Westwick K9 Academy

Westwick K9 Academy Hemel Hempstead’s Premier Dog Training & Behaviour Modification Specialists

1:1 Behavioural Training | Workshops | Group Classes | Training Walks
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18/08/2026

Sometimes rehabilitation means asking LESS of the dog. ⬇️

I haven’t seen Rex for a few weeks, so today we changed things up.

No hammering trigger work.
No constant obedience.

We got out in nature, gave him more freedom and let him move, sniff, explore and just be a dog.

There’s more going on here than simply having a nice walk.

Movement is one of the nervous system’s most direct outputs, and the James-Lange theory gives us an interesting way of looking at how what the body is doing can influence emotional state.

Add in some choice and control over his environment, and Rex gets opportunities to explore, overcome manageable challenges and build confidence through successful experiences.

We’re not avoiding his reactivity. We’re looking beyond it.

Sometimes we work on the reaction.

Sometimes we work on the dog underneath it.

And today, Rex just needed to be a dog.

17/08/2026

Rocky knows it. Now his owner needs to know it too… ⬇️

Owner transfer week started today, and first up was simply the rules of the walk.

When does Rocky get freedom?
When does he come back into behaviour?
What does the lead actually communicate?

And probably most importantly, getting the timing right so Rocky gets clear, consistent information.

He’s already learnt the behaviours in his intensive training over the last two weeks.

Now we’re making sure his owner understands why they work and how to maintain them.

Plenty of repetition today, building confidence at the other end of the lead.

Because there’s no point me having a beautifully trained Rocky if everything falls apart the minute I hand him back 😂

Train the dog. Then give the owner the skills to keep it.

Too much freedom, before they understood what to do with it. ⬇️Meet Mila & Marley.Marley has developed the dangerous hab...
17/08/2026

Too much freedom, before they understood what to do with it. ⬇️

Meet Mila & Marley.

Marley has developed the dangerous habit of chasing and barking at young children.

The more that behaviour is rehearsed, the stronger and more automatic it becomes.

So today, we dialled everything back.

Basic markers. Clear communication.

Teaching both dogs how to disengage from the environment and make a different choice; rather than simply chucking treats on the floor to distract them, as per previous advice.

And Marley was fantastic once he actually understood what was expected of him.

Don’t distract from the problem. Teach the dog how to deal with it.

Struggling with behaviours that are getting worse? Get in touch before they become even more established.

17/08/2026

Want to fix pulling? Don’t let it become a habit in the first place. ⬇️

Some early loose lead work with Riot this morning.

Pulling is simple… it works.

Puppy pulls towards something interesting, puppy gets closer to it.

The environment just reinforced the behaviour.

Repeat that enough and those neural pathways strengthen until pulling becomes the default.

So with Riot, we’re getting ahead of it.

Teaching him early that a loose lead, engagement and moving with the handler are what get him where he wants to go.

No endless correcting bad habits later. Just clear expectations and hundreds of good repetitions now.

The behaviours they practise are the behaviours they get good at.

Got a puppy?

Start the foundations now and make life easier later.

Assessment for willow the working cocker spanielA much needed intervention on the way for this one… Super smart, tons of...
16/08/2026

Assessment for willow the working cocker spaniel

A much needed intervention on the way for this one… Super smart, tons of working drive and nowhere to channel it.

Willow will be going into our collection & train program, to give her the skills she needs in order to succeed.

Really nice to see a very well looked after, lean and fit working dog!

Bags of fun this one!

Today’s puppies & juniors!
16/08/2026

Today’s puppies & juniors!

Want the results of residential training without sending your dog away? ⬇️Our 4-week intensive programme gives your dog ...
15/08/2026

Want the results of residential training without sending your dog away? ⬇️

Our 4-week intensive programme gives your dog consistent, weekday training while they still come home to you every day.

One discounted space currently available.

Drop me a message for details 🐾

Blue the American shepherdSession one of Blue’s package today… A starting assessment to see where Blue is currently at, ...
15/08/2026

Blue the American shepherd

Session one of Blue’s package today… A starting assessment to see where Blue is currently at, his routine and lifestyle and to start the training process.

Lovely little dog, just starting his life journey at 20 weeks old!

Will see him again next week. Plenty of homework set already for his owners to start working on.

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