Cumbria Dog Training

23/06/2026

I’m enjoying time off this week 😎❤️👍🔥

Why?

Because all training is cancelled because it’s too Hot 🥵 🔥

I hope to resume work on Saturday and hopefully the workshop will go ahead on Sunday as things cool down up here.

Keep your dogs safe 🐶❤️

I saw a dog being walked today… 30deg 🤬

Please please please stop walking your dog in the heat of the day. No dog died because it wasn’t walked

23/06/2026

Building a solid relationship v training.

In dog training, relationship building and training support each other, but they are NOT the same thing.
A common mistake that I see a lot of in all my conversations with clients is relying too heavily on recalls, or constant control at the expense of the relationship.

Relationship building.
The goal is for your dog to choose to engage with you because being with you is rewarding and predictable.

Such as:-

🐾Walking together without constantly giving commands.
🐾Hunting games
🐾Exploring new places together.
🐾Rewarding your dog for voluntarily checking in.
🐾Respecting when your dog needs a break.

The focus for your dog is: "I enjoy being with my human. This is where the fun is"

Training
Training teaches specific behaviours such as:

🐾Recall
🐾Sit
🐾Stay
🐾Loose-lead walking
🐾Heel
🐾Leave it
etc

The focus is: "I know what behaviour earns reinforcement."

The problem with overusing recall........
Many owners unintentionally poison the recall cue by using it far too much.

Such as:-:

❗️Calling the dog every 30 seconds on a walk.
❗️Calling them away from every interesting smell.
❗️Recalling only to put the lead on and go home.
❗️Repeating "Come...come...COME!" when the dog is already engaged elsewhere.

The dog then begins to learn:-:

"Coming to you means the fun ends."

Or they simply learn that the cue is background noise.

So........

What is a better balance?

For a bit of guidance an hours walk may look like:-

45–50 minutes: Engage with your dog then let your dog sniff, explore, and choose to check in naturally. REWARD the voluntary check-ins.
5–10 recalls: Practise high-quality recalls from different distances and distractions.
Most recalls should end with the dog being released back to what they were doing.

This teaches:-

🐶Coming doesn't always end the fun.
🐶Returning to you pays well.
🐶Your cue remains meaningful because it isn't overused.
🐶Think of recall as a "special cue"

You want your recall cue to keep its value.

Instead of constantly recalling your dog:-

🔸Walk in another direction and encourage them to follow.
🔸Reward spontaneous attention.
🔸Occasionally run away to encourage your dog to chase you.
🔸Play together without asking for obedience.

Sounds like LOVE BUBBLE!!! Just saying!!!

The relationship becomes the reason your dog wants to stay connected, while training provides the skills.

Start with minimal distractions and GRADUALLY build in more distractions as your dog "gets it".

If your walk is too long then your dog will lose focus. shorten your walks while your dog embeds the learning, the connection is more important than the length of walk. Remember that working your dog is more productive than walking your dog, no matter what breed.

As your dog understands that you are an important member of the relationship then you can start to reduce the number of activities you do while out and about so that checking in and recall become second nature, but this takes time... don't rush the process.

23/06/2026

👀👀

Tails can have an unsure side?👀
Tails are sneaky.
Their tail isn't just moving.
It's communicating.

Most people only look for one thing
Wagging = happy.
Except that's not always true.

A dog can wag when they're excited.
Wag when they're frustrated.
They can wag when they're worried.
They can even wag when they're deciding what to do next.

This is where it gets interesting.

Because it's not just if the tail moving, it’s which side too.

Researchers have found that some dogs can wag more to one side than the other depending on what they're feeling.

Theres a catch though.
The problem is we often focus on the tail and ignore the rest of the dog.

A wagging tail attached to a relaxed body tells a very different story to a wagging tail attached to a dog with a closed mouth, hard eyes and a body full of tension.

That's why tails can be so misleading.

The same signal can mean completely different things depending on what comes with it, what side as well as where and when it’s wagging.

A tail can give us a clue.
But clues really aren't the whole story.

So what emotion are they communicating?

To answer that, we need to look at the bigger picture.

23/06/2026

Connection is important

22/06/2026

It’s common sense but unfortunately still needs to be said

22/06/2026

Bear with me!
It’s a long one!!

21/06/2026

20/06/2026

♥️

19/06/2026

🐾 REACTIVITY WORKSHOPS UPDATE 🐾

These workshops are very popular and beneficial not just for your dog but for you too!

There is a pinned post on my page with all future dates, June, July and August are now fully booked

However......

There is now an extra one for August so check your diaries!!

August 15th
11.00-12.30
£25
Open fell location

If you would like to book or discuss if your dog is ready for joining a group please WhatsApp or PM me

Thank you

18/06/2026

Are you struggling with your reactive dog?

Are you feeling overwhelmed, judged by others and even by yourself, are walks a nightmare and stressful?
Is your dog timid, worried, feeling overwhelmed?

Would you like some 1:1 support?

Reactivity covers so much.......

It is a dog communicating how it is feeling, from feeling stressed, anxious, nervous, overwhelmed to full of excitement jumping up and wanting interaction.

I get asked a lot to "sort" out behaviour BUT we must look at what is underlying? how is a dog feeling and how can we help it to change that feeling....its not all about teaching a new behaviour.

We must also look at how we are feeling at the other end of the lead,and help ourselves not just our dogs, lets remember that it is a relationship.

As well as training packages I am now offering reactivity packages where I guide you and your dog to a better understanding of each other and to help adjust the emotions that your dog is experiencing, either within the home or beyond. They include working in (public once your dog and you are ready) and if necessary a home visit (depending on distance) you will also have my continued support after the course.

If you would like to know more please WhatsApp me and we can have a chat. 07505 267172