Lead Canine

11/06/2026

This is Pip, he has a lovely owner and a nice life so there is no reason why Pip should be doing this right????

The reason why Pip is biting could be:

1. He's sore in certain places
2. He's scared

Or..... This dog demands food, toys, affection and anything else he wants and his owner gives it to him. He has reached a point where he can demand attention and affection but then demand that you don't touch him straight afterwards.

This is more common than most people think and you probably have no idea how you are creating this behaviour.

Firstly do not reward begging behaviour because this can quickly escalate into demanding, frustration and aggression.

Secondly reward calm, confident, relaxed behavior.

Third and finally which is the most difficult part....... Do not reward aggression. In the video when Pip shows aggression I give him nothing, I don't back away, I don't punish. When pip relaxes I remove my hand and give a reward.

Previously every time pip shows aggression he gets what he wants and this strengthens the behaviour.

If you have a dog like this. Either stop touching your dog (remove conflict) or start conditioning your dog to believe that aggression does not produce results.

08/06/2026

This is group 1 from this year. All reactive (except the big scary Staffy type - he's a softy). Every person here has worked really hard with their dog to get them from out of control to a point where their dog can now have a normal life.
Phase one was teaching skills in a secluded field.

Phase two is taking them out into different environments and really testing their training.

Wait and see what I have planned for phase three...!!!

03/06/2026

01/06/2026

Don't try this with a dog that is already dangerously resource guarding!!!

This technique is great for puppies and young dogs, great for dogs that try to run away from you with toys or items that they chew.

29/05/2026

Do you want a high performance dog?

So do most people.....

But most people want to kick off their shoes and relax after a long day too.

Be careful when getting a new dog. You might just have 15 years of going out in the rain, snow, and dark. Not taking a day off or getting to lay in bed past 7am.

27/05/2026

☀️ THE HEATWAVE TRUTH: Why "Settle" is your dog’s most important cue right now! 🐾👇

With temperatures soaring here in the UK, our routine with our dogs has to completely shift. To keep them safe from dangerous heatstroke, we are limited to walking them first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening.

But have you thought about what that actually means for your dog? 🤔
It means they are confined to the house for 10, 12, or even 14 hours a day. For an active or easily bored dog, that is a massive chunk of time to fill, and it quickly leads to frustration, pent-up energy, and unwanted behaviors like barking, chewing, or pacing.
That is why teaching your dog how to properly go and settle inside the house is a literal lifesaver during a heatwave.

Why it’s so important right now:

1️⃣ Prevents Overheating: A frustrated, restless dog who is constantly pacing, whining, or trying to initiate play will rapidly raise their own body temperature. In a warm house, this can easily lead to heat distress.

2️⃣ Stops Frustration & Stress: Dogs thrive on routine. When that routine drops, their stress levels rise. A solid "go lay down" cue gives them clear direction and boundaries, replacing anxiety with calm certainty.

3️⃣ Builds an "Off-Switch": Teaching your dog that being indoors means relaxing—not constant entertainment—is the best mental skill you can ever give them.

When you tell your dog to go and lay down, it shouldn't feel like a punishment; it’s a cue for peace. By helping them understand how to switch off and relax inside, you are protecting their mental health and keeping them physically safe from the heat.

22/05/2026

20/05/2026

While there is a strategy that I follow to train all dogs. I often make changes along the way to bring the best out in each dog.

I don't always come up with solutions on the spot. Sometimes I lay awake at night thinking of how to solve problems or sticking points that I encounter.

The deeper you dive into dog training the more you realise how little you know and how much more you've still got to learn.

18/05/2026

These are some of the dogs I have been working with. There are many many more but I didn't want the post to be too long.
Being a dog trainer is hard work, people don't see the time we put in behind the scenes creating training plans, checking in with the customers, driving to places that bring new challenges to the dogs.
When you see a dog become relaxed and stop fighting against it's owners, other dogs and the world it lives in...... It all feels worth it.