Jill O'Sullivan - Busy Bee Dog Training & Behaviour

29/08/2025

The best rambling Buddy, Otto. Barassie train station to Irvine train station. He was pretty disappointed that we walked past Gro cafe without going in, but was appeased when a stranger gave him a flapjack while we waited on our train. Made it back to the van as the first drops of rain fell.

17/08/2025

Interested in what's a safe amount of exercise for your puppy? This article explains how the type of exercise and being able to recognise fatigue are the important factors to consider, rather than the "5 minute rule".

Puppy exercise tips to support growth plates, build coordination, and prevent injury with expert-guided puppy fitness strategies.

14/08/2025

This is an absolute tragedy.

"A Lanarkshire woman [sic] came home to find her pooch dead after a dog walker left it inside the home following a walk in 27C heat."

This is not the first time this has happened locally. Disgustingly, a male dog walker, who still runs a canine business, told me how 2 dogs died in his care when they were left in a van while other dogs were being walked on a hot day.

There are many amazing, conscientious dog walkers in Glasgow but there are others who talk the talk but are not who they present themselves as.

If you think its too hot for your dog to be out on a walk, cancel your dogs walk. It's so not worth the risk.

My heart goes out to this dogs family. 💔

Up to date advice on how to treat a dog with heat stroke in the comments

Dave McGhee - who runs Dave’s Dugs - has been slammed after not seeking veterinary help for English Bulldog Shelby who took ill following a walk in 27C heat on Tuesday.

25/04/2025

The sheep have arrived and are ready for a weekend of sheep desensitisation workshops.

Can't wait to see everyone tomorrow and Sunday. Weather is looking good, too!

20/04/2025

Happy Springtime, folks. My dogs obliged and indulged me with this silly photo. They were well compensated with treats. See my stories for the outtakes 🤣

17/04/2025

Today I've been tidying through old things and became distracted by some old photographs.

I've been lucky to share my life with lots of different animals over the years.

Here's a few of the most memorable... (Top, then bottom left to right)

1. Our childhood dog Connie, a lhasa apso x cocker. I think she only went to the groomers twice a year 😬

2. Our first ponies, Julie and Rumbo

3. My 2nd pony, Candy. I loved her dearly but she chucked me off A LOT.

4. Mogs, a cat I rescue when she was 11 yrs old. She was the friendliest character who loved visitors

5. My first own dog, Faye. I did not appreciate what an easy dog she was.

6. My last riding horse, Mr Pickle. The gentlest, kindest horse. Sometimes I think Otto is the dog version of Pickle.

30/03/2025

Lovely words from Rufus' person ❤️

05/03/2025

Would you trust your dog if you rounded a corner on a walk and suddenly came across sheep?

Dogs worrying sheep is on the rise. The advice "keep your dog on lead" isn't solving the issue.

One of the problems dog owners face is when they accidentally come across sheep and their dog is overcome with curiosity, your perfectly trained recall goes out the window, and then your dog discovers sheep are the most exciting thing to chase.

The vast majority of dog owners do their best to avoid this, yet it still happens.

My sheep and horse desensitisation workshop is for people who want an additional layer to your training. More recall isn't the answer.

Instead, your dog needs to satiate their curiosity WITHOUT, triggering an interest in chasing.

Your dog needs to learn sheep are boring.

In this workshop, you will learn the nuances of successfully desensitising your dog to sheep and horses.

No harsh methods used or needed.

Next dates:

Sat 26th April -sold out
Sun 27th April - spaces

Location:
Harperland, Dundonald

NOTE: Your dog should ALWAYS be on lead around livestock

Link in bio or send me a DM

28/02/2025

What's scentwork, and why would your dog benefit from it?

Scentwork, nose work, or detection work is when we teach our dogs to find a specific scent.

The police train their dogs to find 🍃 or 💣 but we can teach our pet dogs using similar methods to find safer scents like catnip, cloves, or even treats.

Why should you teach scentwork to your dog?

🟢 I've never met a dog who doesn't love it!

🟢Sniffing is great for helping a dog regulate their emotions... it helps excitable dogs feel calm

🟢 It builds confidence in easily worried dogs.

🟢 It's great for all shapes, sizes and ages.

🟢 You and your dog work as a team.

Want to learn more or build your skills.

Join my 1 hour workshop at Harperland, Kilmarnock on Sat 22nd March

More info in comments

21/02/2025

Would your dog benefit from the power of Pattern Games?

Pattern Games are a predictable way of engaging with your dog that builds confidence, communication, and connection.

Pattern Games are deceptively easy. We create the pattern, and then your dog then learns the pattern. This level of predictably makes it easy on our dogs when they might otherwise feel overwhelmed or disinterested in training. We can use this pattern to help them train with confidence at times they otherwise might struggle.

🟢 Pulling in lead
🟢 Reactivity
🟢 Fear/stress
🟢 Over excitement
🟢 Frustration
🟢 Inability to focus on handler
🟢 Over friendliness

Want to learn with your dog. I'm running a 1 hour workshop this Sunday at Harperland, Kilmarnock. It's INDOORS

To join DM for a booking link or follow the link in my bio.

PLEASE NOTE. This class is not suitable for dogs who can't be around other dogs and people. If you're unsure, please DM before booking.

17/02/2025

After just one session where SOX's lead walking was described as being

🔹️A nightmare
🔹️Her person dreaded walks
🔹️Busy parks like Rouken were stressful and unenjoyable.

This is the feedback I received just one week after our session.

"Just back from the Rouken glen and as we were walking round there was a horse and “cart” going round. I thought oh god here we go …..

Anyway. SOX stopped. Looked Waited and then walked beautifully after it passed. No reaction at all. Not phased and non reactive.
I can’t tell you how proud of her I am"
I honestly couldn’t believe it. She was like a totally different pup."

Here's why SOX had such an impactful first session.

🟢 I listened to the family's observations of their dog and asked lots of questions.

🟢 I observed SOX before deciding on her training plan

🟢 I observed the impact of my interventions on her behaviour

🟢 I have vast experience working successfully with hard to engage dogs.

🟢 I am educated in dog behaviour so can explain behaviour and phycology well beyond the over symplified beliefs uneducated trainers hold.

I'm so delighted for SOX and her family. Not every dog is turned around so quickly but it just takes that first session to start on the path of feeling more relaxed, confident and happy with your dog.

15/02/2025

Dog trainer friends and colleagues. If I was to make an online course on how to run a sheep/livestock/horse desensitisation workshop, would this be something you were interested in?

I'm just trying to get a feeler for whether it's worth the expense and effort of recording this.

There are some very detailed and specific observations that are vital in making these workshops as successful as they are and I'd love to share them.