Jack Fenton - Dorset Dog Trainer

30/07/2026

Remain calm.

Sounds simple, but is so easy to get wrong.

If you freak out and change your behaviour, your dog will struggle. Just hang out, and do what you've worked on.

Practise what you need to do (loose lead, moving off and having your dog follow you) when nothing is around so it becomes normal.

Just don't turn into a different person when dogs appear!

30/07/2026

There is no greater privilege than making friends with a dog that doesn't trust easily.

Little Blue Collar here is the opposite - super happy to greet people.

But a lot of the dogs I work with aren't. They are unsure of people, and maybe dogs.

So seeing them blossom is just wonderful.

Thank you to all my students for the opportunity to meet you and your dogs, and share my life with them.

29/07/2026

'Little dogs can't do-'

They can.

Little dogs can walk far. They can train hard. They can express themselves. They can do Nosework. They can recall. They can be non-reactive.

Some of the best Scentwork dogs are small. Some of the best social dogs are small. Some of the best dogs, full stop, are small.

And considering life is, in a lot of ways, harder for them?

They're smashing it.

Zero little dog slander here. My little ones are ace, and will be treated the same as all of my bigger guys.

Whether you've got Pomeranians or Shih Tzus, Great Danes or German Shepherds, you're welcome here.

28/07/2026

Sorry, not sorry.

Drink some water and sleep well! And if too hot, don't walk your dog!

28/07/2026

Roo lives in Derbyshire, and he's joining Nosework Classes.

You read that correctly. And no, I'm not becoming the Derbyshire Dog Trainer.

He's a sweet Cockapoo who is quite dog reactive, and the reality is that he needs safe exposure consistently around dogs. His caregivers feel like the best way to do that is to come down here!

So, that's what we'll do.

He'll be on a modified schedule - rather than attending weekly, he'll come down twice a month for two back to back classes.

If it fits in, he'll also attend our Helper Dog workshops.

It is a massive trek for his caregivers to take, but they're committed to Roo's success, as am I.

So I'll be offering limited spaces for others to do the same.

If you want to travel down here, to work with me a couple of times a month, to get the same benefits that 85+ dogs a week get?

Reach out. We can sort something. I'll be as flexible as I can.

Can't wait to update you all on Roo's progress!

27/07/2026

27/07/2026

Every dog needs three types of friends. Especially if they're reactive.

🔹The Playmate🔹.

This is a dog who your dog loves playing with. It can be any playstyle, but ideally it'd be a similar breed/energy match. This should be a dog who can help build your dogs confidence up in new situations.

🔸The Viber 🔸

This is a dog who just enjoys hanging out with your dog. Some mutual sniffing, some exploration, maybe a cafe visit. There isn't a lot of physical interaction or play, but you can tell they enjoy each others company.

🟥 The Challenger 🟥

This is a dog who your dog should struggle with in the beginning. It might be a certain breed, colour or personality type that doesn't mesh well with your own dog.

These guys are important to teach your dog skills. Either that a certain type of dog is okay and safe to hang out with, or that not every dog needs to be played with in a certain way.

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In my opinion, the most successful and social dogs are the ones with these three types of friends. It's a beautiful balance of interaction, existing, and training.

Most dogs only have one type of friend, or none at all. And that can make being social challenging.

With our Helping Hands system, our 85+ dogs a week are routinely paired up with dogs to fulfil these three needs. All dogs attend Nosework classes, so learn amazing skills.

If you want to join, you can check the comments for info on our Waitlist.

26/07/2026

We don't avoid this.

So many dogs struggle with narrow paths.

Whether they're hyper social and nearly pull you over to say hello, or become snarling, lunging messes.

Nosework classes are the answer.

Half the dogs in this reel were dog reactive. Can you tell who they were?

Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays are where it is at.

Comment 'Nosework' and I'll send you the details.

26/07/2026

Here's are some reasons Nosework classes aren't for your dog:

🔹 We travel. Each week, we go to a different location. Forests, fields, industrial estates, towns and other areas. All around Bournemouth and Poole, so that the dogs can work around every distraction.

🔹 We give your dogs a job. We don't just do Life Skills and behaviour work - we teach your dog to find people, lost items, specific scents and toys. Not just obedience.

🔹 We work in public. We only work in public places. It means we see dogs, cyclists, runners, children, and noises. We don't do halls, and we don't do secure fields.

🔹 We don't segregate. A class will have a puppy, a hyper-social dog, and a reactive dog. There is no split between the different needs of the dogs.

🔹 We pair your dog up with other dogs. With our Helping Hands scheme, you'll be doing dog walks with your dog to be social, or to work on their training issues.

🔹 We have a community. You don't just turn up once a week, train your dog, and go home. We do workshops, social events, field trips and more.

So, it's a lot. Completely understand why it might not be for you!

But all of those 'issues' - different places, in public, not just obedience, a community, no segregation - are why 85+ dogs a week are winning.

They're not problems. They're just the steps you need to thrive.

If you want to join a thriving, committed, passionate community full of dog owners, then you're in the right place. We'll get you where you want to go, guaranteed.

Because if 85+ dogs a week can get there, why can't you?

Check out the comments for info on how to join.

25/07/2026

Step 1 - Reward any engagement when out and about. Eye contact, Following your movement. Every time it happens, you reward.

Step 2 - Practise hanging out with the distractions. Just watching dogs, people, prey animals etc is vital.

Step 3 - Drill your recall skills over and over.

Recall is last, and yet it is the main thing we focus on! We need the first two way more for off lead freedom.

Want any help with this? Let me know!