Forbes Dog Training

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Forbes Dog Training

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Reactivity & Behaviour Modification Experts.
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02/11/2026

ARE PUPPY GROUP CLASSES A GOOD IDEA?
It’s a great question, and one we feel strongly about.

Our philosophy is simple: before you can expect a puppy to behave around distractions, you first need to teach them how to behave without them.

We start by teaching the basic foundations in a calm, low-distraction environment. Once the puppy understands what is being asked of them, we gradually introduce distractions, increasing the difficulty as their competence and reliability improve.

If we progress too quickly, we risk overwhelming the puppy and undermining the learning process. When that happens, we need to take a step back, simplify the exercise and rebuild those foundations.

So, what happens when you put a room full of puppies together?
Multiple dogs, unfamiliar people, exciting smells, barking, movement and several trainers all doing different things.

For many puppies, that is an enormous amount of stimulation to process, particularly when they are still learning the basics. Rather than learning to focus on their owner, puppies can become distracted by everything happening around them. Some become overexcited, others become anxious, and many simply struggle to concentrate.

Of course, not every puppy will find a group class overwhelming. But how do you know? We believe that introducing distractions should be a deliberate part of a training programme, not something a puppy is simply thrown in to see! Our approach is different.

We teach the foundations first, build confidence and understanding, and then progressively introduce the distractions your puppy will encounter in everyday life.

The objective isn’t to teach your puppy to behave in a classroom full of dogs. It’s to teach them to behave reliably in the real world.

At Forbes Dog Training, we believe that good training is about more than teaching a puppy a few commands. It’s about giving owners the knowledge and practical skills to train their own dog for life.

Get in touch for details about our puppy training programme.

30/10/2026

IS YOUR DOG REALLY THE PROBLEM?
Have you ever stopped for a moment and considered that your dog might not be the problem at all?

We hear these comments all the time:
❌ “We’ve tried everything!”
❌ “My dog just ignores me!”
❌ “My dog is just a dick!”

Notice a pattern? The blame is always being directed at the dog. The dog is stubborn, disobedient, difficult or impossible to train. But what if the real problem isn’t your dog’s behaviour, but the way you’re trying to change it?

HERE’S SOMETHING THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU.
In the vast majority of cases we deal with, much of our work involves helping owners change the way they communicate with, train and manage their dogs.

Why? Because dogs don’t come into this world knowing our rules, understanding our expectations or automatically responding to our commands. They have to be taught. And that teaching is YOUR responsibility.

You can’t keep doing the same things, getting the same unwanted behaviour and then blame your dog when nothing changes. At some point, you have to stop pointing the finger at your dog and start looking at what YOU can do differently.

Recognising that the way you train and manage your dog can make a significant difference.

CHANGE YOUR APPROACH. CHANGE YOUR RESULTS.

At Forbes Dog Training, we don’t just work with your dog. We teach you how dogs learn, demonstrate the practical exercises and help you develop the skills to achieve the results you want. Because our philosophy is simple:

WE TRAIN YOU TO TRAIN YOUR DOG.

If you’re frustrated with your dog’s behaviour and feel as though you’ve tried everything, perhaps it’s time to try something different.

Get in touch. Let’s find out what needs to change.

29/10/2026

FORBES DOG TRAINING — WHY CHOOSE US? - There are plenty of dog trainers out there. So, how do you choose the right one?

BUY CHEAP, BUY TWICE - If your first priority is finding the cheapest quote, you could end up paying twice — once for training that doesn’t deliver the results you need, and again to find someone who can. The real question isn’t how much a trainer charges. It’s what they can help you achieve.

You’ll also see the term “Behaviourist” used increasingly in dog training marketing. Don’t be swayed by titles, clever advertising or impressive-sounding claims. Look beyond the label and examine the trainer’s practical experience, track record and, most importantly, what their clients say about them.

WHY CHOOSE US?
✅ Experience that counts. Over 5 years of practical experience working with hundreds of dogs and their owners.

⭐ A proven track record. Hundreds of 5-star reviews from clients who have trusted us to help them overcome their dogs’ training and behaviour problems.

🐕 We practice what we teach. We own a family, well-trained, well-behaved, balanced Working Cocker Spaniel. We believe in demonstrating the standards we help our clients achieve.

🎯 Results-focused training. From reactivity, pulling on the lead and poor recall to jumping up, resource guarding and more challenging behaviours, we work towards the results that matter to you.

