Bound Ahead Dog Training

14/11/2025

🐾 🚨 Fact Friday! 🚨
This week we’re talking about Antifreeze Poisoning (Ethylene Glycol Toxicity) — one of the most dangerous and sadly often fatal types of poisoning seen in pets. 💔

Read to find out where antifreeze can be found, what signs to look for, and what to do if you think your pet may have been exposed

08/11/2025

They're just "off".
Something has unsettled them and we just cant see it.
There's no dog around.
No people either, but they are struggling.
Time to look a bit deeper.

Candles, diffusers and even a change of your perfume can be deeply unsettling for a dog.
If you have two dogs and need to take one to the vet or the groomers, sometimes the welcome home is confusing.
Colder or even aggressive.
Their friend looks the same but they smell totally different (and scent is everything to a dog).

Of course dogs can be stressed by storms but before that thunder and lightning they may be acutely aware of a change in the atmosphere, long before we even notice.
It doesn't need to be an actual storm either, a change of weather is sometimes enough to unsettle dogs.

Those ultrasonic devices we have in our homes, the pest control devices can cause dogs anxiety but so can our modern TVs and devices on standby. Some can emit high frequency sounds that we can barely hear. Even a heat pump turning itself on and off and adjusting output can trigger dogs and even the compressor unit outside cause stress.

We often think of triggers they can see and miss all the other ways our dogs can be affected.

Back to the candles, oil burners and plug in air freshener units for a second.
They may be pleasant for us, but deeply disturbing for a dog.
For some dogs, they can really take a toll.

Maybe rethink if you really need them.

You may be surprised just how relaxed your dog is when you don't use them.

08/11/2025

🐾 Walking your dog can bring so many mental and physical benefits, for you and your dog.

🚀 But if you have a high energy, working line, and/or young breed - it’s not enough!�

🧠 They need brain work to keep them entertained and mentally satisfied.

🙋‍♂️ More brain work than 2 hours of a walk every day can give them.

🎯 They need challenging, problem solving, and to learn new skills.

🔑 This will make them mentally and emotionally satisfied, and hugely improve your bond together and their focus and connection on you.

06/11/2025

🤪 Have you ever gone out with your dog, and your dog has been completely unable to listen to you or focus on what you are asking of them?

🌪️ Maybe they have just wanted to run around the whole time with something in their mouth.

🐿️ Or they were totally uninterested in the ham you have brought with you and instead they are fixated on that dog on the other side of the road?

🪶 Maybe they were obsessed with diving into a bush to the point you have to drag them away...

🚫 If so, your dog’s arousal might have been blocking your training.

🚨 Too much or too little arousal can block our efforts to train our dog, because our dog isn’t in the right physical or mental state to learn.

✅ Understanding arousal, working with it, and helping your dog to learn to manage it, is key to unblocking your training - and getting a dog who can focus on you in any situation!

06/11/2025

So excited to do this with The Happy Hound Gang - Dog training in Anglesey & Gwynedd

Hoopers is a brilliant sport, and can really help with lots of gundog skills including focus, connection, your dog following your body language, impulse control and team work! 🌟

Two sports. One afternoon. Double the fun. 💚

The Happy Hound Gang and are teaming up this month for a double whammy workshop — try both Hoopers and Scurry Dog in one relaxed, supportive 2-hour session.

✨ What to expect:
🌀 Hoopers — low-impact obstacle fun, all about flow, communication and teamwork
🎯 Scurry Dog — gundog-style games that channel focus, impulse control and natural instincts

You’ll leave with a happy-tired dog, new skills, and a big grin.
Small group (max 4 dogs).
📍Trefor Stables - Anglesey
📅 Sunday 23rd November
10am or 12.30pm
BOOK HERE - https://TheHappyHoundGang.as.me/?appointmentType=85280890

06/11/2025

🎆 Bonfire Night: Keep All Animals Safe & Calm! 🎇

As fireworks light up the sky, remember — Bonfire Night can be terrifying for all animals. Loud bangs, bright lights, and strange smells can cause stress and even injury. 🐾
Let’s all do our part to keep them safe and comfortable this weekend. ❤️

🐶 For Pets at Home:
🏠 Keep them indoors with windows, doors, and curtains closed.
🎶 Play calming music or TV to mask loud noises.
🐕 Walk dogs before dark, and keep cats safely inside.
🐈 Create a safe den or hiding spot where they feel secure.
💬 Stay calm and reassuring – pets take cues from you.
🏷️ Ensure microchips and ID tags are up to date.
🐰 Cover hutches or cages to muffle sound (leaving space for airflow).

