Cognidog

Cognidog PhD-qualified canine behaviourist offering puppy training, 1–1 support, and behaviour services in Deal & East Kent. Evidence-based, kind, reward-based training.

Experienced, qualified dog trainer and behavioural consultant with twenty years experience working with dogs, and nine years specialising in canine cognition research - Force-free training - Competitive rates - Fully insured. Sevices include:

Group puppy, adolescent and dog training classes

One on one training sessions

Behavioural modification programs tailored to support both dogs and carers,

especially those experiencing complex and acute issues including trauma, aggression, separation issues and cognitive decline

25/08/2026

Building confidence, one choice at a time.

Scrappy was a very anxious boy when I first met him. As well as noise phobia, he found meeting unfamiliar people really difficult.

The first step wasn’t training — it was giving him space, time and choice.

By allowing him to observe people from a distance, build positive associations and learn that he wouldn’t be forced to greet people he didn’t know or trust, Scrappy gradually started making his own choices about when to approach.

Knowing his mum is there to support him, advocate for him and understand his emotions has given him the confidence to let his playful, friendly side shine through.

And this is Scrappy now… chasing me around Mark Woods Park! 🥹

This is what genuine confidence can look like.

19/08/2026

A fun video I came across of me teaching my dog to copy my actions! A surprisingly complex cue to teach. Do as I do teaches your dog to watch the action you take, and then copy it when you ask "do it!" One for anyone one advancing on their training and looking to challenge both yourself and you dog

16/08/2026

Loose lead walking starts before you even get to the park!

If your dog pulls like a freight train the moment you leave the house, don't try to tackle the whole walk at once.

Instead, break it down into tiny, achievable steps.

Try practising leaving the house several times a day. Take just a few steps, reward your dog heavily for staying close to you, then go back inside.

Over time, your front door becomes less exciting because leaving the house doesn't always mean an exciting trip to the park!

And this principle applies to so much more than loose lead walking.

Whether you're teaching a recall, a stay, calm behaviour around distractions or any other skill, the key is to break the challenge into smaller steps and set your dog up to succeed.

Small wins build bigger skills.

If you're struggling with loose lead walking or another training challenge, get in touch — I'd be happy to help.

13/08/2026

Puppy classes in Deal start Sept 9th at 7.15pm. This is how we teach recall. Starting off with small steps creates strong results! 🐕🐕🐕
If your puppy is wandering off mid recall, RESCUE them by bringing that yummy treat straight to their nose and luring them backwards with you - that is how you build a successful recall! Message now to secure your space.

"My puppy waited until we came inside to p*e!"If you've ever thought, "She was outside for ages... then p*ed the second ...
06/08/2026

"My puppy waited until we came inside to p*e!"
If you've ever thought, "She was outside for ages... then p*ed the second we came back in!" you're definitely not alone!

Here's what I recommend as a PhD-qualified dog behaviourist who has been teaching puppy classes for 14 years:

🐾 If your puppy has been outside but hasn't toileted, assume they still need to go!
🐾 Next time, don't stay outside for 45 minutes hoping they'll eventually go. Instead, put them on lead and walk them quietly around the garden for a maximum of 15 minutes.
🐾 If they p*e, celebrate! Tell them they're amazing, give lots of praise (and a treat if you use them), then let them off lead to play. They quickly learn that a wee outside leads to two rewards – praise and freedom!
🐾 If they don't go after 15 minutes, head back inside. But don't assume they no longer need the toilet. Keep them close and watch them like a hawk!
🐾 If they start to squat indoors, calmly interrupt them by picking them up (most puppies stop mid-wee!) and take them straight outside. As soon as they finish outside, reward them generously and let them play.
🐾 If they don't try to toilet indoors after a few minutes, pop them back on lead and try another short trip into the garden.

The good news? Any pattern like this lets you learn to prevent the accident. Which is the foundation to toilet training succes! Every p*e or poo outside helps your puppy learn this is the place to go.

And finally, a reminder for anyone worrying...

It is completely normal for puppies not to be reliably toilet trained until around 5–6 months of age. Despite what you may hear, young puppies simply don't have full bladder control yet. Accidents are part of learning, not a sign that you're doing anything wrong.

You're doing fine. Keep going. Consistency really does pay off.

Need more puppy help?

My 6-week puppy classes in Deal cover toilet training, biting, lead walking, recall, socialisation, confidence building and all the essential life skills to give your puppy the best start.

You can book a space on my September 9th 7.15 pm course or learn more online https://cognidog.co.uk/puppy-training-deal

Or comment the word "PUPPY" and I'll send you my FREE Puppy Success Guide, packed with practical, science-based tips to help you through those first few months.

— Dr Rebecca Hassall, PhD
🐶 PhD-qualified Dog Behaviourist & Puppy Trainer with 14 years of puppy class teaching experience and 25 years experience working with dogs.

28/07/2026

Puppy Training Classes in Deal
Starting Wednesday 9th September
📍 Walmer Parish Hall
🕖 7:15–8:15 pm

Train with Dr Rebecca Hassall – Kent's only PhD-qualified Dog Behaviourist.

Give your puppy the very best start with fun, science-based, reward-based training in a friendly and supportive environment.
Over six weeks you'll learn:

✔ Sit, down, stay, recall & leave
✔ Loose lead walking
✔ Focus around distractions
✔ Confidence & social skills
✔ Toilet training, biting & chewing
✔ Preventing common behaviour problems

👥 Small class sizes mean every puppy and owner receives individual guidance throughout the course.

🐾 Reserve your puppy's place today. Message now or book online using the link in the comments.

Does letting your dog sleep on your bed or sofa make them think they’re the boss?I want to talk about one of the most pe...
23/07/2026

Does letting your dog sleep on your bed or sofa make them think they’re the boss?

I want to talk about one of the most persistent myths in dog training: that you need to be the “alpha” or “pack leader” to make your dog respect you.

There’s a moment I often experience during one-to-one sessions in clients’ homes. I ask where their dog sleeps and, almost immediately, the owner looks a little guilty before sheepishly admitting...

“They sleep on the bed.”

Or...

“They’re allowed on the sofa.”

I both love and hate this moment!

I hate that so many loving dog owners have been made to feel guilty because they’ve been told that sharing their furniture will make their dog think they’re “the boss”.

But I love being able to tell them:

Your dog is not plotting a household takeover because you let them on the sofa.

Ideas about dogs needing a human “alpha” or strict pack leader are based on outdated interpretations of wolf behaviour. Modern understanding of wolf social structures is much more nuanced: natural wolf packs are typically family groups, with parents and their offspring living and working together.

And your dog? They probably want to sleep on your bed or sofa for much simpler reasons.

It’s comfortable and they like being close to you.

You absolutely CAN have rules and boundaries. If you prefer clean sheets and a dog-free sofa, that's completely fine! You can kindly and consistently teach your dog to settle in their own comfortable space instead.

But keeping your dog off the furniture won't make them respect you more. And letting them snuggle beside you won't suddenly make them think they're in charge.

Good training isn't about winning a battle for dominance.

It's about communication, consistency, reinforcement and building a relationship in which both you and your dog feel safe and understood.

And for anyone who has ever sheepishly admitted to me that their dog sleeps in their bed...

Every dog I've ever owned has been allowed on my sofa and slept in my bed too. 🐶

So, tell me: where does your dog sleep?

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Deal Road
Deal
CT140LL

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