Sue's dog training

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Orpington
Sue's dog training

I love helping people build great relationships with their dogs in a fun, positive and stress-free way. Do reach out to me. Which I really enjoy.

I'm a reward-based trainer offering groups classes, workshops, one-to-ones, and home visits across the Bromley and Orpington area. I went to St Nicholas Church of England School in Chislehurst and then Stratford House School in Bickley, Kent. My first job was at the Bank of England for 4 years and then Barclays de Zoete Webb for a couple of years. Then I decided to do a teaching degree at 21 years

of age at Brighton University. I taught at Wickham Common Primary School and Babington House. I did a Diplomia in Dyslexia and taught at a few schools including Leesons Primary School helping Dyslexic children. I decided to have a change and become a dog walker with my black Labrador called Jess and also a dog trainer. I have completed various online and in person courses:
Level 1 course on canine care and behaviour, Absolute Dogs: Pro Dog Trainer and Geek Course,
Holly Tett's online courses and conferences
Susan Garratt’s Handling 360 and Recallers
Animal Behaviour Level 3 - NIOQ training certificate
Nosework Instructor Part 1
Diploma in Canine Behavioural Training - 5 day residential course with Robert Alleyne - PRAMA Training. Tellington Touch 3 Day workshop
Advanced Higher Certificate in Canine Behaviour Practice and Aggression Studies. I am currently doing a Dog Breed Specific Behaviour: A Pschological Insight. In March 2025 I am doing Man Trailing Inspectors Course

I volunteer every week at Foal Farm Rescue Centre near Biggin Hill with the dog walking.

06/08/2026

Why use high value treats for dog training?

Bella’s favourite are chicken, liver treats, pate and a tug toy. When teaching your dog something new or teaching them something they find difficult. You must pay your dog well. They don’t like money. So do this by giving them a reward they really like. This will entice them to do what you what.

An example of this is heel walking with Bella. She is not keen to stay by side. Instead she wants to go where she wants. So we are working on this. Having chicken in my left hand and giving her some every few steps is really helping Bella to get used to walking next to me. If i had kibble she wouldn’t bother! So it’s worth working out what your dog really likes and take some out with you. Because training on a walks with the other distractions around, is much harder than training in the house.

04/08/2026

Calmness training at the bottom of the garden where the dogs have chased foxes before!! Very good to practice calmness training in places they find hard.

03/08/2026

Can your dog do a down/stay while you pick up their poo? Or tie your shoelace? Pick up some broken glass? Or just rest for a minute?

29/07/2026

My paddling pool is really useful today for cooling down the dogs.

28/07/2026

Tennis balls are bad for dogs because:

1) they can wear down tooth enamel like sandpaper

2) pose a serious choking hazard

3) cause dangerous intestinal blockages if swallowed.

Veterinarians generally advise against them.

Swap out old tennis balls for smooth, heavy-duty rubber balls made specifically for dogs that will not trap grit or tear apart easily.

Ones on string are good, to stop choking as you can pull them out.

27/07/2026

Information about dog’s senses:

The scent our nose picks up is about the size of A4 paper. The scent that dogs’ noses pick up is about the size of 2 and 1/2 football pitches!!!
And dogs can breathe in and out at the same time!!
So if your dog stops to smell the air remember how much better their sense of smell is.

For dogs smelling is their first sense, hearing second and eye sight is third.

21/07/2026

Information not about dogs today!

Very good book about raising children and how we can help them not be so anxious.

Overprotecting children in the real world and under protecting children online.

Four things to do:

1. no smart phones before age 14.
2. No social media before 16.
3. Phone free schools. (Devices locked away during the school day)
4. Far more under supervised play and childhood dependence. This is the natural way for children to gain social skills, overcome anxiety and become self governing young adults.

17/07/2026

A good quote, ‘being a dog owner, you don’t need perfection you just need to be good enough! ‘

16/07/2026

When giving your dog instructions only say them once. For example sit or down. Do NOT repeat. Wait for your dog to do what have you asked. Otherwise your dog gets to know he doesn’t have to follow instructions on the first request. He can wait for the tenth request!!! Or maybe not do it at all. Your voice has become white noise, something he doesn’t have to listen to.

15/07/2026

Gemma from Assisi animal Transport and Dog Training gave this advice to a client. It is very important advice. Have a read:

Some dogs when they are out having their “free time”, it looks like they are enjoying themselves, but they are actually spending most of that time scanning for threats. Their brain is busy, not relaxed. So even though it looks like freedom, they are not truly unwinding or feeling safe.

Right now, because the dog makes all their own decisions, they are a bit self‑employed, choosing where to go, when to disengage, and how to cope. It’s not that the owner is doing anything wrong, it’s just that the dog hasn’t learned to trust the owners guidance yet. Without that trust and leadership piece, the dog can’t rely on the owner when they are unsure, so the dog defaults to managing everything themselves. The good news is that helping your dog through the fears doesn’t mean the dog loses their freedom.

The dog absolutely should have time to explore, sniff, and enjoy themselves, but it needs to happen because you say it’s time, not because the dog decides it.
Once the dog’s confidence and relationship with the owner are built, the dog will be able to enjoy that free time properly, with you, instead of scanning the world alone.

With a bit more structure, the dog will start to feel safer and more supported, and from there the dog’s confidence will grow beautifully. Assisi Animal Transport & Training

Address

Orpington

Website

http://www.suewarddogtrainer.co.uk/

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