Positive Impact Dog Training and Behaviour

Positive Impact Dog Training and Behaviour Imdt trainer and Mantrailing Global Instructor We believe in the power of play and games to enhance the learning experience.

Our mission is to help dog owners to understand their four legged friends, teaching effective communication and advocacy while using science based methods. Positive Impact was found in 2015 as a dog walking company in memory of our reactive Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Biggy. Our struggles, and lack of help, prompted continued learning and discovering hidden childhood passion for dog training.

Puppies — as cute as they are, they are hard work.Biting, chewing, running around like maniacs, stealing anything they c...
11/04/2025

Puppies — as cute as they are, they are hard work.
Biting, chewing, running around like maniacs, stealing anything they can get their paws on… these are just a few of the many things new puppy owners face.

Even with my experience in training and behaviour, I totally understand the frustration, the hopes, the expectations that come with raising a pup.

The truth is — puppies don’t come pre-trained or pre-programmed. There’s no shortcut, no magic fix.

It’s hard work, consistency, patience, and time. That’s what gets you the dog you dream of. And trust me — it’s so worth it.
Here another of our one to one SOS call outs that we offer when you have just enough and think you can’t do it anymore .

Behavioural Consultations – Who Needs Them & How Are They Different from Training?At PIDT, we often get asked: what’s th...
08/04/2025

Behavioural Consultations – Who Needs Them & How Are They Different from Training?

At PIDT, we often get asked: what’s the difference between dog training and a behavioural consultation? While both are important, they address very different needs.

Training Sessions
Dog training focuses on teaching your dog behaviours we want to see more of – like sit, down, recall, walking nicely on lead, bringing objects, and even fun tricks. During training, we teach these behaviours and then help your dog generalise them in different environments and situations, so they become second nature.

Behavioural Consultations
Behavioural support, on the other hand, is for dogs who are struggling with their emotional state. These dogs may show behaviours such as barking, lunging, growling, biting, or even attacking other dogs or people. These behaviours often stem from fear, stress, anxiety, or frustration. In these cases, the dog is not being “naughty” — they’re communicating that they’re overwhelmed or scared.

During a behavioural consultation, we take an in-depth history of your dog, including their lifestyle, daily routines, environment, and relationships. We may ask for a full medical history, especially if the behaviour has changed suddenly. In some cases, we’ll recommend a check-up with your vet to rule out any underlying health issues.

We observe the dog both inside the home and out on walks. When it’s safe and appropriate, we may use calm “stooge” dogs to help us assess specific behaviours.

After the assessment, we discuss all findings with you and work together to create a tailored plan to help your dog feel safer and more in control – and to teach them more appropriate ways to express their emotions.

At PIDT, we’re proud to support both sides of the spectrum – from basic training through to complex behavioural cases. Every dog is an individual, and we’re here to help them thrive.

⸻One-to-one sessions are where the magic really happens — tailored time, just you, your dog, and real progress.Last sess...
06/04/2025

⸻

One-to-one sessions are where the magic really happens — tailored time, just you, your dog, and real progress.

Last session of Saturday was with the lovely Ria the Rottweiler and her amazing mum. Nothing too structured — just some fun at a beautiful enrichment field, exploring, playing, and enjoying time together.

We had a surprise moment too: a few seconds of seeing Rudy through the fence. Totally unplanned — we’ll work on that properly another time — but she handled it like a champ.

Even more exciting?
She’s more focused. She’s listening better. Lead walking is coming along beautifully.
Clear communication is building, and she didn’t react to the “red man” (a previous worry).

Small wins that are actually HUGE — and it’s all thanks to consistency, trust, and that beautiful bond between Ria and her mum.

Such a fantastic little Rottie lady — we’re so proud of how far she’s come!

Ready for that kind of focused support? Our 1:1 sessions are built around your dog’s needs, your goals, and your journey. Let’s make some progress together.

Assessment sessions aren’t about judgement — they’re about understanding, support, and giving you the tools to move forw...
06/04/2025

Assessment sessions aren’t about judgement — they’re about understanding, support, and giving you the tools to move forward with clarity and confidence.

When I’m called in for an assessment, I always arrive with an open mind. I gather as much info as I can beforehand — not just to keep everyone safe, but to make sure I’m the right fit for the dog and the family.

I don’t come to point fingers or make anyone feel bad about their training. We all do our best with the knowledge we have. (Shoutout to Susan Garrett — forever love her take on that!)

