New Forest Dog Training Academy

02/09/2026

🐾💙 Meet Finn — A Brave Boy in a World That Can Feel Very Big 💙🐾

Finn is a beautiful five-year-old Border Collie rescue who has been on quite a journey.

For Finn, the outside world can sometimes feel overwhelming. He struggles with agoraphobia and sound sensitivity, meaning places, situations, and everyday noises that many dogs take in their stride can be incredibly frightening for him. 💔

A sudden bang, an unfamiliar sound or simply being somewhere open and unfamiliar can make Finn feel unsafe. And when you're already worried about the world around you, finding the confidence to step forward can be a huge ask.

But Finn is showing us something incredibly important…

Progress doesn't have to look like a big adventure. Sometimes progress is simply taking one more step. 🥹💙

We're working with Finn gently and patiently, focusing on:

🌿 Building his confidence at his own pace
🐾 Breaking challenges down into tiny, manageable steps
🧀 Using positive reinforcement to create good associations and becoming predictable with rewards using a clicker
👂 Helping him learn that sounds don't always mean something scary is going to happen
🏡 Creating safe spaces where he can decompress and feel secure
💙 Giving him choice and control wherever possible
⭐ Celebrating the little victories rather than expecting perfection

There is **no rushing Finn** and no expectation that he suddenly becomes a fearless Border Collie.

Our goal isn't to change who Finn is — it's to help him feel safe enough to experience more of the world, in a way that makes sense to him.

And those little moments when he chooses to investigate something, relaxes somewhere new, or takes a step towards something that once frightened him...

Finn may have a long way to go, but he's surrounded by patience, understanding and people who believe in him.

🐾 **One sound. One step. One brave moment at a time.** 💙

01/09/2026

🦇🐾 **Meet Batman & Robin… aka Freddie & Oscar!** 🐾🦇

Every superhero duo needs a brave one… and one who prefers to supervise from a safe distance! 😂

**Oscar** is the brave one, always ready to investigate, explore and face the world head-on. 💪🐶

**Freddie —** equally lovable, but a little less convinced that every new experience is a good idea! 😳😂 He’s more cautious, more watchful, and often much happier letting Freddie go first**.**

But confidence isn’t something that happens overnight, and we’re working hard to help Oscar (and both boys) feel safe, secure and more confident in the world around them. ❤️

🌟 Taking things at their own pace
🌟 Positive reinforcement and plenty of rewards
🌟 Building up new experiences gradually
🌟 Giving them choices and allowing them space when they need it
🌟 Celebrating the little wins — however small they might seem
🌟 Encouraging independence while still being there for reassurance

There’s no pressure to be fearless. The goal is to help them discover that **new things don’t have to be scary** and that they can cope with them in their own time. 🥰

🦇 **Freddie/Batman:** “I’ll handle it!”
🐾 **Oscar/Robin:** “You go first… I’ll decide if it’s safe.” 😂👀

Two brothers, two very different personalities, and one brilliant little team. ❤️

07/08/2026

🐶 **PUPPY CLASSES – STARTING WEDNESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER!** 🐾

Got a new puppy? Give them the best possible start! ❤️

Our fun, friendly **Puppy Classes** are designed to help you and your puppy build a strong bond while learning the essential skills for everyday life.

✨ Learn essential training skills
🐾 Improve focus, recall & good manners
❤️ Build confidence and social skills
🎓 Set your puppy up for a happy, well-mannered future
👩‍🏫 Friendly, supportive guidance for puppy parents

📅 **Starting Wednesday 16th September**
📍 **Sway Village Hall**
⏰ **7:00pm**

🎟️ **Limited places available!**

Whether you're a first-time puppy parent or looking to brush up on your training skills, come along and give your puppy the best start possible.

Booking form below

https://form.jotform.com/253312331738351

Kind, compassionate, force free dog training in the New Forest

06/08/2026

You never know when your dog might need to wear

The cone of shame! 🐶💙

For many dogs, the dreaded Elizabethan collar isn't just awkward—it's something they find highly aversive. Suddenly they can't move normally, bump into furniture, or interact with the world the way they're used to. If they've never been prepared for it, an already stressful situation (like recovering from surgery or an injury) can become even harder.

The good news? Training can change that.

By introducing your dog to the cone in a positive way before they ever need it, you can help turn it into something appetitive—or at least neutral. Pair it with tasty treats, fun games, and short, relaxed sessions so your dog learns that wearing it predicts good things.

The videos -

Moss before training

❌ Avoided the cone.
❌ Pulled his head away.
❌ Clearly wanted to avoid having it put on.

Using positive reinforcement, I could teach him that voluntarily placing his head through the collar was rewarding. We broke the process down into small, achievable steps, rewarding confidence and cooperation throughout.

**Moss after positive reinforcement training:**
✅ Happily presented his head for the cone.
✅ Voluntarily placed his head through the opening.
✅ Accepted the process with confidence and without conflict.

Did the cone suddenly stop being aversive?

The cone itself didn't change—but Moss's emotional response and understanding of the process did.Through training, he learned that putting the cone on was predictable, safe, and worthwhile.

This is why training matters. You never know when your dog will need to wear a cone after surgery or injury. Preparing them beforehand can make a stressful situation much easier for both dog and owner.

