Waggy Dogs

08/10/2025

Chewie joined big brother Stanley on his first walk with me today 🐶🐾. He's smart and curious, and such a friendly little soldier - even if his eyebrows look frowny!! He'll also be joining next week's new Puppy ABC's course so I'll have the pleasure of even more of his company 💕

07/10/2025

Firework season is here, and many of you have dogs who are terrified of the sound and sight of fireworks. There's lots of products that can help (more later), but you can also teach your dog that there's nothing to be afraid of.

The Dog's Trust have a fantastic, free, step by step process to help you do this. It contains a guide and recordings, and the idea in a nutshell is that:
- You play the recordings very quietly to start with, at a level that your dog doesn't react, and over time gradually increase the volume;
- You introduce a favourite treat while the sound is playing, so that they start to associate the sound with something good.

This works with other sounds too, and the recordings provided include traffic noise, babies crying, thunderstorms and many more. Some daily practice should help you and your dogs to cope much better - here's the link https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/understanding-your-dog/sound-therapy-for-pets.

Products and tools can help too. The Dog's Trust mentions some too, but here's a few ideas to get started:
- Blocking unwanted sounds using the TV/radio,
- Using calming music for dogs - classical, soft rock and reggae are said to be help,
- Create a den they can retreat to to feel safe,
- Plug-ins and sprays such as Adaptil and Pet Remedy,
- Feeding a carb rich meal beforehand to help them feel sleepy,
- Try the calming treats, of which there's many on the market.

From now til New Year can be such a difficult time, but there's lots you can do to help your dog, so get started as soon as you can.

Sound therapy can help your dog feel more comfortable with new and scary life noises.

30/09/2025

What sort of life do you dream of having with your pup? Things like taking them everywhere with you, walking with your friends and their dogs, happy to snuggle at home, loves people and other dogs?

The reality can often be quite different, particularly in the early days. Nipping, chewing (nothing is safe!!), toilet training (think stepping in the little gifts they leave for you, and having to get up during the night to make sure they go out), barking, scared of other dogs or people…

Having some support makes all the difference to achieving that dream, and that’s what Puppy ABC’s group classes offers:

🐾 Once you've booked a space, you receive an information pack to help you get started straightaway, before the course even begins. It’ll help you with the puppy pitfalls of housetraining, nipping, chewing and jumping, as well as finding out how to occupy them, particularly as you have to wait until their vaccinated before taking them for walks.
🐾 In your first session the puppies get the chance to meet each other safely in the enrichment zone, which is full of objects for them to explore. This helps the pups to settle into this new space, and with each other by having something fun to do, helps them be a bit calmer by doing some sniffing and searching, and also helps to build up confidence, both by giving them the opportunity for problem solving but also to get out of the way of the other pups if they're feeling a bit shy.
🐾 You’ll learn the basics like teaching them to pay attention to you, settle, sit, lie down, walk nicely on the lead, recall, drop and leave, among other things, and I use fun ways of teaching them so it's more like a game - I want them to enjoy learning .
🐾 You’ll receive an email after each session detailing what we've covered to help you practice.
🐾 Places are limited to 6 so each pup has got plenty of space to learn, and each team has plenty of 1:1 time with me to guide them through each exercise and help with any problems.
🐾 Classes are friendly! We all have the chance to talk, swap horror stories of our little land sharks and give each other support.
So what else do you need to know?
🐾 Classes are on Tuesday evenings at the Marychurch Centre in Bucknall. The next course with spaces available starts on Tuesday 14th October at 6pm.
🐾 Each course lasts for 6 weeks and is £99.
🐾There's plenty of reviews on Facebook and Google if you'd like to do a bit more research, as well as some lovely comments from graduates on previous Facebook posts.

If you'd like to join, just drop me a message and I'll send you the booking info. I hope to see you and your puppers there 🐶💕 .

24/09/2025

I had the pleasure of meeting the latest group of Puppy ABC's students yesterday, say hi to Eevee the Maltipoo, Cocker Spaniel Enzo, Luna the miniature Dacshund, Cockapoo Rusty, and Golden Retriever sisters Willow and Winnie 👋🐶🐾💕.

As always, they sniffed their way around the activities set up for them, giving them the chance to greet if they felt comfortable, into some exercises to get their attention, and finishing off with a Settle (which I found the most useful thing ever with my dog Crumpet, who never used to be able to relax but now lies on his mat in the pub).

They're a group of characters, and I can't wait to see how they develop over the course. And if you'd like to join the next group, it starts on Tuesday 14th October at 6pm.

