04/09/2026
There’s something really special about watching a group of dogs learn from one another.
Whilst we’ve always taken an eager interest in making sure dogs are coupled up thoughtfully and introduced in ways that set them up for success. I’ve also, humbly, learned that we definitely can’t take all the credit! The dogs that have been with me for a long time (veterans, as I like to call them 🥇) play a crucial role in helping newcomers settle into our way of doing things in group settings.
There are things that calm, neutral and stoic dogs can teach that humans simply can’t replicate. They model appropriate greetings, show that not every interaction needs a reaction, demonstrate how to regulate emotions around excitement, respect boundaries, read social cues, share space peacefully, and walk away from conflict of unknown dogs approaching - rather than escalate it (often better than me sometimes!! )
With their help, transitions become far more fluent, natural and easier for everyone involved. New dogs gain confidence by observing those who already understand the routine, and before long, they begin to mirror those same behaviours themselves.
One of the most rewarding parts is seeing the cycle continue. The dogs who once arrived as nervous or inexperienced newcomers gradually become the steady, reliable teachers for the next generation. Watching that quiet transfer of knowledge within the pack never, ever gets old 🥹