My hope with every initial session is that it gives you a roadmap. That you leave feeling clearer, maybe more motivated, maybe a little lighter. And that you feel hopeful too — because if you’ve reached out for help, you’re already doing something great.

Session 2 on Saturday was just that.
Met a beautiful, bouncy young Australian Shepherd who’s clearly been working hard already — just needed a bit of guidance and reassurance around some very typical (and very Aussie!) behaviours.

Yes, maybe a bit cheeky. Maybe a little too intense in places. But Aussies play hard, think fast, and live big — we’ve got a soft spot for them, so they can’t really do much wrong in our eyes!

I brought Rudy, our resident Aussie, to help with the session — because what better way to assess a breed than with a polished version of it? Okay, maybe I got a bit carried away calling him a “copy” but hey, it worked!

There was some noise, a few corrective snaps, plenty of sniffing, chasing, and those magical little dog-to-dog lessons that no human can quite replicate.

And for the owner — moments of “aha”, of learning when to wait, when to reward, when to ask, and when to just breathe and let the dog be a dog.

The foundation is there. Now it’s about proofing, practising, and bringing it all together in the real world. And hopefully, we’ll be part of that journey.


🐾 One-to-One Dog Training: Tailored, Progressive, and Transformative 🐾Good training takes time. It’s not about rushing r...
26/03/2025

🐾 One-to-One Dog Training: Tailored, Progressive, and Transformative 🐾

Good training takes time. It’s not about rushing results but about truly understanding your dog—letting them lead the way while we guide them with patience, structure, and experience. Every session is a progression, a continuation of the last, but most importantly, every bit of behaviour is assessed individually to build a bigger picture. When we take this approach, the overall progress is huge.

Just like Zeus, who had another brilliant session this Friday! He met multiple off-lead dogs, worked alongside a puppy in her first stooge session (our little Bluebell, who was fantastic!), and was calmed by the steady presence of our red boy, doing what he does best. Zeus handled it all like a star—no reactions, fully engaged, and with his human guiding him beautifully. Moments like these make me incredibly proud of the whole team, including my own dogs.

If you’re struggling, don’t suffer in silence. Don’t avoid walks or hide in corners because your dog reacts. We’re here to help. No quick fixes, but real, lasting progress through consistency, understanding, honesty, and—most importantly—fun!

📩 Get in touch today and take the first step toward a calmer, more confident future with your dog.

We still have spaces , join us and have fun
21/03/2025

We still have spaces , join us and have fun

Always Learning, Always Growing!As many of you know, I’m passionate about observing and understanding how dogs communica...
09/03/2025

Always Learning, Always Growing!

As many of you know, I’m passionate about observing and understanding how dogs communicate. Last week, I took my knowledge even further by completing the fantastic Canine Body Language Specialist program with Dog Training College!

After being assessed, I’m proud to share my new badge with you all. This means even deeper insight into reading subtle signals, improving training experiences, and helping dogs feel understood and confident.

Thank you to everyone who trusts me with their dogs—I can’t wait to put this knowledge to work!

Unlock Your Dog’s Full Potential with Expert Training!I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ria and her mum for some tim...
08/03/2025

Unlock Your Dog’s Full Potential with Expert Training!

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ria and her mum for some time now, and her dedication truly shines through the strong bond they share. From mastering the basics to perfecting heelwork, from simple “find it” games to big jumps and trust-building exercises—we’ve covered it all!

A big shoutout to Enriched Dog Training for allowing us to use their fantastic enrichment field. With agility jumps, scent pipes, and a fully secured (mud-free!) space, it’s the perfect environment for exercise and confidence-building.

Want to strengthen your connection with your dog while building their skills? Book your training package today and let’s start your journey!

📩 DM to book a session!

🐾 One-to-One Training Success! 🐾Yesterday, I had the pleasure of working with a young couple and their beautiful Romania...
04/03/2025

🐾 One-to-One Training Success! 🐾

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of working with a young couple and their beautiful Romanian rescue girl. In just a few weeks, they’ve put in an incredible amount of work—she’s now friendly, polite, and fantastic on the lead! So, we moved on to recall training.

Here’s what we used to set her up for success:
🔹 Long line – An underrated but brilliant tool.
🔹 High-value treats – No one works for free, and recall is one behaviour that can’t be overpaid!
🔹 Toys – Another great way to reward our dogs.
🔹 Whistle – A clear, consistent recall signal.
🔹 Repetitions – Practise everywhere you can, and make it fun!

