Right Start Dog Training

06/11/2025

🎉 Last chance to book - just one space left! 🎉

Join us for our Paws & Progress dog training course in Biggin Hill on Tuesday 11 November, 8:00pm. This is our last course before Christmas, so if you’ve been thinking about it - now’s the time!

🐾 Small & calm: Only 3 dogs + their guardians per class for a relaxed, focused learning vibe.

🎓 Expert guidance: Led by Kaye Scott, fully qualified trainer with many years of experience - clear, kind, modern training you can trust.

💛 Fun & informative: Build real-life skills and confidence together.

📞 Call Kaye on 07779 500129
📧 Email [email protected]
🌐 Or visit www.rightstartdogs.co.uk for more information.

06/11/2025

‘Flooding’ a fearful dog with its fears is not the answer 😢

🚫 MYTH BUSTED: "If your dog is scared of fireworks, just take them outside to get used to it."

This is one of the most common, yet harmful, pieces of advice we hear every November. Let's be crystal clear: Forcing a fearful dog into a situation they are terrified of does not help; it only makes the fear worse.

🚫 Why 'Just Get Used To It' Fails

When a dog is intensely afraid, their body goes into survival mode—the fight, flight, fawn, fidget or freeze response. Exposing them to the terrifying sounds without any control or comfort is a technique called flooding. This isn't training; it's a traumatic experience that overwhelms their system.

A dog who is forced to endure their fear might look calm, but they are actually just frozen or shut down and unable to cope. This often leads to their fear becoming even more intense next time.

🚫 To truly understand why this doesn't work, put yourself in your dog's paws:

Imagine you have an extreme, crippling fear of the dentist. You know you need a filling, but the thought of the drill makes you panic. Now, imagine a loved one decides the best way to help is to drag you to the dentist's chair, hold you down, and make the dentist run the drill right next to your ear for an hour, without support or medication all while telling you to "just get over it."

🚫 Do you think you would be less afraid next time, or absolutely traumatised?

That feeling of helplessness and terror is exactly what your dog experiences when they are forced into loud situations like fireworks.

This November, choose connection and care over forced exposure. Your dog deserves a guardian who protects their emotional health.

What is the biggest challenge you face when trying to comfort your dog during loud events like fireworks or thunderstorms?

01/11/2025

Day One done! 🧠🐾

What a fantastic start to the ISCP Big Psychology Summit 2025 – packed with insightful sessions and inspiring conversations.

Today we’ve delved into the science behind behaviour — from neuroplasticity and learning theory to wellbeing, myth-busting, and even the deep history of canine psychology.

Feeling inspired, informed, and ready for an early night before another full day of professional growth and discovery tomorrow! 🌟

30/10/2025

Kaye is so excited to be taking part in the ISCP Big Psychology Summit 2025 this coming weekend!

It’s an amazing opportunity to explore canine psychology, learn from top experts around the world, and keep growing through valuable CPD learning.

Science, compassion, and lifelong learning — the perfect combo! 🧠🐾

04/10/2025

Celebrating World Animal Day 🐾💜

On this World Animal Day, we pause to celebrate the bond between humans and animals — a bond of trust, healing, and unconditional love. To every dog in our care: you remind us daily of the beauty of resilience and the gift of companionship, we are so lucky to do our jobs 🦮

02/10/2025

What an inspirational lady - a very sad loss to the world and the animal kingdom - RIP Jane 🌈

With deepest sorrow, we share the news that Dr. Jane Goodall, our founder, mentor, and friend, has passed away. 💔

Jane changed the way the world understands animals, people, and the natural world. From her groundbreaking discoveries at Gombe to her tireless work for conservation and peace, she inspired millions with her courage, compassion, and unwavering hope.

Her vision lives on through the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots, in the countless young people she empowered, and in the hearts of everyone moved by her message: that every one of us has the power to make a difference. 🌍✨

Today is a profoundly sad day for the planet. But Jane’s light continues in all of us.

