Bonded Behaviour Training

30/08/2026

🍓🫐 ENRICHMENT MADE EASY! 🐾

Enrichment doesn’t have to be complicated or involve buying lots of fancy equipment. Sometimes a Kong, a couple of ingredients from the fridge and five minutes of prep is all you need!

This Yoghurt & Berry Kong is super simple to make and can be popped into the freezer to make it last that little bit longer. ❄️ Perfect for those hot days.

It can be a lovely activity for encouraging sniffing, licking and problem-solving, or simply giving your dog something enjoyable to settle down with.

And remember, enrichment should be tailored to the dog in front of you. Some dogs will happily spend ages working on a frozen Kong, while others may prefer it unfrozen or loosely packed to make it easier.

🍓🫐 Now I want to know about your dogs!

Have you tried yoghurt and berries in your dog's Kong before?

And more importantly... what berries get the paws-up in your house and which ones get spat dramatically onto the floor? 😂

Blueberries?
Strawberries?
Raspberries?
Or does your dog look at fruit as though you've personally betrayed them?

Let me know in the comments! 👇🐶

As with all treats and enrichment foods, introduce new ingredients gradually and make sure they're suitable for your individual dog.

27/08/2026

Meet Fergus 🐾

Fergus is a recently rehomed rescue dog who came with a bite history, resource guarding and reactivity towards other dogs.

With the right support, management and understanding, Fergus has made fantastic progress all round. His resource guarding is now well managed, his owners have worked hard to understand him better, and he has been able to work successfully around other dogs both on and off lead.

Cases like Fergus are a great reminder that behaviour is communication. When we understand the dog in front of us, we can start making changes that help both dog and owner feel safer and more confident.

If you are struggling with similar issues, including resource guarding, reactivity or more complex behaviour, please get in touch.

📧 [email protected]
📱 WhatsApp: 07703 973656

22/08/2026

Today, I was sent this video—and I cannot tell you how excited it made me.
Why?

Because it shows someone visiting Patch’s home while Patch remains relaxed. He isn’t barking, lunging or trying to bite. Instead, he is calmly sharing his space and choosing to interact positively.

For many dogs, this might not seem extraordinary. For Patch, it is enormous.
Patch was rescued from a traumatic background after being bred on a dog meat farm in Asia. He is now 10 years old, has previously been deemed “unhomable” and, at one point, was at risk of being put to sleep. He also has a significant bite history.

When I took on Patch’s case, I had to be completely honest with his family: we might not be able to “fix” everything. Our work might need to focus primarily on careful, lifelong management. Behavioural euthanasia was also a part of the conversation and potential plan.

Ultimately, only Patch could decide whether he was ready to begin trusting people. Considering his age, his experiences and everything he had learnt about humans, I couldn’t promise how far we would get.

Before I became involved, another trainer had told his family that Patch was fixable and used a slip lead to physically restrain and correct him—lifting him to the point that only his back paws could barely reach the floor. For a dog already frightened of people, this created yet another terrifying experience and reinforced the belief that humans were not safe.

So, we took a very different approach.
We worked on helping Patch feel safe. We gave him choices, listened to his communication and ensured that he wasn’t placed in situations he couldn’t cope with. We used patience, consistency and positive reinforcement to begin rebuilding his trust.

During our session this week, I entered Patch’s home for the first time without him being held on a lead. I then entered the living room while he was completely loose.
I sat down and allowed Patch to make every decision about interacting with me. During the session, he gave me several hand licks, rubbed his head against my hand and even chose to sit on my feet.

Patch’s interactions must always happen on his terms. Other than with his owners, I consider him a no-touch dog unless he clearly chooses otherwise. His sense of safety will always matter more than our desire to touch him.

Now, back to this video…

Someone is visiting Patch’s home, and he is relaxed, comfortable and interacting positively. His lead is attached as a safety measure—but with another positive meeting or two, there is every possibility that it may no longer be needed with this particular person.

This is what progress looks like.

Not forcing a dog to submit.
Not suppressing their communication.
Not demanding affection or compliance.

It is creating safety, building trust and allowing the dog to move forward at their own pace.

Dogs really are incredible. Despite everything that may have been done to them, so many are still willing to try—when we work with them patiently, knowledgeably and compassionately.
Patch, I am so unbelievably proud of you. ❤️

If you are struggling and want help with reactivity or issues that you deem aggressive in nature you can get in touch via WhatsApp on 07703 973656 or visit www.bondeddog.com

09/08/2026

This is one of the reasons I absolutely LOVE collaborating with other professionals. ❤️ whether you are a dog trainer, hydrotherapy, physiotherapist, dog walker, groomer etc

You really can’t beat working alongside like-minded people who share the same passion for supporting dogs and their humans.

It’s always a pleasure when I get the opportunity to work alongside The Ipswich Dog Trainer and I’m so grateful for the lovely shout-out and continued support. 🐾

Collaboration is so important in our industry. No one professional can know everything, and when we come together, share knowledge and recognise each other’s strengths, it ultimately benefits the dogs and their humans we’re all here to support.

And it’s not just about dog trainers!

If you work with dogs or support their humans in another way — whether you’re a groomer, vet, physio, behaviour professional, photographer, walker, sitter or something completely different — I’d love to connect. 🤝

Let’s build a network of like-minded professionals who can support, recommend and learn from one another. 🐶❤️

🔊 For the next few Saturdays I am going to give a shout out to some of the amazing businesses that I work with.

🥰 Today it is Bonded Behaviour Training

🤔 Why do I find this business so fantastic? How long have you got?!
👉 Local small business
👉 Happy to collaborate rather than compete
👉 Constantly adding to their knowledge of dogs
👉 Qualified, insured, DBS checked and canine first aid trained
👉 Positive reinforcement techniques
👉 The list is endless

Some of you will already have met Leanne (yes thats her name 😂) at one of the Practical Skills days or through her own business. Our paths have crossed for many years and I even shadowed Leanne at the very start of my career!

✅️ Pop over to her page and give it a like. There is always lots of interesting content and upto date information.

👉 Head over to the website for more information

31/07/2026

Our friends at The Ipswich Dog Trainer are running a Talk Dog workshop for anyone wanting to learn more a little canine body language in Ipswich.

There is a cheeky discount which runs out tonight, so dont hang about!

15/07/2026

🐾 Not sure where to start with your dog's training? 🐾

Book a FREE Discovery Call and let's have a chat!

This relaxed, no-obligation call is a chance for me to get to know you, your dog, and the challenges you're facing. It gives me the opportunity to understand your situation and start putting together the best plan to help you reach your goals.

It's also your chance to ask me any questions you have, learn more about how I work, and decide whether I'm the right trainer for you and your dog.

Whether you're dealing with puppy struggles, reactivity, loose lead walking, or simply want to build a stronger bond with your dog, I'm here to help.

📅 Book your FREE Discovery Call today: https://www.bondeddog.com/suffolk-dog-training-services

I can't wait to meet you and your dog! 🐶💙

🐾One-to-one dog training in Ipswich, Lowestoft & Suffolk Coastal. Expert help with puppies, recall, loose lead walking, reactivity, and adolescence challenges.