My Happy Dog & Me

02/09/2026

Days like this are a lovely reminder of what we’re actually working towards.

A coffee shop, a bus journey, a busy town, another café, miles of walking and eventually the freedom of the beach.

When you break it down, that’s an awful lot for a dog’s brain to move through in one day.

Different sounds, smells, people, environments and expectations. Times to walk alongside us, times to wait and settle, and times where Diggory could simply explore and enjoy being a dog.

That’s why I’m so interested in growing capacity rather than simply teaching behaviours.

All those tiny pauses. The moments of noticing without immediately reacting. Learning to settle. Being able to move from excitement back towards calm. Making choices when the world gets interesting.

Individually, they can seem like such small things.

But over time, those small things begin to give our dogs something much bigger...

more of the world becomes available to them.

and ultimately, that's what I want.

Not a dog who behaves perfectly everywhere we go, but one who has the capacity to experience life, adapt to what’s happening around him and still find his way back to me.

Because the training was never really the destination.

Getting out there and enjoying life together was.

01/09/2026

Better choices often start in this tiny pause.

That little space between your dog noticing something and reacting to it can tell us so much.

Sometimes it's barely there.

A dog spots another dog, a squirrel moves, something catches their attention… and they're gone before we've even had time to think.

But as we help our dogs build capacity, we can begin to see that space grow.

Wiithin that pause, there's an opportunity for something different to happen.

Maybe they look back towards us. Maybe they move on. Maybe they're able to respond to a familiar cue. Or perhaps they simply stand and take in what's happening before deciding what to do next.

That's the bit I'm interested in.

Not demanding the “right” response, but helping the brain become more capable of making one.

It's why I'm always looking beyond the behaviour itself and asking,oohh what did my dog notice? How quickly did they react? It's been so much more than training more.

Keep curious and keep learning 🙏

#

13/07/2026

We're back from a lovely break.

After an incredible few days exploring the stunning coastline of Pembrokeshire, our hearts are full.

Every day brought somewhere new to discover... peaceful beaches, crystal-clear water, coastal paths, cafés, picnics and plenty of opportunities for Diggory to simply be a dog.

It wasn't about covering miles or having a perfect holiday.

Some days we adapted because of the heat. We chose shorter walks, lingered in the shade and enjoyed lots of cooling paddles in the sea.

But those little decisions are all part of the adventure.

One of my favourite moments was watching Diggory quietly settle while we pitched the tent, snooze beside us in cafés and simply take the world in.

Those moments don't happen overnight, and I never take them for granted.

They're the result of lots of tiny choices and skills built over time.

I'm so grateful for this little adventure... and so excited to share more with you.

06/07/2026

Helping adventures go smoothly isn't just about having a good recall.

It's about learning to spot what your dog might be thinking next.

One little rule I often follow is this...

If we leave the main path, there's a much greater chance my dog will become absorbed in all the incredible scents and wildlife around him. That's exactly what dogs are designed to notice.
If I'm not completely confident he'll disengage and come away once absorbed, I'd rather prevent that rise in arousal before it happens.

That's where disengagement games become so valuable.
They help your dog notice the environment, think about it and choose to reconnect with you, so you can get back to enjoying your adventure together.

25/06/2026

I'd rather see you on a mountain than in a classroom. ❤️🏕️🐾

Training matters.

But life together matters more.

I know this might sound strange coming from a dog trainer…

I don't want your dog to become your project.

I want them to be your companion.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely believe in training and I care deeply about helping dogs and humans learn together. But I've never wanted life with a dog to revolve around classes, certificates or perfection.

For me, training has always been about something bigger. Develop the skills to enjoy life together...

The mountain views.
The coffee stops.
The camping trips.
The quiet moments in between.

Because one day, I don't think we'll remember how many sessions we attended.

We'll remember the life we shared together.

If your dream isn't a perfect dog, but simply a lovely life with the dog you adore, then you're my kind of people.

24/06/2026

Just a gentle reminder that heat alone can have a huge impact on our dogs.

Poor sleep.
Hot weather.
Changes in routine.
Excitement.
Frustration.

These things don't happen in isolation.

They build up, and what we see on the surface is often just the visible part of the story.

So if your dog feels a little different lately…

stay curious.

Slow things down.

And remember, sometimes the kindest thing we can do is support them through the moment rather than push through it.

Stay safe everyone ☀️

23/06/2026

Too hot for a long walk?

That doesn't mean we can't provide our dogs with an outlet.

Here are three of my favourite activities that are perfect for warmer days and can help facilitate calmness too:

🌿 Passive scent work
Searching and indicating where the food is hidden. Does require some additional learning for your dog to indicate.

🌿 Active scent work
Scattering food and letting your dog use their incredible nose.

🌿 Snuffling and foraging
Cardboard boxes, paper and kibble can provide a wonderful outlet and confidence boost.

Calmness doesn't always mean doing less.

Sometimes it means giving our dogs opportunities to do the things they love, in ways that help them stay comfortable, optimistic and emotionally steady 🤍

Which one do you think your dog would enjoy most?

22/06/2026

Simple games like this can do so much more than just keep dogs busy.

Outlet.
Optimism.
Confidence.
For some dogs, a chance to practise working through a little frustration too.

(Always remembering that every dog is different, and the game itself should feel good, not overwhelming)

17/06/2026

Lagotto owners will understand… a walk isn't complete until they've done what it says on the tin. 💦😂"

Italian Water Dog doing what they do best.....

02/06/2026

As I reflected on our journey together, I found myself thinking about one of the biggest lessons he's taught me over the years.

In my latest blog, I share what I've learned about helping dogs enjoy the world around them without becoming completely lost in it, developing those skills sit at the heart of so much of my work.

🐾 Read the full blog below.

These 5 years have allowed me to really show up and to help Diggory feel connected on walks without ignoring the world. Build calm, confidence and freedom.