Rachel Isherwood Derbyshire Doodles

20/07/2026

🌿 Winnie's Next Chapter

The recent videos make me smile.

Over the last three months, Winnie has been working with the wonderful team at Manchester K9, and I'm incredibly grateful for the care, patience and skill they've invested in her.

The progress she's made has been wonderful to see.

She can now happily have food, treats, toys and without feeling threatened by people. She'll drop and leave treats when asked, is much more relaxed around adults and children, and has made great progress with her recall, place command and loose lead walking.

The final stage of her training is continuing to build her confidence around other dogs, particularly when food or other valued resources are involved, before finishing with real-life socialisation in busy environments and a family home with toddlers.

We chose a three-month residential programme because we wanted to build lasting foundations rather than chase quick fixes. Winnie deserves the very best chance to go on and live a happy, confident life.

She is now nearing the end of her training, and I'm beginning the search for a very special home.

One thing Winnie has taught us about herself is this....

She has never needed someone to dominate her. She has always needed someone she could trust enough to follow.

She's such a beautiful girl that people naturally want to stroke her wherever she goes. One of the biggest gifts her future family can give her is to become her advocate—allowing Winnie to choose when and how she greets new people, rather than expecting her to welcome every interaction. When she knows someone else has her back, she relaxes beautifully.

Like people, every dog is different. Some naturally move through the world with confidence, while others experience the world a little more deeply. Winnie is one of those thoughtful, sensitive souls who flourishes with calm, confident leadership she can lean into.

After a great deal of thought, I've made the decision to begin looking for Winnie's forever home. She's nearly ready for the family she truly deserves—one where she can simply enjoy being the joyful, affectionate companion she was

20/07/2026

Here is Winnie heel walking and waiting while van is got ready for instruction

20/07/2026

Winnie doing really well in town centre around distractions

20/07/2026

Winnie working on stay and recall

17/07/2026

So proud of her and well done trainers

15/07/2026

🌿 Winnie Update

I thought it was time for a little Winnie update.

She's now been with the wonderful team at Manchester K9 for almost three months while I was raising puppies and on holiday, and I'm so grateful for the care, patience and skill they've poured into her.

She's made some lovely progress.

One of the biggest changes has been around trust she did have resource guarding challenges. Winnie can now happily have food, treats, toys and bones taken from her by people, ( though that was in training and we want her to associate people with giving rather than taking, but she will drop and leave treats when asked, and she's become so much more comfortable around both adults and children.

She's also making great progress with her recall, place command and loose lead walking. One area we're still working on is her confidence around other dogs when food is involved, but that's exactly why we take our time. Real progress isn't about rushing to the finish line—it's about building solid foundations.

Winnie is a classic example of a soft and tender dog that needs a confident leader. She's always needed someone she could trust enough to follow and relax knowing someone has got her back.

She is such a beautiful dog sometimes people can push themselves on her. She will totally love and trust someone who leads with love and understanding.

Next week I'll be collecting her before taking her to Justin for a three-day assessment. I'm really looking forward to seeing how far she's come and discovering what the next chapter of her journey will look like.

I'm so proud of this girl. 💛

I'll be sharing some of her training with Manchester k9 Denton and then next week some further updates as we do a full assesment. Such a lovely girl xx

21/05/2026

18/05/2026

07/05/2026

🐾 Naboo – a deeply devoted companion looking for her person

Naboo is a very special Australian Labradoodle who is now ready to retire from her role and settle into a home where she can simply be a cherished companion.

She has previously been an assistance companion dog, and because of this she has developed a beautifully close, intuitive bond with her person. She is what many would describe as a “velcro dog” in the very best sense—loyal, affectionate, and happiest when she is by your side. Unfortunately, her previous guardians health has deteriorated beyond being able to care for Naboo.

Naboo’s greatest joy is companionship. She loves being involved in day-to-day life, whether that’s a gentle walk, time at home, or simply resting close by. She has a lovely recall and naturally chooses to stay connected, preferring her person over the wider world. She loves fetch.

Because this close bond has been such a central part of her life, she will be best suited to a home where she is not regularly left for long periods. She would thrive with someone or a family who truly want a companion dog and have the time and presence to enjoy that relationship. A supportive network—for example, a close family member who can help with care when needed—would be ideal.

Naboo would be happiest as the only dog in the home, where she can fully enjoy that one-to-one connection and where her affectionate nature is a joy rather than something she has to compete for.

Finding the right home for her is incredibly important to us. We take our responsibility to our dogs seriously, and for that reason we offer a gentle three-week settling-in period to ensure she and her new family are the right fit for one another.

She is a beautiful girl inside and out, and in the right home she will be a truly devoted, steady, and loving companion.

If you feel you could offer Naboo the kind of home she is looking for, we would love to hear from you.

07/05/2026

Naboos puppies 2 weeks old