Dogtails and Dreams

13/05/2026

Multi dog house - ‼️ WARNING

✅ So yes, important to introduce properly. Use space, baby gates, take it steady.

- Older dogs don’t always like pups. They are annoying. Like a teenager having to put up with a toddler. If you introduce and manage the space so they both get breaks and a way to escape each other. They will settle together in time.

-Consider how resources are managed, food, toys and that includes you. You are a resource. Set clear boundaries and set rules. Set them up to win and manage and make this positive.

-Train the younger dog separately, allow time for a walk with just them. You need to be the ViP and build your bond and connection.

❌ Don’t Just throw them both in at the deep end and think they are dogs and will work it out. You are part of the dynamics. YOU set the expectations and YOU make things safe. It is not the job solely of the older dogs. Even if they get on chaotic play with your other dog isn’t the best plan. Supervise play and be the person that is referee and step in when it is OTT. Just like kids!

25/03/2026

🛑 Should you stop it?
Yes and No ⬇️

*️⃣ SCENT - SNIFF - MARK - SCRATCH

In high dog traffic areas scent peaks arousal and it can intensify the scratching cycle. You may find your dog won’t take food, recall and engagement drops and behaviour escalates. It’s not a food motivation training issue. It’s scent driven over arousal one. Scent is rewarding - It gives lots of information

High drive dogs are more sensitive and find it harder to regulate arousal, so scent tips them over the edge.

*️⃣ ITS TO COMMUNICATE-NOT DOMINATE

Historically scratching was - to avoid conflict, find mates, assess territory.
Boys and girls do it. More confident and high drive dogs are more independent and want the world to know “This is me” It’s rewarding, activates the seeking system and is dopamine led. Some dogs don’t do it at all, they want to pass through and are happy to avoid being noticed.

*️⃣WHEN ITS A PROBLEM
Light low intensity scratch at the start of a walk is fine. Neutral dog behaviour.
Lingering - licking- drooling - constant marking - ignoring you - fixating

*️⃣TRAINING TIPS
- 3 sec rule - move them on
- Reward and teach disengagement from scent.
- Introduce a sequence with cue word when they can sniff
- interrupt before the scratch if it is being repeated and with intensity
- don’t let them follow on after dogs have passed to keep scenting. This is not creating a neutral dog

Adolescence can intensify the behaviour. Castration may take the edge off for some dogs if it is hormone driven, but you still need to work on the training sequence.

Happy high drive dog ownership ☺️❤️

18/03/2026

Subliminal messaging 😉 This is what happens when you try to get clever and use capcut 😂 follow follow follow

High drive working breeds pups can hit arousal level 10 very quickly. Their seeking system can be activated quickly and if we feed into this too much then we have a dog that struggles to switch off or regulate.

They will continue to look for the next hit of dopamine.

So, be thoughtful with your activity selection and be sure they are supported in also being able to settle and reset.

- don’t get rid of your crate just because they are house trained. IT DOES SO MUCH MORE.
- quiet space in your home or the car to settle. They don’t need to be with people and busy all of the time.
- consider the play you choose and don’t over do it in the name of draining the battery. It is important, but alongside a variety of walk locations in green and wild space.
- they still need a minimum of 16hrs sleep
- utilise an indoor lead or tether if they can’t sit still.
- reward and train place/settle. Raw bones - frozen kong

Follow for more and reach out if it feels harder than it needs to be.

13/03/2026

High drive working breed dogs are fantastic, but they come with a different operating system and user manual.

You may have known this, but now realise you got a lot more than you bargained for as a pet dog.

Your pup ain’t broken, even if you feel you are.

Training has so many more layers and understanding how they tick is vital so you know what is happening, why it’s happening and more importantly how to respond.

Get in touch and we can show you how to start believing that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

06/02/2026

Puppy training is one part of a bigger picture. Your pup transitions to adolescence between 4-6months and then from 6 months, depending on size and breed the brain goes up a gear. These gear changes continue from 6-24months.

Adolescence - whatever gets repeated now becomes their default later.

That’s why pulling, sniff obsession, and “selective hearing” suddenly feel louder.
Not because your dog is broken, but because their brain is under construction.

This stage isn’t about more obedience.
It’s about teaching recovery, regulation, and rhythm.

If you have a puppy right now, you’re not just raising a puppy — you’re building the foundations for adolescence and adulthood.

Adolescence is when your dog’s brain strengthens whatever gets repeated most — calm recovery or chaotic habits.

Whether you’re starting early and want to build solid foundations, or you’ve done puppy classes and feel like things haven’t quite transferred to real life…

This is the window where development matters most. So get it right now and get in touch so we can develop your dream dog.

03/02/2026

SOCIALISATION? EXPOSURE?
A social dog is a neutral dog, but what does that mean?
- To become a calm and confident adult dog that doesnt have big emotions to general everyday situations they encounter.

Puppy and adolescent dogs, just like kids haven’t learnt social cues or boundaries. We have to develop this and their confidence.

So, as we dont throw kids in at the deep end of the pool anymore to get them to swim (i hope you dont people!!), or run them up to all other children, people, places at full speed and intensity. We dont need to do this to young pups.

SLOW DOWN!!

Toddlers have a plan for the day, they manage short bursts of attention, they need sleep, they need to be encouraged, but not forced or scared or overwhelmed.

Some children throw themselves in to activities and are perhaps too pushy or forward when making friends, as adults we help them navigate and regulate.

We put in boundaries and we set up situations to experience all emotions at the right level and pace.

Nobody is perfect, but consider your pup as a toddler, learn to read body language and arousal and understand it - remember it’s a marathon not a sprint.

Need support to get this stage right, get in touch so we can set you and your pup up for success when it really counts - the early months.

03/10/2025