St Trainians School for Dogs

10/07/2025

Heed warnings. Not only do we have hot weather, but we have very high humidity too being an Island. Despite advice to the contrary circulating on social media, allegedly coming from vets, the old advice still very much applies.

If your dog starts panting excessively, then they are at high risk of getting into trouble. Dogs aren't as good at regulating their body temperature as humans, as their main mechanism for cooling down is panting, whereas we sweat.

If you are concerned, get them into water, wetting legs, belly and head. If this fails, douse completely, preferably plunge. Lift the coat and try to get water onto the skin, especially if you have a collie type dog. Put fans on.

If this fails, get them to eat ice cubes, yes do it. The advice circulating on social media is false. Your job is to bring internal body temperature down.

Should this fail, call the vet and be prepared to be seen immediately. This is a genuine veterinary emergency.

Do not use cool coats or wet towels as they trap the heat!

If you have a flat faced breed, please be even more vigilant.

Keep your dogs safe, and it's better to miss a dog show, or miss winning an agility rosette than to end up loosing your dog! There will be other events.

30/06/2025

Decompression after a busy weekend is so important for our dogs. Most people aren't aware how much dog sports of any kind can take out of our dogs, after they have been in unfamiliar environments, and performing their skills which take a lot of concentration, coordination, stresses, excitement on their part, as well as working as a team with their humans. Do your sporting dogs a favour and give them a chill out time for all their hard work and a special treat for them too which doesn't involve any work at all. Also remember to take care of their needs in the hot weather too as the stress of heat and activities will last for several days in their bodies whether you are aware of it or not. Different dogs react differently to situations. Let them be your guide but remember decompression is an absolute must!

30/06/2025

This weekend, too hot over in England on Saturday for our dogs who didn't fare well, and I withdrew Breacan from the ring early pm. Sunday was cooler, cloudy and much better for them. A qualifying score for Ember Bernese who really still felt the humidity. A non qualifier for Caley who made contact with my hand, but I wasn't worried as she did a fabulous round and showed her ring confidence is now returning after a very bad experience in a sudden wind storm at a show exactly a year ago, but Breacan gave his very best in the heavy conditions and achieved a 3rd in level 3 and 2nd in level 4 with Excellence scores. We would have done better still had I fully understood certain rules, which I do now, so I'm really not worried as I've learned new things, I'm just happy my dogs had a good time, weren't distressed by the conditions on Sunday and enjoyed their time out. Today is definitely decompression day after competing, and maybe tomorrow too. They will tell me.

02/06/2025

Yesterday was Breacan's day at Cheltenham Rally. A lovely relaxed and very well run show, but very windy and rather cold, but still enjoyable. A High Score of Excellence in level 3 and another High Score of Excellence and a 3rd place in level 4. Thanks to the judges.

Training is back this coming Saturday at 10.00am at Garnswllt.

13/05/2025

The Bernese Team have been out again, winning level 2 Rally one weekend, and then Good Citizens Bronze award on Saturday, followed by Silver on Sunday. Congratulations to Rachel and Ember, and also to Rachel and Opal for passing Bronze too.

25/04/2025

Team Rachel and Ember strike again. This time taking 2nd place in Pre beginners class after a run off for first place at Carmarthen obedience. Considering this dog is only 13 months old, this is an incredible achievement. Well done, and watch out, there will be more to come from these two.

11/04/2025

Congratulations to Fran and Breacan who took 4th place in Novice at Monmouth obedience show last Sunday. Novice is known to be the most difficult level to win out of with large entries and championship level handlers starting point for bringing on their young dogs, so a very tough challenge. However, Breacan would have bagged the top place had it not been for Fran who made a set up error on the heel free exercise. The 1.5 mark this resulted in sent them down to 4th place. At least we know Breacan is capable of winning this level... Maybe with a new owner 😂 Well done Breacan, and good luck for Carmarthen show!

11/04/2025

Super super well done to Rachel Marshall and her amazing 1 year old Bernese Mountain Dog who has won 3 classes at her first show, West Wales Rally, last Sunday. She bagged levels 1 and 2, and also the special reward class. An amazing achievement.

Ember has an incredible drive to please her mam, and is also learning competition obedience, which is very akin to dressage and a brilliant work in progress. Hopefully she is also going to be participating in trick training and other doggy activities. When you have a dog with this drive and willingness to learn it's incredibly important to meet their needs so that they don't become bored and develop issues which you may not like and find difficult to live with.

Ember is entered into her first obedience show next weekend at pre beginners level, so a work in progress, but what an amazing work in progress all round. Maybe a doggy products company may be interested in offering this team some sponsorship as I can tell you they will do you proud. I feel honoured to be a part of this girls training and coaching along with others who love her very much.
Well done to you both and here's to your future. We can't wait to see how far you go up the ladders.

29/03/2025

Congratulations to Rachel Marshall with Opal and Ember the Bernese twins, and a Melissa Kirby with Winnie on passing your Good Citizens Dog Scheme Puppy assessment

If you would like to train your puppy or dog towards gaining the awards, we cover puppy, bronze, silver and gold. We train at Garnswllt Welfare Hall. We aren't in it to make an income, so we aren't expensive either but still offer highly qualified training advice and force free games/reward based methods. We hold Kennel Club Listed Status for awards training.

We also hold Rally Obedience classes either just for fun, or for those who want to compete.

We are also going to be adding in fun courses which combine Rally, tricks and sniffing games during some of the sessions, just to make things even more interesting for dogs and humans.

If this sounds interesting to you, drop us a message to find out more.

19/02/2025

https://www.facebook.com/CWN.CLYFAR

Teaching dogs, children and their families games to develop safe, fun and rewarding relationships

18/02/2025

https://www.facebook.com/barkingglad

Barking Glad Dog Training. IMDT & OCN qualified and vet recommended. Using ethical, modern methods.

10/02/2025

We are now running Rally Obedience (levels 1 and 2) and pre beginners/beginners Competition Obedience sessions at Garnswllt on Saturday mornings. Both dog sports are incredibly mentally stimulating, and provide pleasure for both dogs and humans which spill over into every day life, building focus and responsiveness. You don't need to be competitive to join. You don't even have to attend competitions, just a love of trying something new with your dog to strengthen your bond. All well behaved dogs (and humans) welcome. £12 per session. Please pm for further information.