Crimson Hound Training

10/22/2026

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/online/an-introduction-to-muzzles/

Join us for an informal conversation with The Muzzle Movement about choosing, fitting and introducing muzzles positively.

In conversation with Annie Dowell-Caffrey from The Muzzle Movement
Muzzles can be a really useful tool, but knowing which muzzle to choose, how to fit it and how to get your dog comfortable wearing one can feel a bit daunting.

Join us for an informal conversation with Annie Dowell-Caffrey, Community Education and Engagement Officer at The Muzzle Movement, to talk all things muzzles.

We'll be chatting with Annie about some of the common questions and concerns people have when it comes to muzzle use.

We'll be talking about:
Why might a dog need to wear a muzzle?
How do you choose the right muzzle?
What makes a good fit?
How do you introduce a muzzle to your dog?
How can you make wearing a muzzle a positive experience?
What should a dog be able to do while wearing one?
What are some of the common mistakes people make?
What if your dog already dislikes their muzzle?
And, of course, some of the common myths around muzzles.
There will also be plenty of time for your questions, so you'll have the chance to ask Annie about anything you're unsure about.

Annie Dowell-Caffrey is the Community Education and Engagement Officer at The Muzzle Movement, where she works to help people understand and use muzzles in a positive and practical way.

10/22/2026

WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY

Sitting with your dog, at a distance where he is relaxed, allows him to observe, assess and process the environment.

Watching the world go by is another great way to proactively help a reactive dog learn how to deal with his triggers. Sit with your dog at a distance at which he is relaxed and then just … be. When he checks in, calmly and quietly reward. This allows your dog to observe, assess and process the environment and his triggers to help him understand that these things are not a threat.

Depending on the level of your dog’s fear or anxiety, you will need to start where your dog can be successful - this might be inside your house, in your car, on your front porch, in the back yard or out in nature. Then, slowly, move into the community as your dog is able to cope.

Whether you need advice on how to help your fearful dog, have concerns about aggressive behavior, are struggling with puppy issues, or just want to set your dog or puppy up for success, I can help. Contact me today by email [email protected] or visit my website CrimsonHound.

10/22/2026

You'll often hear someone say, "I've been working with dogs for 20 years," as though that alone should be sufficient evidence of their expertise.

Experience is valuable. Working with dogs, observing and recognising body language and developing skills are essential to becoming a trainer. But experience and education are not mutually exclusive. You can, and arguably should, have both.

If somebody has spent 20 years using the same methods without questioning them, exploring new research or understanding behaviour, what have those 20 years actually taught them? There's a difference between having 20 years of experience and repeating one year of experience 20 times.

Without an understanding of learning theory, behavioural science, stress physiology and animal welfare, we risk confusing the suppression of behaviour with genuine behavioural improvement.

Dogs are another species, with their own evolutionary history, sensory experiences, communication systems and biological needs. If we're making a living influencing their behaviour, particularly when they cannot verbally explain what they're experiencing, shouldn't we want to understand them?

Imagine consulting a psychologist whose only qualification was having worked with people for a long time. We'd have questions.

Yet in dog training, individuals can advertise themselves as experts in aggression and other complex behaviours without having any recognised formal education in animal behaviour.

I'm not suggesting every trainer needs a degree, or that academic qualifications automatically make someone competent. But anyone offering professional advice on animal behaviour should be able to demonstrate an investment in understanding the science.

It's not simply the qualification. It's what pursuing it says about someone's approach to their profession. Studying requires time, money, effort and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to have your beliefs challenged. The more you learn, the more you realise how much you don't know.

Experience matters. But experience should never become an excuse to stop learning.

10/21/2026

We often assume a tired dog is a calm dog. For some dogs a long, exciting walk pushes arousal up and leaves them struggling to settle for hours, their body still busy long after the lead comes off. Building in calmer activities, sniffing, chewing and slow decompression walks, helps the nervous system come back down. Learn to read when your dog needs stimulation and when they need rest.

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

PREVENT FIXATION

Fixation is not the same as looking or watching. Looking and watching involve relaxed body language and shifting gaze. Fixation is a fixed stare, often with stiff, forward body posture.

So, why is fixation a bad thing? Fixation is an indicator that your dog is at or near his threshold. If it goes on long enough, a reaction is almost sure to follow.

How can you prevent fixation?
Let your dog look for three seconds and then ask him to look back at you. He can continue watching the trigger, but ask him to check in with you every few seconds. This prevents fixating on the trigger.

How can you get your dog to look back at you?
First, you have to train this behavior at home in a quiet environment before you can expect it to work in the moment that it is needed.
So …
- Practice using your dog’s name or another cue as a signal for him to check in with you.
- Teach a pattern game that involves checking in with you - Up/Down, Ping Pong, etc.
- Teach Find It until it is virtually reflexive - then use it to redirect your dog’s attention to sniffing for treats.

You can pre-empt fixating by labeling things that catch your dog’s attention, then reward him when he looks to you. This becomes a fun game of “I Spy a Trigger”.

Whether you need advice on how to help your fearful dog, have concerns about aggressive behavior, are struggling with puppy issues, or just want to set your dog or puppy up for success, I can help. Contact me today by email [email protected] or visit my website CrimsonHound.