Lamplighter Dog School

23/04/2025

Would you believe that one of my secrets to having such a well behaved dog is that...

I don't expect him to not be a dog.

He barks, he chases things, he scavenges, he rips stuff up, he wants to sniff every blade of grass. He's still a dog.

How do I get him to behave so well?

Because I recognise that him doing these things isn't him being naughty, it's him being a dog, so I do two things:

1. I identify his favourite activities and strike a deal that if he fulfills my reasonable request, he then gets access to his favourite stuff (the scientific name for this is the Premack Principle).

2. I make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to do the dog things he wants to do in a way that's safe and appropriate to me.

A small but very crucial element of this is that if my dog is jumping up and barking at me, there is no way I'm going to give him a fun activity to shut him up. Because next time he wants that fun activity what is he going to do? Jump up and bark at me.

If he's chilling out quietly on his bed that is the perfect moment for me to give him a nice chew, a fuss, or take him for a walk.

And how does he chill out quietly on his bed in the first place? Because of point number 2 - and the fact that I've carefully cultivated these behaviours over a long period of time.

You can make this easier for yourself by selecting a dog with genetics that suit what you want in the first place.

Getting a dog that wants to do the very opposite of what you want them to do is going to be a lot of work, but certainly not impossible.

It is however necessary to consider the dog's welfare, and how your demands really impact this.

Can your dog really cope with what you want?

Could you also think about opening up to new opportunities by listening to and learning from your dog?

Let me know how you feel about this topic and your experiences in the comments.

If you want help untangling this situation with your dog comment on this post or send me a WhatsApp with the button on my page 📲

09/04/2025

It’s a pleasure and a relief to find a fellow animal care professional with the animals at the centre of her work 🥰 thank you for being so kind with my ponies Kim 🙏❤️

New client day for me today, there's always the thought of 'what will they be like?', because realistically I won't know until I get there. Today I needn't have worried!

I met the lovely Jack (Cob) and Corey (mini) who belong to the very lovely Nicole of Lamplighter Dog School.

Jack was a total breeze to trim, a very lovely, happy to stand boy who made my job very easy!! 🤩🤩🤩

Corey is the cutest 😍, but he's a total worrier, so instead of trimming, which wouldn't have been a happy experience for him, we spent time having a social visit.

We chilled in the sun, and just got to know each other a little bit more something I'm very happy to do. This involved lots of positive reinforcement, and set Corey up for positive experiences with his feet. I don't force horses to comply, it creates stress and they are less and less likely to want to have their feet done. It's counter productive, and it's not my style at all.

We've now set a plan, and we know what we're working towards, and I'm happy with that, and Corey is too 🥰. I'm looking forward to seeing them again in 6 weeks to see their progress.

05/04/2025

Heel training is a paradigm and the only shortcut is to use punishment and turn your dog’s walks into a threat bargain, a shortcut I’m not willing to take.

So this is the structure, and there’s no escaping it.

I have to do it, my trainers have to do it, Crufts competitors have to do it - nobody is exempt and nobody has a magic ticket.

Some dogs are definitely easier than others, and that’s where (ideally) picking your dog’s breed and character (or the traits of their parents) to best fit your lifestyle really does make a difference.

However, often that point is past, and training to suit your dog’s capability is the option.

Training is actually really fun. Maybe being someone without a television I take disproportionate pleasure in doing things someone else might not (😅) but once you start to get results, and you build that link of communication with your dog, it becomes pretty bloody addictive.

It’s a very good addiction to have, one that means you get super nice walks, loads of compliments from people about how epic your dog is, and your dog is a happy little goose. Dog.

If you want help developing a healthy addiction and watching less tv drop me a DM 😉

Follow me for more of my brain spew about dog training 😄

Comment if you think I’m weird for not having a tv 😛

27/03/2025

If you do or have done any of the things I’ve listed in these slides, don’t worry, this isn’t judgement.

It’s often a case of feeling frustrated and not knowing what else to do.

Got something to add? Leave a comment.

