Positive Training For Canines

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Positive Training For Canines Positive Training For Canines is a small training group based in Wi******er, UK.

I had the pleasure of meeting and assessing young Jovi for Pawsable yesterday. For such a young lad, he did amazingly we...
15/10/2026

I had the pleasure of meeting and assessing young Jovi for Pawsable yesterday.

For such a young lad, he did amazingly well. The bond between him and his human was lovely. We visited Waitrose, the park and a cafe and he took it all in his stride, totally acing the assessment.

Really can't wait to watch his progress through the program 💪🏻🐾

Well done team Jovi 🎉

14/10/2026

More exercise isn't always the answer....🐾

When our adolescent dogs start bouncing off the walls, it's easy to assume they need a bigger walk, a longer hike or more physical exercise.

But often, that's not what they're really missing.

Just like teenagers, adolescent dogs are going through huge changes in their brains and bodies. During this stage, they can become more easily overstimulated, emotionally reactive and struggle to cope with the world around them.

Sometimes adding more physical exercise can actually make matters worse, creating a fitter dog with an even bigger fuel tank!

✅ Enrichment helps satisfy natural behaviours such as sniffing, licking, chewing, foraging and problem solving.

✅ Rest is essential for growing brains and bodies. Overtired dogs can struggle with focus, become more reactive and find it harder to regulate their emotions.

✅ Emotional Wellbeing matters just as much as physical fitness. Dogs need to feel safe, understood and able to process their experiences without being constantly ''on''

A slow sniffy walk, a food puzzle, a scatter feed in the garden, or simply a day to decompress can sometimes be far more beneficial than adding another mile to the walk.

If your adolescent dog seems "too much", ask yourself:

💭 Do they need more exercise? 💭 Or do they need more opportunities to rest, decompress and engage in species - appropriate enrichment?

The goal isn't to tire our dogs out. The goal is to help them feel balanced, fulfilled and emotionally well.

What enrichment activity does your adolescent dog love most? 🐶

11/10/2026

Help! My dog has suddenly started barking at other dogs! 😧

'My dog used to be fine with other dogs, but now they're barking at them on walks!!'

It can feel like it has come completely out of nowhere. If your dog has entered adolescence, typically between 6-24 months depending on breed, it's not unusual to see barking, lunging or generally bigger reactions towards other dogs start to emerge.

So what happened?

🐾 Their brain is changing. The parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation and decision making are still maturing , which can lead to more impulsive reactions.

🐾 Confidence can fluctuate. Many adolescent dogs experience fear periods where things that previously seemed fine suddenly feel worrying, overwhelming or even scary.

🐾 Increased awareness of the world. As puppies mature, they become more conscious of their environment. They start paying attention to things they may have ignored before, including other dogs.

🐾 Previous experiences start to matter more. A dog doesn't need a dramatic negative experience to become reactive. As they mature, they may begin to feel differently about interactions they once tolerated or enjoyed.

🐾 Barking is communication. Most reactive barking is not about dominance, stubbornness, or a dog trying to be the boss . More often, it's a sign that they are feeling uncomfortable, conflicted, frustrated, worried, or simply don't know how else to cope with the situation.

The good news?

The appearance of reactivity during adolescence does not mean your dog is aggressive, and it certainly doesn't mean you have failed. With understanding, management and training that focuses on changing emotions rather than suppressing behaviour, many dogs can make huge progress.

If your adolescent dog has started barking at other dogs, take a step back and ask yourself:

👉 What might they be feeling?
👉 What are they trying to communicate?
👉 How can I make them feel safer?

Behaviour is communication. When we start listening, we start helping.

Have you started to notice changes in your adolescent dog around other dogs? Let me know in the comments below 👇

10/10/2026

🐾 What Your Teenage Dog Wishes You Knew 🐾

Dear Human,

I know you're a bit confused right now.

A few months ago I came when you called. I listened more often. I didn't seem quite so interested in every leaf, bird, dog, person, smell and discarded sandwich I came across.

And now?

Well....things have changed.

Before you label me as stubborn, naughty or determined to ruin your day, there are a few things I'd like you to know.

💭 My brain is changing
There is a lot going on up there right now. I'm learning, developing and figuring out how the world works. Sometimes my impulses win before my good decisions have a chance to catch up.

💭 I haven't forgotten everything you've taught me
I know you think I have. Honestly, sometimes I look as surprised as you do when I ignore a cue I've known for months.

The problem isn't that I've forgotten. It's that the world has suddenly become a very distracting place.

💭 Some things that never worried me before might suddenly feel scary.

That bin? Suspicious
That tractor? Terrifying
That statue I've walked past 73 times? Definitely plotting something.

Please be patient with me while I work through it.

💭 I need guidance, not punishment
When I'm struggling, it's not because I'm trying to be difficult.

Most of the time I'm excited, worried, overwhelmed or simply finding it hard to make good choices.

💭 I'm trying
Even when it doesn't look like it.
Even when I pull towards another dog.
Even when I bark.
Even when I refuse to walk.
Even when I seem more interested in a patch of grass than the thing you've just asked me to do.

