Wagging Tails Dog Training - South London

15/06/2026

If you think that a dog that runs and plays happily cannot be in pain, think again!

See Blake, my 12-year old lurcher, in the video below? He regularly runs for extended periods of time at high speeds, he loves playing tug and chasing after a toy and to most people he looks perfectly healthy and pain-free like he does in this video, right?

Blake experiences back pain and his hips are getting older and more painful too now. He is on medication for both, but although it is well controlled it does cause him some discomfort at times. For that reason he is also due to start hydrotherapy and physio in addition to the medication and chiropractic treatment he is already on.

Dogs are masters at hiding pain and as a behaviourist I see the consequences of that so often. They don't cry, they often don't even limp or show other obvious signs of pain. They do however show gait and posture changes, slowing down and sniffing more, and often behaviour changes like aggression or becoming withdrawn.

So if a trainer, behaviourist, groomer, vet or physical therapist suggests that your dog may be in pain/discomfort, don't dismiss it because your dog still runs and plays. Excitement, high adrenaline or just plain old survival mechanisms will often override pain and make it much less obvious to the untrained eye - or even the trained eye to be fair.

The earlier pain is recognised and dealt with through medication, supportive therapies and management, the more effective treatment - including behaviour modification for behaviour problems - will be and the longer your dog will have a good quality of life, and of course that's what we all want for our dogs. 🙂❤️

04/06/2026

In our classes we ask owners to bring a settle mat. This can be just a towel, a small dog bed, an actual settle mat or a piece of vet bed.

Why?

Because we teach our dogs to settle in our classes whilst awaiting their turn and that's so much easier when they have a dedicated spot to do that. And of course a settle mat is mobile and you can take it anywhere with you so your dog has their own personal place wherever you go, whether it's the vet, a pub, a café, a hotel room or in someone else's house.

In addition if you have a breed that isn't keen to lay on cold hard floors or as you can see in the picture below gravel (like whippets, greyhounds, dachshunds and other short haired types) a settle mat makes things more comfortable and your dog is more likely to actually want to settle.

Many of our owners say it's a particularly useful thing they have learnt in our classes. 🙂

Here is my lurcher Blake on his settle mat (I always have a couple ready in my car) in an outdoor cafe where the ground would have been very uncomfortable to lay on. And yes, Blake has put a request in to get him a larger one. 🤣

I'd love to see pictures of your dog settling on their settle mat when out and about.

23/04/2026

Congratulations to Poppy (Labrador) and Mateo (French Bulldog) for completing the Foundation Course. They are two superstars.

15/04/2026

Have you got a playful new puppy, or an older dog who needs a refresher?

Our Foundation Courses are small, friendly and structured training classes designed to help shape your dog into a happy family member and a well behaved canine citizen you can be proud of!

Our positive, reward-based methods make training fun, effective, and easy to follow for both you and your dog. Additional help sheets and videos covering all the exercises in each class are always very much appreciated by owners as they give you that extra support that you may not get anywhere else. It means you don't have to remember everything by heart and you can watch them as often as you need to... even after the course has finished.

Our next set of Foundation Courses is starting at our East Dulwich venue (Albrighton Community Centre) next week, Tuesday, 21st April. For more information and to register, go to

Training and Life Skills for Puppies and Adult Dogs. Foundation to Advanced. Small Classes in South Norwood and East Dulwich taught by qualified and experienced Trainers.

16/03/2026

How good is your dog's recall?

Is it instant, fast and reliable?

It is important to practice recall frequently in benign situations to build habit and a huge reward history, so it will work when you need it.

Here is my lurcher Elijah practicing his recall to the whistle, pretty sharp and impressive - even if I say so myself. 🤣♥️

09/03/2026

We have new Foundation courses coming up and there are still some spaces available.

If you are looking for help to shape your puppy into a happy, well behaved family member and canine citizen, or would like extra support with your adolescent or adult dog to iron out some obedience issues, then our well structured, supportive and friendly Foundation courses with small classes are just what you need.

Next starting dates

*East Dulwich*
Tuesday, 10th March

*South Norwood*
Saturday, 28th March

For more information and to register, click below.

Training and Life Skills for Puppies and Adult Dogs. Foundation to Advanced. Small Classes in South Norwood and East Dulwich taught by qualified and experienced Trainers.

02/03/2026

Have you ever wondered whether you should whistle training your dog? Here are my thoughts about it.

12/02/2026

We have new Foundation courses coming up and there are still some spaces available.

If you are looking for help to shape your puppy into a happy, well behaved family member and canine citizen, or would like extra support with your adolescent or adult dog to iron out some obedience issues, then our well structured, supportive and friendly Foundation courses with small classes are just what you need.

Next starting dates

*East Dulwich*
Tuesday, 3rd March

*South Norwood*
Saturday, 28th March

For more information and to register, click below.

Training and Life Skills for Puppies and Adult Dogs. Foundation to Advanced. Small Classes in South Norwood and East Dulwich taught by qualified and experienced Trainers.

29/01/2026

We have new Foundation Courses starting in South Norwood this Saturday. We have got one space available in the Puppy Foundation (for puppies of up to 5 months old) at 10 a and a couple of space in the Foundation (for dogs of 6 months old up to any age) at 11 am.

Our Foundation Courses cover basic obedience, life skills and handling to help you shape your dog into a happy, well behaved canine citizen and family member.

For more information and to register, pop over to our website

Training and Life Skills for Puppies and Adult Dogs. Foundation to Advanced. Small Classes in South Norwood and East Dulwich taught by qualified and experienced Trainers.

19/01/2026

Do you have a new puppy, or a new rescue dog? Or is your new years resolution to top up the training for your existing dog?

Our training classes are for dogs of any breed and age.

We have new classes starting this month in South Norwood and East Dulwich.

At WTDT London, we help you shape your Puppy or adult Dog into the well mannered family member and good citizen that you always wanted using kind and effective training. Small classes and 121 sessions taught by qualified and experienced trainers in South Norwood and East Dulwich.