About Town Pet Care

09/06/2026

⭐️Tip Tuesday⭐️

Did you know that if you sign up for my monthly newsletter you get to read my blog posts before everyone else?

This months topic is knowing the pros and cons of both group training sessions vs private 1-2-1 sessions for your dog and their specific issue.

There are upsides and downsides of both and knowing which category your dog falls into can help you make the right choice for your specific scenario.

And if you want to to find out about what’s on in person or online as well as blog posts and other trainer content and recommendations then take a look at the link in my bio for my newsletter sign up - new signs ups also get access to my rule of five training resource for FREE 👍

https://about-town-pets.com/2026/06/08/groupvsprivatesessions/

09/06/2026

⭐️Got a shy or anxious dog?⭐️

Want to teach them some predictable behaviours that can be used in real life?

Want to build their confidence in a safe secure environment around other dogs in a structured way?

If yes then our pattern games for shy and anxious dogs is the course for you! These sessions run for four weeks and help you with handling management and build a bond between you and your dog so that you can start to venture back out into the real world safely.

Only four spots available and the sessions are held in a secure field in Hemerdon in Plympton Plymouth.

You will also get access to a private support group with resources and how to videos.

⭐️Class starts Saturday June 20th at 2pm - These sessions are in partnership with Keeley so feel free to message either of us for more information - we can’t wait to meet you 👍🐕

08/06/2026

🐾 UPCOMING DOG TRAINING CLASSES IN PLYMOUTH 🐾
Looking for something fun, practical, or confidence-building to do with your dog this summer? I’ve got a fantastic range of classes coming up over the next few weeks!

🐕 PATTERN GAMES WORKSHOP FOR REACTIVE DOGS
📅 Starts soon
📍 Secure field, Plympton
🗓️ 4-week course
Designed for anxious, reactive, or easily overwhelmed dogs. Pattern games create predictable behaviours that help dogs feel safer, build confidence, and cope better around their triggers.
👃 BEGINNERS SCENTWORK
📅 Starts 21st June
⏰ 7pm
📍 Peverell, Plymouth
🗓️ 4-week course
If your dog loves using their nose, enjoys problem-solving, or you’d like to give them a rewarding new hobby, scentwork is a fantastic way to build confidence and mental stimulation.
🦆 PET GUNDOG CLASSES
📅 27th June
⏰ 4pm
📍 Secure field, Plympton
🗓️ 4-week course
Give your pet Gundog a job! Learn practical skills, improve focus and impulse control, and channel your dog’s natural instincts in a fun and positive way.
🐕‍🦺 TEEN PUP CLASSES ARE BACK!
📅 Starts 19th July
⏰ 7pm
📍 Peverell, Plymouth
🗓️ 6-week course
Back by popular demand!
For dogs aged 6–18 months who need help navigating the teenage phase. We’ll cover common adolescent challenges including recall, lead walking, focus, impulse control, and working around distractions.

🐶 PUPPY CLASSES
📅 Starts again Sunday 26th July
⏰ 6pm
📍 Peverell, Plymouth
🗓️ 6-week course
Perfect for puppies under 24 weeks old who need help with socialisation, confidence building, recall, lead walking, settling around distractions, and all those important life skills that set them up for success.

📩 Message me to reserve your space or find out which class would be the best fit for your dog.
As always, all training uses positive reinforcement methods to build confident dogs without the need for punishment or intimidation.

08/06/2026

🐾 Struggling with puppy toilet training? You’re not alone!
If your pup is still having accidents in the house, it doesn’t mean they can’t be trained — it just means you might need a better timeline and expectations. 🐶💦
📅 In my latest blog post I break down:
✨ What a realistic toilet-training timeline looks like
✨ Why accidents still happen (and when it’s normal)
✨ Tips to help your puppy learn faster and with less stress
👉 Read more here: Help My Puppy Is Still Having Accidents in the House — Understanding the Toilet Training Timeline

Let’s make toilet training easier — for you and your pup! 🐕❤️ one spot left for puppy class starting this Sunday at 7pm/6pm thereafter (link to book in bio) 👆

08/06/2026

Group Classes vs Private Training: What’s Best for Your Dog?

Wondering whether group classes or private dog training is right for your dog? After 14 years of training hundreds of dogs and walking over 5,000, I've learned that the answer isn't one-size-fits-all. While group classes are excellent for teaching skills such as recall, loose lead walking, and confidence around other dogs, private training offers a tailored approach for dogs struggling with reactivity, fear, separation anxiety, or more complex behavioural challenges. In this article, I'll explain the benefits of each option, common misconceptions owners have, and how to choose the training environment that best suits your dog's personality, age, and individual needs....

Wondering whether group classes or private dog training is right for your dog? After 14 years of training hundreds of dogs and walking over 5,000, I’ve learned that the answer isn’t one…

07/06/2026

Great work - this is how I would train an “out” or “drop” with two similar toys - this is also how I increase play to get the behaviours I want 👍👍 It also provides an outlet for competitive energetic dogs.

Shape the behaviour first (with good timing) then label the behaviour as she is about to do it

Phase out presenting the second toy
Always end your sessions on a high
Short sessions a couple times a day

Therefore creating a dog that can switch on and off in high arousal Darwin's Dog Training School brilliant as usual ❤️🐕

06/06/2026

Is my puppy ever going to sleep through the night?” 😩 You’re not alone! New pups miss their littermates and are just learning your routines. A gradual, reassuring nighttime approach can make all the difference. 🛏️✨ Dive into my guide for peaceful nights and confident pups Link in bio or in the comments below👇👇 And if you want to work with me this is a reminder that the next round of puppy classes starts June 14th at 7pm and run for 6 weeks- (subsequent weeks start at 6pm) comment the word PUPPY below for more information👇👇

05/06/2026

⭐️Friday Fun⭐️

just a reminder for those who would like to work with me on a 1-2-1 in person basis that to do so (unless a puppy session 1-2-1) I will need you to fill in
my training and behaviour questionnaire. 🐕

This allows me to get as much information as I can before meeting in person- I often then ask more questions to fill in any gaps that might be relevant via email or WhatsApp before deciding which package or pay as you go option will be best for you. 🐕

Also training in general is different to behaviour modification work. The first usually requires 1-5 sessions to train something like recall , loose lead/pulling - train a specific task like crate training muzzle training (insert any task that might be required) where behaviour modification sessions often need more gradual approach with a definite plan in place longer term. 🐕

Any issues that might require us to work together to chain your dogs emotions about a certain situation (stress anxiety frustration aggression) that also may require veterinary input (diet pain medication) will often need a package whilst we train foundation behaviours alongside behaviour modification (changing your dogs emotional response to triggers as an example) - separation distress is a good example of this where we need to train very methodically with distinct phase over a 3 month period (your sessions spread out fortnightly or monthly) as you progress. It’s worth noting these distinct differences when you first come to me for help with realistic expectations for the dog in front of us. 🐕

Some dogs whizz through training some dogs need a gentler more gradual approach but the only the learner can dictate how well they are coping. You can find a link above or below to fill in my questionnaire to get started with your training and behaviour journey together.