Training isn't about pretending aversive things don't exist. It's about teaching dogs the skills to cope with them when life inevitably throws them our way. 💙🐾

Has your dog ever had to wear the "Cone of Shame"? How did they cope? Share your experiences below! 👇

05/08/2026

🐾 **Thinking about trying Scentwork UK?** 🐾 Our first SATURDAY SCENT WORKSHOP

Join us for a **2-hour Introduction to Scentwork UK Workshop** and discover why scent detection is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities you can do with your dog!

Whether you're completely new to scentwork or want to see if it's the right fit before committing to a course, this workshop is the perfect starting point.

✨ **During the workshop you'll:**
• Learn the basics of Scentwork UK
• Discover how to build your dog's confidence and focus
• Explore fun search exercises suitable for all breeds and ages
• Find out what to expect from our full course starting in **October**

🐶 **No previous experience is needed, and all dogs are welcome.**

📅 **Workshop:** 2-hour Introduction to Scentwork UK
📍 **Venue:** Sway Village Hall, Middle Road, Sway, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 6BB
💷 **Price:** **£35.00** per dog and handler team
🍂 **Perfect preparation for our October Scentwork UK course**

📩 **Spaces are limited – message us today to reserve your place!**

Give your dog the opportunity to do what they love most – **use their incredible nose!** 👃🐾

Please click the link to complete this form.

03/08/2026

**The Power of Play in Dog Training 🐾🎾**

Play doesn't just happen at home—it can be one of your most valuable training tools wherever you are.

Whether you're on a walk, at the park, or in a busy environment, using play can help keep your dog's attention on you. Instead of the world becoming more exciting than you, you become part of the fun.

Playing with your dog out and about helps to:
🐶 Build a stronger relationship
🎾 Increase engagement in distracting environments
💡 Reward great choices in a way your dog loves
❤️ Boost confidence and reduce stress
🏆 Make training enjoyable for both of you

A dog that loves to play with their owner is often easier to motivate, more engaged, and happier to learn—no matter where they are.

So next time you're out on a walk, don't just walk. Bring a toy, have a quick game, celebrate good choices, and make yourself the best part of your dog's day.

**Where does your dog love to play most? Let us know in the comments!** 🐕

28/07/2026

**Sometimes taking a step backwards is the best way to move forwards. 💙🐾**

It's easy to feel disappointed when training doesn't go to plan. Maybe your dog suddenly forgets a cue they knew yesterday, gets distracted more easily, or struggles with something that once seemed simple.

Bunsen reminded us that sometimes the environment is just too exciting, and sometimes... being a boy wins! 😂🐾 There were far more interesting things to investigate than listening to Mum, so instead of pushing on, we took a step back, made things easier, and celebrated the little wins.

Because progress isn't a straight line.

Some of the biggest breakthroughs come after we've gone back to basics. Slowing down, lowering our expectations, and rebuilding confidence gives our dogs the chance to truly understand what we're asking of them.

Training isn't about racing to the finish line—it's about creating a strong relationship built on trust, patience and communication.

So if a session means revisiting the foundations instead of learning something new, that's okay. You're not failing. You're giving your dog exactly what they need to succeed.

Remember... every confident dog was once a beginner, and every great trainer knows that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is take one step back to take two steps forward. ❤️

Well done, Bunsen—we'll keep building, one session at a time. 💙

27/07/2026

We did a thing! 🌙🐾🎉 - Scent work UK - beginners workshop!

What a fantastic evening scentwork workshop with Sky, Jasmine and Maisie Mottle! 👏🐶

Our trio took on a range of exciting search challenges, building their confidence and developing their scent detection skills through:
📦 Box searches
🧳 Luggage searches
🪑 Chair searches
🚗 Vehicle searches

Each dog worked with enthusiasm, focus and determination, adapting brilliantly to the different search areas. It was wonderful to see those "I've found it!" moments and watch both the dogs and their handlers grow in confidence throughout the evening.

A huge well done to **Sky, Jasmine and Maisie Mottle** and their handlers—you all did an amazing job.

Thank you for joining us for another brilliant evening of scentwork. We can't wait to see you at the next scentwork course.! 🐾❤️

26/07/2026

🌳 **Life's better when your dog -or dogs!- are part of every adventure.**

Picture countryside walks without the pulling.
Beach days with a dog who comes back when called.
Lazy afternoons in a pub garden with them settled happily by your feet.
Family days out where you can relax and enjoy the moment.

Our **Dog Training Improver Course** is designed for dogs **6 months+**, helping you build the skills and confidence to enjoy more of life's adventures together.

Because training isn't just about teaching commands...
It's about creating a dog you can take anywhere and making memories you'll both love.

🐾 Positive, reward-based training
🐾 Real-life skills for everyday life
🐾 Friendly, supportive classes

📅 **Starts Tuesday 5th August at 8:00pm**

🚨 **Limited places available – book now and start your next adventure together!**

👉 Click https://form.jotform.com/260595655647370 to secure your place.

24/07/2026

🐾 **Muzzle Training: A Positive Skill Every Dog Can Benefit From** 🐶

A muzzle isn't a sign of a "bad dog"—it's simply another piece of safety equipment, just like a lead or a harness.

Muzzle training can be incredibly useful for:
✅ Vet visits and emergencies
✅ Grooming appointments
✅ Recovering from injury or surgery
✅ Dogs that eat everything they find on walks
✅ Helping keep everyone safe while working through behavioural challenges

The key is **positive training**. A dog should be happy and confident wearing their muzzle, seeing it as something that predicts good things like treats, games, and adventures—not something to fear.

Yep... All my collies are muzzle trained- you never know when you need it!