Doherty Dog Training

12/06/2026

Progress is progress 💃🏼

Traffic and noise are big stressors for Skout who couldn't respond to anything and can either bolt or pull like a steam train to avoid

Here we're walking along a busy road at lunch time which we typically avoid. On the whole, she's pretty responsive

We see a dog close by which is also incredibly exciting for her so the fact she responded to anything at all with the lab is a HUGE win 🐕

With the dog, "come" was clearly not exciting enough for her so I switched up with our fun cue of "ready" and "find it" which did the trick

Is this walk perfect: definitely not
Is she relaxed: no but I don't expect that
Is she pulling: at times but also loose times
Is she engaged: yes, with me AND sniffing!!
Does this happen every walk: no, but also some walks are even better!!

A reminder to revel in the small wins when working with any kind of behaviour problem and remember where you started 💪🏼

[Black and tan dog walking on a lead on a footpath, returning to handler when called and cued "come" until seeing an owner and brown lab in front, didn't respond to "come" but did to "ready, find it"]

05/06/2026

Seeing as I've been off grid for a while I thought I'd do a blurb on what makes up Doherty Dog Training

🐕 Rescue born and bred
Over 8 years ago I started my dog training journey as a kennel staff member before swiftly moving up to a Behaviour and Training Advisor. Now I'm a Clinical Animal Behaviourist for 1 of the UKs largest dog charities

🎓 Education to match
With an undergrad in Biochemistry and a Masters in Animal Behaviour, I happily get into the nitty gritty of why dogs behave the way they do

📖 Continuous learning
I'm an accredited Clinical Animal Behaviourist with the ABTC and behaviourist with IMDT, aligning with their high standards of knowledge and experience, and exceed their learning expectations each year

🐕‍🦺 United Canine Scent Sport Instructor
As of this year I'm a scentwork instructor. This was an amazing opportunity to gain knowledge on all the benefits and wonders of scentwork and how it can help all our dogs

🐶🐱 Currently owned by a dog and a cat
My life has been enriched meeting someone who came along with these 2 floofs. They're constantly making me think and improve as a caregiver but also making me enjoy all there is to having pets 💙

22/05/2026

We've had a chaotic week and managed to miss National Rescue Dog Day! I want to celebrate every rescued soul and the people who gave them the love they deserved. Rescue dogs don’t just enter our homes — they change our hearts forever. They may arrive with uncertain pasts, but they teach us resilience, loyalty, and the joy found in second chances. Loving them is easy; they become family in the quiet moments and losing them is one of the hardest goodbyes we ever face, because the love of a rescue dog leaves paw prints on our hearts that never fade. Yesterday does and should celebrate those amazing dogs that fill our lives and hearts with unmeasurable love 💙

27/04/2026

What a great day yesterday! Sun shining and dogs sniffing, what more could you ask for? Thanks The Nose Zone, United Canine Scent Sport and Canine Ability Dog Training for having us along with M.T.N Dog Services & Paws To Go

25/04/2026

Mount Stewart - National Trust
Pet Nose Day is nearly here!🐾🐩

📅Sun 26 April 10am to 5pm
📍Mount Stewart

🐶Enter your pup in the Fun Dog Show judged by , entries are £3 per class and includes Best Rescue, Hariest Bestie, Handsomest Boy and more!

Meet local animal charities and learn about their valuable work and we also have loads of brilliant local pet retailers joining us including Silverwing Salon and Finnesiam.
The Backyard Photography Company
4Tails
Murphy & Bailey
Lost and Found Pets North Down/Ards & Surrounding Areas/ Rescue & Rehoming

💷Please bring cash, just in case the wifi isn't wifiing. The nearest cashpoints to Mount Stewart are in Newtownards and Grey Abbey.

We can't wait to see you and your best dog friend!

Normal admission applies, NT members free entry.

19/04/2026

What an amazing week learning all about Scent Detection! Met some more incredible trainers, learnt SO MUCH 🤯 and had loads of fun on the way! Watch this space for more sniffing fun to come!!

Huge congratulations to all of our brand new UCS Detection Instructors 🎉🐾
What a week it has been, and honestly what a journey over the past few months. Watching each of you grow, develop, question, adapt, and support one another has been incredible. This hasn’t just been about learning how to teach detection, it’s been about building confidence, understanding dogs on a deeper level, and stepping into your role as thoughtful, skilled instructors.
We loved coaching every single one of you. The effort, the openness to learning, and the way you’ve backed each other throughout has been exactly what UCS is all about. You should be seriously proud of what you’ve achieved,
This is just the beginning… and we can’t wait to see what you go on to build.
Paw Prints NI Just Pawing About Mourne Paws The Dog In Me dohertydogtraining mtndogservices Sarah Matthews Dog Training Oracle Dogs Paws To Go The Nose Zone
If you’re thinking about starting your own detection journey, whether for your own dog or to become an instructor, drop a comment below or send us a message 📩

01/02/2026

Amazing 2 days upskilling on Scentwork with The Nose Zone, always learning so we can help you continue to help and support your dogs 💙 Thanks so much for blowing my mind and continuing to challenge me 💃🏼

18/01/2026

Beautiful boy Tang is in need of emergency vet care and it's expensive! He is the gentlest, softest boy and deserves every help and support we can give! Every little helps for this gorgeous softy 💙💙

https://gofund.me/0b0d93c8f

16/12/2025

LOVING our development of Scent Detection Work starting from the amazing team at 💙 the selection of nosework activities here is second to none!

Skout's loving it too and we've moved on to smaller kong bits to up the difficulty! She's still using a lot of memory of old hiding spots but I can hear her nose going from the beginning now which is amazing 😍

providing the goods on rewards too, follow and DM for discount codes!

02/12/2025

Happy December to all my amazing clients and followers!

Wanted to say thank you before Christmas hype starts for all the support and hard work you all do 💙

I'll be slowing down in December to spend time with family & friends and to recharge so try and be patient if I don't get back to you 🙏🏼

Merry Christmas and happy new year 🎄🎅🏼