Tails Trails Dogs

03/11/2026

30/10/2026

“I'm terrified I'm a bad dog owner.”

These were the words I read in an email from a client recently, and they really stuck with me.

Because I wonder how many other dog owners are quietly feeling exactly the same way?

🐾 Maybe your dog barks at everything that moves.
🐾 Maybe their recall has suddenly disappeared.
🐾 Maybe walks have become stressful rather than enjoyable.
🐾 Or perhaps you're trying absolutely everything and still feel like you're getting nowhere.

It's so easy to look at other dogs who seem to have it all figured out and wonder what you're doing wrong.

But here's something I wish more dog owners knew...

Having a dog who struggles doesn't make you a bad dog owner.

Dogs aren't robots. They're individuals with their own personalities, emotions, experiences and challenges. Some find things harder than others, and that's okay.

And training isn't about having a perfectly behaved dog. It's about understanding the dog in front of you, building confidence, developing skills and learning how to navigate the world together.

Sometimes progress is a beautiful loose lead walk or a brilliant recall.

Other times it's your dog choosing to look at you instead of barking, recovering a little quicker from something scary, or you recognising they're overwhelmed and giving them some space.

Those little wins matter.

As a trainer, I'm not here to judge you or your dog. I'm here to listen, understand what's happening and help you find a way forward that works for both of you.

You don't need to have all the answers, and you certainly don't need to struggle through it alone.

So if you've ever found yourself worrying that you're a bad dog owner because things aren't going quite to plan, please remember...

Your dog doesn't need perfection. They need patience, understanding and someone willing to learn alongside them.

And if you need a little support along the way, that's exactly what Tails Trails is here for. 🩵

29/10/2026

When you call your dog back and they come running towards you at full speed...
You start celebrating that perfect recall, only for them to zoom straight past you like you don't even exist! 😂

Anyone else feeling personally attacked by this one?

Adolescence, selective hearing, forgotten recalls and those days when you wonder if your dog has ever attended a training session in their life! 🤦‍♀️

Don't worry, even us dog trainers have those moments!

Training isn't always pretty, and progress certainly isn't a straight line, but we get there. It's all about celebrating those little wins, because over time, those little wins add up to the bigger ones. 💙

And remember, sometimes coming back towards you is progress... even if the brakes haven't quite been installed yet!

If you'd like a little help working towards your own training wins, I offer both 1-2-1 and group training sessions to help you and your dog build those skills together.

Drop me a message to find out more! 🐾

27/10/2026

🍂 Autumn walks… lovely colours, muddy paws and dogs convinced everything on the floor needs investigating!

A little reminder that there are a few autumn finds we need to keep out of curious mouths:

🌰 Conkers – poisonous to dogs and can cause a blockage if swallowed.
🍁 Acorns – contain tannins that can make dogs unwell.
🍄 Wild mushrooms – some are highly poisonous, and safe varieties can be difficult to identify.

Keep an eye on what your dog sniffs among the leaves. Practising a reward-based “leave it” and swapping found treasures for a tasty treat are useful skills for autumn adventures!

☎️ If you think your dog has eaten any of these, contact your vet straight away rather than waiting for symptoms.

Save this reminder for your next woodland wander, and share with a fellow dog owner🐾

24/10/2026

What a lovely Saturday!

We kicked off the morning with a brand new Puppy Course, making the most of the calm before the storm!

Then this afternoon it was off to the brilliant dog show at Sewards End!

So many lovely dogs, wagging tails and happy faces. And just look at those fabulous rosette winners! 🏆

A huge well done to everyone who took part, and thank you to everyone involved in organising such a lovely afternoon!

Puppies, rosettes and plenty of dogs... not a bad way to spend a Saturday! 💙

22/10/2026

When the wind hits and suddenly you've got TURBO MODE activated! 😂

Apparently the best way to prepare for a storm is to run around like an absolute lunatic! They've all absolutely nailed that preparation today!

21/10/2026

🐾 A few Tails Trails dates for your diary!

🐶 Puppy class - starting this Saturday
Help your puppy build confidence and learn useful everyday skills with our reward-based training.
https://tailstrailstraining.as.me/?appointmentType=98538082

🏵️ Dog show - Saturday at 14:00hrs
Head along to Sewards End for some fun with your dogs! I can't wait to judge again this year!

🐕 Manners in Motion - Sunday at 10:00hrs
Join us for a training walk to practise everyday skills while out and about.
https://tailstrailstraining.as.me/?appointmentType=93903539

🌙 FREE community walk - Sunday at 16:00hrs
Come and join us for a friendly walk together! Please register here:
https://tailstrailstraining.as.me/?appointmentType=99018037

📲 Want updates on training, upcoming classes and workshops? Join our Tails Trails WhatsApp community!
https://chat.whatsapp.com/L8iz9b6E1Nj60WzDgf06th

Thank you for your continued support! All the link will be in my bio/stories too!

19/10/2026

Nothing quite like being absolutely knackered by Monday morning after a fun-filled adventure in this glorious autumn weather!

So many smells to investigate, places to explore and leaves to run through!

Safe to say someone's going to be enjoying a well-earned snooze this afternoon! 🐶💤

18/10/2026

First Cold Game Session of the Season!

Gundog season is officially underway!

My boy Kody had an absolute blast out on his first day yesterday, doing what he loves best! 🐾

Then this morning, we rounded off our Fun Gundog course with a cold game training session!

It was lovely to see all the dogs having a go, building their confidence and putting their skills into practice.

Every dog approached things a little differently, and that's absolutely fine! Some were more confident, others needed a little encouragement, but they all did brilliantly in their own ways!

Gundog training isn't just about the retrieve. It's about teamwork, confidence, building skills and, most importantly, having fun together!

A huge well done to everyone who joined us for the course. It's been lovely watching you all progress! 🐾