Hammond’s Hounds Dog Training

24/10/2025

Was great to join Puppy Training North Devon this week and teach a class again! 🐾

24/10/2025

Important message below about dogs and hiding pain 🐾

Many people are surprised to learn that dogs rarely show pain in the way humans do. When we’re in pain, we often rest, complain, or seek help because we understand that help is possible. Animals don’t. They have no concept of treatment, pain relief, or medical care. So instead of showing vulnerability, they do what evolution has taught them: they cope, hide it, or change their behaviour to get through it.

Showing weakness can make an animal a target. Predators and competitors notice when another animal is limping, moving slowly, or acting “off.” To stay safe, most species have evolved to mask discomfort as long as they can. Because dogs don’t understand that pain can be treated, they adjust their behaviour instead of seeking help.

They:

Move differently or avoid certain positions.
Growl, snap, or shy away from touch.
Refuse stairs or jump less often.
Become irritable, restless, or withdrawn.
Lick, chew, or fixate on one area of their body.

These changes are often subtle at first, which is why owners sometimes assume their dog is “being difficult,” “stubborn,” or “suddenly reactive,” when in fact the dog is simply coping with discomfort the only way it knows how.

Pain changes behaviour and many people may respond with punishment or increased pressure, which only adds fear and tension to the mix. Recognising pain isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most important parts of behavioural work. Many “behavioural” issues improve dramatically once pain is identified and managed.

Watch for changes in posture, movement, or mood even small ones.
Record patterns of behaviour (time of day, activity, weather, etc.).
Seek a veterinary check if your dog’s behaviour changes unexpectedly.
Avoid confrontation or punishment. A dog in pain needs compassion, not correction.

Animals don’t mask pain because they’re stoic or dramatic; they do it because they don’t know there’s another option. They can’t connect “I hurt” with “someone can help me.” So they cope, compensate, or protect themselves the only way evolution taught them to.

08/10/2025

✨ A Little Update from Hammond’s Hounds Dog Training ✨

Since launching back in December 2023, I’ve been blown away by the support, trust, and success we’ve achieved together. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made — especially in offering ethical, reward-based training to North Devon and beyond.

I’ve recently taken on a new role with the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, whilst also doing behaviour consultancy work for The Pointer Rescue Service, and combined with becoming a new dad (the most important job of all 🍼 👶), life is fuller than ever. This does mean my availability for Hammond’s Hounds will now be more limited.

That said, Hammond’s Hounds is very much still running. I’ll continue working with clients, but I may need to set clearer boundaries and, if I can’t personally fit you in, I’ll happily recommend a trusted local dog trainer or behaviourist.

Please do keep enquiring — I’ll always be honest about my availability.

❤️ Thank you so much for your continued support, it means the world.

— Phil

08/10/2025

I may be scaling down my business, but I couldn’t resist booking in this puppy 1-2-1 when they enquired. Can you see why? 😍😍

03/10/2025

Back from a little family trip away and saw lots of dogs when away, which reminded me of something I say to clients all the time to get them thinking:

✨ “Have you taught your dog what you want them to do instead?” ✨

So often, we expect our dogs to just know how to behave in our busy human world:
🐶 Sit quietly in a café.
🐶 Settle in the car.
🐶 Ignore the doorbell.
🐶 Stay calm when the post comes through the letterbox.

But here’s the thing… dogs don’t automatically understand our expectations. To them, the doorbell or post through the door may be scary, and the café is full of new smells, people and food – why would they know to just lie down and relax?

The real question to ask is:
👉 Have you actually taught your dog what you’d like them to do instead?

For example:
✔️ Instead of barking at the doorbell – go to their bed.
✔️ Instead of jumping at the post – fetch a toy.
✔️ Instead of pacing in a café – settle on a blanket.

Training isn’t about shutting down behaviour. It’s about giving your dog clear, positive alternatives that make sense to them in our human world.

Next time your dog struggles with something, pause and ask yourself:
💡 Have I shown them what I’d like them to do instead?

Because once you do, life becomes easier – for both of you. ❤️

Photo of my two on holiday in Newquay 🐾

26/09/2025

29/08/2025

In a further update to this post, I am now fully booked for September and then from that point I will only be in a position to take on 1-2 clients per month, and only in the Braunton/Barnstaple area.
Amazing local (and like-minded) fellow professionals I would recommend are:
Tarka Dog Training
Puppy Training North Devon
Canine Connexion
Nature's Therapies Animal Behaviour
Dreams Dog Training

All will have slightly different specialisms and some fit will your needs more than others. Check them all out 🐾

✨ A Little Update from Hammond’s Hounds Dog Training ✨

Since launching back in December 2023, I’ve been blown away by the support, trust, and success we’ve achieved together. I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made — especially in offering ethical, reward-based training to North Devon and beyond.

I’ve recently taken on a new role with the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, whilst also doing behaviour consultancy work for The Pointer Rescue Service, and combined with becoming a new dad (the most important job of all 🍼 👶), life is fuller than ever. This does mean my availability for Hammond’s Hounds will now be more limited.

That said, Hammond’s Hounds is very much still running. I’ll continue working with clients, but I may need to set clearer boundaries and, if I can’t personally fit you in, I’ll happily recommend a trusted local dog trainer or behaviourist.

Please do keep enquiring — I’ll always be honest about my availability.

❤️ Thank you so much for your continued support, it means the world.

— Phil

28/08/2025

Worked with a breed which is quite rare in this country this evening 🐾

Any guesses what it could be? Bonus points if you guess his name too? 😂 🐕

26/08/2025

🐶 ‼️ Discount on 100% natural dog treats and chews with JR Pet Products ‼️ 🐶

I’m SO pleased to announce that Hammond’s Hounds is officially a verified partner of JR Pet Products Ltd 🐾

After being chosen as a business to partner with, they were kind enough to send us a welcome pack, which Bronson and Kolo are delighted with! 😍

As part of the partnership, clients of mine will now receive 20% off any orders from their website 🤩🥳

My personal favourites are their paté range, a really high quality product which is the choice for trainers and behaviourists all over the world! 🐕 🐾

Message me for a one-time exclusive discount code! 🥳

Phil

02/08/2025

Aren’t golden retrievers just the most beautiful dog?

Loved meeting 9-month-old Oakley today for the first session of my behaviour package 😍

25/07/2025

My August diary is filling fast and I’m almost fully booked!