Katie's Canines Dog Training

24/04/2025

Hello dog owners of Devon! Want to know more about what we offer?

🐾Mantrailing teaches pet dogs to find people!
🐾Intense mental workout but gentle on the joints.
🐾Fantastic for confidence building, puppies welcome.
🐾Reactive/nervous dogs welcome.
🐾No previous training required.
🐾No commitment required, attend as often as you'd like!

Our scent detection classes are now available to book.

🐾Scentwork will teach your dog to hunt down a specific scent.
🐾 Modular kit for linear searches and assessments.
🐾Train your dog to do epic room,car & area searches!
🐾A mentally enriching game you can learn to play at home!
🐾Group & 1-1 classes available.
🐾 Nervous/reactive dogs welcome.

Train your dog to find your keys!

🐾 1-1 in your own home.
🐾 Fantastic way to provide enrichment at home and out and about.
🐾 No equipment required.
🐾 Extreme mentality tiring.
🐾 A great tool for nervous/reactive dogs out and about.

💚Try all there or pick your favourite 💚

To get started-

Email : [email protected]
WhatsApp : 07375500903
Book here :
https://bookwhen.com/katiescanines

18/04/2025

2 spaces left ⏩

Scentwork is amazing for all dogs, but in particular, dogs who are over excited or anxious, because of its calming effects.

That's why we chose to work dogs one at a time, so all dogs can be included in our classes. Regardless if they struggle to work around strangers or other dogs.

Want a different day/time? Just let us know!

Prefer a 1-1 in your own home? We've got you covered for that too!

https://bookwhen.com/katiescanines

15/04/2025

The benefits of Scent Detection for pet dogs.

Scent Detection is one of the four components offered by UK scent sport, the others being Trailing, Catnip retrieve, Match to sample.

Dogs can benefit hugely from all four games, and are more than capable of learning each one!

While Trailing/ mantrailing classes teach your dog to take scent from a scent article and track that scent trail to find a "missing" person, In scent detection we pair your dog with a specific odor, and train them to locate and indicate on that odor in a modular kit as pictured, and also in area searches.

15 mins of scentwork is as tiring as a 1 hour walk, and not only that, scentwork is proven to release tons of happy and calming chemicals in your dog's brain, making it a fantastic activity for dogs who are over- excitable or anxious too.

Dogs 'see' the world with their noses, it is their most distinct sense, and yet, most are not given the opportunity to use this powerful tool.

In my opinion, all dogs should be doing scentwork of some kind, that's why we offer classes for all dogs, even those who are nervous or reactive and wouldn't be able to work in a group setting.

Once learnt, you can also play scentwork at home, as a fantastic activity for a rainy day.

There are lots of progression opportunities with 5 levels to master for those who want to do assessments.

These short indoor classes are a good alternative for those who don't like the idea of a 2/3 hour outdoor class.

To book follow the link in the comments. 🐾

14/04/2025

💜NEW SCENT DETECTION CLASS OKEHAMPTON 💜

Have you ever watched police/ airport scent detection dogs and thought they were amazing?

Did you know your pet dog is capable of learning those incredible skills too!

In our scent Detection beginners course, your dog will learn to search for a specific odor and progress to searching modular kits and even room/ area searches.

🧠🤯Did you know 15 mins of scentwork is as tiring as a 1 hour walk? 🤯🧠

On completion, regular scentwork classes will be offered for those who want to progress.

The class is suitable for all dogs and all are welcome.

Our group class is only a small group so ensures plenty of 1-1 time.

https://bookwhen.com/katiescanines/e/ev-s6uu-20250526181500

Our sensitive class is for dogs who won't cope in a group and would prefer to work one at a time.

https://bookwhen.com/katiescanines/e/ev-s408-20250526191000

There are very limited spaces available!

Any questions please email [email protected]

Or
07375500903.

07/04/2025

Congratulations to Rosie and Womble for passing their assessments today!

06/04/2025

Sharing again because this is so overlooked!

Forcing your dog into things they don't like is going to cause 1 of two things :

❌Learned helplessness : The dog learns there's no escape and just accepts their fate. This is a very stressful state and lowers confidence and trust, and increases the risk of..

