Good Choice Dog Training

Good Choice Dog Training Accredited Dog Trainer (Puppies & Adult dogs) Puppy Specialist - 121’s - Training Walks - Classes

27/05/2026

Dog not drinking enough water in hot weather?

Make the fluid more exciting!

Yesterday they were very lethargic as it was ridiculously humid inside and melting outside. I was changing their water bowl regularly for cold fresh water but it was still full each time as they were not drinking.

So I made this and it was gone in seconds, and they chased the empty bowls around ‘to make sure it was all gone’ for a few minutes after!

I’m using powdered goats milk from The Dogs Butcher (but it’s widely available), I’ve measured out 3 separate servings for the boys, mixing the powder with water and adding to a soup portion freezer tray (got that off Amazon).

You don’t have to freeze it either, I sometimes give it to the boys after mixing it up with water, but as it’s exceptionally hot at the moment I partially froze it, then let it start to meld, so there was a mixture of fluid and ice for them to both hydrate and cool down.

I’ll only give them 1 portion of this a day, or an alternative such as bone broth or doggy hydration drinks like Oralade.

Remember these should complement — not replace — access to fresh water and proper heat management.

Stay safe in the heatwave!

dog hydration • cooling enrichment • frozen goats milk • summer dog tips • heatwave help • canine enrichment • hot weather dogs




CanineEnrichment
DogWellbeing

23/05/2026

Stan was demo dog on Thursdays puppy class, here he is doing a demo of the progressions for the emergency stop when moving towards the handler. This is real life dog training.

I initially teach that the value is behind on the ‘stop’ cue, this is a starting point to prevent a recall, as we need the dog to be ‘in motion’ when practicing this, for a reliable stop to develop.

Then we need to very quickly progress to the static stop/stay until ‘collected’.

I teach this in puppy class because if you ever needed to use it, it could potentially save your dog’s life.

The example I give is that the danger ⚠️ is between you and them, whatever it may be I.e. lead has snapped, dog has got out of the garden etc. and they are across a road from you, or you notice glass on the floor and they are mid recall to you, in either case you absolutely do not want them to recall to you.

Handling skills need fine tuning with this one to keep it as safe as possible, so that if you need to use it, it’s a well oiled sequence for you both.

Next puppy class starts 27th June, get in touch to book 👍🏻

* puppy training
* emergency stop
* recall training
* real life skills
* positive reinforcement
* puppy classes Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire





21/05/2026

This boy has the memory of an elephant!

One Sunday years ago I thought ‘I’ll try to teach him how to play dead’ and although we very rarely practice it’s still in there!

It has also always taken 2 shots to take him down 🤣 that’s how it happens and we roll with it 🤣

I teach a few tricks in the advanced class and this is one of them. Next block starts 27th June message to discuss a place 😊

Teaching your dog fun tricks like play dead is about more than just cute videos 🐾

Advanced training helps improve focus, engagement, confidence and communication between you and your dog.

In our advanced classes we work on:
• Trick training
• Advanced obedience
• Real life skills
• Engagement around distractions
• Building reliable behaviours through positive reinforcement

Classes held in Lilley, Luton.
Positive reinforcement dog training covering Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire.

Play dead progress 💀🐾
advanced dog training • trick training • positive reinforcement • engagement • relationship based training • Hertfordshire dog trainer





20/05/2026

Updating demo videos with Vinnie.

This is what I call the attention noise, and I mix up the reward between food and play.

Ultimately the noise prompts a check in which you can then convert to a recall.

It can be used both on and off lead to create space from a trigger/distraction/temptation, and put focus back on you and create space.

But it’s not a magic noise, you need to ‘charge up’ your noise!

Make it a fun game, don’t just use it when you need it because then it has no value, and can in some situations become a trigger to alert the dog there is something more interesting close by!

You want to out match all distractions !

Think high value rewards and fun 🤩

Vinnie is very good at switching into ‘work mode’ as you see in the bloopers. He sticks in a loose lead ‘close’ even with a lure from the distraction (Leonie 🙏🏻), which is fantastic but a bit unhelpful in this situation 😂

Food rewards are Sunday roast sausages from

Toy reward is a rabbit fur chaser from

Recall training. Reliable recall. Calling away from distractions. Engagement over environment. Rewarding check ins. Toy reward training. Food reward training. Off lead training. Positive reinforcement dog training.



19/05/2026

Rosie is a working line cocker spaniel puppy, and this clip was her in puppy class last month.

Her mum has trained with me before with Rosie’s brother Ralph, a Border Terrier, so they did set off on the right foot with a good baseline of knowledge.

At that age to be in a class of 6 other puppies and handlers, in a green space, on a long line and choosing to be calm and close with mum is fantastic.

Obviously we are rewarding her for these decisions!

But just as with any dog, calm lead walking doesn’t just happen from only training lead walking. There is a much bigger picture.

Ensuring the dogs needs are routinely met, setting them up for success when progressing their training in different environments, building value and a positive association with the desired behaviour, and that it’s not all ‘school work’ and they get to do dog stuff too, or in Rosie’s case crazy spaniel stuff 😂

Rosie and her mum had an absolutely fantastic puppy class, and she’s 1 week into her adolescent classes and setting the same standards ⭐️

The next block of classes start June 27th get in touch to book.

Working cocker spaniel puppy. Loose lead walking. Calm lead walking. Puppy training. Focus around distractions. Positive reinforcement

17/05/2026

Yesterday’s puppy class 🐾

Lots of confidence building, engagement work, calm social skills and learning how to focus around distractions already.

Such a lovely group of puppies and guardians ❤️

Great mix of breeds in this class too, we have a; golden retriever, whippet, miniature dachshund, miniature schnauzer, boxer, staff x rottweiler, patterdale terrier x pug!

Puppy training. Puppy class Hertfordshire. Positive reinforcement dog training. Puppy socialisation. Confidence building.

27/04/2026

Captured a whistle recall at the woods the other day, they were tracking scent and then body language changed, pace was getting quicker and recall was required to prevent a potential chase.

Later I just wanted to recall them closer and I messed up my human whistle a few times. I always say that I use the human whistle as I’ll never forget it, but sometimes things don’t line up 🤣 …. It happens!

24/04/2026

You’ll always see me posting about how I love going to the woods with the boys, and it maybe a surprise to some, but it’s probably where we are all most relaxed.

Yes, I have put in a lot of work with both recall & prey drive training, but a big part of that is me being part of the adventure.

We go ‘off piste’ but we do it together!

The amount of check ins and how close they stay are fantastic when we do this, but like I say we are doing it together!

When I first started this with Dexter it was on his 121s and he was on a long line.

When I first started with baby Vinnie he was in a back pack!

I know we make a joke of it in these clips, but I absolutely love seeing them enjoy and I’m a sucker for a good adventure! If you’re with me you’ll be coming along for the ride 🤣

It’s bond building too, I’m not nagging, I’m in there with them!

I had a great time ☺️

But when I go home to Wales and say I’m going for a walk, family are suddenly busy 🤣

20/04/2026

These 2 are my babies and my best mates, and I love hanging out with them.

I’m just excited to see them when I get home and we are often goofy together.

I love my boys ❤️

Address

Good Choice Dog Training, The Paddock, Offley Hoo Farm
Hitchin
SG53ED

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 1pm

Telephone

+447976732722

Website

https://linktr.ee/goodchoicedogtraining

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