ABC Dog Training and Behaviour

ABC Dog Training and Behaviour ABC Dog Training and Behaviour Working with science based, kind, compassionate, fear and force free methods of behavioural management and teaching.

ABC Dog Training and Behaviour

Annabel, award winning dog trainer and dog behaviour consultant offering basic obedience training right through to solving difficult behavioural problems. Also offering training walks, wedding chaperoning, dog sitting and our bespoke 'Stay and Train' Service as an alternative to dog boarding. Working in the Bedfordshire area but can accomodate consults for clients f

urther a field. Working with a Level 4 PETbc Accredited Advanced Dog Behaviour Diploma (Distinction) from the British College of Canine Studies (BCCS). Currently undertaking a Level 6 Diploma in Canine Behaviour with The Canine Behaviour College with Certified Animal Behaviourist (CAB) title awarded upon completion (due to be April 2027).

Rupey doopey dog and I did something a little more relaxed for his 121 Training Walk this week. Rather than a super stru...
25/04/2026

Rupey doopey dog and I did something a little more relaxed for his 121 Training Walk this week. Rather than a super structured walk, we did some learning through play only! Here he is enjoying a free for all with the Boomer Ball... I think he likes it, don't you? ðŸĪĢðŸĪ”

We practised some disengagement and settling too. The grass acted as a perfect snuffle mat, and although he needed resetting into a down a few times he eventually really relaxed. Rupert isn't great at sitting still, especially in places like cafes, so I thought I'd look at growing his 'settle window' to see if we can work up to that skill for his guardians!

and I thoroughly enjoyed out most recent walkies. We went to Bedford Park and he plodded which meant I had time to stop...
25/04/2026

and I thoroughly enjoyed out most recent walkies. We went to Bedford Park and he plodded which meant I had time to stop and sniff and admire all the flowers! His reactivity is virtually non existent these days (worlds apart from the dog who literally dragged me on my front down the road A year ago!! ðŸĪĢ) he calmly passed several dogs on the same path as him. The only dog he had a bark at (which was warranted correction) was a lovely young dog who bounded over and stared at him wanting him to play. But it was 3 barks, a shake off and a move on. Amazing canine correction! The other pup got the message and bid him farewell by running off!

Love this big boy, especially when I get him to do paws up and a bigggg stretch on tree trunks and he's literally taller than me ðŸĪĢ

Happy boy Harry and I soaked up the sun (and in his case, half the boating lake too ðŸ˜ģ🙈) on our recent Training Walk. Tur...
25/04/2026

Happy boy Harry and I soaked up the sun (and in his case, half the boating lake too ðŸ˜ģ🙈) on our recent Training Walk. Turns out duck w**d on the surface for the water really does look like grass you can walk on for dogs ðŸĪĢðŸ’Ķ we did lots of fun games like practising paws up on different surfaces for confidence building, some tug so he could practise his impulse control skills, and some short distance recall too! We packed a lot into our hour! See you soon Harry! 😘 ðŸū

Bailey the beautiful Golden 🌞 is really starting to blossom... Sloooowly! ðŸŒļ But progress is moving into the of right dir...
25/04/2026

Bailey the beautiful Golden 🌞 is really starting to blossom... Sloooowly! ðŸŒļ But progress is moving into the of right direction and THAT'S what matters! Adolescence and hormones have played a HUGE role in his behavioural difficulties and changes and as he's starting to level out he is become more level headed too. 🔜 He has familiarity and confidence from his spaniel buddy Fleur .thorne who meets us each week and a few times now he's also had Rupert join him on a walk to add in more calm, confident energy to the group. It's paying off! He's significantly less reactive to oncoming people and unfamiliar dogs. And even if he does still jump up his recovery time is significantly improved. ⏰ He'll shake off and move along now rather than obsess and stare after them.

It's a privelege to work with a dog like Bailey because he's really tested me and my skills! Social learning has proved paramount in his development. Even his engagement is not traditional but it's there! We don't do eye contact, we don't do a heel but what we do have is comfortable shared space and cuddles, and he comes to me and even Kathy for reassurance now when he does get overwhelmed or worried on a walk. ðŸĪ—

A 'trained' dog is not what's important, a 'fulfilled' 'understood' and 'safe' dog is. And that's what we are building Bailey up to be! Gradually...! ðŸĨđ

also had a session today as part of his Puppy Programme. He's coming on leaps and bounds in lots of areas. We are encou...
19/04/2026

also had a session today as part of his Puppy Programme. He's coming on leaps and bounds in lots of areas. We are encountering some challenges around genetically predisposed behaviours, but are being very proactive and trying to nip them in the bud! Genetics are so important... I will always bang on about them because they matter sooooo much! And at 5 months the dreaded adolescent phase is always drawing ever closer, so that plus growing pains, teething, and being a boy (ðŸĪŠ) makes for a 'lot of dog' cocktail! His guardians are doing an amazing job with him and his training, Go Team Rex! Look at that loose lead walking 😍

