Focus Dog Training

Focus Dog Training Focus Dog Training offers an unrivalled choice of puppy & dog training options. Book your free consultation https://calendly.com/bobandpals/discoverycall

We are passionate about using modern, reward-based methods to help you and your dog.

Does your dog struggle with fireworks?Ours did too!We know first hand how awful it can be watching your dog struggle and...
07/10/2025

Does your dog struggle with fireworks?

Ours did too!
We know first hand how awful it can be watching your dog struggle and not knowing how to help.

This why we created an online course that not only shares our tried and tested management techniques, but also dives into the ‘why’ and gives you a plan to start reducing their fears in time for next year

What' you'll learn in our Firework Survival Guide:
🐾How to spot smaller signs of worry before they grow
🐾What you’ll learn
🐾Why so many dogs struggle with fireworks
🐾Practical solutions for reducing stress
🐾Our tried and tested management strategies
🐾How to reduce fears for next year
🐾What to do when you’re caught off guard

Sign up using the link in the comments!

Why we should never punish dogs for growlingA growl is a dog’s way of asking for space and telling you they’re uncomfort...
03/10/2025

Why we should never punish dogs for growling

A growl is a dog’s way of asking for space and telling you they’re uncomfortable.

If we don’t listen to that growl your dog will need to shout louder.

What comes after a growl? A snarl, snap, or bite.

If we punish the growl we can remove that important warning signal.

The gang at Tails and Trails Pet Services Ltd have been working their way through our Circus Skills challenges over Summ...
01/10/2025

The gang at Tails and Trails Pet Services Ltd have been working their way through our Circus Skills challenges over Summer and it's been a joy watching them learn new skills!

If you're looking for a fun challenge to get involved in with your dog, need to provide them with little extra brain work as the nights draw in, or just love practising fun things together, check out our Circus Skills challenge here https://www.focusdogtraining.online/circus-skills

One essential piece of information for dogs owners...Dogs get better at what they practise!Whether they’re pulling on le...
29/09/2025

One essential piece of information for dogs owners...

Dogs get better at what they practise!
Whether they’re pulling on lead, running away, barking, digging, chasing squirrels, or lunging at dogs, the more they practise a behaviour the stronger that behaviour becomes.

This is why we start our training plans with management
This means setting up the environment to reduce the likelihood that the dog is going to practise the behaviour.

Once we’ve reduced rehearsal, then we can start to teach an alternative.

These pictures make me beam for lots of reasons!1- The connection these teams have with their dogs is blooming wonderful...
27/09/2025

These pictures make me beam for lots of reasons!

1- The connection these teams have with their dogs is blooming wonderful to see

2- Each of these dogs has their own struggles, yet are able to enjoy these social classes

3- We've build a space where owners of spicy dogs cheer each other on, recognise each others wins and support each other when things get tricky.

4 -There was so much laughter in this class. Training your dog should be fun for both of you. If dogs teach us anything it's not to take yourself too seriously!

If your dog is afraid of fireworks, you may have been told "Don't comfort them, you'll make the fear worse"This is absol...
25/09/2025

If your dog is afraid of fireworks, you may have been told "Don't comfort them, you'll make the fear worse"

This is absolutely not true!

This myth comes from the idea that comforting dogs reinforces fear. When dogs react out of fear it’s an emotional response, not a chosen behaviour. We can’t reinforce emotions in the same way we reinforce behaviour.

When comforting dogs has the opposite effect

Comforting dogs can cause problems, but this is usually when our attempts to comfort our dogs accidentally make them more uncomfortable.

For example; picking dogs up, restraining them, forcing them to stay in a certain place, following them around, constant touching.

The theme here is the removal of choice and an invasion of personal space.

Some of these things can be comforting, if the dog is given the choice to opt in or out.

So how do you comfort a scared dog?

Let the dog lead the way!

Some dogs may actively seek out contact when worried. Others may want to be near you but not in physical contact, and some will want to be completely alone.

Stay nearby initially and let them come to you if needed. As long as it’s safe, let them choose where they go when they’re worried, even if that’s away from you.

Looking for more help with your dogs firework fears?
Keep your eyes peeled for our firework survival guide, coming soon!

We're very very proud of these two teams! Both of these dogs have big feelings about other Dogs and needed a confidence ...
23/09/2025

We're very very proud of these two teams! Both of these dogs have big feelings about other Dogs and needed a confidence boost. The first picture is where we ended their first session together and the second shows where we ended their second session last week.

Changing emotions takes time and both teams did lots of work around the edges to get here. We couldn't be more pleased for them ☺️❤

Don't miss out on your chance to join us for puppy class this year! We have just one spot left in class starting on Wedn...
21/09/2025

Don't miss out on your chance to join us for puppy class this year!

We have just one spot left in class starting on Wednesday 1st October.

These small group classes are designed to help build confidence in your puppy and the foundation for a fabulous life together!

Book here: https://bookwhen.com/focusdogtrainingleeds

This is a pretty special update! Last winter Tilly started to show some reactivity towards other dogs. But look at her n...
19/09/2025

This is a pretty special update! Last winter Tilly started to show some reactivity towards other dogs. But look at her now, sprawled out relaxing with another dog just a few meters away.

Tilly's humans have been super dedicated and worked really hard to help her feel better which is of course an essential step, but this hasn't been achieved with training alone. We noticed some changes to Tilly's gait so put them in touch with Louisa Purkiss Veterinary Physiotherapy who helped us put the pieces of the puzzle together and worked with Tilly's vets to get her feeling more physically comfortable again.

When working with reactivity it's never just training, there are so many different factors we have to take into account which is why collaboration and teamwork always gets us the best results!

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