So, how did it go? She was focused, engaged, and fantastic! We built strong associations between the whistle, recall cues, and food rewards. She even recalled away from dogs and people!

To strengthen her recall, we played:
🏃‍♂️ Ping Pong Recall
🔎 Hide & Seek
💨 Restrained Recalls
🐾 Orientation Games to encourage check-ins

What a brilliant session! How’s your dog’s recall? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️

📩 Want to improve your dog’s recall? DM me to book a one-to-one session! 🐶

Today’s walk and train session was amazing—great turns, fantastic focus, and incredible recalls! Every week, we repeat k...
01/03/2025

Today’s walk and train session was amazing—great turns, fantastic focus, and incredible recalls! Every week, we repeat key exercises, explore new places, and watch both pups and owners improve. The best part? The learning never stops.

Training a dog is a journey. Each team is at a different stage, but they show up, work hard, and support each other—no excuses, just progress. Along the way, we share our highs, our lows, and our stories, building a community that truly lifts each other up.

Well done, everyone! You make me proud. Keep up the great work!

We were thrilled to welcome a new group of puppies to our Puppy Preschool ! 🐾 The class featured a delightful mix of br...
26/02/2025

We were thrilled to welcome a new group of puppies to our Puppy Preschool ! 🐾 The class featured a delightful mix of breeds, making for an exciting and diverse learning environment.

Our session began with teaching basic positions and discussing the importance of socialisation. 🐶 Understanding how to interact positively with other dogs and people is crucial for a well-rounded pup.

We were also fortunate to have Rudy demonstrate handling and cooperative care techniques. 🐕‍🦺 His calm and cooperative behaviour provided an excellent example for the newcomers.

Looking forward to seeing these pups grow and learn together! 🐕🎓

26/02/2025

RECALL is a key to dogs freedom🌟 it’s a proof of my relationship with my dogs.

So what is Recall?
- I call dogs name , dog turns head and moves towards me immediately- that’s the simple definition.
For me recall is so much more or perhaps it’s nothing that much .
So for me:
- I make a sound that I have conditioned ( simply fed ) long enough and added movement toward me or after me. I say “noise” because most of the time I don’t use my dogs names , or their recall cue ( come, here...) , I simply walk away and my dog follows me , I change directions and dogs is by my side, my dogs always keep eye on me !
At the same time I do have many cues for recall- my dogs will come when I call : name , come , here , close , present , walk on , this way ...
I always pay for the recall!!!!
I pay with food or play or just cuddles or just voice but I always acknowledge they have returned!
As many of you know I love obedience training in the traditional way and I do train in competitive obedience . This doesn’t mean I don’t believe I training for real life . In the opposite I use the competitive skills in real life and vice versa . My bond with Rudy helps us work in obedience in a way many would love to do.
How do I train Recall?
- there is many way to train a good recall but like with any behaviour if you don’t practice , if you don’t pay for it ,you will not get it !!!
I feed the noise !!
- I also never allow practice of unwanted behaviours so not coming back is not an option !!! If my dog doesn’t want to come back then the freedom is gone and long line comes back and we will go back to base!! This video shows very first recall for Bluebell , she has not been trained yet and she has very low food drive so it’s a job to reward her . Still our relationship is slowly developing, she is only 9 weeks old and been with us for a week so early days . She is more driven towards toys and tuggy play so this will be our reward for recall in the future . And yes the future is hopefully ,like her big brother, in competitive obedience.

Training can be a bit overwhelming, especially with a new puppy. That’s where our puppy training packages come in. We’re here to guide you through the process, tailoring techniques to fit your dog’s unique personality and needs. With our support, you’ll build a strong bond and a reliable recall in no time.

Ready to embark on this journey with your furry friend? Check out our training packages on our website and let’s get started together!

🐶✨ Today’s Puppy Walk & Train! ✨🐶What a fantastic session with an amazing intake of six teams today! We had three Labs, ...
08/02/2025

🐶✨ Today’s Puppy Walk & Train! ✨🐶

What a fantastic session with an amazing intake of six teams today! We had three Labs, a Staffy, a Shepherd, and a Goldie all working hard on:
✔️ Focus around dogs
✔️ Loose lead walking
✔️ Recall
✔️ Q&A session with tailored advice

Everyone went home with personalized homework, and I couldn’t be prouder of their progress! 🎉

Huge shoutout to my Red Lab puppy team! Two weeks ago, they arrived with a barky, overexcited pup, but today—what a transformation! A calm, focused dog ready to learn. Incredible work! 💪🐾

Also, my two preschool pups are smashing it, going from strength to strength! And my beautiful training package pups—you have all been outstanding!

