PATS

11/06/2025

I just love watching the puppies entertain themselves, especially when they think their reflection is a play mate!

11/06/2025

Why I Love Using Slow Feeders!

Slow feeders are such a simple but effective way to add enrichment to your dog's mealtimes—and I absolutely love using them!

Not only do they make meals last longer (which helps with digestion and reduces gulping), but they also turn eating into a mentally stimulating activity. I use a variety of different feeders—like puzzle bowls, lick mats, and snuffle mats—to keep things fresh and fun. Changing up the feeder each day prevents boredom and encourages your dog to think, problem-solve, and engage their natural foraging instincts.

It’s not just about slowing them down—it’s about giving them a challenge, a little mental workout, and an opportunity to feel satisfied both physically and mentally.
🌟 Benefits of Slow Feeders:

Promotes slower eating, helping prevent bloating or choking

Encourages problem-solving and focus

Provides mental stimulation, especially important for high-energy or working breeds

Helps reduce boredom-related behaviours

Makes meals more enriching

If your dog tends to wolf down their food, or if you’re just looking to make mealtimes more engaging, I highly recommend trying out a few different types. You might be surprised at how much your dog enjoys the challenge—and how much calmer they are afterwards!

Got a favourite slow feeder or enrichment tip? Drop it in the comments 👇 I’m always looking for new ideas!
P.S I have these mats for sale. (On special at $25) Hurry, only 2 left.

10/06/2025

I love this post, it’s so well described. A lesson to us all!

When can I stop using food. Heads up? Never.

But...'fading reinforcement' doesn’t mean removing it completely. I think we humans often rush to fade the food before the behaviour is truly fluent, or even close. Slow down. If the behaviour isn’t solid it won’t survive fading.

My GOAL is not to reduce food but it becomes a by-product of good shaping and sequencing.

You don’t need to aim for less reinforcement. If you’re shaping cleanly and building behaviours into sequences/chains, you’ll naturally reinforce less often.

Each well-learned step becomes part of a structure the horse understands. There’s no need to force a ‘variable schedule’.
If you focus on clarity and good training 'construction'...then the reinforcement fades itself.

09/06/2025

Think she’s settled in!

07/06/2025

Cheeky little devil! 😈

04/06/2025

Managed to get a lift to work today!! First day in 7 weeks after having surgery. Meet Remey who is training as an Assistance Dog. He and his owner were amazing!

02/06/2025

I love stories like this. Everyone deserves some LOVE! ❤️

21/05/2025

Great information.

Are dog parks really safe for socialisation? ❓
Dog parks aren’t for every dog.

They can be fantastic for some — and incredibly stressful for others.

➡️ Don’t throw your dog in the deep end.
If they’re not naturally social, a dog park won't “fix” them. In fact, it may make things worse ….especially for nervous or easily overwhelmed dogs.

➡️ Not all dogs play the same.
Each dog has their own personality, energy level, and play style. We all need to respect their differences.

➡️ Watch out for "gang greetings."
When a group of dogs rushes the gate to greet a new arrival, it can cause instant stress or conflict.

➡️ If your dog looks overwhelmed, leave.
Your dog’s comfort matters much more than pushing through.

➡️ Match your dog with dogs that have similar energy and not just wishful thinking.

➡️ Smaller, vocal dogs often attract unwanted attention.
That “interest” isn’t always a positive.

➡️ Leave toys at home.
It reduces resource guarding issues, tension or over arousal.

➡️ Never been to one before?
Observe from outside first. Watch and “feel” the vibe.

This dog training graphic (and over 130 more) available through our website
Just click the Dog Training Graphics tab.

20/05/2025

What a great save. 😁