Paws & Progress

12/09/2025

01/09/2025

Wow… what a day! 😱🐾

We just wanted to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped make Bark In The Park 2025 such an incredible success.

Despite the weather, we had an amazing team, some seriously impressive trade stalls, and literally hundreds of you joined us! The support has been overwhelming, and it was so lovely to recognise so many familiar faces from 2024 too.

We’ve also loved reading all your positive feedback - from the extra space we worked hard to give your reactive pooches, to all the delicious grub on offer (which we can’t take all the credit for of course!). 🐕 🍔

We’ll keep you updated when plans for 2026 get underway, but for now… that’s a wrap on this year’s Ultimate-Mutt Doggy Event!

Until next time — thank you all again! 🩵🩷

28/08/2025

Who recognises this gorgeous girly? 🐶💖

Nelly and her lovely family have been with us since March, working their way through not only our Puppy/Foundation Course, but also our Improver/Intermediate Course too!

Week after week, we’ve been so proud of their dedication and progress, and it was such an honour to present them with their well-earned graduation rosette and certificate last Thursday. 🎓🐾

Although we’ll miss seeing Nelly in class, we’re excited to hear about her adventures as she navigates the whirlwind that is adolescence, and we’ve no doubt she’ll grow into the most wonderful adult dog. 💕

26/08/2025

Let’s talk about dental hygiene! 🦷✨

When it comes to caring for our dogs, dental health often gets overlooked, but it’s just as important as their training, exercise, and diet. Today, I want to touch on three key points: why dental hygiene matters, why handling training is essential, and why choosing the right groomer makes all the difference.

1) Why dental hygiene matters:
We all know clean teeth are important - for us and our dogs! But from a trainer’s perspective, keeping on top of dental care isn’t just about fresh breath. Poor oral hygiene can lead to painful infections, gum disease, and even changes in behaviour. Dogs in discomfort may show aggression, restlessness, or anxiety - all of which could have been prevented with proper care. Luckily, at 8.5 years old, Millie’s teeth are still in great condition, and that’s a big part of why she’s such a happy, carefree pup.

2) Why handling training matters:
Did you know that around 80% of dogs will need dental treatment at some point in their lives? This is why I recommend introducing handling exercises before any vet or grooming visits are necessary. Teaching calm, positive responses to touch around the mouth (and other sensitive areas) helps reduce stress later on, when those real procedures are needed. Was Millie a little unsure today? Of course, it was a new experience. But thanks to her training, she stayed calm, let the groomer work without struggle, and avoided any risk of biting. That kind of preparation makes the whole experience smoother, safer, and healthier in the long run.

3) Why the right groomer matters:
Another big factor in Millie’s success today was the groomer herself. We chose someone fully qualified, experienced, and (most importantly), patient. Millie had a one-on-one appointment with no distractions, lots of reassurance, and plenty of cuddles afterwards. It made all the difference to her confidence. If you’re in the New Forest and looking for a groomer who provides this level of care, I can’t recommend enough.

In the meantime, I am always happy to answer any questions you may have around grooming or training, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Speak soon,
Ally x

24/08/2025

Oh my goodness! One week to go until .uk 🥳🫣🐾

Who’s coming?! Make sure you grab your tickets early at www.pawsandprogress.co.uk

Tell us who you are looking forward to seeing! Just some of our line up and attendees include….
walks_ pals







And more!

30/07/2025

Good evening, my lovely clients! ☀️🐾

Just a quick note to let you know I’ll be on annual leave from Monday 4th August to Sunday 17th August. During this time, I won’t be able to respond to messages - but don’t worry, I’ll catch up with everything as soon as I’m back!

In the meantime, you can still book services via the website: www.pawsandprogress.co.uk

Thanks so much for your patience and understanding, and I look forward to seeing you and your pups again soon! 🐶💚

28/07/2025

Today's Question: Why does my dog always bring me a toy when I walk through the door? 🧸🐶

Well, it might mostly just look like a cute party trick, but in reality there’s often a much deeper reason behind this common behaviour.

This is because many dogs bring toys as a way to self-soothe and manage their excitement, especially breeds like Spaniels and Labradors. That burst of joy when you come home? It can be super overwhelming, so grabbing a toy essentially gives them something else to focus on and helps them stay calm and regulated.

So, in this case, it's not always about showing off or wanting to play straight away - it’s their clever way of coping with all the happy chaos of your return. However, there is also an element of learnt behaviour too, because if you praise them for it, they'll also repeat it for more love and affection!

So next time you're greeted with a soggy plushie, know your pup is just trying their best to keep their cool! 😎

24/07/2025

New classes incoming! 🐶✨

We’re heading into August with a brand new line-up of group training courses - from foundational skills to reactivity support and next-level learning.

📍 Poole (Lilliput) – Tuesday 19th August
🕕 6:00PM – Puppy/Foundation Skills
🕖 7:15PM – Reactivity Reset

📍 Verwood – Wednesday 20th August
🕡 6:30PM – Puppy/Foundation Skills
🕗 7:45PM – Progression Course

Ready to join the fun? Head to pawsandprogress.co.uk to secure your spot — these always fill up fast!

21/07/2025

📣 Hey Poole pup parents -we’re coming to YOU! 🐶

We’ve been blown away by the number of you travelling from Poole to join our Wimborne classes - so we thought, why not bring the training closer to home? 💡

So without further ado, we’re so excited to announce our brand new classes launching in Poole, starting Tuesday 9th September! 🎉 Whether you’re just starting out or building on the basics, we’ve got you covered.

✨ Booking is now open via www.pawsandprogress.co.uk — don’t wait, spaces go fast!

12/05/2025

Our fun and supportive group courses are now available to book all the way up until July! 🤩🐾

Suitable for all ages, breeds, and sizes!

We also have our next ever-so-popular progression course starting in June for those who have already completed a training course (with us or elsewhere!) and are simply looking to develop their skills further.

Please message us for more questions, or book directly online on our website! 🐶🫶🏻

01/05/2025

Today’s Question: When is it safe to walk my dog with this heat? 🥵 ☀️

Well, let’s take a look at the above image which breaks it down into sections. Personally, using this guide, I look to reduce walk time significantly from 20 degrees onwards, and then stop walks completely in exchange for some indoor enrichment activities from 23 degrees onwards. This is because we have to remember that our dog’s aren’t used to this temperature, and especially with their paws on the pavement, it can do a lot of damage! 😣

If at any point with this heat, you notice your dog showing heatstroke signs, here’s what to do:

• Immediately move to a cool shady area, and offer small amounts of cool (NOT ice cold) water. 💦

• Use the cool water to also wet your dog’s fur all over. 🐕

• If you have any hand sanitiser, this can be applied to the paws to help cool the system down. 🐾

• Contact your vet for further support. ☎️

Alternatively, if you need support on how to keep your dog entertained on the hotter day, pleases do get in touch. We also have plenty of enrichment options at www.thebarkandbeyond.co.uk