🤝 We train you to train your dog. We don’t simply work with your dog and leave you wondering what to do next. We explain the theory, demonstrate the practical exercises, guide you through them and help you develop the skills and confidence to continue independently.

💼 This is our profession, not a side hustle. Forbes Dog Training is a full-time business built around helping owners understand their dogs and achieve lasting improvements.

Read our reviews. Look at our results. See what our clients say.
Then ask yourself: do you want the cheapest trainer, or do you want to invest in the knowledge and practical skills that can make a real difference to life with your dog?

If you’re looking for experienced, hands-on, results-focused dog training, including help with challenging behaviour, we’d love to help you.
FORBES DOG TRAINING
We Train You To Train Your Dog.

28/10/2026

DOG IS IN PAIN! — OR ARE YOU BEING MISLED?
Have you ever been told by a dog trainer or behaviourist that your dog’s behaviour is probably being caused by pain?

Pain can absolutely affect behaviour. But that doesn’t mean pain is the explanation for every barking, lunging, pulling, jumping or disobedient dog.

We’re increasingly hearing claims that as many as 80% of dogs with behaviour problems are in pain. That’s an extraordinary claim, and one that deserves scrutiny.

Not every behaviour problem is a medical problem. Of course, if a dog’s behaviour changes suddenly, they show signs of discomfort, or there are other reasons to suspect pain, a veterinary assessment is essential. We would never advise an owner to ignore a potential medical issue.

But here’s where we have a problem.
Are we in danger of turning ordinary, learned and sometimes entirely preventable behaviour problems into medical conditions? The pet industry is big business. Owners understandably want the best for their dogs, and when someone suggests their dog may be suffering, it’s natural to take that possibility seriously.

But suspicion is not diagnosis. And medication should never be a substitute for understanding why a dog behaves the way it does. So what do many dogs with behaviour problems actually need?
✅ Structure — a consistent daily routine and clear expectations.
✅ Rules and boundaries — so dogs understand which behaviours are acceptable.
✅ An owner who understands how dogs learn — including what motivates behaviour and what reinforces it.
✅ Practical training — teaching the dog what to do instead of simply reacting to what they do wrong.
✅ Consistency — because what happens every day has a huge influence on how a dog behaves.

Medication can be appropriate in a very small percentage of cases, particularly where a veterinary professional identifies a medical condition that warrants it. But it is not the answer in most cases, and it does not replace a sound training plan.

We teach owners to understand their dogs, communicate effectively and develop the practical skills needed to change unwanted behaviour. No jumping to conclusions. No treating every problem as an illness. Just an individual assessment, a clear plan and practical, hands-on training.

Get in touch with Forbes Dog Training to discuss how we can help.
Experience Matters. Results Speak!

27/10/2026

DOG TRAINING COURSE – LEARN TO TRAIN YOUR OWN DOG!
If you want a well-trained dog, you need more than a list of commands and a pocket full of treats. You need to understand how dogs learn and how to apply that knowledge in practice.

Our approach combines the theory of how dogs learn with practical, hands-on training. We explain, demonstrate and then guide you through the exercises and set homework to help you develop your skills between sessions.

Our 6-session course includes:
✅ 6 × 90-minute, one-to-one training sessions.
✅ A structured programme delivered over 6 weeks.
✅ A clear understanding of how dogs learn.
✅ Practical exercises to put that knowledge into action.
✅ Homework to develop your skills and reinforce learning between sessions.

The goal? To give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to train your own dog — not just today, but for life.

And the best part? Once you understand the principles of dog training, you can apply them to any future dog you own.

Why depend on someone else to train your dog when you can learn to do it yourself?

Get in touch with Forbes Dog Training today to find out more about our 6-session course.

Forbes Dog Training — We Train You To Train Your Dog.

26/10/2026

DOGS THAT PULL!
Does your dog drag you down the street?

Let’s be honest. If your dog pulls on the lead, you haven’t yet learned how to teach them to walk nicely.
That might sound blunt, but it’s a fact!

Too many owners blame their dog. “I’ve had dogs all my life, and none of the others pulled like this!”

But what does that actually tell you?
It tells you that your current dog hasn’t learned what you expect of them. It doesn’t mean they’re stubborn, difficult or impossible to train.

The problem isn’t necessarily the dog. It’s that they haven’t been taught what to do!