💭 I still need sleep. Lots of it.
My brain is doing a lot of growing right now.
When I'm tired, I'm more likely to make poor decisions, struggle with my emotions and find everything a bit harder.
Sometimes I don't need another walk, another training session or another activity.
Sometimes I just need a really good nap

💭 Most importantly, I need you to remember that this phase won't last forever.
One day you'll look back and laugh about the selective hearing, the dramatic reactions to wheelie bins and the time I embarrassed you in public.

Right now, though, I'm doing the best I can with the brain I've got.

So if you could swap frustration for a little curiosity and a bit of patience, I'd really appreciate it.

Love,

Your Teenage Dog 🐶

P.S. The statue is still suspicious

If you're living with an adolescent dog right now, tell me the strangest thing they've decided is scary this week....

This week at Vets for Pets Wi******er the pups worked on some recall, proximity whilst on lead, greeting each other appr...
10/10/2026

This week at Vets for Pets Wi******er the pups worked on some recall, proximity whilst on lead, greeting each other appropriately, playing with a toy, giving a paw and body awareness.

My next 4-week course begins on Thursday 12th November 6.30-7.30pm.

Only 2 spaces available.

For more information please check out my website www.positivetrainingforcanines.co.uk/book-now/

08/10/2026

'My dog is just being stubborn!' 🤔

It's something I hear a lot, especially from owners of adolescent dogs.

'He knows what I'm asking, he's just ignoring me'.
'Shes being stubborn'.
'Hes doing it on purpose'

But what if stubbornness isn't actually the problem?

When a dog doesn't respond to a cue, there is usually something else going on.

✅The environment may be more rewarding than you are right now
✅ They may be distracted, overwhelmed, excited or worried
✅ They may not fully understand what is being asked in that particular situation
✅ They may be in the middle of adolescence, where the world suddenly becomes a lot more interesting!

Imagine asking a teenager to tidy their room while their friends are waiting outside. If they don't do it immediately, would we say they don't understand the request, or that something else is competing for their attention?

Dogs are no different.

Training isn't really about getting dogs to obey us. It's about helping them learn, practice and succeed in increasing difficult situations.

So next time your dog appears to be 'stubborn', try asking yourself:

👉🏻 Does my dog truly understand this cue here?
👉🏻 Is the environment too difficult?
👉🏻 Are they emotionally able to respond right now?
👉🏻 Have I made the right choice easy and worthwhile?

Changing the question from 'Why is my dog stubborn' to 'What is making this hard for my dog?' often changes everything.

Behaviour is communication. When we get curious rather than frustrated, we learn far more about what our dogs need.

Have you ever realised there was another reason behind what looked like 'stubborn' behaviour? Let me know below 👇🏻

🐾 Training Ready = Success Ready 🐾When you're practicing controlled absences as part of separation anxiety training, pre...
30/09/2026

🐾 Training Ready = Success Ready 🐾

When you're practicing controlled absences as part of separation anxiety training, preparation is key.

Before you start, make sure you have everything ready to go:
✅ Cameras switched on and working
✅ Your phone connected to the cameras
✅ Your keys in your pocket if you're at the stage of leaving the house.
✅ Shoes on and ready beforehand, if you're going outside.
✅ A notebook, training diary, or notes app to record what you worked on and how your dog coped.

The last thing you want is to interrupt a session because you're searching for your keys or trying to connect to your camera!

Being organised means you can focus on what matters the most: observing your dog and ensuring they're comfortable and successful during training.

Remember, separation anxiety training is all about the little details and small wins 💙

'Just leave them to cry it out. They have to learn.' 🐾 It's advice many dog owners hear, often from well meaning people....
29/09/2026

'Just leave them to cry it out. They have to learn.' 🐾

It's advice many dog owners hear, often from well meaning people.

But learn what exactly?

That you'll come back?

Separation anxiety is a genuine fear of being left alone. If a puppy or dog is distressed, allowing them to continue feeling overwhelmed without teaching them how to cope is unlikely to solve the problem.

Dog's don't suddenly wake up one morning and think:

'I can do this today. They'll be home before I know it. What was I worried about?'

If only it were that simple!

Instead, we need to teach them the skills and and confidence on their own. We do this through tiny, manageable steps that help them learn they are safe and can cope.

Every dog is an individual, and the key is working at a pace they can handle.

💙 If you are struggling with a dog or puppy who finds being left difficult, I'd love to help.

📩 Get in touch to learn how we can build their confidence together

☎️ 0777 131 4947
💻 [email protected]
🌍 www.positivetrainingforcanines.co.uk

The puppies worked hard on Monday evening. We covered :🐾 Settles with the distraction of a mop🐾 Balls in trays (mental s...
27/09/2026

The puppies worked hard on Monday evening. We covered :

🐾 Settles with the distraction of a mop
🐾 Balls in trays (mental stimulation)
🐾 Recall
🐾 Loose lead
🐾 Waits
🐾 Greets

I run two puppy classes a week, Colden Common and Winnall.

For more information please check out my website www.positivetrainingforcanines.co.uk/book-now/

Address

Colden Common Community Centre
Wi******er
SO211UU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441962418007

Website

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