Lead and Listen

31/10/2026

🎃🐾 Happy Halloween from Lead & Listen! 👻

Halloween can be great fun for us, but for our four-legged friends, it can sometimes be a little overwhelming!

From spooky costumes and unexpected visitors to constantly ringing doorbells, these can leave our dogs feeling anxious or unsettled.

💜 A few gentle reminders for tonight:

🐾 Give your dog a quiet, comfortable space to relax.

🎃 Keep chocolate, sweets and decorations safely out of reach.

🐶 Avoid forcing your dog to greet visitors or wear costumes.

🔔 Consider turning off the doorbell if your dog finds unexpected visitors stressful.

We've also put together a helpful blog with more advice on recognising signs of stress and keeping your dog calm and safe during Halloween.

📖 Read our blog here:
https://www.leadandlisten.co.uk/post/keep-dogs-calm-this-halloween

Remember, not every dog enjoys the excitement of Halloween, and that's absolutely fine. Sometimes a peaceful evening at home is the very best treat! 💜

Wishing you and your lovely dogs a safe, calm and happy Halloween! 🎃🐕

Halloween can be great fun for families, but for our dogs, it can be a very different experience. From unfamiliar costumes and spooky decorations to repeated doorbell rings, excited trick-or-treaters and unexpected noises, Halloween can quickly become overwhelming for some dogs.At Lead & Listen, we....

27/10/2026

🐾👃 Nose Unleashed – Every Scent Tells a Story! 🌿

Have you ever wondered what the world smells like through your dog's nose? 🐕

For our very own Woody, every scent is a new adventure! 🐾

In our latest blog, I share Woody's exciting tracking journey, including his experience learning from Dr Robert Hewings at the College of Scent.

From following scent trails to discovering the fascinating world of hydro tracking, Woody shows us just how incredible a dog's nose really is! 🐶

💚 But tracking isn't just for working dogs! It can help dogs of all breeds build confidence, enjoy mental stimulation and strengthen their bond with their owners.

📖 Read our latest blog and follow Woody's nose on his adventure!

👉 https://www.leadandlisten.co.uk/post/nose-unleashed-every-scent-tells-a-story

Tracking Through a Dog’s Eyes — Woody’s Journey with his human SilkeHumans think they’re the ones who teach dogs things. But really, we teach them how to listen.My name is Woody — German Wirehaired Pointer, professional eyebrow‑raiser, and full‑time nose. I’ve always known my nose wa...

22/10/2026

🐾 A little reminder – Multisport Classes for Dogs this Saturday! 🐶

Looking for something fun to do with your dog this weekend?

Join Lead & Listen and Reality Dog Training for a fantastic Multisport session in West End, Surrey!

🌦️ The weather forecast is looking a little mixed, but we're hoping to enjoy a dry training session! Just in case, bring your waterproofs, a raincoat and suitable footwear, and perhaps a towel for your dog too! ☔🐾

We’re looking forward to a fun session filled with happy dogs, learning and teamwork! 💜

09/10/2026

🐾 Exciting new event for dogs of all ages and abilities! 🐾

Lead & Listen, in conjunction with Reality Dog Training, is delighted to share a new Multisport Classes for Dogs event in West End, Surrey.

This fun, confidence-building session will include a mix of:

🔴 Hoopers - flowing circuits using hoops, barrels and tunnels
➡️ Rally - a perfect blend of training and teamwork
🐕 Agility - small contacts for safe coordination, balance and focus
💡 Tricks - fun behaviours to strengthen your relationship

The circuits and award criteria are fully customisable, making this suitable for dogs of all ages and abilities. 🐶✨

📅 Saturday 24th October
⏰ 11:00 – 13:00
📍 Secure training field, West End, Surrey
💷 £35

A brilliant opportunity to have fun with your dog, build confidence, and try something new in a supportive training environment.

For bookings or more information, contact:
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]
🌐 realitydogtraining.uk

02/10/2026

Another lovely review from one of our clients. 🐾

It means so much to hear that our training is helping both dogs and handlers feel supported, understood and confident.

Every dog is different, which is why training should always be carefully planned around the individual dog, the handler and what they need together.

Thank you, Linda, for such kind words. 💜

25/09/2026

Does your dog ever seem to “switch off” during training? 🐾

It’s easy to think they’re being stubborn, but often they’re simply overwhelmed, unsure, tired, distracted, or not quite ready for what we’re asking.

Good training is not just about asking for more. It’s about noticing what your dog is telling you.

Sometimes the best progress comes from:

• Making the task easier
• Giving your dog time to think
• Rewarding the smallest try
• Taking a short break
• Going back to foundations
• Building confidence before adding pressure

When dogs feel safe, clear and supported, they learn so much better.

Training is a conversation, not a test. 💜

14/09/2026

🍁 Autumn is a lovely time to reset your dog’s training. 🐾

After a busy summer of holidays, days out, visitors, and different routines, many dogs benefit from returning to calm, clear foundations.

This is a great time to focus on:

• Recall
• Loose-lead walking
• Calmness around distractions
• Focus on the handler
• Confidence in new environments
• Gundog foundation skills

Training doesn’t need to be rushed. Small, consistent sessions can make a big difference to how your dog listens, settles and works with you.

If you’d like support getting back into a good training rhythm, take a look at our upcoming classes and sessions.

https://www.leadandlisten.co.uk/book-online

Photo: Woody surrounded by beautiful autumn colours 🍁🐾

04/09/2026

New blog now live: A Beginner’s Guide to Gundog Heel Work 🐾

Good heel work is about so much more than walking neatly beside you. It helps build focus, connection, calmness and control, all important foundations for both everyday life and gundog training.

In our latest blog, we look at how to start heel work in a clear, positive way, helping your dog understand what you’re asking while building confidence as a team.

Perfect for anyone starting their gundog journey or wanting to strengthen those essential foundations.

Read the blog here:
https://www.leadandlisten.co.uk/post/beginner-guide-gundog-heel-work

10/08/2026

New blog now live: Retrieving for Gundogs: Building Confidence, Control and Partnership 🐾

Retrieving is about so much more than simply bringing something back. It builds focus, trust, steadiness and a stronger working relationship between dog and handler.

In our latest blog, we look at how solid retrieval foundations can help your dog build confidence, develop better control, and enjoy the learning process in a calm, positive way.

Perfect for anyone starting their gundog journey or wanting to strengthen those important foundations.

Read the blog here:

A beginner-friendly guide to developing a reliable, happy retrieve from first dummy to polished delivery.Retrieving is next to hunting at the heart of our gundog work, but a good retrieve is much more than a dog running out and picking something up. It is a chain of behaviours: steadiness, marking,....

07/08/2026

Thank you for your lovely review, Thierry!