Let’s be Pawsitive - dog training with Nicky

25/08/2026

📣 ONLY 2 spaces remaining on our Level up course! 📣

🐾 Level 1 Dog Training Classes Start This September! 🐾

Looking for the perfect next step after puppy classes? Or have a dog with some basic training skills who’s ready to learn more? Our Level 1 Dog Training Course offers a fun, positive, and supportive environment where dogs and their owners can build confidence, develop essential life skills, and enjoy learning together.

✨ What’s included?
🐾 Suitable for dogs aged 6 months and over
✨ Fun, enriching, reward-based training
📄 Weekly training handouts
🤝 Ongoing support throughout the course
🏅 Accredited force-free training from proud members of The Dog Trainer School Professional Standard

📍 Venue: Cranfield Community Centre, Thillans, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0FZ
📅 Start Date: 10th September 2026
⏰ Time: 6:45pm – 7:45pm
📆 Duration: 6 consecutive weeks
💷 Cost: £130 for the full course

📞 / 💬 Sarah: 07708 926455
📧 Nicky: [email protected]

Spaces are limited, so get in touch to reserve your place. We can’t wait to meet you and your four-legged friends! 🐶🐾

07/08/2026

It’s been a lovely week off for me, spending quality time with my old gal - Bella ❤️ and introducing her to my sisters new pup - Pippin!! We’ve had some lovely woodland adventures and yes!… I’m officially Pippins treat dealer 🤣🤣🐶

06/08/2026

THE PLAY BOW

Dogs are constantly communicating with their body language and the play bow is one that is very easy to see, but despite its name, it doesn’t always mean “I want to play with you!”

Yes, in general, it means – I’m friendly and I have no aggressive intent, although context and the individual dog always need to be taken into account.

Some time ago, one of my little dogs was attacked by a bigger dog while we were out waking. She has never completely recovered from the trauma and ever since then, immediately play bows if a bigger dog comes anywhere near her.

I believe what she is communicating is – a calming signal to show the other dog she is not a threat, a position in which she can quickly escape if need be and the most likely explanation is to prevent any conflict and reduce any potential tension.

She has absolutely no desire or intention of playing or interacting with the other dog, in fact, she'd much rather avoid the interaction altogether, but she is trying to communicate her non-threatening intent.
This may be a more unusual use of the play bow, but the purpose of this story is that context and the individual dog really does matter.

Some dogs also use play bows to reset an interaction that is getting too much or perhaps to say “I’m sorry!”, in an attempt to reduce social tension or initiate conflict resolution after being too rough.

A prayer bow, which looks very similar to a play bow may indicate discomfort.
A prayer bow is a more lengthened, longer stretch, where a dog extends the front paws further forward and the chest area is very close to or on the ground.

This could indicate abdominal pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating, gas, or it’s simply an effective stretch to loosen up stiff muscles or joints and get ready for movement.

The play bow is often described as a metacommunication signal—a signal that helps explain the meaning of the behaviour around it.

It's almost as if dogs are saying:
"Whatever I'm about to do—or whatever just happened—please understand that my intentions are friendly."

04/08/2026

When is enough, enough?
It started with one hour.

But now its two.
And in between those runs and walks that ball is coming out more often.
Because your dog is STILL showing high energy.

Now you are becoming almost mechanical throwing that ball.
There may be a growing disconnect now.
Your dog is only interested in that ball.

Sometimes you feel like you wish it could go back to how it was.
More connection.
More pauses and silliness in between throws.
Now it’s all about that ball.

It’s even coming out more at home.
Maybe you’re bouncing it around your lounge during the ad breaks.
It feels like you don’t have a choice.

But you do, it just seems counterintuitive.

Your dog needs a little bit less and a lot more.

Gradually lessen that obsessive need for the ball and extreme movement
Add in much more nose work.

Because what you are doing with the best of intentions?
It’s completely unsustainable.

Something will give.

26/07/2026

Early morning paddle for my Bellaboo and Tiff. 14 years old and still makes a beeline for the water 😅🐶🥰❤️🐾

24/07/2026

⭐️ Puppy Foundations class of 2026⭐️ A massive congratulations to our puppy graduates 🎓- Harley, Jazz, Molly, Ody, Sonny and Teddy! 👏 👏 What a fabulous class you’ve been! Looking forward to seeing some of you again in September! Well done every-doggy 🐶🎉

24/07/2026

Week 6 Puppy foundations 🐶 A Fab final week for our wonderful Pup Stars 🌟 This week we incorporated some fun into our exercises. ⚽️ Using the recent World Cup for inspiration we had penalty shoot outs (recall), dribble and passing ( backwards and forwards walking tag team style), as well as polite 3 second dog greetings, stay with distractions, loose lead with “leave it” .. and to finish and lift the cup 🏆 ( or rather get their certificates and rosette).. a mini obstacle course!! A huge congratulations to them all. They have achieved so much. It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of their training journey!❤️🐶🐾

21/07/2026

“Leave it”

18/07/2026

🐾 Level 1 Dog Training Classes Start This September! 🐾

Looking for the perfect next step after puppy classes? Or have a dog with some basic training skills who’s ready to learn more? Our Level 1 Dog Training Course offers a fun, positive, and supportive environment where dogs and their owners can build confidence, develop essential life skills, and enjoy learning together.

✨ What’s included?
🐾 Suitable for dogs aged 6 months and over
✨ Fun, enriching, reward-based training
📄 Weekly training handouts
🤝 Ongoing support throughout the course
🏅 Accredited force-free training from proud members of The Dog Trainer School Professional Standard

📍 Venue: Cranfield Community Centre, Thillans, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0FZ
📅 Start Date: 10th September 2026
⏰ Time: 6:45pm – 7:45pm
📆 Duration: 6 consecutive weeks
💷 Cost: £130 for the full course

📞 / 💬 Sarah: 07708 926455
📧 Nicky: [email protected]

Spaces are limited, so get in touch to reserve your place. We can’t wait to meet you and your four-legged friends! 🐶🐾

17/07/2026

Week 5 puppy foundations! 🐾🐶
Wow!! 🤩 amazing progress this week. They’ve absolutely smashed it! so proud of these pups!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️🐾