Thrive Dog Training

03/03/2026

26/02/2026

Ever wish your dog could notice something exciting… without completely losing their mind? 👀🐕

One of my favorite tools for dogs who fixate on prey, other dogs, people, or anything “too interesting” is the Look At That (LAT) technique.

Instead of trying to stop your dog from looking (which often backfires), we actually teach them that calmly noticing the trigger is a good thing.

Here’s the basic idea:

🐾 Your dog looks at the trigger (dog, squirrel, person, etc.)
🐾 The moment they look, you mark (“yes” or click)
🐾 Then reward them for disengaging and checking back in with you

Over time, the magic happens ✨
Your dog learns: see trigger → stay calm → look back to my human → get paid

Why LAT works so well:

✅ Reduces intense staring and fixation
✅ Builds automatic check-ins with you
✅ Lowers arousal around triggers
✅ Keeps learning positive and frustration-free

Pro tips:

🔹 Start FAR enough away that your dog can still think
🔹 Don’t wait for barking/lunging — mark the LOOK
🔹 Keep sessions short and successful
🔹 Use high-value rewards, especially at the beginning

Remember: the goal isn’t to stop your dog from seeing the world — it’s to help them feel calm and make better choices in it.

👉 Want help applying LAT with your dog? Drop a comment, send me a message, or share this post with someone who could benefit from it!

15/02/2026

Rainy days don’t have to mean bored dogs 🌧️

It's grim out there.. When the weather keeps us indoors, enrichment is your secret weapon. Enrichment activities reduce stress, prevent destructive behavior, and build confidence, especially for high-energy or working breeds.

Here are some easy wet-weather enrichment ideas you can try at home:

🧠 Food puzzles & snuffle mats – Turn mealtime into a problem-solving session.
🦴 Stuffed Kongs or Toppls – Freeze them to increase duration and difficulty.
👃 Scent games – Hide treats around the house and let your dog “hunt.”
🎯 Shaping games – Teach a new trick using positive reinforcement.
📦 DIY box search – Place treats in safe cardboard boxes and let them forage.

15 minutes of enrichment games aren't going to replace good, physical exercise, but they are going to help keep your pup happy, relaxed and fulfilled. Just because the rain is lashing down doesn't mean we can't find ways to keep our dogs entertained.

If you’d like personalized enrichment ideas tailored to your dog’s age, breed, and behavior goals, send me a message. I'd love to help!

29/01/2026

Great news on the face of it, let's hope it works out!

We welcome today’s announcement from Defra outlining the biggest reforms to the veterinary sector in over sixty years, aimed at improving transparency, fairness and value for pet owners.

Some of the measures include:

- Vet practices will have to clearly display prices for common treatments and explain treatment options and any changes.

- Vet practices must clearly state who owns them, so pet owners know whether their local vet is part of a large chain or an independent business. Every vet practice will need an official operating licence, similar to GP surgeries and care homes.

- Veterinary practices must provide an easier and more effective route for customers to raise concerns.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

[Image description: A black labrador is being examined by a vet nurse]

27/01/2026

🎾 Ball Launchers: Fitness Tool… or Tiny Chaos Device?

They’re brilliant, right? Fire the ball, dog goes zoom, energy disappears. Everyone wins!
Well… not always. Used carelessly, ball launchers can rack up a surprising list of physical and psychological issues.

Let’s start with the body. Dogs get repetitive strain injuries just like we do - and endlessly sprinting, skidding, twisting, and slamming the brakes is basically CrossFit with no warm-up. Hello sore joints, strained muscles, and long-term issues like arthritis. 🦴

Then there’s the brain. Unlimited ball chasing can create a full-blown ball addict, obsessive, distracted, and incapable of hearing you once a fluorescent orb enters their peripheral vision. 🎯

But don’t panic - launchers aren’t the villain in this movie. Used thoughtfully, they can be fantastic. Instead of launching the ball into the stratosphere and letting your dog go feral, try this:
➡️ Ask for a sit or down.
➡️ Launch the ball into long grass or undergrowth.
➡️ Let your dog hunt for it.

Now you’ve got obedience, scent work, mental stimulation, and healthier movement all rolled into one. Way more satisfying than the canine equivalent of running the 100m sprint on repeat.

For some breeds, this is a game-changer. My working cocker would much rather go full detective than just chase a flying tennis ball. Once I leaned into that, her walks improved massively - calmer, happier, and actually able to settle at home instead of being exhausted but wired. 🐾

Moral of the story:
🎾 Less mindless sprinting.
🧠 More thinking, sniffing, and teamwork.
❤️ Happier, healthier dogs.

🐕 Want more tips to keep your pup happy, enriched, and safely exercised?
Drop me a message or give me a call. Whether they’re two months or twelve years old, smaller than the average UK cat or a small pony masquerading as a dog, there are loads of ways we can keep their mind and body active in fun, appropriate ways together.

Let’s build a happier, healthier dog 💪🐾

24/01/2026

Look at that goofball!

I got to spend the morning with this absolute sweetheart of a Mastiff called Luna. 7 years old but occasionally forgot and thought she was 7 months old.

She's currently being fostered through One Wish Dog Foundation as she awaits a new forever home, and her fosterer wanted to work on some skills to make sure Luna is getting the most out of life. As with many foster dogs, we have to take things slow whilst we build up confidence and learn their skill set, all while ensuring their safety.

If we're not 100% confident around recall then we might not be able to let them off lead, so today we introduced a 5m long line and look at that face! I think she had an absolute blast 😂

Days like today remind me how lucky I am. Getting to spend time with wonderful dogs like Luna and the amazing people fostering them is a privilege and incredibly fulfilling.

Stop by One Wish and learn more about Luna, I can guarantee you'll fall in love the moment you meet her!