❌Aggression: The dog becomes more and more intolerant and more and more likely to act defensively.

Cooperative care is so simple and will teach your dog:

🐾To enjoy handling and grooming.
🐾Build trust and confidence.
🐾Become more tolerant and less likely to aggress.

If you need help with cooperative care just get in touch 💙

05/04/2025

We're so proud of little Rocky! And all the dogs we have been working with over the last few months 🥰

Meet Rocky – a little dog with a big heart!
Rocky started his trailing journey full of nerves, unsure about new people and hesitant to follow anyone. On his first session, he was reluctant even to approach his instructor.
But by session two? Rocky blew us away!
With the gentle guidance of our fabulous instructor Katie Edwards, Rocky bravely followed a scent trail all the way up to people something that felt impossible just days before.
Trailing is such a powerful tool for fearful and anxious dogs. It gives them a job to do, builds confidence, and allows them to process the world at their own pace through their incredible noses. Watching dogs like Rocky come out of their shell and grow in courage is exactly why we do what we do.
Way to go, Rocky! We’re so proud of you!

02/04/2025

Congratulations to Chilli and Cookie for passing their level 1 Trailing UK Scent Sport assessments today! 💜💚💙

Both dogs are sensitive souls so it's lovely to find something they can excel at!

02/04/2025

Happy

People are often shocked to find out I don't walk my 2.5 year old border collie every day.

Every day walks can be overwhelming for a lot of dogs, especially the nervous or anxious ones.

Unfortunately you can't control the public, and many dogs, humans, and children will act inappropriately around your dog which can cause them a lot of stress.

For some dogs, just being near that amount of strangers is stressful.

Collecting more and more scary experiences causes your dog to become MORE nervous and reactive. ( Remember the dog decides what is scary!).

Chronic stress negatively impacts your dogs behavior and overall health too.

It's not about doing less, it's about doing something different. It's about allowing your dog to decompress.

Back in the day, dogs weren't walked. And there were a hell of a lot less dogs with behavioral problems!

My fearful dog, is perfectly adapted for the life she was bred into ( living on a farm/small holding) and not for the life I took her into ( living in a town with daily walk) , that is the only reason she struggled.

Instead of a walk try scentwork, try a class where people and dogs respect your dogs space and practice ignorance, such as agility, life skills, mantrailing, scentwork. Try playing a game in the garden. Try catching up on much needed rest.

Ask yourself what is your dog actually gaining from a walk? Instead of walking in the park, being hounded by our of control dogs and touched by strangers. Why not try doing some tricks at a distance to them. Which one do you think will reduce reactivity and build confidence?

Even friendly dogs, can benefit from a day off from time to time.

Some dogs are going to absolutely thrive with less walks. When I tell you it was a game changer for us I mean it!

Read more about why I don't walk my dog, and what we do instead via link in comments!


Artwork by , featuring and . Inspired by the book " don't walk your dog" by trainer

01/04/2025

Want to teach your dog to find your keys? 🤩

This is not only a really handy thing to have it is hugely mentally enriching and an activity you can play at home or our and about with minimal equipment!

I am a firm believer that all dogs should be allowed to do some form of scentwork!

Get in touch to book our in home training. Suitable for all dogs 🥰. 💙💜💚

27/03/2025

The importance of consent in grooming and handling!

Many dogs do not appreciate everyday handling and grooming such as nail trims, bathing, vet visits and brushing. When a dog is repeatedly forced into uncomfortable situations they can learn to become defensive in these situations, leading to big problems down the line.

Did you know there is another way?

It's so simple to teach your dog to accept grooming and handling. And trust me it is worth it! Life with your dog will be a hell of a lot easier.

I love teaching exercises like this as it allows the dog to give their consent. At any point the dog is welcome to walk away and the exercise will stop. This means that If they do become uncomfortable, they won't feel the need to growl or snap.

By pairing things they don't enjoy with fun games, they learn to actually enjoy it, and willingly participate!

There are hundreds of ways you can incorporate fear free grooming and handling into your life, the possibilities are endless!

Grooming and handling does not have to damage your relationship, reduce trust and increase aggression. There is another way.

