Claire's Happy Hounds

20/06/2025

Here's what's possible when we work together:

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Magnus' caregivers because they were having issues with Magnus on their walks. He was pulling badly and ignoring them when he was recalled.

We changed up his harness to something more comfortable, introduced easy but consistent methods for both his loose lead walking and heelwork, and introduced a totally new recall word.

In the space of a few weeks, his walking has massively improved, and he now comes back when he's called the first time.

These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do
I've got a couple of spaces for 121s available, so if you've been thinking about
getting some help, now's the perfect time. Just drop me a message, and we can chat
about what your dog needs or book via my website https://www.claireshappyhounds.com/service-page/121-course?referral=service_list_widget and use code summer25 before the end of June for a 10% discount

18/06/2025

Heres one tip I always share with new clients:

A good treat bag is one of the best things you can get for your dog training.

When training to make sure you're rewarding the behaviour you want you don't have much time to get a treat and give it to your dog. So a treat bag you can clip to your waist belt or wear and easily get your hand into is a must.

Do yourself a favour and get rid of the plastic bag you've put in the treat bag to keep it clean and just wash the bag, it only adds to the delay of rewarding you dog. And teaches your dog to only listen when it hears the rustle of a plastic bag

17/06/2025

Here's how I ended up as a dog trainer.

In 2013 I was living in France and got my first dog Tella. The area I was living in was an area where forceful training was normal. I decided there was no way I was using their methods on my puppy and started looking for a kinder way.

By the time I moved back to the UK I was hooked and joined a local training school to train to be a trainer. After a couple of years there I left and set up by myself and Claire's Happy Hounds was born!

Photo is a throwback to my favourite photo of the day Tella came home

16/06/2025

Here's something i wish all dog owners knew:

Your dog isn't being stubborn!

There are lots of reasons why your dog isn't doing what it's asked the first time.

These include:

It doesn't fully understand what you're asking it to do.

The environment is too distracting for them.

They are worried

They're stressed

Their trigger (another dog or a person) is too close

Past learning history - they've previously had a bad experience in that place

They're ill or in pain

Has your dog ever been called stubborn? Comment below, and we'll talk about what's really going on

10/06/2025

Mango will be there giving his 15th donation, please check if your dog meets the criteria and sign them up. They get lots of treat and cuddles during the session

❗ Emergency appeal for donors in Hitchin

We urgently need donors to come forward for our donation session at Davies Veterinary Specialists in Hitchin this Saturday 14 June (also World Blood Donor Day!) 🐶🩸

Our blood stocks are low and we have lots of spaces left on this session. We need your help to make sure blood is available for every dog who needs it 🙏

If your dog can donate, please consider booking today.

To be a donor, your dog needs to be:

🎂 Between one and eight years old
⚖️ Weigh more than 25kg
✅ Fit and healthy
🐶 Confident and enjoy meeting new people

If you can attend, please book via our mobile app or give us a call on 01509 232 222.

Thank you for your support ❤️

30/05/2025

July, august and September's Pupschool are all available to book on my website

The 7-week course covers:
☆walking nicely on lead,
☆tricks,
☆recall,
☆searching,
☆stays
☆puppy agility on my specially built agility equipment, and
☆life skills.
Videos of all the exercises are emailed each week to help keep you practising.

Plus bonus videos on:
☆the best equipment (harnesses and collars),
☆nutrition,
☆neutering,
☆car travel etc

To book see: www.claireshappyhounds.com/book-online

08/05/2025

1 place left on Pupschool starting this Saturday!

Not picked up your puppy yet? June and Julys courses are also available to book

See link in bio to book

17/03/2025

April and Mays pupschool are open for booking

Pupschool covers all the basics you'll need to set you and your puppy off on the right paw.
The 7 week group course also includes precourse training videos and videos each week of the exercises done in class

Head to my website to book your place

18/01/2025

New courses are now available to book, including our ever popular pupschool for February and March
121 behaviour courses and our new 'train for you' course.

Pupschool covers all the basics you'll need to set you and your puppy off on the right paw.
The 7 week group course also includes precourse training videos and videos each week of the exercises done in class

Behaviour 121s can cover a variety of issues from reactivity, pulling on lead, recall, nervousness etc

'Train for you' for is perfect if you're struggling to find the time to train your dog as I do the hard work for you!

Pop on my website for more details or book a free call with me to talk through how I can help links in comments

22/12/2024

Christmas is my favourite time of year, having time to spend celebrating with family and friends,but it can be a tricky time for our dogs.
Here are a few easy tips to help your dogs with the festive season.

🎄 Festive food: A lot of the food we enjoy is dangerous for our dogs. the most obvious is chocolate, but some nuts, onions, cooked bones, and anything from the grape and raisin family are toxic to dogs. So either keep dogs out of the kitchen or keep all food well back on the counter tops, even the best behaved dogs can be tempted by food. Have your local vets and the animal poison line numbers on hand.

🎅 Busy time: for when you need to keep you dog ocupied and busy prepare some things in advance - mine will be having a frozen toppl or kong while we eat dinner and a natural chew during present opening.

💥 Loud noises: If your dog doesn’t like bangs, pop them outside in the garden while you pull crackers

🌲 Safe space: Makesure you dog has a safe, quiet place they can go when they need a nap or some quiet time. Over tired and over stimulated dogs often behave like a toddler who’s skipped their nap!

🐶 Other dogs: if there are other dogs present that they haven’t met before or not for a long time, don’t let them meet in the house for the first time. Take them all out for a walk for a calmer, more natural meeting. Also, have a plan for if they don’t get on, just because they’re dogs doesn't mean they’re going to like each other

🎁 Toys: put you dogs toys away or only allow them out under supervision especially balls, this will stop well meaning guests constantly throwing the ball which will lead to a wound up over, stimulated dog who can’t settle

🐕 Advocate for your dog: if they don’t like something don’t let it happen to them - this could be them being picked up, stroked constantly. This also goes for food and treats you don’t want them to have or will upset them.

👁 Supervision: Make sure your dogs are always supervised, especially if there are children present. If you need to leave the room for any reason, tag someone in to watch the dogs

19/12/2024

Lovely review from Loki's caregiver after his 3rd hoopers session