Well done, everyone—you’ve made me one super proud trainer! ❤️🐾

Another course under my belt—yes, another one on reactivity! Learning never stops, and neither does the journey of growt...
05/02/2025

Another course under my belt—yes, another one on reactivity! Learning never stops, and neither does the journey of growth, understanding, and being open-minded. Here’s to continuous improvement and always being kind—to dogs and their humans alike! ”

🐶 Little Louie’s Big Communication Journey! 🐶Little Louie sometimes struggles to express his likes and dislikes, which c...
05/02/2025

🐶 Little Louie’s Big Communication Journey! 🐶

Little Louie sometimes struggles to express his likes and dislikes, which can lead to some mighty growls! During our session, we focused on understanding body language, emotions, and both verbal and non-verbal communication.

To support Louie, we introduced more sniffing games and even invited him to try mantrailing! This little guy absolutely loves using his nose, and it’s a great way to build confidence while having fun. Excited to see how he progresses!

Does your dog struggle with communication, frustration, or unwanted behaviors? Our Behaviour Support Package is designed to help dogs and their humans build a stronger bond through understanding, confidence-building, and fun activities like sniffing games and mantrailing!

📩 DM us to learn more and book your session!

Yesterday, I received a message from my client, and my heart is full! ...
03/02/2025

Yesterday, I received a message from my client, and my heart is full! “ Thanks for all your help with Miso Justyna. Just to say kids and Miso all much happier snuggling on the sofa now.

I have learned to spot when Miso has had enough, boys are learning to be more gentle and Miso is learning to trust them ❤️“. I’ve known Miso since she was a puppy, and we’ve shared the ups and downs of her journey. Our last session focused on her relationship—or lack of it—with the kids in the family.

Today, I am beyond proud of Miso and her wonderful family for their dedication, patience, and trust in the process. Step by step, they’ve worked together, learning how to live in harmony without fear or conflict. This is what it’s all about—understanding, kindness, and hard work paying off.

Well done, Team Miso! You inspire me every day!

”

🌟 Another session in our Puppy Package = Another sleeping pup 🐾💤What have we done?! 😂 Just a mix of:✅ Self-control games...
28/01/2025

🌟 Another session in our Puppy Package = Another sleeping pup 🐾💤

What have we done?! 😂 Just a mix of:
✅ Self-control games
✅ Setting rules & thresholds
✅ Understanding body language & stress cues

Not too physical, yet so tiring! 🐶 With working breeds—even those stunning show-line cockers—teaching them to embrace doing nothing is the real secret to a peaceful life together. 🙌 Constantly entertaining your pup all day can lead to attention-seeking behaviours like barking. 🚫

Balance is the key: structure, calmness, and a bit of fun! 🐕✨ Ready to transform your puppy’s energy into harmony? DM us to book your spot now!

📸 Penny’s last packaged session! 🐾Over our time together, we’ve worked on building a strong connection, improving her fo...
23/01/2025

📸 Penny’s last packaged session! 🐾

Over our time together, we’ve worked on building a strong connection, improving her focus around other dogs, and having some great discussions about training techniques. 🐕✨ Penny has made incredible progress, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far she’s come. 💪💖

Keep shining, Penny—you’re a superstar! 🌟

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RH159

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Our Story

Biggy’s Walks was established in 2015 following my own experience of having a dog reactive pup Biggy. He opened my eyes to the wonderful world of canine behaviour, body language and the importance of safe dog to dog interaction. I began walking dogs for other people, however I soon found that walking dogs was just not enough for me. Whilst, I feel that physical exercise is of grave importance to dog’s development, mental stimulation often plays even bigger part. I began engaging dogs on my walks with various games, building unique relationships with every one of them. This soon progressed into individual and group training sessions during our regular walks. I soon realised that the best way to ensure a lasting bond with dogs is through a consistent positive reward training. Throughout several years, I attended numerous courses, learning how dogs understand us, and how best to communicate with them effectively. And finally, this year, I achieved a nationally recognised qualification in dog training and behaviour via IMDT that also grants me a full membership with IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers) and further opportunity to continue my professional development.