The Paw-sitive Experience

13/10/2026

Tuesday at Highgate

12/10/2026

Monday at Highgate & Friars

11/10/2026

We've all seen it. A dog spots a squirrel, a rabbit or a duck, & off they go, ears flapping & legs flying. It's tempting to stand back & smile because they're "just having fun."

But chasing is far more powerful than it looks.

For a dog, the chase itself is the reward. Their brain releases dopamine, the "wanting" chemical, which makes chasing feel brilliant whether they catch anything or not. And every chase is practice. A dog who chases on every walk isn't getting it out of their system. They're getting better at it.

In my latest blog I explain:

• Why chasing is so addictive
• How it chips away at impulse control & recall
• Why it matters even more for reactive dogs
• The impact on wildlife
• Fear-free ways to give your dog a safe outlet for their instincts

And if your dog has ever shot off after a rabbit before you even saw it, don't worry. That's different, & I cover that too. 🐾🩷🐾

Is letting your dog chase squirrels, rabbits or ducks really harmless fun? Discover why chasing is so addictive, how it affects impulse control, recall and reactivity, the impact on wildlife, and fear-free ways to give your dog a safer outlet for their instincts.

11/10/2026

Saturday Class Recap!

What a brilliant Saturday!

Puppy Foundations – Week 5
Practice week! We put lots of work into loose lead walking & practised recall around distractions. Practice really does make progress: every repetition strengthens the pathways in the brain that link a cue to a behaviour, so the more often it's rewarded, the easier & faster it becomes, even when there's something exciting going on.

Puppy Foundations – Week 2
Loose lead week! We worked on making walking by your side the best place to be. Lots of rewards in the "sweet spot" next to the handler, & some great early progress from everyone.

Adolescent Class – Week 1
A brand new group joined us & they were fantastic. New places are a lot for adolescent brains to take in, so we focused on settling calmly in a new environment, plus some impulse control & focus work. The part of the brain responsible for self-control is still developing during adolescence, which is why calm & patience matter so much at this age.

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11/10/2026

PUPPY CLASS ALERT! 🐶

New puppy in the house? Chewed socks, midnight zoomies & tiny teeth on everything? You're in exactly the right place.

My 7-week Puppy Foundations course starts Saturday 24th October, 9.30–10.30am at Wollaston Village Hall.

Here's a bit of science: puppies' brains are building connections faster now than at any other time in their lives. What they experience now shapes how they see the world as adults. Happy, positive experiences now mean a confident, calm dog later.

Over 7 fun-packed weeks:
Week 1 – Foundations & focus
Week 2 – Loose lead walking
Week 3 – Recall
Week 4 – Calm & settle
Week 5 – Confidence & enrichment
Week 6 – Practice & recap (this one's on Sunday 29th November)
Week 7 – Assessment & FUN!

All fear-free & reward-based. Suitable for puppies from 12 weeks to 6–7 months, with no more than 6 puppies per class, so everyone gets plenty of help.

Spaces always go fast! Have a look & book here: https://www.thepaw-sitiveexperience.co.uk/puppy-class

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09/10/2026

Friday at Highgate and Friars Gorse

08/10/2026

Bonfire Night is less than a month away, & if your dog struggles with fireworks, now is the time to start preparing. Not the week before. Now.

Around half of dogs show some fear of fireworks. Without help, that fear often gets worse each year, & it can spread to other sounds like thunder, car doors or a dropped pan.

The good news? What you do in the next few weeks really can make a difference.

In my new blog I cover:

• What's actually happening in your dog's brain & body when the bangs start
• What the research says genuinely works, & what doesn't
• A simple four-week plan to start today
• What to do on the night, & the day after

If you have a puppy or young dog who seems fine with fireworks now, this one is for you too. Most firework fears start before the age of two, so this is your best window to keep it that way.

https://www.thepaw-sitiveexperience.co.uk/fireworks-season-why-preparing-now-matters-and-what-actually-works

Want more support? My two Paw-sitive Guides take you further:

• Coping with Fireworks & Noise Phobias: a science-based, practical guide to helping your dog feel calm & safe through loud sounds

• Noise Phobia Desensitisation & Sound Confidence Workbook: a step-by-step, printable programme to gently rebuild your dog's confidence around noise.

You can find them here https://payhip.com/b/WTE8B

Please share with anyone whose dog finds this time of year hard 🐾🩷🐾

Bonfire Night is a month away, and now is the time to prepare. Discover why firework fear often gets worse without help, what the latest research says actually works, and a practical four-week plan to help your dog feel safer this fireworks season.

08/10/2026

Thursday at Highgate and Friars