Heath's Personal Dog Training

Heath's Personal Dog Training Specialising in puppy training and real-life skills for dogs of all ages. Full Member APDT, ABTC-ATI. Dog Trainer / Wine & Food Enthusiast

Offering online courses, classes and private consultations using force-free, science-led methods across Essex & Hertfordshire.

Loose lead walking isn’t “basic.”It’s actually one of the more advanced skills we ask our dogs to learn.We're asking the...
14/06/2026

Loose lead walking isn’t “basic.”

It’s actually one of the more advanced skills we ask our dogs to learn.

We're asking them to walk slowly, in a straight line, at our pace, while ignoring smells, dogs, people, wildlife and everything else their nose finds fascinating.

No wonder so many owners struggle.

In this article, I explain why loose lead walking is genuinely difficult for many dogs, why your dog isn't being stubborn, and a few simple things you can do to make training easier before you even pick up the lead.

New blog: https://hpdt.co.uk/2026/06/14/why-loose-lead-walking-is-hard/

Has thinking about loose lead walking from your dog's perspective ever changed how you approach training?

Most owners ask:"What are the best dog training treats?"But that's not really the question.The better question is:💭 What...
13/06/2026

Most owners ask:

"What are the best dog training treats?"

But that's not really the question.

The better question is:

💭 What reward is my dog willing to work for in this situation?

A piece of kibble might be perfect for practising a sit in the kitchen.

But asking your dog to come away from a squirrel, another dog or an exciting scent trail? You may need something a little more valuable than the dog equivalent of 50p.

In my latest article, I explain:

✅ How to build a reward menu for your dog
✅ Why some treats work brilliantly in one place but fail in another
✅ The difference between everyday rewards and jackpot rewards
✅ Why your dog may not be "unmotivated" at all
✅ How reinforcement really works

Plus, I share some of my favourite training and recall treats that I use with Bear and recommend to clients.

What is your dog's absolute favourite reward?

https://hpdt.co.uk/2026/06/13/best-dog-training-treats/

Puppy socialisation isn’t about meeting every dog.In fact, too much greeting and uncontrolled play can sometimes create ...
12/06/2026

Puppy socialisation isn’t about meeting every dog.

In fact, too much greeting and uncontrolled play can sometimes create the fear or frustration we’re trying to avoid.

This blog explains how to socialise your puppy calmly, build confidence, use the three-second greeting rule, and help prevent future reactivity.

https://hpdt.co.uk/2026/06/12/puppy-socialisation-prevent-reactivity/

Did your puppy want to meet every dog, avoid every dog, or somewhere in between?

11/06/2026

Ever feel like somebody flicks a switch in the evening and your lovely puppy suddenly turns into a tiny gremlin? 😅

The biting gets worse.

The zoomies begin.

Your furniture becomes agility equipment.

And you’re left wondering what crimes you committed in a past life to deserve this.

The good news?

Your puppy probably isn’t trying to make you snap.

They might just be exhausted.

Extra Guidance

One of the biggest mistakes owners make is trying to tire their puppy out even more when the chaos starts.

Instead, think about helping them come down through the gears.

If your puppy’s witching hour usually starts around 7pm, begin helping them relax around 6pm.

Some ideas:

🐶 Avoid roughhousing, fetch and chase games late in the evening

🐶 Give them opportunities to chew, lick and sniff

🐶 Create a quiet area where they can relax without constant interruptions

🐶 Remember that helping a puppy rest isn’t just about putting them somewhere else, it’s about helping them switch off emotionally

Many overtired puppies don’t look sleepy.

They look hyperactive.

Which is why so many owners accidentally mistake exhaustion for excess energy.

Need some help with your puppy?

The link is in our bio. 👆

Do puppy pads actually help with toilet training? 🤔They seem like a brilliant idea when you've got a new puppy.You're ex...
11/06/2026

Do puppy pads actually help with toilet training? 🤔

They seem like a brilliant idea when you've got a new puppy.

You're exhausted, your puppy needs the toilet constantly, and the thought of avoiding another trip into the garden sounds very appealing.

The problem is that many puppies don't learn "toilet on the pad."

They learn "toilet inside the house."

Then, when the pads disappear, owners are often left wondering why their puppy is suddenly peeing on rugs, mats or in the exact spot where the pad used to be.

In our latest article, we look at:

🐾 Whether puppy pads actually slow toilet training

🐾 Why some puppies become confused when the pads are removed

🐾 The rare situations where puppy pads can be useful

🐾 What I recommend instead if your goal is outdoor toileting

🐾 How to avoid creating an extra toilet-training step

Read the full article here:

https://hpdt.co.uk/2026/06/11/puppy-pads-slow-toilet-training/

Question for puppy owners: Did you use puppy pads with your puppy, and if so, do you think they helped or made toilet training harder in the long run?