We invite you to share your memories, tributes, and reflections in her honour. Together, we will keep her legacy alive.

🕊️ Rest peacefully, Jane. Thank you for showing us the way

01/10/2025

This is a really important life skill to teach any dog. Teaching the relevance of a settle mat is an excellent way to help our dogs take a break and ‘chill their boots’ in different areas!

This is definitely a skill we teach on our Paws and Progress course because if it so beneficial to the dogs and us, their guardians

🐾 HAVE PUB BLANKET, WILL TRAVEL 🍺

If you want to be able to take your dog places with you it’s a good idea to help them learn to settle and feel relaxed in different environments.

I use a specific blanket for Twig (her “pub blanket” 😄) and she lies down and chills out on it wherever we take it. I always want her to be able to explore and say hi to everyone first, as the rewarding bit for her of going to a pub or cafe is the social aspect. Once she’s had chance to be sociable, I get her blanket out and put it in a nice cosy place by my feet and she now just lies down and relaxes.

✨ Don’t expect your dogs to ignore people or dogs as soon as you arrive (if they are sociable) – that’s an unfair expectation.
✨ Don’t expect them to just lay down straight away – they may want a wander and a sniff.

When we started teaching her to settle, I encouraged her onto the blanket by dropping a few treats on it, then rewarded sitting or lying there by dropping more treats down to her. After a while I could leave longer pauses ⏳ and now she finds it rewarding in itself to relax on the mat, it’s her happy place 💛.

These days I just get the blanket out and she pretty much lies straight down 💤. It’s worth helping your dog learn to settle and relax if you want to take them to pubs and of course it means you need to visit lots of pubs, just to practise of course 😄🍻.

👉 If your dog or puppy is new to visiting pubs or cafés, keep it short to start with. Just get a drink and don’t order food as they may struggle to settle for that long.
👉 Try sitting outside 🌳 before going indoors – many dogs find that easier (unless the weather is like today 🌧!).

And remember – it’s totally OK if your dog or puppy doesn’t enjoy pubs or cafés. It’s not right for every dog, just like not every person enjoys the same things ❤️.

Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication

30/09/2025

🎉 Proud moment!

I’m proud to share that I’ve been accepted again this year as a member of both the APDT - Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and The Association of INTODogs 🐾

This means I’ve met the required level of Continued Professional Development and met their strict criteria of using only kind, fair, and effective training methods — all current and science-based.

For my clients, this offers peace of mind that when you train with me, you’re receiving the most up-to-date knowledge and support in canine training, learning, and development.

Because your dog deserves the best — and so do you! 💛

30/09/2025

It's always great working with families who are committed to setting their dogs up for success 🐾

Training isn’t about quick fixes — it’s about consistency, patience, and a willingness to learn together. We’ve been focusing on recall skills with this lovely youngster, helping her build more focus and connection so she sees her family as the best place to return to, even when the world around her is full of distractions.

Wishing them all the best on their training journey!

If recall is something you’d like more support with, get in touch — we’re here to help.

16/09/2025

🚨🐾 FINAL CALL: Evening Dog Training Class – Starts 23rd September! 🐾🚨

We’re so excited to announce our brand-new evening dog training class at St Mark’s Church Hall, kicking off Tuesday 23rd September at 8pm! ✨

All classes are led by Kaye, a positive reward-based dog trainer, ensuring fun, effective, and kind training for you and your dog. 💙

Now the kids are back at school, it’s the perfect time to focus on building an even stronger, enriched bond with your dog.

⚠️ Hurry – only 2 spaces remaining!

📩 Message: [email protected]
📞 Call/Text: 07779 500129
🌐 Book your spot & find out more here: https://www.rightstartdogs.co.uk/basic-lifeskills-course/

Let’s make training fun, rewarding, and something you and your dog can enjoy together! 🐶💫