Need help with your dog? Drop me a DM 💌

Follow me for more dog training insights 🐕‍🦺

18/03/2025

If our dog growls it can elicit a lot of emotions for us as their handler, like…

🫣 Humiliation, because we think other people will judge us

😩 Frustration, because we don’t know how to make it stop

🤯 Confusion, because we don’t understand why the dog did it

😓 Sadness, because the dog is clearly upset

😰 Fear, because the dog might bite

It’s considered socially unacceptable for dogs to growl or show any signs that they’re unwilling or uncomfortable to take part in what we want them to do.

Realistically there is a limit with every dog, as with every person, as to what they can tolerate. It’s fair to meet your dog’s needs by reducing their stress when they communicate they’re uncomfortable.

They are within their rights to have feelings, and it doesn’t have to continue to reach the point of growling.

It’s just like if we asked someone to give us space when they’re in our face, we would simply like them to honour our request and de-escalate the situation.

Flick through the slides to learn about different methods to deal with a growling dog (good and bad) and check out my previous post on de-stress signals to learn about what your dog is trying to tell you - or drop me a comment or DM and I will link you to it 🔗

Follow for more doggo insights 🫶

08/03/2025

There is a lot of different equipment out there and it’s really hard to know what’s right for you and your dog 🤯

The number one consideration is safety, which is why the appropriate use of headcollars, martingale collars, and slip leads is included in these slides. These pieces are not for every dog or situation - and never for causing any sort of discomfort for our human benefit.

A lot of people encourage the use of things like slip leads, french collars/grots, and prong collars for lead walking, but before taking this advice take a moment to think about how these things have the effect they do - and how you would feel in your dog’s place.

It makes me wonder what the point of going for a nice walk - or even having a dog - is if it’s going to consist of intentional discomfort for the dog - just to save us the bother of properly training them.

The most dog-friendly option is a harness, specifically the Y-Fronted sort, well fitted to give the shoulders room to move and alleviate pressure from the throat and sternum.

Do harnesses cause dogs to pull? No. They make it more comfortable for dogs to pull. Using equipment like a slip lead to reduce pulling simply works because it makes the dog very uncomfortable, but the dog still doesn’t understand how to walk by your side, they’re just conflicted between walking at their natural pace or getting suffocated.

To me equipment is for safety, to act as a common sense fail safe against traffic and other hazards, not as a substitute for training.

Want to know more? Check out my last post about loose lead walking skills or drop me a DM 💌

Follow me for more dog training tips ✨

02/03/2025

This is the skill that everyone wants: walking on a loose lead.

The word “train” couldn’t be more apt than for loose lead walking, because you really do have to train for it.

It doesn’t come easy, and it does take work, practice, and commitment 👊

However, when you know what skills you actually need to train for, that makes things exponentially easier.

Much easier than fighting with the urge to pull your dog back or burst into a barrage of swear words in the street 🫣

Or worse yet, fighting to try and remain on your feet 😩

In these slides you can see dogs learning these individual skills that make up the whole picture when it comes to walking beautifully on a lead.

And none of these skills use blunt force or harsh corrections that dogs don’t understand anyway.

No wasted energy, no fractured bond, no low head or tucked tail, walking next to you out of trepidation of something bad happening.

Just a happy dog and mutual benefit, big smiles, wavy tails, walking next to you through understanding and willingness to co-operate.

If you want to know more about how to train your dog send me a DM or a WhatsApp 💌

Follow for more doggo insights 🦮

.community

23/02/2025

Is there something your dog loves in the environment that’s not listed in these pics? Comment below, I’d love to know!

I need to make it absolutely crystal that just because these are rewards does not mean we should heavily restrict or eliminate our dog’s access to these things.

Something to take note of is that all of them are natural, normal, and essential parts of being a dog.

It would be drastic and incredibly cruel to remove our dog’s ability to be exactly what they are.

