Wags & Wellbeing

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Wags & Wellbeing

I help pet dog owners achieve happy and calm lives with their dogs and develop their relationship. Force free and concept based dog training. Based in Doncaster.

15/11/2025

All the little wins appreciation post! 🐕🐾💪

It's easy to get all caught up in what's going wrong and what we'd like to improve on but what about all those things our dogs do really well at or have seriously improved on? Brego is certainly a work in progress, but he also does some thing brilliantly. As a couple of examples:

🐾 He walks great on the lead. No pulling, jumping up or lunging to say hi to every person, cat, bird or squirrel he sees

🐾 He is so calm in the house. If there's nothing going on, you'll find him curled up somewhere having a snooze. Quite the change from constantly climbing up the walls

🐾 He's great with the kids. He puts up with them shouting and wanting to stroke him all the time with great patience. He also manages when they can't throw his ball very far

🐾 We can leave him alone and he will settle. This gives us great freedom to be able to leave the house

Comment below with some of your big wins. 🌟

13/11/2025

Myth: Puppies need to be taught all their cues in the first week they’re home.

Not true - and actually, trying to do too much too soon can make things harder for the both of you!

The first week with your puppy is all about settling in, building trust, and helping them feel safe in their new home. Think about it, everything is new is new to them - the sights, sounds, smells, and routines, even the people! They won't be in the right headspace for a lot of learning so it’s essential to go at their pace.

Focus on connection before commands. Short, gentle sessions that build confidence and calmness are far more valuable than rushing through a list of cues. Once your puppy feels secure and relaxed, learning comes naturally.

There’s plenty of time to teach “sit”, “stay”, and “here” but that strong bond you build early on will make all the difference in how your puppy learns for life.

If you’re not sure where to start, my 1-to-1 Puppy Programme can guide you through those first few weeks and months with confidence and calm. Send me a message to find out more. 🐶✨

11/11/2025

Rescue dogs are always welcome at Wags and Wellbeing 🐾

Every rescue dog has their own story, and often a few chapters we’ll never fully know. That’s why patience, understanding, and gentle guidance are at the heart of everything we do.

Whether your dog is still finding their feet in a new home, struggling with confidence, or simply needs help learning how to relax and trust, our training is designed to meet them exactly where they are.

Using force-free, concept-based methods, we focus on building calmness, confidence, and connection - the foundations every rescue dog needs to thrive. Together, we’ll help your dog feel safe, understood, and ready to take on the world at their own pace.

If you’ve opened your heart to a rescue and want to help them settle happily into their new life, I’d love to support you. Send me a message to find out how training can help your dog feel more at ease. ❤️

07/11/2025

Got a new puppy? Let’s start their training journey the right way! 🐾

Those first few months with a puppy are full of joy, cuddles… and plenty of challenges too! From toilet training and play-biting to learning how to walk nicely on the lead, there’s a lot to take in — for both of you.

My 10-week 1-to-1 Puppy Programme is designed to give you personal support and guidance every step of the way. We’ll work together to build the skills your puppy needs to grow into a calm, confident, and well-mannered dog using only kind, force-free, concept-based methods.

Each session is tailored to you and your puppy, focusing on real-life skills like calmness, focus, confidence, recall, and loose-lead walking - all at a pace that suits your puppy’s development.

If you’d like to make puppyhood a little easier (and a lot more enjoyable!), send me a message to find out more or book your space today. 🐶✨

05/11/2025

Bonfire Night is here – and it can be a stressful evening for many dogs. 🎆

If your dog finds fireworks frightening, you’re not alone. The loud bangs, flashes, and unusual smells can be overwhelming. Even for confident dogs, it can be an unsettling night. But there are things you can do tonight to help them feel a little safer and calmer.

Here are a few simple ways to support your dog this evening:

🐾 Keep them indoors before fireworks start and make sure doors, windows, and curtains are closed
🐾 Create a safe space filled with familiar bedding and toys. Let them choose where they feel most comfortable
🐾 Use background noise such as calm music, the TV or even white noise to help soften the sound of fireworks outside
🐾 Stay calm and reassuring – if your dog seeks comfort, it’s absolutely fine to give it - you can’t reinforce fear with kindness.
🐾 Avoid forcing them outside during displays; plan toilet trips earlier in the evening

If your dog struggles tonight, it’s important to remember that help is available. Building calmness and confidence takes time, but with the right approach, next year can look very different.