Our June newsletter is now live 🐾Inside this month's edition you'll find:🐶 Four puppy articles every owner should read🐾 ...
10/06/2026

Our June newsletter is now live 🐾

Inside this month's edition you'll find:

🐶 Four puppy articles every owner should read
🐾 New puppy essentials guide
🌡️ Keeping dogs cool during hot weather
👃 Indoor scent work ideas for rainy and hot days
🎾 The secret to better dog training
🦮 Long lines, harnesses and walking equipment
📍 June Social Walk details and class updates

Whether you're raising a new puppy, working on training, or simply looking for ways to enrich your dog's life, there's plenty packed into this month's newsletter.

Read it here:
https://mailchi.mp/405ad097f6bc/heaths-personal-dog-training-june-update

Which topic would you like me to cover next?

Puppy had an accident indoors? 🐾One of the most common pieces of toilet training advice is to immediately rush your pupp...
10/06/2026

Puppy had an accident indoors? 🐾

One of the most common pieces of toilet training advice is to immediately rush your puppy outside afterwards.

The problem is that by then, the moment has already passed.

Your puppy isn't connecting the accident with the trip outside. In fact, many owners accidentally focus so much on reacting to accidents that they miss the real secret to toilet training success: prevention.

In our latest article, I cover three common toilet training mistakes I see owners make and, more importantly, what to do instead.

You'll learn:

🐾 Why taking your puppy outside after an accident usually doesn't teach them anything

🐾 Why expecting another wee straight away is unrealistic

🐾 How focusing on prevention can speed up toilet training

Read the full article here:

https://hpdt.co.uk/2026/06/10/puppy-toilet-training-mistakes/

Question for puppy owners: What has been the hardest part of toilet training your puppy so far?

09/06/2026

Some stress is normal.

In fact, trying to remove all stress from your dog’s life can be a mistake.

The goal isn’t to avoid every challenge.

The goal is to help your dog learn they can cope.

A resilient dog isn’t one that never experiences stress.

It’s a dog that can experience small, manageable challenges and recover afterwards.

Here are some simple ways to build resilience:

✅ Waiting a few seconds for dinner
✅ Solving a puzzle toy
✅ Exploring somewhere new
✅ Learning they can’t greet every dog and person they see
✅ Spending short periods alone

And don’t forget the recovery part.

Many owners focus on challenge but forget recovery.

Recovery can include:

🐾 Sleep
🐾 Sniffing
🐾 Chewing
🐾 Licking
🐾 Decompression walks

Challenge is good.

Overwhelm is bad.

Coping is the goal.

Need help building your dog’s confidence and resilience? Consultation details can be found via the link in my bio.





08/06/2026

Has your puppy suddenly become scared of things they’ve seen hundreds of times before?

Maybe they’re suddenly suspicious of a wheelie bin.

A plant pot.

A road sign.

Or something they’ve completely ignored for months.

Before you panic, they may be going through a fear period.

Fear periods are a normal part of development and are often discussed around two stages:

🐶 Puppyhood: commonly somewhere between 8 and 14 weeks

🐕 Adolescence: often somewhere between 6 and 18 months

That said, every dog is different, so don’t get too hung up on the exact age. Dogs rarely read the textbooks.

If you think your dog may be going through a fear period, here are a few things that can help:

✅ Slow things down for a few days

✅ Give them more distance from things they’re worried about

✅ Let them choose whether to move closer or further away

✅ Avoid forcing interactions

✅ Focus on confidence-building experiences

✅ Find somewhere to sit and simply watch the world go by together

One thing I often do with dogs that seem overwhelmed is sit on a bench and let them observe life happening around them.

It might not make exciting viewing, but it can be incredibly valuable.

💾 Save this for later if you’re currently raising a puppy or adolescent dog.

📤 Share it with another dog owner who needs to see it.

Need help with your puppy or dog?

You’ll find our services via the link in bio.

Follow for more force-free dog training advice, puppy guidance, and behaviour tips.




Most dog owners don't think about livestock when they bring a puppy home.But they probably should.A puppy that learns to...
08/06/2026

Most dog owners don't think about livestock when they bring a puppy home.

But they probably should.

A puppy that learns to calmly observe sheep, horses, goats and other animals is far less likely to grow into a dog that wants to chase them.

And that matters.

Livestock chasing isn't just dangerous for the animals involved. It can put your dog at risk too, and the legal consequences for owners are becoming more serious.

The good news?

You don't need your puppy to interact with livestock. In fact, that's usually the opposite of what we want.

What we're aiming for is calm observation, emotional regulation and learning that not everything that moves needs to be chased.

I've put together a full guide covering:

🐑 Why livestock exposure matters

🐴 Dogs and horses

🦌 Preventing chasing behaviour

🦮 Recall foundations

⚖️ The legal side of livestock worrying

And most importantly, how to introduce puppies safely and positively.

Read the full article here:

https://hpdt.co.uk/2026/06/08/teaching-puppies-calm-around-livestock/

Have you ever introduced a puppy to livestock, or is this something you've never really considered before?

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