What we can do is:

👷‍♂️ Build strong foundation behaviours with training practice

🙇 Think about how to structure our daily activities in a way that gets us what we want, as well as getting our dogs what they want

💃 Use play to simulate hunting and your dog’s favourite parts of the predatory sequence

🦮 Learn scentwork so we can work together with our dogs and their noses

👨‍🏫 Set fair and firm boundaries so it’s clear to our dogs what will get them what they want

🙅 Set clear boundaries with people out and about, for example requiring people to wait for your dog to sit before saying hi, or saying “Sorry not today, we’re training!”

🙋‍♀️ Recognise when our dogs are in fact doing what we want and rewarding them for that

If you need help putting together a personalised plan of action drop me a DM or a WhatsApp 🤳

Follow for more doggo insights 🦴

16/02/2025

Have you ever caught yourself saying “My dog isn’t food motivated?”

Does your dog sometimes reject their meals, or ignore the food when you’re trying to train them?

It’s really frustrating, but it’s not usually because your dog doesn’t like the food.

More often it’s actually because:

😫 Your dog doesn’t like the way you’re giving it to them
🤕 They don’t feel well
😬 They have dental or digestive problems
🤯 They’re in the middle of a stressful situation
🤐 They’ve already eaten more than they need
😐 Commercial training treats are usually dry and don’t smell of anything

It’s not usually a case of just taking the food away if your dog doesn’t eat either and then trying again later, there are much better ways than that 👀

Check out the slides and see if any of these resonate with you. If they do, that’s okay! It’s not permanent damage, all of these things can be changed for the better.

If you can relate to any of these situations and want more information leave a comment or drop me a DM/WhatsApp me.

Follow for more doggo insights 🦴

09/02/2025

There are so many activities that our dogs are *trying* to do when we’re out walking.

The human idea of a walk and the dog idea of a walk are often veeery different.

When dogs are pulling on the lead, ignoring your calls, or gobbing off, it’s quite often because they’re trying to satisfy a need for natural behaviour that they are often unintentionally restricted from doing.

This often results in an unsettled and frustrated dog and an unsettled and frustrated owner.

The key is in becoming aware of your dog’s required activities and consciously integrating them into a walk, on the premise of “good” behaviour - behaviour that keeps you and your dog safe (in my book).

If you need help with assessment, building a structure, and implementation of safe and satisfying walks with your dog DM me or book a free video consultation with the link in my bio 🔗

Follow for more dog training tips 🫶

31/01/2025

Walks are loaded with importance, but actually, walks - in the traditional sense - can be utterly detrimental to our dogs. It’s time to question everything you believe, for your dog’s sake.

Your walks can meet lots of needs for your dog, like running, hunting, sniffing, digging, and physical fitness, and they can also foster good behaviour. Or not.

Depending on what behaviour “works” for your dog on a walk, how your walks are structured, where you go, and whether your dog is in pain - a walk can become a downward spiral of pulling, running off, reactivity, discomfort, frustration, and stress that spills out into their behaviour at home too.

It’s not about how far you walk or how long for, it’s about what you do - before you even leave the house.

Before you take your dog out ask yourself these questions:

🩻 Do I 100% know my dog is not in pain?
👋 Have I taught my dog how to 100% respond to me in this environment and for that length of time?
🤓 Will this walk give my dog an opportunity to satisfy their mental stimulation needs?
😱 Does this environment scare or stress my dog?
🦺 Can I keep my dog and others safe doing what I want to do?

This is responsible and considerate dog ownership. Leave a hands up if you’re a responsible and considerate dog owner 🙋

Check out the picture slides for essential needs your dog has that are waaaay more important than a walk.

Follow for more doggo insights 🦴

22/01/2025

I’ll preface this by saying there are anomalies in every breed and not all dogs of these breeds will show these characteristics.

However, we all know that these characteristics are what make these breeds the breed they are. None of us would expect a Border Collie not to herd, so why do we expect other breeds to be any different?

It’s essential to recognise that the consequences of (often innocent) human error with these breeds are still caused by humans, because we bred these dogs to be the way they are. The dog is never to blame.