He missed me after I left and stared forlonrly at the door crying 😂😭🚊

.dawg completed Session 3 of his behaviour programme today and it helped me and his guardians see where he's excelling a...
19/04/2026

.dawg completed Session 3 of his behaviour programme today and it helped me and his guardians see where he's excelling and where things are still difficult for him. Working with Daxie's is often like playing whac-a-mole... You improve one thing only for a different issue to become prominent 😂 his attitude to walking has transformed from the dog I first met. He no longer drags on the lead (other than when there is a SERIOUSLY good smell to be had... We all have our vices!) and he's doing loads of auto check ins. He's slowing down when walking and actually stopping to sniff and interact with the environment in a much calmer way. He is finding settling, and doing nothing a big challenge so that will be our final thing to try and crack! We managed 15 minutes at the cafe today but only 15 seconds of calmness... Work in progress!

My favourite slinky stinky boy 💙ðŸū

has a whoooole lot of dogs...! But not the kind I usually have dealings with as these ones... Well... They're not exact...
15/04/2026

has a whoooole lot of dogs...! But not the kind I usually have dealings with as these ones... Well... They're not exactly in their prime for behaviour work or walks 😂

Absolutely fascinating to see these exhibits of dogs from the ~1800s on wards. The breeds have changed, in some cases minorly, in others significantly in about 200 years. It's amazing how we can shape appearance and dramatically in a short space of time.

Quite a few of the exhibited dogs were 'champion' dogs... I've included some of their descriptions and names so you can research them if you wish! The olde tyme names are brilliant!

Typical...on my day off, so AT my other job I managed to find more dogs in one place than I see at the park on a normal day!!

The day Rupert met Bonnie and they got on like a 🏠ðŸ”Ĩ !We spent the first half of the session teaching Bonnie a 'rewind' s...
02/04/2026

The day Rupert met Bonnie and they got on like a 🏠ðŸ”Ĩ !

We spent the first half of the session teaching Bonnie a 'rewind' skill where she is able to disengage from a trigger and dash back to fimd Mum who we built up all the value in. We found moving her rewards around the space and environment like crazy really got her drives going and she started offering rewind without cue! 🎊

We practised some nice slow approaches and some polite 3-5 second grettings. After a few of these Bonnie got past her initial anxiety and showed curiosity. She has other doggy friends, so we let them have some fun together! Rupert's rolling around thoroughly confused her, but amped her up so they had a good game of tug together and zoomed around too. New friend? Definitely ✅


A day that quite a few people didn't think would happen... But I had a good feeling!Whilst dog sitting Rupert, he had to...
28/03/2026

A day that quite a few people didn't think would happen... But I had a good feeling!

Whilst dog sitting Rupert, he had to join me in the car for a visit to Hudson inbetween his walks. Rather than leave him in the car I figured we'd see how Hudson's training from his Training Walks with me was progressing. Hudson's reactivity is rooted in frustration and overstimulation (classic GSD!) He's not dangerous but because he is a big boy it makes him look a bit scary when he's barking.

I left Rupert in the car with the window open a crack and took Hudson out to the drive to sniff the car. Once he readied there was a dog in there he went straight to barking BUT (and it's a MASSIVE BUT 🍑!) with a cue to start sniffing he was able to fully disengage and reengage with me! Something he could not do previously! I kept playing ping pong games with him letting him look at the car and go back to sniffing for treatos.

As a back up I popped Hudson in a muzzle (he's not met another dog at close range for a loooong time!) so our muzzle training practise came in handy (although still some way to go for full desensitisation,) and I let them sniff through the gate. I scatter fed so both dogs were able to disengage and sniff instead of stare at one another.

I then let the boys meet both with leads attached in case I needed to guide either of them for more space, but with Rupert's expert social skills he didn't bother even saying hi to Hudson, he just went off sniffing the garden!Hudson was confused 😅

In the end both boys played independently in shared space, did lots of find it games and practised some obedience and tricks with me to keep them busy. Obviously you're just seeing the highlights because I'm overjoyed to say THERE WERE HIGHLIGHTS! Hudson learnt that muzzle punching isn't a polite way to try and initiate play and it will make other dogs walk away or growl at you 😂 thanks to Rupert for being a great assistant teacher

Some stunning new photographs for the business by Jason Day - JD PhotographyMe in my happy place 💙ðŸū Rupert and Rover be...
28/03/2026

Some stunning new photographs for the business by Jason Day - JD Photography

Me in my happy place 💙ðŸū

Rupert and Rover behaved like model students and we got some brilliant pics. Thank you to their owners for letting me borrow them! I love the way he captured my relationship with the boys. I think it shows how positivity, compassion and fun leads to deep meaningful connections and relationships with our animals.

Highly reccomened Jason for your photography needs. He is very friendly, and professional and made me feel very at ease. I sort for forgot there was a camera there!

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