Co-operative Canines Dog Training & Behaviour

17/05/2026

TICK SEASON...
Don't forget to carry your tick remover with you and to check your dog after walks. I found a tick inside the dog's ear last week after a walk.

06/05/2026

THIS PHOTO IS A REMINDER THAT, AS CLEVER AS ANIMALS ARE, WE STILL NEED TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND OUR LANGUAGE!

Whilst dogs are naturals at picking up on our body language, tone of voice and our emotions, we do still need to help them understand our language. As with the bird below, I have not yet taught a dog to read but I can help you improve communication and training! I can also help you have a better understanding of how your dogs are trying to communicate with you.

20/04/2026

PET PORTRAITS
I was at Petworth House Spring Fair recently and met this very talented artist who works with coloured pencils. Take a look at her website or visit her at one of her events where you can fully appreciate the fine detail of her work.

I fulfilled my dream of moving to the countryside in 2018  and feel very blessed to live in amongst so much natural beauty and inspiration. 

14/04/2026

WOULD YOUR DOG ENJOY LEARNING IN A MORE PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT THAN CLASSES?
We can all learn much better when we are relaxed and our dogs are no different. My one-to-one training offers quiet, calm training in your home, garden and suitable public exercise areas or private secure field of your choice. Please get in touch for more information.

A previous client shown here relaxing in his garden after some play-training!

www.co-operativecanines.co.uk
07752 427804

08/04/2026

Working with this fabulous young Cocker yesterday for some recall and play training out and about on fields near Chichester. This is his 'goodbye' quiet place as visitors exit the home - very sweet and he can 'kiss' through the gap!

04/04/2026

ONE-TO-ONE TRAINING IN SECURE FIELDS
I was training with a client at Paw Paddock recently and it's a fantastic location for practising training, especially recall and gaining focus, all in a secure and relaxing environment.
Please note though that you should take a bowl and water to the enclosure as there is a hose and bowl but it's by the entrance so dogs might get thirsty whilst down in the paddock.
Please get in touch if you'd like help with training at home, in public, or at a secure field such as this.

Happy Easter to you and all your dogs and take care keeping those holiday chocolates out of reach of your dogs ...

Sally Bartlett
www.co-operativecanines.co.uk
07752 427804

Our brand new Paddock in Shripney is now open!

18/03/2026

SPRING IS HERE AND WALKING YOUR BEST FRIEND SHOULD BE A PLEASURE ...
If you need help to teach good loose lead-walking please get in touch. As well as a variety of ways to teach this, as an interim measure I sometimes teach owners how to use a headcollar, despite many owners saying their dog won't accept them.

To teach a dog to be happy walking with a headcollar just requires a kind and gentle introduction and being shown how to use the headcollar effectively so that your dog is comfortable and confident wearing one.

Some owners are happy to use the headcollar long-term but it can also be used, along with teaching other lead-walking techniques, as an interim measure to teach good lead-walking on just a collar and lead.

The photo and video is of a dog I recently taught to walk nicely on the headcollar even though previously the dog had not accepted wearing it and would struggle to remove it. As the video shows, the lead should be kept loose when the dog is walking nicely beside you, with just a very gentle squeeze of the lead to remind the dog to slow down. This was only day 1 of training and she was slightly too far ahead but with gentle training over a couple more days she walked closer to my leg. In the video you will also see (and hear) that I was asking for a 'Wait' at the kerb.

05/03/2026

OSTEOARTHRITIS IN DOGS...

I attended an interesting webinar by Hannah Capon MRCVS yesterday and wanted to share her website details - see below.

There is information for dog owners (although some will be via a £35 annual fee for access to videos and articles) or Hannah can also provide you with a personalised online consultation for your dog.

What is very important to remember is that we should be thinking about osteoarthritis from puppy to adult in order to reduce the impact of this debilitating disease and how to best recognise early signs and therefore reduce its impact as soon as possible.

Many dogs are left for too long without help when even simple changes in the home and exercise areas can help - such as comfy beds, avoid dogs getting cold, avoid outdoor exercise areas such as shingle beaches and uneven surfaces, ensure your home does not have areas where your dogs slips - she says "More Rugs, Less Drugs" - a very sensible approach.

I have often seen dogs expected to rest on cold hard surfaces while owners stop for refreshments, dogs slipping badly, including back legs giving way, and thin beds which do not offer any support or comfort. All of these are easy and affordable first steps to help your puppies and older dogs have a more comfortable life. Also, of course, ensuring your dog is not overweight and that they have a suitable diet.

Managing ArthritisWhat to avoid What TO AVOID TOD SAYS... Monitor your dog's behaviour and mobility closely. Many interventions take time to take effect! Above all, owners should avoid becoming complacent. Arthritis is a progressive disease. As with people, symptoms can naturally wax and wane with s...

19/02/2026

This fabulous little Patterdale x JR lay on my feet and then snuggled on sofa next to me during a rest in training (also impressive that she trusted me while she ate her chew). Cuddles with clients' dogs is a very nice job perk!

23/01/2026

DON'T WASTE PRECIOUS PUPPY EDUCATION TIME...

I offer private training and behavioual advice in your home as soon as you get your puppy. I've been working recently with this little treasure (8.5 weeks in the photo).

She is so clever (and her 'parents' have worked hard!) that now at 11 weeks she has learned: Heel, Wait, Sit, Go to Bed, Down, Recall (voice and whistle), Retrieve a toy, Leave.

All taught in fun ways for a very happy puppy.

Here she is having a well earned rest in her puppy bedroom