Blue Lemon Dog Training

03/09/2026

Scent detection taster workshop - suitable for complete beginner teams.

We have not offered any beginner courses for a few months due to a family bereavement but we are back! And to thank everyone for their patience we are delighted to offer a SCENT DETECTION TASTER WORKSHOP at HALF PRICE- only £25.

Have you ever wondered about scent detection, or nosework as it is often called but never really wanted to commit to a full course? Then this is perfect for you. Come and see what your dog's super skill is like in a fun and structured manner. Tire out a busy brain. Slow down a fizzy dog. Work as a team. Learn a little more about your dog.

OX10 location.

book here
https://BlueLemonDogTraining.as.me/tasterworkshop

26/08/2026

No drama, llama

How are your dogs coping with the long hot summer? Pongo has just enjoyed a slow (very), sniffy ( very, very) walk and we watched the llamas having a dust bath then a snooze in the cool holes that they have created for themselves.

14/08/2026

Roz is spot on here ( as usual).

Anyone living near Bristol is so lucky to be able to benefit from the help of all The Mutty Professor team whose priority will always be the dog and the client, not social media wins.

🗣️ WHERE ARE THE VIDEOS OF YOU WORKING WITH REALLY AGGRESSIVE DOGS?

Around 40% of my behaviour case load are bite cases, most having bitten people. There’s multiple reasons they don’t feature or are no longer described as bite cases on here.

❌ Most owners whose dogs have bitten themselves or other people are embarrassed and/or in current state of emotional and motivational conflict about their dog.

My priority is supporting my clients, not bragging about bite cases on social media for kudos.

❌ Most of these cases are assessed in their homes, which for most cases is the environment and context where the problem behaviour occurs.

It would be completely inappropriate and an invasion of my client’s privacy for me to film in someone’s home for the benefit of gaining social media content.

❌ I am too busy assessing the dog, coaching the client and staying safe to film.

Whilst I’ve developed a knack of filming while coaching- not even looking at my camera - this is the problem behaviour context where everything I do with my body matters.

Dogs exhibiting aggressive behaviour towards humans dogs can be very sensitive to people standing facing them and even to people acting differently - stood holding a phone to face the dog would potentially interfere with body language that says ‘I’m not a threat’.


Historically, a couple of times I’ve mentioned dogs having bitten and I’ve always felt really uncomfortable about it after and decided to no longer mention it.

Even when I have featured dogs reacting (barking and lunging) strongly - it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I worried about how my clients felt about their dog’s worst behaviour being displayed online and subjected to judgement- some good, some bad. I’ve also felt more sensitive to the possibility of my clients feeling responsible or upset that a video of their dog generated strong opinions than I’ve felt upset by any unflattering comments directed towards me.

On the rare occassion I’ve featured human aggressive dogs before- it’s been on outdoor sessions after their initial assessment. After I’ve got to know the client.

They’re always asked if it’s ok for me to film - with the primary reason being for educational webinars. They’re always told more than once that there is no pressure to say ‘yes’ because it’s their session and their privacy.

🤔 Imagine these scenarios from a client’s perspective.

🚪 You book a professional to support you with your dog and as you open the door to let the professional in or within minutes of entering or meeting you - they start filming.

🎥 Or you go to your first assessment at a training facility and along with the trainer there’s another person filming you.

Plus, you know your dog struggles with people and there’s multiple present in an enclosed space. Most people with dogs displaying human directed aggression are worried about how their dog will respond to the professional, let alone more people.

📝 Or you’re being asked questions about your dog on your assessment - knowing you’re being filmed and your responses are going to go online.

✋ You’re already self conscious you’re doing a bad job of handling or training and that you may have contributed to the problem - and now your mistakes may be published on social media.

🎥 A professional sets up a camera soon after the session starts - before starting working with your dog.

Just think about that logistically.

What is the client doing and thinking as they see the professional setting things up and checking the camera angle? Some must surely feel like a spare part or after thought!


I do not want my clients to feel uncomfortable nor to question my motives as to why I am helping them!

The reason any of my clients feature online is because;

✅ We’ve built up a good rapport.

✅ They feel happy about how they and their dog are doing and comfortable about others seeing them train.

✅ Most have seen how I talk about my clients in my posts and know that content is designed to motivate, celebrate and empathise rather than to highlight everything they’ve done wrong in the past or brag about me working with their dangerous dog.


So, if you’ve found yourself engaging in debates about training methods and demanding professionals show you videos of them working with dangerous, powerful dogs - perhaps you should consider the client’s perspective.

I appreciate why people request ‘evidence’ of efficacy- but obtaining evidence to meet your curiosity is absolutely never my priority, not professional nor is it respectful to my clients.

