Poppy's Positive Pooches

Poppy's Positive Pooches Dog Trainer, R+, VSA DTC Graduate. Part of the Dog Behaviour and Training Charter. Portsmouth UK. This was the start of Poppy's Portsmouth Pooches.

As a lifelong dog lover, Poppy found herself getting lots of questions, from friends and family, who had become first time dog parents, asking for help and advice. At the time, she felt she was unqualified to give this advice, but it inspired her to learn more, and become a certified dog trainer - through VSA, to be able to help all dog parents. Poppy love’s working with dogs and their families to

help develop and nurture their bonds. Each session is tailored to the needs of the dog and their families, and are centred around positive and rewarding experiences, to help you learn together. As with people, all dogs are different too, in personality, learning techniques and needs. This is reflected in the training plan, as well as being educational, it is clear Poppy puts thought and heart into all she does. Poppy will never put you and your dog in a situation where you are set up to fail. Each session is always about progress and the little wins. During your sessions with Poppy, you will be guided through each training exercise, ensuring that you and the dog are comfortable, enjoying yourselves and always working towards building confidence together. Using her knowledge of science-based training techniques Poppy also explains why, what and how each training method is useful. It is clear Poppy is passionate about what she does. Poppy's goal is to encourage and enable you and your dog to find a common language, build a partnership and keep it all positive, rewarding and fun!

23/06/2026

Looking for things to keep your dog entertained during the heatwave?
Destroy boxes for the win!
Only suitable for dogs who don't consume inappropriate items.

02/06/2026

Caught in a thunderstorm just at the beginning of a training walk, so pivoted to an indoor session in
Great opportunity to work on existing in a very distracting environment.
Working on lead etiquette, sniffing, leaving toys/treats that don't belong to you... Yet. And working in settling.
It's also a great alternative for enrichment when it's hot (there's air conditioning!).

27/05/2026

Spider man pose engaged in order to check the surfaces my dogs walk on to see if they're safe. You should KEEP CHECKING the whole walk.
First pavement had been in shade all morning so was only just heating up.
Second paving had been under the sea so was very cool.
Third pavement had been in direct sun all morning and was Boiling!

Hold your hand down (sensible people use the back of their hand to make sure they don't get burnt) for 5seconds. If you can't handle it, your dogs' paws can't handle it.

21/05/2026

I did not want a vocal dog. I am noise sensitive, so when Esme showed a tendancy to bark and sing, I put it to a cue.
She only really wants to 'sing' when she hears a siren. But it's not always appropriate to let her go for it. So early on, I 'marked' and rewarded the behaviour, and built cues around it. Once she'd finish singing I 'mark' the in-between noises and finally the "quiet".

Speak = bark/loudly vocalise
Whisper = small noise
Sing = howling
Quiet/All done = silence.

All of these come with a physical gesture too!

Have you got a vocal dog and need some guidance on how to train/manage? Drop me a DM.

Happy Training!

I love hanging out with my pal Zach ❤️ love that he trusts me to keep him safe, and stays with me... Even when his mum i...
20/05/2026

I love hanging out with my pal Zach ❤️ love that he trusts me to keep him safe, and stays with me... Even when his mum is a few feet away making strange noises and waving a blanket around (for reasons).
dogcoaching

13/05/2026

The evolution of dogs is FASCINATING.
Exhibit A) Suggs, a Pug.
Exhibit B) Dexter, a Czech wolf x German Shepherd x Alaskan Malamute.

Happy Gotcha Day Esme! Happy 🌈 Birthday to Monty, the OG bear 🖤 you would have been 23 yo. It's been a full two years, a...
05/05/2026

Happy Gotcha Day Esme!
Happy 🌈 Birthday to Monty, the OG bear 🖤 you would have been 23 yo.

It's been a full two years, and you've thrown a lot at us! But those who you love, get all of your love, (and those who you hate - they bloody know about it!)
I will never take for granted the happy song you sing when you see me, the hard stares, the not so subtle hints that it might be time for a walk!

I often think you and Monty would have gotten on well, he would have shown you the best spot in the field to observe everything. And you'd have enjoyed 'rounding up' Jinny together.
He would have shown you that if you don't like people, you simply fart, then leave the room, or bu**er off to the top field with Poppy, and sit just out of reach. 🖤

I love you my little Bear. I miss you my Big Bear 🖤

28/04/2026

Cutie patootie

27/04/2026

Reactive dog community, you're the only ones who can appreciate how monumental this is!

24/04/2026

The look of a girl who knows what she wants and how to get it...

Address

Portsmouth

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 9:30am - 4pm

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