there is no other way of describing it.

I used to see dogs like this (who’ve shown aggression after aversive training) once or twice a year and now it’s something I see several times a month and it’s really concerning. There are some really unskilled trainers out there using aversives which is extremely worrying; if an unskilled trainer gets it wrong using reward the worse that happens is the dog gets fat, if you are an unskilled trainer using a shock collar there’s a huge risk of fallout.

Aversives are sold as a ‘quick fix’ they make dogs stop behaviours that people don’t like (running off/barking/stealing things) but there is always a huge risk of a fall out. It’s no surprise really that doing or using something that causes fear or pain may make an anxious dog worse.

None of this is the owners fault either, all have incredibly kind and loving families who weren’t aware these methods would be used or who didn’t realise the implications. They’ve done nothing wrong and are now left to try and repair the damage that’s been done. I feel so sad for the lovely families and their dogs as they’ve been really let down.

There’s no quick fixes to changing emotions, it takes time and patience and who often we are trying to rebuild confidence that’s been lost and help dogs recover from previous trauma (of all sorts). There’s a huge risk with quick fixes and it’s like playing roulette- you may have an incredibly robust dog and get ‘lucky’ and have no negative consequences from using aversives but it may break another dog and leave you with a terrible fall out. Just not worth the risk when we have alternatives

Laura McAuliffe, 2025, Dog Communication

24/09/2026

Reposting because it's so well-written and makes so much sense. A previous client sent their new young pup to daycare three times a week to 'help with socialisation'. Their reasons for calling me in, were because they struggled to walk the dog on a lead past other dogs........interesting!

In short, because of the set-up at day-care, they were free to run around, up to and on other dogs, which then transferred into the rest of their life.

Take a look - if you use daycare, much like other areas of dog industry - because it's not regulated, do your research.

𝘿𝙤𝙜 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 – 𝙄𝙨 𝙄𝙩 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝙤𝙜? Dog daycare has grown hugely in popularity. And like any rapidly expanding industry, quality varies enormously. So, if you are considering daycare ask yourself -

• Is daycare right for my dog?
• How do I choose the right one?


𝙄𝙎 𝘿𝘼𝙔𝘾𝘼𝙍𝙀 𝙍𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏 𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙈𝙔 𝘿𝙊𝙂?

Daycare isn’t suitable for every dog. The goal shouldn’t be “can they cope?” but “will they benefit?”

Consider -

• 𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁?
Large, busy daycares can overwhelm sensitive dogs. “They’ll get used to it” often means “they’ll shut down or become more reactive.”
• 𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗴-𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱?
Unlimited access to other dogs can create hypersocial behaviour with little impulse control.
• 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀?
If not, a full day of arousal may leave them wired and exhausted rather than content and fulfilled.
• 𝗗𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗺𝘀𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀?
Not all dogs can defuse tension. Some will escalate if cornered.
• 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀?
Some licensing conditions require neutering at a young age. That may not align with current health recommendations, especially for larger breeds.
• 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲?
Is it essential care? Or are you hoping it will “socialise” your dog? Socialisation doesn’t simply mean exposure to lots of dogs. Meeting (or not) dogs on daily walks under more natural conditions will afford much better socialisation opportunities than a large day care facility.
• 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲?
High arousal? Constant play? Little practice settling? Frequent vocalising?
How will that translate into life outside daycare?

𝘾𝙃𝙊𝙊𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙍𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏 𝘿𝘼𝙔𝘾𝘼𝙍𝙀

If you decide daycare could genuinely benefit your dog, then ask the following questions -

• 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 – how many dogs attend your potential daycare on any given day. 6 dogs is very different from 60.
• 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝘁𝗼-𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼 – can one person safely supervise 10 dogs? 15?
• 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 – have the staff undergone training on canine behaviour? First aid? Body language?
• 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 – how are conflicts handled?
• 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 – green space? A concrete yard? Walks?
• 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 – do they have a fight protocol? An evacuation procedure? Can they describe these to you?
• 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 – are you able to observe the daycare floor? Are you comfortable with what you see and hear?

If a provider is uncomfortable answering questions, that’s information in itself.

𝙈𝙔 𝙃𝙊𝙉𝙀𝙎𝙏 𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒...

There’s a world of difference between a small, well-managed daycare with green space and a large-scale, industrial operation. In my experience very few dogs thrive in the latter. Most simply cope. And some find it downright stressful.

If you really need daycare my advice would be to look for a small daycare with outside green space or consider alternatives like a dog walker or a pet sitter.

Whatever you choose, make it an informed choice. And if something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.