My job is to support them, not to try and impress random people on social media.

People appear to be forgetting that behind every dog they see on social media, there’s a person or family who are often carrying a lot of emotional baggage about their dog’s behaviour.

19/06/2026

Before we arrive at many concerts, sports games, theatres, films or airports, behind the scenes there are some very hard-working, thoroughly dedicated and highly trained, four-legged doggos making sure these places are safe for us. ❤️🐾

They are using their amazing noses to detect the presence, or absence, of their target odours- odours that we really do NOT want to be there. 🫣

When they are not working, however, they are just your normal, goofball, big-hearted dogs. 🐶

Please meet Gunner! An 8 year old spaniel who was assigned to my friend Rachel Kuttner as her working detection dog.

Rachel says of Gunner
“Gunner is an eight-year-old, recently retired search dog who has spent his working life helping to keep people safe.

From concerts and sporting events to motorsport venues, football stadiums, airports, private estates, and many other exciting locations, Gunner has carried out his duties with dedication, skill, and loyalty”.

He is now ready to retire and learn how to live life as a family pet. Rachel has been lucky enough to be allowed to offer him his retirement home where he will join her three pet dogs and her human family.

Unfortunately, Gunner suffers from significant elbow problems affecting both legs. After veterinary assessment, he now requires bilateral elbow surgery to improve his mobility, reduce pain, and give him the best chance of enjoying a happy and comfortable retirement.❤️‍🩹

The cost of surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and follow up care is substantial. We are raising funds to help cover his veterinary expenses and ensure that Gunner receives the treatment he needs.

If you are able to contribute anything to help fund Gunner’s operations and his “happy ever after” please visit Rachel’s Just Giving page below. Thank you so much.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpgunnerforhisretirement?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=WA

25/05/2026

Hot dog? What is their tongue telling you?

Useful real life video from Impact Behaviour below

05/05/2026

Apologies

I will be closed all of this week for personal reasons.

I will not be checking emails this week.

If your query is urgent please contact your vet if for behavioural support please contact either
Emma So Help Me Dog
Ryan Oxfordshire Animal Behaviour and Training

23/04/2026

“Why do scent detection?”
“My dog sniffs all the time anyway…!”

I get asked this ALL the time.

Finding a target odour is very different to everyday sniffing on a walk.

These dogs problem solve.

They have to work in a systematic and structured way. As a team with their handler. Efficiently. Around deliberate distractions. They have to build search stamina. A high sniff rate.

That problem solving uses their brains.

What does that mean?

It’s builds self confidence. It makes them feel good when they solve the problem. And it’s tiring. In a much more productive way than endlessly chasing a ball.

This target odour hide was hidden in a crevice under the stage. The barn doors were open on either side so there was wind blowing through. Just off camera, the resident cat was stalking us, highly suspicious of us in his domain.

You can see how Pongo has to come out of the odour plume to work out where the scent was strongest.

We have a new beginner class opening soon and it will be EVENINGS!!

Email [email protected] to register your interest.

22/04/2026

A select few dogs stepped up to test out a new venue for some sniffer dog adventures.

We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the magnificent Braziers Park.

Braziers Park is a historic Grade II, 57 acre, country estate that has evolved from a 17th-century farmhouse into a modern education and events centre, run by an intentional community focused on social research and shared living.

This local gem combines heritage, ecological land management, and cultural exchange and is a living experiment in community and sustainability.

We loved chatting with some members of the community and are very grateful that they opened their home to us. One of the resident cats took a keen interest in Pongo all the way around his barn search, thinking he must have insider information on some hidden treasure!!

Thanks to community at Braziers Park for opening your grounds to us- what a special place!

17/04/2026

Look at this little fella I met recently.

I can’t decide what is more endearing:

*paws 🐾

*teeth 😁

What do you think?

17/04/2026

Updated advice from BVA on neutering.

It should be on a case by case basis and I particularly like the advice about male dogs, based on my own experiences of living with a male dog neutered at 6 weeks’ old.

“Castration in male dogs is complex and should be assessed case-by-case in the context of the breed and lifestyle of the dog. If the decision is made to neuter, medical or surgical castration should not be carried out before physical maturity for the breed, unless there is a compelling contextual reason for doing so”

“https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/updated-neutering-guidance-from-bva-and-bsava-moves-away-from-one-size-fits-all-approach/?fbclid=IwVERDUARO6I5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeOJ6CIZvtR1CCfrmzPUXmePVtdYKwuQ4p-RWsdpUFyxS-OpqI0nKUfhJnCnc_aem_3lZOQpSum43w4umSNU1sFg

New BVA and BSAVA policy position recommends a contextualised approach to neutering dogs, while advice for cats remains unchanged.