Dereham Dog Academy

20/08/2025

Training your dog is a bit like hiring an employee, if the salary doesn’t excite them, they won’t put in their best effort.

For some dogs, food is like cash in hand. Others want the perks: a toy to chase, a tug game to win, or even praise and cuddles for a job well done. If you pay your dog in the wrong “currency,” their effort will be half-hearted. But if you take the time to find what they truly value, suddenly the work feels like play. Your dog will show up eager, engaged, and motivated—because they’re being paid in the way that matters to them.

Dogs aren’t stubborn or lazy and they’recertainlynot stupid; they’re just smart employees looking for the right bonus package.

So, what's your dog's minimum wage? Tell us in the comments👇

19/08/2025

Ever feel like your dog just isn’t “getting it”?

You ask for a sit, and they hover with their back legs half-bent, ears twitching, eyes flicking between you and the floor. Or you call their name, and they pause, tilting their head, before slowly trotting off to sniff a patch of grass instead. It can feel frustrating, like you’re speaking a different language.

Most dogs want to understand, they just need clarity. Dogs learn by connecting actions to outcomes in the moment. If the treat comes too late, they might link the reward to standing up or wandering off instead of the sit. It’s like giving them the answer a few seconds after the question, they’re already onto something else. That guesswork leads to confusion, and both of you end up discouraged.

The solution?

Mark the exact moment they get it right. A sharp click of a clicker, or a bright, happy “Yes!” cuts through the noise and tells your dog, That’s it! Follow it quickly with the taste of the treat in their mouth or a tug toy in their teeth, and suddenly the whole picture makes sense. Timing transforms training from guesswork into a clear, fun game your dog wants to play. When you communicate in their language—quick, clear, and consistent—your dog gains confidence, and you gain joy in seeing those lightbulb moments click into place.

18/08/2025

Many owners feel stuck because their dog only “sometimes” listens. One day they sit perfectly, the next day it’s as if they’ve never heard the word before. It’s frustrating and can make you feel like your training isn’t working. The truth? Dogs thrive on consistency. If a cue or rule changes, even slightly, they get confused.
A “come here” one day and a “come on” the next can feel like two completely different instructions. Mixed signals leave your dog guessing, and guessing slows progress. Clarity is the cure. Pick a single cue, use it every time, and reward the correct response. When your dog knows exactly what’s expected, their confidence grows—and so does your success rate. Training stops feeling random, and you both start winning.

17/08/2025

What is Dog Owners Anonymous?
We sat down for a coffee and a chat about just that...

16/08/2025

Ever feel like your dog loses interest halfway through training?

You start strong, but after a few minutes they’re sniffing the floor, staring off into the distance, or just lying down with a sigh. It can feel like your dog is lazy or stubborn—but really, it’s a motivation problem.

Dogs work best when the reward is something they truly care about. Many owners automatically reach for treats, but not every dog is food-driven. Some come alive for a squeaky ball, a rope tug, or the thrill of chasing a toy. If the reward doesn’t spark joy, your dog won’t stay engaged.

The fix?

Let your dog choose. Experiment with different rewards until you see that lightbulb moment: the perked ears, the wagging tail, the eager eyes. When the reward excites them, training becomes a game they want to play. You’ll see longer focus, faster learning, and a much happier dog.

15/08/2025

“Dogs just know what they’re being rewarded for.”

Guess again!

Dogs live in the moment, and their brains connect rewards to whatever they were doing at that time. If your reward comes a few seconds late, your dog might think they’re being praised for the wrong thing—like standing up after a sit, or barking just before the treat lands. Good timing makes the difference between clear learning and confusion.

Mark the correct behaviour (with a "Yes! Good! Or a clicker), the moment it happens, and your dog will understand exactly what earned the reward.

14/08/2025

“Dogs will just figure it out eventually.”

Not if we keep changing the rules!

Dogs thrive on consistency. If “sit” sometimes means “sit until released” and other times means “sit for a second and then do what you like,” your dog won’t know which version to follow.

Inconsistent cues and rules lead to frustration for both of you. When we’re consistent, using the same words, gestures, and expectations every time—our dogs learn faster and with more confidence.

Training feels fair because they know exactly how to win.

14/08/2025

We're looking forward to attending and sponsoring this event again this year.

13/08/2025

“A walk is all the enrichment a dog needs.”

Not quite.

Walks are great, but they don’t always challenge your dog’s brain. Dogs are problem-solvers by nature, and if we don’t give them puzzles to solve, they’ll invent their own, like dismantling your sofa or rehearsing reactive behaviours in the garden.

Activities like Scent Detection, Parkour, Rally, and Trick Training engage the mind and body together. Even a 15-minute scent search can leave your dog more fulfilled than a 2-mile walk. Mental stimulation = happier, calmer dogs.

12/08/2025

“Dogs should work for whatever reward you decide to give them.”

Not true.

Every dog has their own preferences. Some will happily work for tiny bits of chicken or cheese, while others come alive for a ball, a squeaky toy, or a game of tug. A few dogs are more motivated by play, praise, or even the opportunity to sniff and explore. When we let our dogs choose the reward that excites them most, training becomes far more effective, and a lot more fun.

Imagine trying to work a job you hated for a reward you didn’t care about. You’d clock off pretty quickly! Dogs are no different. If we give them the “paycheck” they actually want, they’ll stay engaged, learn faster, and perform with real enthusiasm.

12/08/2025

👇👀👀👇

Breckland Gundog Training is excited to be hosting Adam Snare of Mearecastle Gundogs and the England Gundog Team for an informative and enjoyable introduction to Working Tests and Training Day in Saham, Norfolk. The day will be both practical and theory-based, and outside, and will offer an insight....