http://www.fivestardogtraining.ie/

Five Star Dog Training Ireland, Sligo (2026)

15/10/2026

PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR HALLOWEEN - SWEETS & CHOCOLATE EDITION 🍬

Halloween means sweets, chocolate and treats everywhere — but what’s a tasty treat for us can be dangerous for our dogs.

Here are a few simple ways to keep your dog safe:

1️⃣Keep chocolate well out of reach.
Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the darker the chocolate, the greater the risk. Keep chocolate, sweets and treats securely stored where your dog can't get to them.

2️⃣Don't leave the Halloween treats unattended.
A bowl of sweets on a coffee table might look harmless, but many dogs won't hesitate to help themselves! Keep treats somewhere secure, particularly when children are coming and going.

3️⃣Be especially careful with sugar-free sweets.
Some sugar-free products contain Xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. Always check the ingredients before allowing your dog access to any human food.

4️⃣Keep sweet wrappers away too.
It's not just the sweets themselves. Wrappers can also cause problems if swallowed, so make sure discarded wrappers go straight into a secure bin.

5️⃣️Give your dog their own Halloween treat.
Why should the humans have all the fun? Prepare a dog-friendly chew, stuffed food toy or suitable treat so your dog has something enjoyable while everyone else enjoys their sweets.

6️⃣Make sure children know the rules.
If you have children in the house, teach them not to share their sweets with the dog and to keep their treats safely out of reach.

7️⃣Know what to do if your dog gets into the treats.
If your dog manages to eat chocolate, sweets or an unknown product, don't wait for symptoms to appear. Keep the packaging so you know exactly what they've eaten and seek veterinary advice promptly.

Halloween should be fun for everyone — including our dogs.

A little preparation can prevent a very stressful night and help keep your four-legged family members safe.

Five Star Dog Training — Where GOOD dogs learn to be GREAT dogs.

13/10/2026

PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR HALLOWEEN - SAFETY EDITION ⚠️

With fireworks, costumes, strangers at the door, loud noises and potentially stormy weather, dogs can become frightened and try to escape. A few simple precautions can make all the difference.

Here are some things to check before Halloween night:

1️⃣ Take a recent photograph.
Make sure you have a clear, up-to-date photo of your dog. If they were to escape, having a recent photograph ready can be incredibly useful when asking others to help look for them.

2️⃣ Check their microchip details.
Make sure your dog's microchip is registered and that your contact details are up to date. If you've recently moved or changed your phone number, check that this has been updated.

3️⃣ Check your garden and fences.
Walk around your garden and look for gaps, loose panels, damaged fencing or areas where your dog could squeeze underneath or climb over. Remember that a frightened dog may be capable of escaping somewhere they normally wouldn't attempt.

4️⃣ Secure side gates and doors.
Make sure all gates are properly closed and secured. With people coming and going throughout the evening, it's very easy for a gate or door to be left open accidentally.

5️⃣Keep your dog safely indoors.
Don't leave your dog outside during fireworks or when there are lots of people coming to the house. A frightened dog can escape remarkably quickly.

6️⃣ Create a safe space.
Set up a quiet area where your dog can retreat from the noise and activity. Include their bed, blankets and a favourite chew or stuffed food toy.

7️⃣ Be careful with the front door.
With trick-or-treaters arriving throughout the evening, consider using a baby gate, internal door or another barrier to prevent your dog getting access to the front door.

8️⃣ Check their collar and ID tag.
Make sure their collar fits correctly and their identification tag is readable and securely attached. Even with a microchip, visible identification can help quickly reunite you both if someone finds your dog.

9️⃣Don't force your dog to interact.
Costumes, masks, loud noises and unfamiliar people can be frightening. Give your dog the choice to retreat and allow them to spend the evening somewhere quiet if that's what they need.

Take a few minutes before Halloween to make sure your dog, your home and your garden are escape-proof. Prevention is always better than trying to find a missing dog in the dark, in bad weather and surrounded by loud noises.

Five Star Dog Training — Where GOOD dogs learn to be GREAT dogs.

11/10/2026

PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR HALLOWEEN - TRICK or TREATERS EDITION🎃

Halloween can be an exciting time for families, but the constant doorbell ringing, knocking and trick-or-treaters coming to the door can be very overwhelming for our dogs.

A little preparation can help your dog stay calm, comfortable and confident throughout the evening.

Here’s how to get practice ahead of the big day:

Step 1️⃣: Practice with the doorbell.
Play a recording of your doorbell at a low volume or have someone gently knock on the door. Start at a level where your dog remains relaxed.