Send me a message if you’d like support preparing your dog well in advance for next years fireworks season. The best time to start is when things are quiet - so you're both ready when the next big night comes around. 🐾

03/11/2025

Here are my top 3 cues to focus on this November 🍂

As the weather turns colder and the nights draw in, it’s the perfect time to strengthen some useful everyday skills that make life easier for both you and your dog.

🐾 Leave – This one’s a lifesaver on muddy walks! Whether it’s dropped food, puddles, or tempting leaves, teaching a solid leave helps your dog make good choices and stay safe.

🐾 Settle – Darker evenings are ideal for practising calmness indoors. Helping your dog learn to settle means they can switch off and relax when the day winds down - perfect for those cosy nights in.

🐾Loose-lead walking – With fewer daylight hours, walks can feel more rushed or distracting. Reinforcing good lead manners keeps walks enjoyable and connected, even when it’s blustery or busy.

Training doesn’t have to stop when the weather changes — it’s a great opportunity to build the kind of skills that make daily life smoother all year round.

What are you going to be working on this month? Let me know in the comments! 🐾

31/10/2025

Happy Halloween to all!

When you're having fun on the spookiest night of the year, spare a thought for how your pup might react to the weird and wonderful sights. If you think your dog will be worried by the scary costumes or get overexcited by a constantly ringing doorbell, consider keeping them away from the door or putting a bucket of treats out for the trick or treaters.

And a special shoutout to this day 6 years ago too - the anniversary of when we brought Brego home!

29/10/2025

Every dog is different – and that’s why 1-to-1 training works so well. 🐾

Group classes can be great, but not every dog learns best in a busy environment. Some need a little extra space, individual attention, or a quieter setting to really thrive. That’s where 1-to-1 training comes in.

In a private session, we focus entirely on you and your dog - your goals, your pace, and your challenges. Whether you’re working on calmness at home, confidence outdoors, or reliable recall, each session is tailored to help you both succeed.

Using force-free, concept-based methods, we don’t just teach behaviours — we build the skills your dog needs to make good choices and feel more relaxed in everyday life. We're flexible about location too - we can come to you or we have a dedicated training space that you can use.

If you’d like training that’s personal, flexible, and designed around your dog, send me a message to find out more about 1-to-1 sessions.

27/10/2025

Bonfire Night is on the way – here are a couple of tips to keep in mind in preparation. 🎆

For many dogs, fireworks can be frightening. The unpredictable bangs, flashes, and smells can make even the calmest dog feel anxious. A little preparation now can make a big difference when the celebrations begin.

Here are a few ways to get started:
🐾 Create a safe space – somewhere quiet and cosy where your dog can retreat and feel secure
🐾 Introduce background sounds – gentle music, TV or white noise can help mask fireworks noise
🐾 Practise calmness skills – use simple exercises that help your dog relax before the big night
🐾 Walk early - try and take your walk before it gets dark and toilet your dog on lead once the fireworks start
🐾 Prepare calming enrichment - things like long lasting chews, a stuffed toy or enrichment mat to help keep your dog calm
🐾 Stay calm yourself – your dog looks to you for reassurance. Keep things as normal as possible and give reassurance if your dog needs it

Comment below with how you're preparing for next week below.

25/10/2025

Thank you to Hannah Walsh, Clinical Canine Massage Therapy for coming to see Brego this week. For those who have seen his story, we've been trying to investigate some mysterious pain. It was very clear (even to me) that there were a couple of areas of soreness which we worked through. He did find it a little tough and said "ouch" a couple of times but I'm really hopeful that doing this work will help him loosen off and feel more comfortable.

Here he is relaxing after his first session.

23/10/2025

October can be a tough month for excitable dogs 🍂

With darker evenings, gusty winds, rustling leaves and all the changes that come with autumn, many dogs find it hard to stay calm. Not to mention Halloween and Bonfire Night with strange decorations and loud bangs. Every new sound, movement or shadow can be a trigger for excitement or worry, making walks and evenings at home more challenging than usual.

That’s where our Calmness Package can really help. Over five weeks, we’ll work together using force-free, concept-based training to build the skills your dog needs to feel more relaxed and in control - even when the world around them gets busy and unpredictable.

You’ll learn how to create calm routines, encourage focus, and support your dog in making good choices, so you can both enjoy a more peaceful season together.

If your dog’s excitement levels rise with the autumn wind, message me today to find out how my Calmness Package can help. 🍁

Address

Doncaster

Website

http://www.wagsandwellbeing.co.uk/

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