If you want any help with cooperative care and consent based grooming, just ask :

07375500903
[email protected]

27/03/2025

Want to learn how to teach your dog to find your keys?

Get in touch!

07375500903
[email protected]
www.katiescanines.co.uk

20/03/2025

Happy !

A dog wearing yellow, be that a lead, harness, lead slip, collar or ribbon, is asking for some space 💛.

Contrary to popular belief, reactive & nervous dogs are often some of the best trained dogs out there. Their owners are more than likely already working with a behaviourist. Reactivity is hard, it doesn't just go away, and you'll only understand if you're in that position. These are simply dogs who are struggling in certain situations. They are not nasty or bad.

It's easy to say " just don't walk them in places with off lead dogs or people" but that isn't possible. The dog needs a walk, and they need to be out seeing things in order to get better! Some people don't drive, or have mobility issues meaning they can only walk in certain areas. While those with nervous dogs often choose quieter places like the woods, it is still impossible to never bump into anyone.

Reactivity is more often than not caused by issues during breeding or the first 8 weeks, genetics, pain, traumatic experiences or neurological conditions. It is not a sign of a badly trained dog. You don't know the full story, so try not to judge.

A dog in yellow, is just doing their best. And their owner is just trying to go for a walk.

Please help these dogs, by giving them a little space. Clip your dog on a lead when you pass by, ignore them. It can make all the difference!

Reactive dogs can learn to function better when they learn to feel safe. The more they are left alone, the more chance they have to recover!

It's easy to judge until you suddenly end up in their shoes.

Just be kind and give us space!
🐾

13/03/2025

🚨 Behavioural Euthanasia is most prevelenly seen in dogs under 3 for aggressive behaviour, yet only 3% of those dogs have had medical intervention and only 10% have had a referral. Despite studies showing pain is present in 80% of behaviour cases 🚨

When an animal is in pain, they become defensive. Their tolerance levels drop. They lack sleep.

You might see resource guarding, reactivity, reluctance to be touched and handled, anxious behaviour, chewing, digging and destructive behaviour ( releases endorphins, nature's pain relievers), aggression towards you, other dogs or animals. Aggression around the bed/ sleeping area is very common in painful dogs especially after exercise.

When a dog has a painful condition, you chase pain around the body. As the dog compensates their gait. It takes multiple professionals to be able to create an effective pain relief and treatment plan. A 2 week course of a mild NSAID will not touch pain if it is severe. And the dog may not be limping or showing signs of slowing down.

The first thing I do on all behaviour cases is have the gait looked at my a veterinary physiotherapist, and most of the time there's a problem there, so we have regular physio and vet care to address it.

This isn't tp say that all BE cases are pain, and even if they are, sometimes they can't be avoided regardless if the animal is a danger to live with.

However, we have an epidemic of canine pain on our hands, and we need to do better.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HHJeogCS5/

10/03/2025

What a session we had this weekend with 6 very special dogs! 🤩

💚 Quinn who has a neurological defect, causing him to struggle with over excitement and wobble/spin. Normal walks aren't really a thing for him as he struggles to cope. You wouldn't think it when he's trailing, focused on the task at hand he doesn't have time to get overwhelmed by anything nearby!

💜 Drift is 12 years old and not so mobile these days. He misses out on all the activities he used to do, it brought us all lots of smiles to see him trailing at his own pace. He loved it!

❤️ Sid who I was warned was excitable and lacks focus! Well he blew us away and didn't have any trouble focusing when it comes to his new favourite game!

💛 Stan who is 11 years old and can't walk very far these days, short trails can still be very mentally challenging and enriching while being gentle for our older dogs!

🧡 Rosie the working cocker came back for more, tackled her first decoy and river crossing today! What a superstar she is! She has a very serious approach to Mantrailing she definitely believes she has a real job to do, but keeps us all entertained with spaniel silliness along the way.

🤍 Womble worked on progressing his skills even further, working on a split start which he aced, and delayed starts. He can be distracted by livestock but was amazing around the sheep ( obviously, we didn't go too close as to worry them!).

A fantastic way to spend a few hours with our dogs 🥰 Well done teams!