A huge reason it’s so important to be realistic about breed characteristics and physical capabilities is because most people can’t read canine body language.

One study asked participants to watch videos of three different dogs interacting with children. All the dogs were showing anxious or fearful body language. However, 68% percent of people said the dogs were relaxed. Even more worryingly, dog owners are more likely to assume the dog is being friendly than non-dog owners.

When you throw a dog as capable, sensitive, prey-driven, heavy, and powerful as some of the breeds listed here into that mix it can become life-threatening.

Breed is not the only major contributor to a dog’s behaviour either. Here are some equally essential factors:

➡️ The temperaments of both parents.

➡️ Prenatal stress that can pass to your puppy. Find a breeder who is planning a litter so you can follow along with the pregnancy to see if the bitch experiences any significant stress.

➡️ Positive early socialisation in the litter, the responsibility of the breeder. If your breeder isn’t interested, then save your time (potentially over a decade) and money for a different breeder.

➡️ Positive environmental exposure with you. There is a big difference between socialisation and overwhelming. Keep experiences brief, varied and happy.

Comment below or DM me to share your own opinions, or ask a question 🧐

Follow for more dog training tips ✨

14/01/2025

There is a saying that goes something like “Judge the deed, not the breed.” I would say it’s better going something like “Human irresponsibility caused this whatever the dog did.” Which includes taking responsibility for the fact that behaviour is influenced by genetics, and we massively influence dog’s genetics.

Of course, there are lots of other factors to behaviour; it depends on the parents and their temperament, the experience the puppy has in the litter, how the puppy is introduced to each new situation, and how people treat the dog throughout their life.

But breed is very much the first place to start. It’s clear that all dog breeds have been selectively bred to do certain behaviours more than others. Nobody would expect a Border Collie not to herd, so it rings true that other breeds have their “things” too.

The good news is this means there are some breeds that are generally excellent at being pets, which is what most of us want a dog for these days.

Gone are the days when dogs were bred and kept for working. We largely continue to breed dogs from working lines, but keep them for an entirely different reason that rarely involves work.

There are always anomalies, but generally it’s a disaster if somebody who wants to do a gentle stroll in the park for half an hour gets a Border Collie, or someone who wants to go fell walking gets a Greyhound.

So - as what should be treated as the tip of the iceberg in researching breeds before getting a dog - here is my list of breeds I recommend as pets, and why.

✨ Rescue tip - reach out to rescues that specialise in one breed or a small, local rescue kennel. They tend to be more genuinely helpful than the large commercial “rescues” ✨

If you want to ask me about these breeds or another breed you’re thinking of getting, drop me a DM and I’ll help you find the information you need 💌

Follow me for more dog training tips ✨

10/01/2025

Here is my safe list of dog training YouTube channels, and I don’t use the word safe lightly!

YouTube is a literal minefield when it comes to dog training, take one glance down the sidebar of suggested videos while you watch these and it will offer you everything from “How To Condition an E-Collar” to “The Magic of Slip Leads”.

Seriously, be bloody careful what you watch.

These channels are completely harmless and contain content that only has the ability to benefit you and, most importantly, your dog.

Kikopup is a channel that I watched back-to-back for solid days at a time when I was a teenager, replicating everything I could with my collie Cara and my terrier Alfie.

What About Bunny will just blow your mind, if you ever wondered if your dog can understand what you’re saying, give this a watch.

Dogs That with Susan Garrett goes deep! Susan enthusiastically covers absolutely everything and you can keep it simple, or really get into the nitty gritty with her.

CattleDog Publishing was founded by revolutionary veterinary behaviourist Dr Sophia Yin and covers many every day training and behaviour problems, but specialises in low-stress handling dogs at the vets.

Dogs Explained and the Service Dog Training Institute are extremely practical, straightforward videos that are short, sweet, and can teach you to teach your dog anything they can physically possibly do!

Battersea Dogs & Cats have made a clear, easy-to-follow set of videos on how to train all the basic everyday behaviour you could need, presented by a variety of their qualified staff.

