Absolute Canine Dog Training Services

24/07/2025

Training isn’t about control — it’s about connection.

There’s a lot of talk about not training dogs, just accepting them as they are. And while I get the heart behind that, I think we’re missing something really special.

Training isn’t just about fixing a problem — it’s about building a bond.

It’s how we learn to understand each other. It’s the moments when your dog looks up like, “Did I get it right?” and you both just click. That’s connection. That’s where the relationship grows.

It’s not about perfect obedience — it’s about creating trust, having fun together, and building a partnership that makes day-to-day life better for both of you.

So if you’ve ever thought “I just want to enjoy my dog, not train them”… maybe training is how you enjoy them.

💛
Inspired by JRH.

23/07/2025

Small dogs often get a bad rap when it comes to reactivity.
In reality, they’re often not more reactive by nature—they’re just treated differently.

Subtle Signals Are Overlooked-
Small dogs often whisper their discomfort before they shout it. The problem is: Lip licking, yawning, head turns—tiny gestures from a tiny face, may go unnoticed.

Their Behaviour is Dismissed or Mocked
When a small dog growls, people often laugh, tease, or pick them up—undermining their autonomy.
-A growl from a Rottweiler? Serious.
-A growl from a Pomeranian? “Aw, he’s so sassy!”
As a result the dog learns that early warnings don’t work, and so it skips straight to barking, lunging, or snapping.

They’re Touched Without Consent
Small dogs are often scooped up, cuddled, passed around, dressed, or handled like teddy bears. Many never learn they’re allowed to move away or say “no.”
Because people feel less physically threatened, they cross boundaries more often.

Furthermore they are required to navigate a world not built for them. People loom. Most other dogs are giants. Their margin for feeling safe is smaller, so they may go from 0 to 60 faster than their larger peers.

By recognising this we are able to encourage better training practices based on consent and observation. Reactivity is often a communication issue. We promote empathy and respectful handling and work with each dog as an individual.

If you’re struggling with your little dogs reactivity- there’s no need to feel embarrassed- drop us a message and we can work through it together

21/07/2025

Living with a dog reactive dog can feel overwhelming — the lunging, the barking, the stress of everyday walks.

But here’s what we want you to know:
Reactivity isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Some dogs are reactive because they feel unsafe. Others are frustrated — desperate to say hello or get moving.
And some? They’re confident, driven dogs who genetically thrive on confrontation (Yes — those dogs exist too.)

At Absolute Canine Harmony we specialise in working with dog to dog reactivity in all its forms — whether it’s fear, frustration, over-arousal, or conflict-driven behaviour.

We dig into the “why”, not just the “what”! We tailor our approach to the individual dog and owner. And, we walk alongside you through the messy middle — not just the theory!

Our 1-1 behaviour sessions are structured, real-life focused and delivered by experienced trainers who know that reactivity is rarely “just bad behaviour”.

This isn’t about “fixing” your dog.
It’s about helping them build better coping strategies — and helping you feel confident handling it.

20/07/2025

Worth a reshare 🐾

Working Line Dogs

We have recently been called to help a lot more people with their working line dogs. These dogs are not for the faint hearted and in most cases you do need to make changes in your lifestyle to help these beautiful dogs fit in and enjoy every day life. They need more physical and mental stimulation, more structure and routine than your average pet dog- if not, they can be a real nightmare to live with.

Working lines are still HIGHLY, genetically wired to do what they were meant to do, they were bred to be reactive towards strangers, chase fast moving objects and control, hunt for prey, guard their owners and protect the home.

Take my Nya for instance, she comes from a line of personal protection and IGP sport champions with strong, possessive drive. She is my first working line and she’s really made and still is making me think outside the box every single day! She is naturally possessive so why would she give the toy up easily? she’s protective, so yep she’s going to tell me someone or something is close by. She’s highly driven to work, so walking on a loose lead is going to be super tough. Standing still? “what’s that??” naturally she becomes frustrated.

All these are NORMAL behaviours for a working dog, my job is to help her understand what is and what’s not acceptable as given the choice she will make bad decisions, but more importantly than that- I have to give her an outlet to express these natural desires in a more controlled manner or there would be no way of working through it.

So if you’re thinking about getting a working line, DO YOUR RESEARCH and be prepared to put time and effort in. Or if you already have one and need a little help and guidance then get in touch and we can work together to give you and your gorgeous dog the life you all truly deserve 🐾.

24/06/2025

Today we had our 2nd session with Odin. We discussed the importance of having clear cues to keep focus. We also started the foundations for loose lead walking. Really great work and looking forward to seeing his progress over the coming weeks

19/06/2025

Prevention is obviously best but if your dog does start to show signs of heat related illness, remember: WET THEN VET ‼️

19/06/2025

Why I Taught My Reactive Dog An Off-Lead Heel (And Why You Might Want To Too!)

As many of you know, Nya is a reactive dog — which means she can make decisions very quickly when startled or surprised, especially on walks.

When we approach blind corners or bends, I call her into heel so she’s by my side. If something’s there a dog, person, or surprise trigger - she’s not charging ahead making a poor choice..

By bringing her to heel she is now:
- calmly by my side.
- I’m in control of the situation.
- If something is around that corner, she doesn’t get the chance to make a poor decision.
- i can choose to clip her on-lead, keep her in heel, or release her when I know it’s safe.

This isn’t about over-controlling your dog — it’s about working as a team. Giving them guidance in moments where their natural reaction could land them in hot water. Nya feels safe and confident knowing I’ve got it handled.

Teaching this took time and consistency, but for reactive dogs, it can be a game changer. It turns uncertain moments into calm, managed ones. And THAT, for dogs like Nya, is freedom.

17/06/2025

Happy 15th Birthday to my cheeky chunky baby monkey Louie! One of a kind and we adore you 🥰🥳🥳

17/05/2025

‘Happy Birthday’ to my adorable Reuben Pan- the boy who wouldn’t grow up 🥳
Still so full of fun, mischief and love; what he lacks in teeth he makes up for in character 🤣

10/05/2025

Finally cool enough to get out for a little walk with this one. Reuben is 12 next week and has heart disease so we have to be super careful when it gets hot; especially when it’s so sudden ☀️

16/12/2024

There’s no magic wand when it comes to dog training—especially complex issues like reactivity!! lasting change takes time, effort, and consistency. But here’s the good news: every step you take brings you and your dog closer to harmony and understanding.

At Absolute Canine Harmony, we believe in a holistic approach. By fulfilling your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional needs, you build trust, confidence, and balance. Progress might feel slow at times, but with patience and persistence, you’ll see incredible results.

Your hard work is an investment in your dog’s happiness and your bond together—one that’s absolutely worth it.