23/09/2025

Little Ted is one of many puppies who've gained in confidence from coming to the Puppy ABC's group classes - his lovely owner left this review on Google today:

"Highly recommend Waggy Dogs training with Lesley. Ted was very timid at the first meeting but by the second week he had gained confidence being with the other pups. It's been a great experience for both of us. Thank you! Carole and Ted."

I'll be posting tomorrow about the latest group that starts their training journey tonight, so prepare for cute puppy pictures 😍. And let me know if you'd like to join, there's another group course starting on 14th October 🐾🐾.

21/09/2025

School is back in full swing, and just like with kids, puppers really benefit from learning what to do in the world around them. They don't come knowing what we want them to do, or understanding what we're trying to tell them, so it's up to us to kindly and gently teach them how we want them to behave in all the different situations they'll experience as part of our families.

If you're up for it, here's where you can find out more! As a graduate of the Victoria Stilwell Academy, I've been taught to use only kind, humane methods to teach the pups in my classes, and I've found time and again that using positive methods really helps the pups blossom as well as making it easier for them to learn.

So what can you expect from a Puppy ABC's group class?
🐾Once you've booked a space, you receive an information pack to help you get started straightaway, before the course even begins.
🐾In your first session, you'll get a training pack containing some treats and information, and the puppies get the chance to meet each other safely in the enrichment zone, which is full of objects for them to explore. This helps the pups to settle into this new space, and with each other by having something fun to do, helps them be a bit calmer by doing some sniffing and searching, and also helps to build up confidence, both by giving them the opportunity for problem solving but also to get out of the way of the other pups if they're feeling a bit shy.
🐾During the next few weeks they learn the basics like paying attention to you, sit, lie down, walking nicely on the lead, recall, drop and leave, among other things. I use fun ways of teaching them so it's more like a game - I want them to enjoy learning 😊.
🐾After each session I send out an email detailing what we've covered to help everyone practice.
🐾Places are limited to 6 so each pup has got plenty of space to learn, and each team has plenty of 1:1 time with me to guide them through each exercise and help with any problems.
🐾Classes are friendly! We all have the chance to talk, swap horror stories of our little land sharks and give each other support.
So what else do you need to know?
🐾Classes are on Tuesday evenings at the Marychurch Centre in Bucknall. The next course with spaces available starts on Tuesday 14th October at 6pm.
🐾Each course lasts for 6 weeks and is £99.
🐾There's plenty of reviews on Facebook and Google if you'd like to do a bit more research, as well as some lovely comments from graduates on previous Facebook posts.
🐾If you'd like to join, just drop me a message and I'll send you the booking info. I hope to see you and your puppers there 🐶🐾.

03/09/2025

Congratulations to the 2 Puppy ABCs groups who graduated yesterday ⭐🐶🐾💖. They've been such joyful, lovable pups, and together with their humans have come on so far in just a few weeks. They've developed in confidence, started to focus well on their humans and respond better when asked to do things, and should continue to go on to become amazing adult dogs. I'm really looking forward to catching up with them on the next course too 😍.

So here's Betty, brothers Dougal and Finlay, Lottie, and Skyla from the first group (who are also practicing being calm when closer to other dogs), and friends Hugo and Rosie, Margo and Ted, and we all missed Charlie who couldn't make it.

I have a couple of weeks holiday now, and the next courses are starting at the end of September (this one is now full) and early October, so if you'd like to join the next group, just get in touch 🐾

29/08/2025

Sometimes dogs can be little horrors! I know, who’d have thought it?! There’s lots of reasons why this is, but it’s helpful to understand one of the major periods in a dogs life, and the impact it has on them (and you!).

Adolescence 😱. It can start any time from 6-12 months, and go on until 18-24 months. Hormones are starting to swish around, their bodies are getting stronger, they have more energy, and they want to explore what’s going on around them.

As any of you with adolescent dogs know, it feels like your cute puppers are rebelling, being generally stubborn and disobedient. Although they have all this energy and desire to explore, they haven’t developed much in the way of self control, and what their bodies are telling them to do is often at odds with what we’re asking them to do (and which they used to respond to straightaway!).