Step 2️⃣: Create a positive association.
As the doorbell rings or someone knocks, offer your dog tasty treats, a chew toy or a food-stuffed toy. We want your dog to learn that these sounds predict good things.

Step 3️⃣: Practise calm behaviour.
Teach your dog to go to a designated bed or mat when the doorbell rings. Reward them for going to their spot and settling calmly. Practice this in short sessions before Halloween night.

Step 4️⃣: Gradually increase the challenge.
As your dog becomes more comfortable, practice with louder doorbells, realistic knocking and someone approaching the door whilst your dog remains on their bed location. Take your time, allow them to win rewards for getting it right and keep things positive.

Step 5️⃣: Set your dog up for success on Halloween night.
Consider using a baby gate or keeping your dog in a quiet room away from the front door, especially while children are coming and going. Provide a comfortable resting area, background noise and something enjoyable to chew.

Remember: Your dog doesn't have to greet every visitor! If they become worried, bark excessively or struggle to settle, give them space away from the activity. Keep doors and gates secure to prevent accidental escapes.

Start early, practice little and often, and help your dog enjoy a calmer Halloween.

Five Star Dog Training — Where GOOD dogs learn to be GREAT dogs.

08/10/2026

PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR HALLOWEEN - FIREWORKS EDITION🎆

Fireworks season can be stressful for our dogs, but a little preparation NOW can make a big difference on the big day.

One very effective approach to train animals to understand that fireworks are nothing to worry about, is called Desensitisation. This a training exercise to help your dog become more comfortable with fireworks sounds while building positive associations with them.

Here’s how to get started:

Step 1️⃣: Start with a low volume.
Find a recording of fireworks on YouTube and play it at a very low volume, ensuring your dog remains relaxed.

Step 2️⃣: Create a positive association.
While the sounds are playing, let your dog enjoy a chew toy, a teddy or a food-stuffed toy.

Step 3️⃣: Keep sessions short.
A few minutes every day is a great place to start.

Step 4️⃣: Gradually increase the volume.
As your dog becomes more comfortable and indifferent to the sound, slowly increase the volume over multiple sessions. There’s no rush!

Step 5️⃣: Watch your dog’s body language.
If your dog shows signs of worry or discomfort, reduce the volume or stop the session and try again another day at an easier level.

Remember: The goal is to keep your dog relaxed and happy throughout the process. Never increase the volume if your dog is showing signs of stress.

Start early, take it slowly and help your dog build confidence one step at a time.

Five Star Dog Training — Where GOOD dogs learn to be GREAT dogs.

18/09/2026

Funny where a career with dogs can take you. 🐾

A little throwback while the Ploughing Championships are on this week.

Back in 2019, I found myself on stage at the Ploughing Championships talking about animal welfare, responsible dog ownership and dog control, with my dog Hurley by my side.

President Michael D. Higgins was coming around to thank everyone who had taken part in the day. Many of you will know that Michael D. is a BIG dog lover, and sure enough, the minute he spotted Hurley, he made a beeline for us!

He grabbed Hurley’s lead, gave him plenty of fuss, told him what a wonderful boy he was, and wanted to hear all about my work as an Animal Welfare Officer.

A few years later, that frontline experience led me to become Head of the ISPCA National Animal Centre, where I took on a very different side of the same work — caring for dogs coming into rescue and helping them on the next stage of their journey. It was hugely rewarding, but it also help to change the way I looked at dog welfare.

I realised that if I want to give more dogs the chance of a happy, loving life, I also have to help the person at the other end of the lead.

And that eventually led me to Five Star Dog Training.

Today, I get to help owners understand their dogs, communicate with them and build the skills they need to live happily together. Helping rescue dogs and the people giving them a second chance, is something that remains very close to my heart.

Looking back at this photograph, I realise that while my job title has changed over the years, the reason I've always worked with dogs hasn't.

It's always been about giving dogs the best possible chance at life.

And I'm pretty sure Hurley would approve. ❤️🐾

16/09/2026

🎓The first few months with YOUR PUPPY shape the DOG they will become. Give them (and yourself!) the best possible head start.🎓

Our upcoming Puppy Pre-School is a 5-week hands on course designed to help you build good habits early, before problem behaviours ever get the chance to set in.

👉 New course starts FRIDAY evening, 25th SEPTEMBER in Collooney, Co. Sligo.