If your dog came to train with us, we’d expect to make significant progress towards loose-lead walking within a week. Dogs of different breeds, ages and temperaments can all learn to walk nicely when they’re taught properly.

At Forbes Dog Training, we don’t just take your dog away and do it for you. We show YOU how to train YOUR dog, so you understand the process and can maintain the results.

✅ Practical, hands-on training.
✅ Clear instruction and demonstrations.
✅ You learn the skills to take control of your walks.

Stop fighting with your dog on every walk. Learn how to make walking together enjoyable! Get in touch with Forbes Dog Training today.
WE TRAIN YOU TO TRAIN YOUR DOG.

25/10/2026

TRAIN YOUR OWN DOG
Do you get frustrated with your dog’s behaviour? Does it feel like your dog simply doesn’t listen to you, no matter how many times you repeat a command?

Here’s the truth: your dog isn’t necessarily being disobedient. You may simply be communicating in a way they don’t understand.

Dogs don’t learn the way humans do. Once you understand how they learn, how they interpret your communication and what motivates their behaviour, everything starts to change.

You can stop fighting against unwanted behaviours and start teaching your dog what you actually want.

We believe that if you own a dog, you owe it to them to understand how they think and learn. It’s the key to better communication, a stronger relationship and a happier life together.

THAT’S WHY WE DEVELOPED OUR 6-SESSION TRAINING PROGRAMME.

We don’t just train your dog for you. We teach YOU how to train your dog.
Across six practical, hands-on sessions, we show you how to:

✅ Understand how dogs learn and why they behave as they do.
✅ Prevent unwanted behaviours before they become established.
✅ Address existing behaviour problems.
✅ Build reliable obedience and improve your dog’s responsiveness.
✅ Develop the skills and confidence to continue training independently.

Our philosophy is simple:
WE TRAIN YOU TO TRAIN YOUR DOG.
Because the real goal isn’t to have a dog that listens to a trainer. It’s to have a dog that listens to YOU!

Get in touch with Forbes Dog Training to find out how our 6-session programme can help you and your dog.

22/10/2026

🎾 HE LOVED THE BALL. HE JUST DIDN’T WANT TO GIVE IT UP!
Cosmo absolutely loves his ball, but he had developed one frustrating habit. He wouldn’t let go of it!

He enjoyed possessing the ball so much that, despite his owners getting frustrated, he simply couldn’t understand why he should give it up. From his perspective, keeping hold of the ball was rewarding in itself.

The problem wasn’t stubbornness. He simply hadn’t learned the rules of the game.

So, we went back to basics. We started in the garden, teaching Cosmo that dropping the ball was what made the game continue. Once he understood that letting go was the key to getting another throw, everything began to change.

Now, he can take that understanding into different environments, and the rules remain the same.

This is what effective dog training is all about. Rather than getting frustrated with a behaviour, we need to understand why the dog is doing it, teach them what we want them to do, and make sure they understand how it works.

If you’re struggling with your dog’s behaviour, get in touch with Forbes Dog Training. We’ll help you understand the problem and show you how to change it.

21/10/2026

BUILDING CONTROL THROUGH PLAY
Play

20/10/2026

WHAT A RELIABLE RECALL LOOKS LIKE
Most dogs don’t have a truly reliable recall. In fact, many owners have never seen what a genuinely reliable recall looks like, so they have nothing to model their training on.

This video demonstrates exactly that. I’ve deliberately chosen one of the most challenging environments possible.

Filmed at dusk last night, when the rabbits are out in force, this location is absolutely full of them. I’m using a whistle to recall Skye. Unfortunately, the video doesn’t pick up the sound very clearly, but you can hear it faintly.

Here’s the important question: WHY DOES SHE COME BACK?

At this moment, Skye would much rather be chasing rabbits. A treat, a ball or any conventional reward simply cannot compete with the attraction of the chase.

Yet she turns away from that temptation and comes back to me. That’s not luck. It’s not a coincidence. And it’s certainly not something that happens simply because you carry a pocket full of treats.

A reliable recall is built through the right training, the right foundations and a thorough understanding of how dogs learn.

At Forbes Dog Training, we don’t just train dogs — WE TRAIN YOU TO TRAIN YOUR DOG.

If you want to understand how to develop a recall that works when it really matters, get in touch. Let us show you how it’s done. Get in touch!

Address

Meadow Road, Bulford
Salisbury
SP49DN

Telephone

+447475618255

Website

https://www.forbesdogtraining.co.uk/

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