Ricochet Dog Training

07/06/2026

The dog training world spends far too much time arguing about trainers and not enough time talking about dogs.

- Force free trainers get called soft.

- Traditional trainers get called cruel.

Owners are left stuck in the middle trying to work out who to trust.

Maybe the problem isn't one training camp or another. Maybe the problem is an industry more interested in defending labels than discussing evidence.

The dogs deserve better than that.

New blog below.

https://www.ricochetdogtraining.co.uk/blog-1/the-dogs-deserve-better-than-this-why-dog-training-has-a-tribalism-problem

04/06/2026

Most puppy classes stop when things are just getting interesting.

10 weeks old - the early weeks.

Your puppy is settling in.
They're learning their name.
They're sleeping a little better.
They're starting to come back when called.
You feel good about how things are going.

Then 6 weeks later...

Classes end.
Training wraps up.
Everyone congratulates you on completing puppy school.
But your dog's brain is still developing.

In reality, a lot is still to come.

The problem isn't your dog.

The problem is that most support ends before adolescence begins.

Fast forward to 7 months old.

Suddenly recall has disappeared.
Lead walking falls apart.
Your puppy seems to have forgotten everything you've taught them.

And you're left wondering what happened.
Nothing happened.
Your puppy grew up.

This is exactly why I created The First Year Pathway.

A 12 month programme designed to support you from your initial consultation through the stages that matter most.

Including:
✔ Initial Consultation
90 minutes - I get to know you and your dog and build a plan
✔ FunDOGmentals Course
6 weeks - the foundations every puppy needs to thrive
✔ Adolescent Review
90 minute session to revisit your plan as your dog’s brain changes - around 6 - 8 months
✔ Written summaries after each consultation
✔ Real Life Skills Course
6 weeks of practical skills for everyday situations
✔ WhatsApp Support
Got a question during the week? Drop me a message, Monday to Friday 9 - 5
✔ 6 support walks
Real- world training, together, in the place that matters to you
✔ 6 video reviews
Send a clip and get personalised feedback - use them when you need them
✔ Priority booking access

Because raising a puppy isn't about surviving the first six weeks.
It's about navigating the entire first year.

The goal isn't a perfect dog. The goal is a dog that can enjoy everyday life with you.

If you're expecting a puppy this year and would like to know more, send me a message and let's have a chat.

Sam

Ricochet Dog Training
ABTC Animal Training Instructor
Force free and evidence led

28/05/2026

First time on a moving boat. Diesel engine. New smells, new sounds,...

26/05/2026

Something I have wanted to write for a while.

Every time the weather gets hot, or someone posts a photo of a dog with the wrong equipment, or a stranger makes a choice someone disagrees with, the pile-ons start.

People are called disgusting, cruel, unfit to own a dog. And it gets shared hundreds of times.

But it does not make a single dog safer.

This piece covers the public shaming culture in the dog world, what it actually does to owners, why professional labels can do real damage, and what genuinely helpful guidance looks like instead.

If you work with dogs, own a dog, or have ever felt judged for asking a question, it is worth a read.

Public shaming does not make better dog owners. This piece looks at why online dog culture has become a space of outrage rather than education, and what genuinely helpful guidance should look like instead.

24/05/2026

She sleeps in my bed every night. She also runs off lead through a ...

23/05/2026

We popped over to say hi to Jason Health and Hounds at his new location in Buckover (opposite Dobbies at Thornbury).

Good luck in your new venture and wonderful to see you so happy and settled.

21/05/2026

The idea of the alpha dog didn't come from nature. It came from a 1940s study of captive wolves - strangers, in an enclosure, forced to compete. The research...

20/05/2026

5 months old. Off lead. No nagging. No long line.One recall cue. ...

15/05/2026

Three dogs. Same task. One rule - rewards only.A 5-month-old Vizsla, an 18-month-old Cockapoo, and a 4.5-year-old working Cocker Spaniel. Each warmed up. Eac...

10/05/2026

New course dates added for our popular 6 week Fun Pet Gundog Classes

Suitable for any dog, any age, any breed.
**They don't have to be a gundog breed :) **

Gundog training doesn’t have to be about competition or pressure. This is about working with your dog, building confidence, and developing real-world skills in a calm, relationship led way.

Whether you’re interested in basic foundations, harmony on walks, or practical field skills, these classes focus on connection and clarity rather than force or perfection.

Limited to 4 dogs per class.

Book now to secure your spot and start your training journey.
https://ricochetdogtraining.as.me/gundog