Helen Atton - Focussed Instruction for Dogs and Owners

22/04/2026

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/how-the-right-bed-will-help-your-newly-rescued-dog-to-settle-in

You have found a delightful but fearful rescue dog you want to adopt, care for and take home with you. You may know all about their history or nothing at all, but regardless of where your new companion has come from, you will need to consider carefully how best to settle them into your home. When p

20/04/2026

We've had some great puppy and adult dog socialisation events at FIDO recently.
The pups are learning the rules of social play in a safe place. The less confident puppies have space and support to interact of and when they choose to.
On our adult walks the nervous dogs are gaining confidence by making friends in a supportive pack. Rosie is anxious about dogs barking, Nyx barks because she's anxious,! So the two are learning, with support, to understand one another and relax more.
Boisterous Ferris, the big black, adolescent labrador, is beginning to realise that not every bitch is interested in him and to relax more with them. The little dogs are learning that perhaps big black dogs aren't so frightening after all.
It's so good to see how all the dogs are making friends and learning about the world they live in.

02/03/2026

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/how-can-i-stop-my-dog-chasing

Chasing can be a worrying issue. Your dog could cause an accident if he’s chasing something like a car or bicycle, could be shot if chasing livestock and he could seriously injure himself as well. Why do dogs chase?

03/02/2026

Create a great relationship with your dog! There are still places available on the latest FIDO Training and Socialisation Course which starts this Thursday, the 5th February
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.

30/01/2026

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/should-we-use-food-in-training

In the sphere of dog training we are bombarded with different methods, opinions, and strong beliefs, and few topics are more controversial than the use of food rewards. Some trainers swear by treats, while others—especially in the gundog world—avoid them entirely, arguing that food creates over-...

27/01/2026

I never know quite what to expect from the dog's and pups at FIDO events. Different groups of dogs form completely different dynamics. This month's puppy club was unusually calm and peaceful. There was some dashing about of course, but the pups were mainly content to share the garden with one another and explore. So good to see.
The adult FIDO walk was equally calm. All the dogs know one another at least a little and settled into the rhythm of a bonding and friendly pack walk.
Thanks to Bentley, Bertie, Bobby, Byron, Delphi, Dorsey, Hettie, Kili, Otto, Peggy, Poppy, Rosie and Woody for joining me.

27/01/2026

This Saturday, the 31st January, I will be joining a growing band who are walking 15 miles along the banks of the river Wye to raise money for the restoration of Drybridge House and the Bridges Community Centre. Please help us to raise as much as possible. Any contribution, however small, will be gratefuly received.
Here is the link to my TotalGiving page. https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/helenatton
Thanks!

Please help me to contribute to the restoration of the historic Bridges centre at Drybridge House. Bridges has become an essential resource in Monmouth, offering many activities, facilities for local businesses and much needed community support. We all miss it dreadfully since the terrible floods la...

20/01/2026

https://www.fidobehaviour.com/blog/selecting-the-right-dog-for-your-lifestyle

So many people don’t really know what they are getting into when they adopt a dog or a puppy. There’s often a lot of emotion involved and many of us fall in love with a cute face or an appealing look and are hooked! You may have fallen for this little guy, but what sort of characteristics will t...

02/01/2026

I am still struggling to come to terms with the news that the wonderful Sarah Fisher died suddenly a few days ago.

Sarah was an inspirational and intuitive animal behaviourist whose extraordinary observational abilities and love of animals and their welfare led her to create the philosophy of ACE - Animal Centred Education. This philosophy has become the cornerstone of my training and rehabilitation work along with that of an ever growing community of other positive trainers.

Over the past few years I have had the privilege of attending several training workshops, both in person and online, developed and run by Sarah. She has taught me so much. She guided me to learn how to perform detailed observation of dog behaviour which helps me to identify physical and psychological stresses and pain in dogs. She also introduced me to TTouch and the philosophy of ACE Free Work, which has transformed my behavioural practice. ACE is now a fundamental part of my rehabilitation programmes for reactive, anxious and fearful dogs and also forms the basis of training for my puppy courses, to guide them in growing up to be balanced and happy adults.

Sarah's loss has left the entire positive dog training profession stunned and we will miss her dreadfully.

Sarah had many profound sayings. Here are a few I remember.
'Question everything but never question the dog. The dog is always right'. '
Always remember NATO. (No attachment to outcome)'.
'If you listen to the whispers, your dog doesn't need to shout.'

Her legacy will continue despite how much she will be missed.
My thoughts are with her family.

02/01/2026

Did you adopt a puppy or young dog recently, maybe this Christmas? Help your new family member to learn social skills, manners and set them up for a happy, secure future with you.
FIDO is running a new course starting next week!
If you and your dog would like to meet other dogs and owners in a supportive, friendly and safe course environment, come along for positive, reward-based sensitive training and socialisation experience. Training is based on the principles of ACE (Animal Centred Education). Courses are run in FIDO’s dedicated training centre in Mitchel Troy and are led by an experienced, qualified trainer and behaviour counsellor. We start courses regularly and the next 8 week course is due to begin next Tuesday, the 6th January, in the evenings.
Please contact Helen by Messenger, by email at [email protected] or on 0797 4444 082 for all the details.