Steve Mann founded the IMDT and wrote the UK’s #1 selling dog training book, his channel covers super easy techniques to teach foundation skills that will cover you for most situations.

If you’ve found a channel and you’re not sure if it’s safe, drop me a DM and I’ll check it out for you 💌

Follow me for more dog training tips 🦮

05/01/2025

Even if you don’t like reading books, if you want to do anything with dogs, read On Talking Terms with Dogs. Non-negotiable. Will completely change the way you interact with dogs.

🦮 If you’d rather learn in person I’m running classes starting Monday 6th onwards, comment “Class” on this post for details 🦮

If you want the facts and how to get from A to B minus fluff, then It’s Me or the Dog, and How Dogs Learn, will both lay it out in black and white.

If you love good stories and memoirs (also full of learning opportunities and facts) like me, then Reaching The Animal Mind and Through A Vet’s Eyes will be right up your street.

To really connect with your dog, creating that invisible line between you and your dog everybody covets (I can attest that it is as good as it seems) then the Interactive Play Guide is for you.

If you have fluffy-animal-chasing problems and your dog barely recognises your existence on a walk, Hunting Together will revolutionise your relationship.

Finally, if you have or want a multi-dog household, or especially if you are a dog walker (or even have a dog walker to suggest this to!), then The Art of Introducing Dogs will completely enlighten everything that goes right or wrong, how to make it right, and how to know when to quit.

Watch out for upcoming posts on my favourite YouTube channels and podcasts too 🙌

Follow for more dog training tips 🌙

25/12/2024

Absolutely zero apologies for the Christmas Jack Russell spam in this post.

I saw a little baby one crossing the road earlier today and I was bloody delighted. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea but I love them!

Talking of Jack Russells, one of my own, Alfie (god rest his soul) was very nearly a Christmas statistic once.

A big box of chocolates had been wrapped up and put under the tree, and while we were out Alfie took his chance to unwrap and enjoy all 42 chocolates in the box.

I got home, found the box under the sofa (apparently Alfie’s snack lair), and cacked my pants.

Having not long passed my driving test, I thanked the stars I had a car to transport my patient. I rang ahead to the vets and got him there in 7 minutes for what is normally a 15 minute journey.

I don’t recommend driving like you’re a blue light driver when you’re not, but I do recommend ringing ahead to the vets and not wasting any time getting there, or better yet, preventing the situation in the first place.

When we got there the vet gave Alf an injection to make him vomit and there was a small lake of chocolate on the floor of the consult room. He then got a gobful of charcoal to line his stomach with a protective layer to stop any more absorption.

If I hadn’t got there before his body started to digest the chocolate he would have been in intensive care, or worse. He wouldn’t have been on his way home in half an hour and living another 7 years.

Moral of the story: boxes of chocolates are obvious even when wrapped up, give everything a shake before you put it under the tree.

Happy Christmas 🎄

15/12/2024

There is either so much joy in what your dog finds distracting, or a lot of stress.

When your dog finds distractions fun your dog is getting rewarded by the environment, not you. If you don’t get this under your control, you will essentially be allowing the environment to train your dog to ignore you!

It’s essential to build value to yourself, so that when you’re outdoors in the “toy shop” with your dog, your dog knows that all the best fun comes from you.

Remember to take toys and food with you on walks, and make sure that access to the environment and the natural rewards it contains also comes through you, by requiring your dog’s attention (eye contact, or a sit, for example) before they run free.

If you have a dog that’s stressed and overwhelmed by everything that’s going on around them then you need to build up the intensity of what they’re exposed to at a pace they can cope with, one thing at a time. Otherwise it’s like trying to teach a child to read and write on a speedboat.

For all of the above, it’s essential to build a baseline of the behaviour you want at home before you ask for it outdoors.

And of course, if you’re not 100% confident your dog will safely respond to you in “the wild” then use that amazing universally useful thing called a lead until you are. This not only keeps your dog safe but also prevents you from unintentionally training your dog to ignore you.

Follow for more dog training tips 🐕