This can then lead to frustrated behaviour like barking, jumping, lunging, nipping, pulling and biting on the lead. It’s stressful to say the least, for both them and us!
So, what can we do to make it easier?
🐾 Direct all this extra energy into activities that are positive. Yes they need physical exercise, but anything that’s too frantic will just ramp up their excitement levels as well as their fitness, making it even harder to meet their needs. Things like sniffy walks in quiet areas, scent games and toys are great for channeling their energy in a more relaxing way.
🐾 Make physical exercise productive. For example, rather than lots of repetitive ball throwing, hide the ball in the grass for them to find, or run away and recall them to you - or if there’s 2 more more of you, take turns – easier for you, more fun for them!
🐾 Understand what circumstances get them wound up and give them something else to do instead. For example human mealtimes can be very frustrating for them so scatter their kibble outside so they can search it out while you’re eating, and then stuff a Kong for when they’ve finished but you haven’t.
🐾 If your dog is sociable, be aware if they’re getting too boisterous for their pals. You might need to steer clear for a while to avoid getting into bad habits of overly rough play, but give them something else to do instead. Bring a favourite toy out on walks so that the interaction is with you rather than the other dog. This way, rather than telling them off, which can add to the frustration, they can still have fun.
🐾 Be aware that punishment, even telling them off, is really counterproductive. They won’t understand why they’re being told off, which can add confusion, frustration and fear into the mix – and the resulting behaviours aren’t what you want to be fostering.

Although all puppers go through this phase, some with more difficulty than others, it does pass. Promise. I adopted lovely Crumpet right in the middle of adolescence (the terrifying teeth photo was mid impatient bark 😂), and it was properly challenging, but we got out the other side intact.

27/08/2025

Do you find it fairly easy to get your dog’s attention when you’re at home, but as soon as you walk through the door you may as well not exist?

So many of us think that once we’ve taught our puppers to do something, that they know how to do it no matter where they are or what’s going on around them. As you’ve already discovered though, this isn’t the case! Please don’t think your pupper is being stubborn either, it’s most likely that there’s too much going on for them to focus on you, or they might be tired or bored.

Getting (and keeping) your pupper’s attention in different circumstances is really hard, so here’s some tips to help you.

🐾 Make sure your rewards are something your pup really likes. It might be their favourite food or toy, or a fuss for example. If it’s something your pup doesn’t like, or doesn’t like as much as the distractions going on, then it’s not going to motivate them to do what you ask.
🐾 Always reward your pup for responding when you first start to train (you can fade out the rewards later),
🐾 Build up the difficulty slowly. Trying to get your pup’s attention away from that other dog nearby when you’ve only trained them inside with nobody around is just too hard.
🐾 Think of your training like a staircase, with each step being an extra level of difficulty. The first step might be to get their attention when the TV is on. The next might be when someone else is in the room. The next might be when you work in a different room of the house, or in the back garden when it’s quiet. When you start to work in public, start practicing when it’s quiet, then when you see someone in the distance, then when there’s someone a bit closer, and so on. You’re always looking to make each step as easy as possible for your pup to respond to you.
🐾 Be someone your pupper wants to respond to! You might need to make your voice higher pitched, definitely make it sound warm and not angry, make your body language welcoming such as arms open, patting your legs, crouching down.

Training is a lifetime’s commitment, you need to practice a bit every day. Not only so that you can build up the difficulty gradually, and add more and more distractions as you come across them, but so that you keep developing that strong bond with your pup, and a strong history of asking for a behaviour, and getting and rewarding the response you want.

That’s why the first things I work on with dogs and their humans, whether in group puppy classes or individually, are exercises to get their attention, and examples of how to increase the difficulty. Dogs are like houses, they need strong foundations to build on 🐶⭐🐾

25/08/2025

UPDATE - the 23rd September course is now full, the next one starts on Tuesday 7th October at 6pm.

It's not long until school starts again - for puppies as well as their human versions 🐶. And just like with kids, puppers really benefit from learning what to do in the world around them. They don't come knowing what we want them to do, or understanding what we're trying to tell them, so it's up to us to kindly and gently teach them how we want them to behave in all the different situations they'll experience as part of our families.

So if you're up for it, here's where you can find out more! As a graduate of the Victoria Stilwell Academy, I've been taught to use only kind, humane methods to teach the pups in my classes, and I've found time and again that using positive methods really helps the pups blossom as well as making it easier for them to learn.

