Helen Atton - Focussed Instruction for Dogs and Owners

06/12/2025

At the start of 2026 why not resolve to build a closer bond with your dog and have some fun in the process?
FIDO is running a new evening training course over 8 weeks from the 6th January at the training centre in Mitchel Troy. I am a fully qualified behaviourist and trainer, experienced in working with groups as well as one to training.
We will revisit basic obedience cues, work on improving your dog’s focus on you, teaching distance cues, walking at heel off lead and playing some fun games! The timetable is flexible and I will create different activities depending on what you and your dog already know.
Here are some comments from previous courses.
‘Fantastic training for my dog. Great ideas and lots of fun’.
‘This course has given us lots of confidence to build a positive relationship with our dog’.
‘Learning how to make training fun and to reinforce cues was really valuable’.
Please message Helen or contact me on 0797 4444 082 or at [email protected] for all the details.

04/12/2025

Please keep an eye out for Nelly. She has now been lost for 2 days, last seen in Colonel's Wood.

26/11/2025

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/from-anguish-to-agilitynbsp-a-rescue-dog-success-story

Bella's Update: Nine Months in Her Forever Home

11/11/2025

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/helping-a-rescue-dog-to-settle

Adopting a dog is a big decision and one that not enough people really plan very carefully. So many of us will adopt a dog because we fall in love with the way they look, feel sorry for them or even because we believe it is the responsible thing to do if the dog is in a rescue centre. There are so

10/11/2025

Create a great relationship with your dog! Come along to the latest FIDO Training and Socialisation Course which starts this Thursday, the 13th November
8 weekly sessions of an hour a week run from 7 until 8 pm in the FIDO training centre in Mitchel Troy. We cover basic obedience cues, socialisation and how to do it right, and discuss how to deal with and avoid behaviour problems and other topics.
Here’s what some past clients had to say about the course.
“I have found the training course incredibly useful. Helen keeps the class fun as well as informative”. K
“Excellent, clear focussed tuition which has helped me to grow in confidence as a first time dog owner. I couldn’t recommend highly enough!” G
“Fantastic introduction to training for my puppy. Great ideas and lots of fun”. P
“A very useful first start for puppy training using positive methods, perfect for dog socialisation and introducing puppies to others. Helen is full of handy tips and tricks”. C
Contact Helen at [email protected] or on 0797 4444 082 for all the details.

31/10/2025

Black Friday is coming early and staying longer at F.I.D.O. this year!

For the entire month of November we are slashing the prices of everything by at least 10%!

We stock:

High quality, fully balanced frozen raw food for dog
Quality toys and enrichment items
Delicious and healthy treats and chews
Comfortable harnesses and leads for calm, happy walks

We have a great deal of knowledge and experience of raw feeding and the supply of species-appropriate healthy diets and chews for dogs. If you'd like advice and guidance on the benefits of raw feeding and how to go about it, this is the perfect time to come along and find out what it's all about.
Contact Helen on 0797 4444 082 or at helenfidobehaviour.com for details.

31/10/2025

November 5th is rapidly approaching and that means fireworks and loud noise, probably for several days. Although your dog may take it in their stride, it's important not to leave it to chance. Read my blog for helpful tips and sensible preparations so you and your pet stay safe and calm this year.
See https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/how-to-help-your-dog-to-cope-with-firework-noise

27/10/2025

This month, most of the pups had been to the FIDO Puppy Club before. Kili and Finn, both of them uncertain in the past, have learned new social skills and were much more confident and playful this time.
Maggie hadn't met the others before but that didn't stop her from having a whale of a time with the more experienced puppies. Pippa the dachshund, despite her small size, demonstrated her dachshund stubbornness by being the least willing to come out of play for a break! She's learning though, and the calming intervals helped her and the others to absorb their new experiences, play without losing control and to listen to their owners.

On the adult FIDO walk, a young Parsons Jack Russell joined our group for the first time He is the most handsome, friendly-looking dog, unless people take him by surprise, when he may panic and snap. We were all respectful of his space and he behaved beautifully.
I took along my own boisterous teenager, who struggled not to leap towards everyone at the beginning. With a little distance and distraction she settled down well and we had a relaxed, happy walk.

Thank you to everyone who came along!
With Barry, Bentley, Byron, Cybil, Delphi, Finn, Lola, Maggie, Milo, Poppy, Poppy and Sid.

27/10/2025

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/what-is-classical-conditioning-for-dog-reactivity-training

I often get asked how I train reactive dogs and whether it’s any different from the usual dog training methods people think of. When people talk about a dog being reactive, they usually mean the dog gets overly worked up about certain things—like other dogs, people, or even loud noises. It’s t...

14/10/2025

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/supporting-a-traumatised-rescued-dog-to-gain-confidence

Bella, a beautiful, pedigree poodle bitch, had been used as a breeding bitch in an illegal puppy farm for all of her adult life, until she was rescued at 3 and a half years of age. Her current owners found her and brought her home after only about 4 weeks in the shelter. When I met her, she had jus

28/09/2025

Three years old today. Such a diva!

16/09/2025

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/how-can-tension-affect-a-dogs-behaviour

   Your dog’s physical comfort is deeply connected to their emotional wellbeing and their behaviour. When a dog is tense, they may be more reactive, avoidant, or sensitive to touch and proximity. But when their body feels good, they’re more open, relaxed, and receptive. Why Ten