PAWS To TRAIN - Dog Training

28/04/2026

28/04/2026

Ever caught yourself saying a cue more than once? You’re definitely not alone.

Even as trainers, the urge to repeat a cue when a dog doesn’t respond immediately is “strong”.

But here’s the catch, every time we repeat it, we’re actually teaching something we didn’t intend.

If a dog hears:
“Come… come… come here… Fido, come!”

What are they learning?

That the cue isn’t important the first time. Or the second. Maybe it only *really* matters on the fourth.

Dogs are incredible pattern learners. If we consistently repeat cues, they learn to wait us out. Why respond on the first cue when history tells them another one (or three!) is coming?

Instead:

• Say the cue once
• Give them a moment to process
• Help them succeed if needed (reset, reduce distractions, or guide them)

Clear, consistent communication builds reliable responses.

One cue. One meaning. One opportunity to get it right.

Next time you’re in the park and hear “Fido, come, come, COME!” — take it as a reminder… your dog is always learning, even when you don’t mean to be teaching.

12/04/2026

PUPPY TRAINING CLASSES

Puppy Parents, Let’s Do This! 🐾

Our new class starts Thursday, April 18th, 6pm @ Chieveley Village Hall!

Bring your 8-20 week old pups and learn:

Sit, Stay, Come – the basics that save your sanity.

Loose-lead walking – no more being dragged down the street.

Bite inhibition – save your fingers and furniture.

Socialisation – confidence around dogs, people, and weird noises.

Small groups, positive reinforcement only - Fun, Fair & Effective MAPDT 01626

📍 Chieveley Village Hall. High Street. RG20 8TE
💷 £130 for 6 weeks

Spaces fill fast. DM to book, email [email protected] or comment “PAWS” and we’ll send details.

17/03/2026

Feeling incredibly grateful today 🐾✨

I received this lovely recommendation a couple of weeks ago, and it’s still making me smile. It’s moments like this that make my job so satisfying and truly fabulous 💛

“For those looking for dog training please can I recommend Michelle from Paws to Train, she really helped my reactive dog to build confidence when meeting people & other dogs & also teach us ways to keep up her training in between sessions. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”

Thank you so much for your trust and for sharing your journey, it’s an absolute pleasure to be part of it 🐶💫

— with PAWS To TRAIN - Dog Training

10/03/2026

Not all barking and lunging on the lead is aggression.

Sometimes it’s simply fear.

One of my recent clients, a large Leonberger called Mr R, began reacting to other dogs after being harassed by a small terrier. Because he’s a big dog, his reaction looked intimidating – but it was actually anxiety.

Through one-to-one training with his owner, we worked on helping him feel safer around dogs on leads. Now his walks are far calmer and more enjoyable.

If your dog struggles when seeing other dogs on walks, don’t ignore it. With the right training, things can change.

Send me a message if you’d like to chat about how I can help.

03/03/2026

Want your dog to actually listen to you? 🐾

Well, here’s the secret: It’s not about being louder. It’s about being clearer.

If your dog ignores you, check these 4 things:

1. Say it only once - by repeating “this way, this way, this way!” it teaches them they can wait you out.

2. Make sure they KNOW it - If it only works in your house or garden, they don’t fully understand it yet. Practice in different places.

3. Reward after — not before. Cue → Response → Reward.
If they only listen when they see the treat, the treat becomes the boss.

4. Be worth listening to - Engage with them, praise them, play games with them. Make working with you fun.

Know that dogs aren’t stubborn; they are practical and will repeat what works.

Make listening work really well for them… and you’ll see a whole different dog. 💛🐶

30/01/2026

When you accidentally book “twin outfits”instead of “blend in”😅🐾

One very tall, very soggy sight hound and one tiny boss in pink, both clearly wondering how they ended up in the same photo shoot. Honestly, this is what ‘teamwork’ looks like for us. 🤪

“Good news” for anyone with a puppy who’s ready to become slightly less chaotic as we’ve had an unexpected space open up in our puppy classes starting this coming Thursday🎉🐶

Drop us a message if you’d like to book it 😀🐾

30/10/2025

🎓🐾 Puppy Graduates! 🐾🎓
A big round of applause to these four clever pups who’ve just completed their Puppy Course at Chaddleworth Village Hall! 🎉
They’ve been learning all the essentials, from recall to loose lead walking, and we’re so proud of how far they’ve come. ♥️

Well done to all the owners too for putting in the time and effort, teamwork makes the dream work! 👏

Our last puppy course for 2025 starts on the 27th November, we have a couple of spaces left if you would like to book on 🐾

04/10/2025

15/09/2025

🐾 Is Your Dog in Pain? The Signs May Be Subtle 🐾

I’ve had many thoughtful conversations with owners recently about pain and pain management in dogs. Questions often come up like:
💭 “Do you think my dog is in pain?”
💭 “What do you think about pain medications?”
💭 “Most importantly, what can I do to help my dog?”

The truth is, dogs are masters at hiding pain. Unlike us, they can’t tell us when something hurts and often the signs are so subtle they’re easy to miss. This is especially true with chronic pain, which develops gradually and can quietly affect your dog’s comfort, movement, and quality of life over time.

Some things to watch for:
👉 Changes in posture or the way they move
👉 Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or play like they used to
👉 Licking or chewing at a specific spot
👉 Changes in behaviour like becoming quieter, grumpier, or more withdrawn
👉 Stiffness after rest, or slowing down on walks

💡 If you notice any of these, don’t dismiss them as “just getting older.” Pain is not a normal part of aging, and there are things we can do to help.

How physiotherapy can help?
✅ Help localise areas of discomfort in your dog
✅ Manage pain
✅ Improve mobility, strength, and comfort through tailored exercises and therapies
✅ Give you practical strategies to make daily life easier and more enjoyable for your dog

🐶 Our dogs give us so much, helping them live as comfortably and happily as possible is one of the best ways we can give back.

If you’d like to learn more about how physio can help your dog, feel free to reach out. 💙