South West Dog Skills

06/06/2026

🐾 Our next online course: Intro to ACE Free Work 🐾

Ever wondered how to help your dog truly reset, rebalance and release?

Free Work is a core element of Animal Centred Education, and this course will introduce you to what it is, how to set it up, and the incredible benefits it offers.
As our dogs slow down during Free Work, we start to see things we might have missed before postural struggles, handling worries, harness concerns giving us the chance to ease these issues and positively impact their welfare and behaviour.

📅 Course Details:
✨ 4-week online course via Zoom
✨ Starts Wednesday 15th July, 6:45pm UK time

This is for anyone who wants to understand their dog on a deeper level and support them in a gentle, dog-centred way.

👉 Book your place: www.southwestdogskills.com/book-online.html

03/06/2026

There's a specific kind of tired that comes with being the one who carries it all.

You love your dog deeply. But when things are hard when the walk goes wrong, when you can't figure out what they need, when you've tried everything

There's no one to turn to who really gets it.

Not because people don't care. But because unless you live with a sensitive dog, and you carry that responsibility alone, it's hard to explain.

Does that land for anyone?

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02/06/2026

Something's shifting.

More and more, the first question I'm hearing from guardians isn't "how do I stop my dog doing this?"

It's "why is my dog doing this?"

That's a big deal.

Because when you start with why, everything changes.
You might discover the behaviour is rooted in anxiety, and that what your dog needs isn't correction, it's reassurance. You might find there's a physical reason underneath it all, discomfort that's been misread as disobedience. You might simply realise your dog has been trying to communicate something, and now you're finally listening.

Starting with why doesn't mean the difficult moments disappear overnight. But it does mean you're working with your dog rather than against them. And that changes the whole relationship.

The how becomes a lot clearer once you understand the why.
What's your dog trying to tell you that you haven't quite heard yet?

30/05/2026

We had the great pleasure of bumping into the lovely Klara that came to our Adolescent Classes a few years ago. They have just started a YouTube channel. They’ve shared some great videos so far. Why not give them a follow.

Klara the Labrador lives in Somerset UK and reviews dog chews, toys, local events and areas of interest.

27/05/2026

What colour is this Tennis Ball?

26/05/2026

We will be back at Market on Saturday. Come and see us and join the Foraging Walk!

12/05/2026

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and here are some things to remember.

You'll find loads of great resources and support at Mental Health UK.

Just a reminder: you don’t have to have it all together.

Be gentle with yourself this .

11/05/2026

Just one space left in our ACE Free Work on Classes course that starts on Wednesday evening. Don't miss out.

11/05/2026

We’re delighted to share that we have been awarded Best Dog Training Business for Southern England in the 2026 LUXlife Awards.

This award is a reflection of every dog who has trusted us, every guardian who has been willing to slow down and see their dog differently, and every member of our wonderful community who has supported what we do.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey.

Thank you for believing in our philosophy that true progress begins when we stop asking, “How do I get my dog to do this?” and start asking, “What is my dog trying to tell me?”

Here’s to continuing to help dogs and their humans build stronger, more meaningful relationships and true connection.

08/05/2026

And here… in the long grass of the Somerset plains… we witness one of nature’s finest survival strategies.

At first glance, the field appears empty. Peaceful. Undisturbed.

But look closer.

There… moving almost imperceptibly amongst the blades… the elusive black dog. Perfectly evolved for stealth operations in sunlit meadows. A creature so expertly camouflaged that many guardians have walked directly past their own dog whilst calling their name repeatedly.

Notice the slow emergence. The quiet confidence. The absolute certainty that they are, in fact, invisible.

Magnificent.

And somewhere nearby… a human is already checking the hedge line in mild panic.