Aunty Carla's Dog Training

17/06/2026

Please don't attempt to cover your kettle in chocolate and switch it on...

Can you guess the breed mix of Layla?
There's 2 in there...

One is a super independent high prey drive breed.
One yaps...🤣

She wears a harness.
She only goes offlead in secure fields.
Because that's sensible.
Because it's all that's necessary to give her what she needs 💓
Because I don't think obedience and power is the answer to successful dog parenting.

I don't mind her pulling a bit.
It's what she's 50% bred to do so we'll give her a break and meet her half way.
Though most of her walks look like this...

As long as she's happy 😊

15/06/2026

What a fun challenge today!

Milo's family messaged to ask for help with recall in their awesome garden.
Milo finds the space incredibly stimulating and herds his footballs... away from his humans 🤔

We let Milo go on a dropped line and I spent some time working him at a distance until I thought he would be open to leaving a ball with his Counting Game then sent him straight back out to his ball and repeated.

Getting Milo from keeping 40ft away, playing keep away with his ball, and not wanting a treat, to eye contact a foot away and sitting by Laura with a dropped lead in 5 minutes was awesome.

And it was even more awesome to see Laura replicate the strategy so well.

It pays to understand breeds 👏
It pays to read a dog 👏
It pays to have awesome clients 👏

15/06/2026

When I have a dog who has become visually stressed by cues surrounding vets and cooperative care, the dopamine box can be an excellent option!

I like to throw a spin on it and add a coin for something to focus on inside the box. As Bertie has strong scentwork indication on coins, this task was really easy!

Treat dispensing is randomised. We use a varied reinforcement schedule to build some anticipation and work the times very well so that he feels good about the game.

After a few weeks, the dopamine box can be worked in the vets car park, the waiting room and last week we played the game with very relaxed body language in a consultation room with a vet present.

For context, Bertie wouldn't eat even in the car park, he'd pull away from the practice and get visibly stressed in the building.

Now he pulls us into the building when he gets out of the car, is excited to play the game, can be scruffed on the neck during box game (ready for vaccinations) and will eat until the treats run out.

The dopamine box isn't for every dog.
But for high energy Bertie it works well to help him focus on something else.

He is happy to end the game. And we play tuggy after each session ❤️

Two rules must always remain:

Notes:
He is never verbally cued to use the box.
He can opt out at any time by taking his head out.
We have worked on other desensitisation activities alongside this.
He can also now sit quietly and watch people in the waiting room.

13/06/2026

🟣SAVE FOR LATER🟣

We've domesticated dogs to this point. To where they are now. From our human perspective, that point is safer and more comfortable than it would otherwise be.

Dogs in the UK mostly live in houses, eat regular meals, sleep on soft furnitures, have social play outlets and are protected from others.

And I'm so if you could ask a dog, they'd say they loved aspects of this life.

However, what we strip away by providing all of this is autonomy. And we see the effects of this more on international rescue dogs than anywhere else.

Transitioning from a life where they have control over where they go, what they do, when they socialise, what they chew, where they p**p - to leads, walls, routine, and boundaries... with a stranger.

It's A LOT!

(I would ALWAYS seek support from a professional when looking to integrate an international rescue dog into your home 🏡 )

AUTONOMY

One of the ways that we can help to bond with our dog (any dog!) is to give them some control over what happens to their movement/body/food/day/walk.

Within safe parameters 🙏

Here's 🟣3 WAYS🟣

➡️ Buy a 5/10m lead and allow your dog to choose directions on their walk in a big safe environment

➡️ Put a couple of food options down on some days or multiple types of bowls/surfaces/spaces to eat from

➡️ Ask them if they would like to greet the dog and be okay if they choose to opt out of it. It's not rude in dog language to ignore/walk away

And if you'd like some extra reading, head to the comments and write RESCUE ME to receive our International Rescue Dog leaflet

10/06/2026

RECALL WORKSHOP

This Saturday in Harborough Magna!

Head to www.auntycarlasdogtraining.co.uk/workshops

Aunty Carla's Dog Training is a positive reinforcement dog and puppy training school based in South Leicestershire.

08/06/2026

Our first session of Tooth touching with the brush whilst on a spoon bite today! And as per usual Bertie opted in.

Today was mega for him.

He pulled us into the vets multiple times and wanted to stay in.

He allowed me to scruff him in a consultation room whilst a vet was present.

He jumped onto the scales himself and sat without being asked to TWICE and was complimented by others waiting in the reception.

Cooperative Care is just phenomenal ❤️

02/06/2026

Looking for something different in a Dog Training class?

We bring you 🟡🟣ThisDogCan:🟣🟡

People so often mention that they have a goal of a 'Well-Rounded Dog'.
🟣You want ad hoc classes to fit around a busy life.
🟣You want to have fun building skills that find what your dog absolutely thrives on.
AND
🟣You want to train outdoors in fresh air!

ThisDogCan: is a hybrid class teaching a huge range of skills that aims to build confidence, stronger bonds, and a happier family.

We know you'll LOVE it!

4 sessions available in the next month with LIMITED spaces!

Head to
https://www.auntycarlasdogtraining.co.uk/thisdogcan

01/06/2026

If you join an Agility club and they don't teach you these skills - it's a safety issue. Period.

Foundation work is what builds strength, confidence and a long term Agility 'career'.

Whether you want to compete or you just want a weekend hobby with your dog.

Choose your school wisely...

www.auntycarlasdogtraining.co.uk/agility