The National Dog Training Academy

04/06/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our latest graduates!

Last week we presented two more gradings, as people climb their way up our Tree of Achievement. It's always a reminder that progress doesn't happen by accident.

What people often see is the certificate.

What they don't see are the early mornings, the practice sessions, the commitment to weekly training classes, the moments when things don't quite go to plan, and the determination to keep going anyway.

One of the things we're most proud of at The NDTA is that nobody has to do that journey alone. Our classes are fun with serious intent and a strong community of support.
Well done to both handlers and dogs. You should be incredibly proud of yourselves. 👏🐾

02/06/2026

🐦 The Magpie Story Continues...

For those following the saga of our resident magpie...

Yesterday it went a step too far!

I'd left the back door of my car open while unloading some bits.

Big mistake.

The first thing I noticed was my wet wipes on the floor outside the car.

On investigation, I discovered he'd hopped into the front passenger seat and pecked his way through the wrapping paper on a beautifully wrapped birthday present I was intending to deliver to someone. It had no food stuff in it. I guess it liked my choice of wrapping paper. Bright and shiny.

I don't know why it's obsessed with wet wipes. This is the second time it's stolen those.

The worrying thing is that he's becoming rather confident around here.

So far this magpie has:

🐦 Stolen sealed packets of sausages from inside our tent

🐦 Pinched digestive biscuits out of someone's bag

🐦 Made off with a money pouch full of notes - again stolen from inside someone's bag

🐦 Hopped into my car and vandalised a birthday present

How brazen is that?

At this rate, I'll come out of the field one day and find him sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running.

I'm now wondering whether we can clicker train him to do something useful. 😂

Anyone else got a resident thief becoming to bold and brazen?

30/05/2026

Can we talk about dog training jargon for a minute? 🐾

Impulse control. Enrichment. Threshold. Desensitisation protocol.

We could talk to you like that. We choose not to.

Because here at The NDTA, we believe if you can't explain something in plain English, you probably don't understand it as well as you think you do.

We just talk to you. Like a normal person. About your dog.

No fancy words to make us sound important. No complicated theories to make you feel like you need a degree to understand your own puppy.

Just clear, simple, honest training that actually works.

Funny how well dogs respond to that too. 🐾

28/05/2026

Can we talk about dog training jargon for a minute? 🐾

Impulse control. Enrichment. Threshold. Desensitisation protocol.

We could talk to you like that. We choose not to.

Because here at NDTA, we believe if you can't explain something in plain English, you probably don't understand it as well as you think you do.

We just talk to you. Like a normal person. About your dog.

No fancy words to make us sound important. No complicated theories to make you feel like you need a degree to understand your own puppy.

Just clear, simple, honest training that actually works.

Funny how well dogs respond to that too. 🐾

28/05/2026

We are Pet Gundog trainers.

Our dogs live as pets, not out working in the field every day. But don't ever make the mistake of thinking that means we don't train for serious business.

Watch this video of one of our youngest pet gundogs at a scurry this weekend.

We are so proud of him and his owner. 🐾🎉

This is what Pet Gundog training looks like when you mean it.

26/05/2026

This weather is something else isn't it. 🌡️

Especially when you're a dog owner trying to keep your dog or pup cool and happy.

We knew we couldn't run our usual classes in this heat, so we did what we always do when temperatures soar — we offered our customers a 7am class. On a bank holiday Sunday.

And do you know what?

So many of them turned up. Without complaint. Without coffee cups. Full of their usual humour. Just turned up, dogs in tow, ready to go.

This is exactly why we love what we do. Our customers are just brilliant — adaptable, committed, and genuinely wonderful people.

Thank you. Every single one of you. 🐾☀️

23/05/2026

We had a call this week from someone at their wit's end. We get a call like this almost weekly.

Puppy won't walk calmly on the lead. Won't come back when called. They'd done everything right — went to classes, did the homework, put the time in. They just didn’t understand what had gone wrong.

All of their puppy training classes had been indoors.

And here's what any new puppy owner should remember. You don't walk your dog in a village hall.

If your puppy only ever learns to behave somewhere with no distractions or exciting smells, that's the only place it will work. Step outside and you're starting from scratch.

Train where you actually live. Wherever you go to puppy class you should take your training to as many different environments as possible. As many different parks, or woodlands as you can. That way you truly reinforce, everything you teach your new pup.

We do outdoor puppy classes for a reason— because that's where real life happens.

If you want more information about puppy training DM 'puppy training' and we'll send you all the information you need.

22/05/2026

With temperatures forecast to soar this weekend, I’m sharing this excellent advice from the Blue Cross about keeping dogs safe in the heat, with tips of things you can get and do to help keep your dog cool.

For those attending our classes this weekend, please keep an eye on your phones for updates. In extreme temperatures, as always, we will move classes to very early morning sessions for those who wish to attend.

Read the Blue Cross information here 👇

www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/top-tips-for-keeping-your-dog-cool-and-safe-in-summer

Got a hot dog? These ideas for keeping them cool during the heat will really help

21/05/2026

Pet Gundog Training is becoming more and more popular.

Two new training options for Pet Gundog Training.

At The NDTA, we are not breed specific in these classes. Any dog that enjoys chasing a ball is welcome. The value of teaching a dog to bring something back to you, with control as well as enthusiasm, isn't just the brainwork it provides for your dog, but it also reduces the risk of injury in ball throwing.

That's before you even start to think about how much fun you and your dog have together and the strength of the bond you build.

We now have daytime, weekday, 121 sessions available and a brand new Wednesday evening class, through Spring and Summer.

DM with the word: petgun if you have questions or

You can check out all of our Pet Gundog Training services on our website.

https://www.thenationaldogtrainingacademy.co.uk/gundog-training/

19/05/2026

Blue Green Algae

A gentle reminder — because the weather being grey doesn't mean the risk has gone away. The forecast keeps promising the warm weather will be back, so be vigilant and informed.

Blue-green algae has already been recorded on the River Hamble this year. We're barely into spring, the sun hasn't exactly been 'putting it's hat on', but we had those few days of brilliant sunshine earlier on, that were enough.

If, like me, as a dog owner, you weren’t even aware of this danger, it's worth knowing a bit about it. Despite the name, it's not actually algae — it's a bacteria called cyanobacteria, and it occurs naturally in fresh water. It typically blooms in warmer months when conditions are right: still or slow-moving water, nutrients in the water, and sunlight. Most blooms happen between May and September — but it can appear at other times of year too.

What to look for:
Green or greenish-brown scum on the surface of still or slow-moving water — sometimes described as looking like a thin layer of green paint, or pea soup. It can also appear with a bluish-green tinge. Look out for warning signs posted by local authorities near water — they do put them up, so don't ignore them.

The important bit for dog owners:
Your dog doesn't have to go in the water. The wind can blow blooms to the edges of ponds or lakes — which is exactly where dogs are likely to drink from. It's also worth knowing that not all types of blue-green algae are harmful, but you cannot tell by just looking at it. So to be on the safe side, treat all scum as suspect.

Symptoms to watch for, if your dog has been near affected water: vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, disorientation, trouble breathing, seizures, and blood in faeces. They can appear within a few minutes or hours of exposure and prompt treatment is critical.

If you're at all concerned — get to the vet, and don't wait.

You can download the Bloomin' Algae app (free) to record any sightings near you and help with monitoring. 😊