Enroll in our small, supportive classes and by the end, you'll have:

✅ A home set up so your puppy can settle in and grow up well
✅ Know exactly what your puppy needs, day to day, to be happy and healthy
✅ A pup who isn't nipping, chewing everything, jumping up or having accidents in the house
✅ Understand why your puppy does what it does, so training makes sense instead of feeling like guesswork
✅ The whole family speaking the same language when it comes to house rules
✅ Simple homework each week so progress keeps building, not just during class
✅ A confident, well-socialised puppy who's comfortable around other dogs

Suitable for pups under 5 months. If you'd like to give your puppy the best possible foundation and learn more about how dogs think & learn along the way, we'd love to have you both JOIN US.

Message for a BOOKING FORM now!

Any Questions? Send us a message, we're always happy to chat about puppies.

13/09/2026

Number 5 is no word of a lie! There are a lot of great puppy products out there, but you don't need to buy half the shop to give your puppy a great head start.

We've picked 5 things we'd genuinely recommend every new puppy owner to have in their toolkit and there isn't a squeaky chicken in sight!!

13/09/2026

🐾⭐ GOT A NEW PUPPY? LET'S SET THEM UP FOR LIFE! 🎓

The puppy stage doesn't last long — but the habits they learn can last a lifetime.

That tiny bundle of fluff is learning EVERYTHING right now — how to behave, how to communicate, how to cope with the world and, most importantly, how to be your best friend. ❤️

But let's be honest… puppyhood is hard!

The biting.
The jumping.
The toilet training.
The zoomies.
The "selective hearing". 😂

And all those moments where you think… "Am I actually doing this right?"

That's where PUPPY PRE-SCHOOL comes in! 🐶🎓

Our next 5-WEEK PUPPY PRE-SCHOOL starts Friday 25th September in Collooney, Co. Sligo, and it's designed specifically for puppies under 5 months old.

Over the 5 weeks, we'll help you:

✅Socialise your puppy safely and positively
✅Learn how to communicate in a way your dog actually understands
✅Understand your puppy's behaviour and why they do what they do
✅Prevent common problem behaviours before they become habits
✅Build confidence, focus and a fantastic relationship with your dog
✅And most importantly… feel like you've got this!

This isn't just about teaching your puppy to "sit" and "stay".

It's about giving you the knowledge and confidence to raise a happy, well-adjusted dog.

⭐ Vet Recommended
⭐ Family Friendly
⭐ 5 weeks of professional training & guidance

🚨 ONLY 4 PLACES LEFT!

If you've got a new puppy in Sligo or Leitrim, now is the time to get started.

👉 COMMENT "PUPPY" below or send us a message and we'll send you the booking form.

Let's give your puppy the BEST possible start in life.

11/09/2026

Puppies!!! They’re fluffy. They’re cuddly. They smell like heaven… and then, five minutes later, they’ve eaten a sock, peed on the floor, barked at a leaf and forgotten everything they’ve ever been taught.

There is no doubt about it. Puppies are hard work! They’re messy, exhausting and occasionally make you question your life choices. But somehow, they’re also completely, ridiculously worth it. ❤️🐾

Would I recommend getting a puppy?
Absolutely.
Would I recommend getting one without doing your homework first?
Absolutely not. 😂

If you need any advice or are looking to train up your new addition to the family then you're in luck. Our next PUPPY PRE-SCHOOL for pups under 5 months, starts September 25th!

If your pup is older than 5 months, NO PROBLEM, we got you covered in the next level up, DOGGY PRIMARY SCHOOL, also starting Friday 25th September.
DM or call 0861048765 for more info!

08/09/2026

Does your dog already know their basics at home... but you'd love a bit more consistency out in the real world?

If you've got a social, dog-friendly, lovable dog but could use some polishing; Better Manners on the Lead, Calmer Greetings, more Reliable Listening — you're exactly who we love working with!

Most dogs like this don't need "fixing." They just need the chance to practice good habits in more places, with a bit of guidance and the right communication.
Small, steady wins are what build a dog who's a genuine pleasure to take anywhere, anytime — on walks, to the shops, when friends pop round.

That's exactly what our GROUP CLASSES are for — a relaxed, encouraging space where you and your dog build real-life skills together, with plenty of treats and training along the way.

🐾 Our next 5 Week Group Obedience Classes start on September 25th, evenings, in Collooney, Co. Sligo. Spaces are open now — ideal for friendly, food-motivated dogs ready to sharpen their manners!

Five Star Dog Training Ireland

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