So what can you expect from a Puppy ABC's group class?
🐾Once you've booked a space, you receive an information pack to help you get started straightaway, before the course even begins.
🐾In your first session, you'll get a training pack containing some treats and information, and the puppies get the chance to meet each other safely in the enrichment zone, which is full of objects for them to explore. This helps the pups to settle into this new space, and with each other by having something fun to do, helps them be a bit calmer by doing some sniffing and searching, and also helps to build up confidence, both by giving them the opportunity for problem solving but also to get out of the way of the other pups if they're feeling a bit shy.
🐾During the next few weeks they learn the basics like paying attention to you, sit, lie down, walking nicely on the lead, recall, drop and leave, among other things. I use fun ways of teaching them so it's more like a game - I want them to enjoy learning 😊.
🐾After each session I send out an email detailing what we've covered to help everyone practice.
🐾Places are limited to 6 so each pup has got plenty of space to learn, and each team has plenty of 1:1 time with me to guide them through each exercise and help with any problems.
🐾Classes are friendly! We all have the chance to talk, swap horror stories of our little land sharks and give each other support.

So what else do you need to know?
🐾Classes are on Tuesday evenings at the Marychurch Centre in Bucknall. The next course with spaces available starts on Tuesday 23rd September at 7.15pm.
🐾Each course lasts for 6 weeks and is £99.
🐾There's plenty of reviews on Facebook and Google if you'd like to do a bit more research, as well as some lovely comments from recent graduates on previous Facebook posts.
🐾If you'd like to join, just drop me a message and I'll send you the booking info. I hope to see you and your puppers there 🐶🐾.

25/08/2025

Although we're very lucky in Stoke-on-Trent having so much open space, whether it’s our parks, nature reserves, towpaths, disused railway lines, for some of your and your dogs, it's all a bit too much! Too many distractions, too many people, bikes & scooters, squirrels, and especially other dogs, many of whom are offlead.

It's lovely to have a dog who's a social butterfly, but for those that aren't for whatever reason, or who's recall isn't that great just yet, all of this just means you have to be very selective about where you walk, and your dog might not get the chance for some regular offlead time. And lets face it, they do love to let off steam every now and then!

While there's training that can help your dogs cope better with things that they struggle with (more on that later), how do you go on in the meantime?

We’re even more lucky to have lots of enclosed areas you can use, whether it's to give dogs who overreact the chance to run around in peace, to give their humans some peace of mind, or to practice their recalls.

Some of our parks have old tennis courts which lots of people use to exercise their dogs off-lead, we’ve got the free dedicated secure dog area in Burslem Park (I’d like more of these please!), there’s an enclosed football field in Chatterley Valley, open but quiet spots in places like Forest Park that are great for dogs who’d rather not be around other dogs (and where there’s nothing to get a long training lead tangled up on!), and you can now hire Freedom Fields which are becoming really popular.

A few I'm aware of, some of which I've used for both group classes and private training are Doggy Cool Day Care in Cellarhead which has 3 small and 1 xl field as well as an indoor arena, Salthouse Pet Boarding in Werrington which has a big field and an indoor space, the Bark Park in Madeley (this has a public footpath along one edge which is useful to practice against distractions), Outward Hounds in Halmerend, Paddocks for Paws in Bradnop near Leek, and Paws and Play in Bradwell.

Going back to the training, there's lots we can do. To begin with, make sure your dogs have plenty of enriching activities that meet their needs. Whether it's different ways of feeding so that they can sniff, search (the ball pit in the photo is just one example), lick and chew their food, places to dig, places to run, things to legally destroy (as you can see Crumpet loves to kill a cardboard box!) to name but a few, giving them an outlet for their physical and mental energy is a great start. Think about the benefits to your mental heath of having enjoyable things to do, and what a detriment it would be to have nothing.

Secondly, work on nice simple exercises that help your dog to be able to focus on you, and then work on them being able to do these no matter where you are or what's going on around you. It could be as simple as getting them to respond to their name or other sound, or playing games which could be with food, toys or yourselves. When they can respond somewhere calm, practice in more and more distracting places, always taking care that you're far enough away from distractions to begin with that they can respond, and gradually get closer.

You can then use these training games to help them cope better when they see things that they overreact to. So whether your dog is a frustrated greeter, or one that's worried about other dogs/people/etc, we can work on changing how they feel and therefore how they respond.

I'll not lie, it can take time and patience, but being calm and consistent gives you the best chance of making the world an easier place for your doggo to live in - which makes life easier for you too!!

30/07/2025

Meet the latest Puppy ABC'ers; Charlie, Hugo, Margo, Rosie and Ted🐶 . These lovely puppers really enjoyed sniffing around the objects laid out for them, and the sociable ones could have a play, while the more shy ones could have some space to make their own minds up.

When we started their first training exercises later in the session, they were fantastic. It's really hard for young puppies in a new space to be able to focus on their training, so we made sure it was fun, rewarding, and short so they didn't get bored! I can't wait to see them all again next week 💕🐾