🐴 For Horses, Ponies & Livestock:
🚜 Keep them in a familiar environment (stable or field – whichever is safest).
🧑‍🌾 Check fences and gates are secure, and remove sharp objects in case they spook.
💡 Leave lights on to reduce the impact of flashes.
👂 Play a radio to help mask sudden bangs.
📅 Plan ahead – let neighbours know you have animals nearby.

🔥 If You’re Planning a Bonfire:
🔄 Build it on the day you light it – this stops hedgehogs, frogs, and other small creatures from nesting.
🧹 Check, move, then light – lift and rebuild piles to check for wildlife and let them escape.
🌾 Use a raised base like pallets or bricks to deter animals from crawling underneath.
💡 Keep wood covered until use to prevent nesting.
🚫 Avoid toxic materials – don’t burn plastics, painted wood, or litter.
🔥 Light from one side so hidden wildlife can flee.
🌌 Tidy up afterwards – once cool, check for injured animals.

Let’s make this Bonfire Night safe and peaceful for all creatures, great and small. 🐾💖
If you need help keeping pets calm, our team is here — message us or pop in for advice.

02/11/2025

🚀 Does your dog ALWAYS seem to have energy to spare?

🌪️ Are they still bouncing off the walls when you get back from a walk?

🌀 Do you feel like your walks are getting longer and longer, and your dog isn’t getting any more tired?

Try these 3 things…

1️⃣ Do activities with your dog which meet their breed specific needs. These are far more fulfilling, and far more tiring, for your dog than physical exercise alone.

2️⃣ Help your dog to manage and regulate their arousal (excitement). This is particularly important for our breeds who are excitable and highly sensitive to the environment.

3️⃣ Play games with your dog which tire out their brains as well as their bodies. This could include problem solving games, impulse control, proprioception and body awareness.

✅ Focussing on these things will get you on the path to a happy and fulfilled dog, who understands what’s expected of them and can react accordingly.

📲 DM me 'Brain games' to get my free guide for 5 games you can play with your dog, to use some of that spare energy!

31/10/2025

💥 Gundog games for active pets 💥

Looking for something that will light your dog up and get their tail wagging every week?

Maybe your dog has seemingly endless energy that needs an outlet?

Or you both love learning new skills, and working as a team to solve challenges?

Scurry Dog’s gundog style games:
👉 Get dogs tails wagging and handlers smiling every session
👉 Build a stronger bond so you and your dog are working as a team
👉 Tick dogs mental and physical exercise needs
👉 Bombproof skills for everyday life like recall, heel and settle
👉 Equip you with games and step by step activities you can play at home
👉 Give you the opportunity to earn points and badges in our 5 Levels

💬 Caroline has attended two blocks of classes with her sprocker:

"These sessions, which cleverly use gundog-style games tailored for pet dogs, have been an incredibly fun and rewarding experience for both myself and my dog.

The skills we’ve picked up haven’t just stayed on the training field – they’ve made a real difference in everyday life. From improving recall and focus to building confidence and a stronger bond, I’ve seen noticeable improvements thanks to Clare’s knowledge and thoughtful teaching style."

🎯 Our next block starts on 10th November, only a handful of spaces still available!

📆 Get your spot here: https://boundaheaddogs.com/scurrydog/

30/10/2025

29/10/2025

🔎 If your walk with your spaniel looks like you staring out at the empty vegetation/ woods/ moor/ beach, listening for sounds of where your dog is and hoping they will come back….

💥 It’s time to flip the switch in your training.

🐶 Spaniels are bred to run, to hunt, to retrieve, and to find wildlife.

🌪️ And they are going to do that, whether it’s with us or without us!

🔐 The key to keeping your spaniel close and focused on you, is to play games and training which tap into this breed-specific need.

🐿️ This includes hunting and searching for toys and wildlife scent, together as a team.

🚀 Providing your spaniel with an outlet for their breed-specific needs will be fulfilling for you both.

🌟 But best of all it will keep them closer to you, with their ears switched on for the next fun activity.

29/10/2025

If you need a dog walking/ training venue near Prestatyn, check out North Clwyd Animal Rescue's paddock. Support the rescue, whilst spending time with your dog - I can't think of a better combination!

Now that the clocks have gone back and the darker mornings and evenings have arrived, we’ve switched to our winter opening hours. Our play paddocks are now available to book between 9am and 4pm, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort during the shorter daylight hours. Thank you for your support

27/10/2025

☀️ Labradors might be totally content to chill on the sofa, and seem happy with a daily on lead walk around the block…

❤️ But to truly fulfil their mind, heart and soul, they need a job to do.

🙋‍♂️ They might not be as obvious in asking for that job as a spaniel is!�

💡 But they will light up just the same.

📸 All photos by the incredible Darryl Owen Photography