1st for Dogs

01/03/2025

I've never know a dog not enjoy a carrot. I often let my dogs and the dogs that have stayed with me have one.
When I first got Duke it was obvious he had never had a carrot before and he just stared at it. Never eating it. It's been almost 2 years and a couple of nights ago was the first time he tried it. He loved it!!! Ate every bit. Now he eagerly takes one and finds them so good I can use them as a high value reward when training.
If you find your dog doesn't seem very food motivated, keep trying different foods. You will eventually find something they love.

23/02/2025

Looking after this crew at the moment. Think I've fallen in love with this absolutely amazingly gorgeous horse. He's just fab 🥰

17/02/2025

An afternoon of fun agility.

Both of my dogs are rescues. The pointer has been previously trained as a gun dog but got dumped on the streets as he wasn't any good at it. Gun dog training can be harsh and Duke wouldn't have been able to tolerate that due to his loving nature. Therefore Duke now finds 1 on 1 training stressfull as his experience of training is pain and correction. Jackson has not had any formal training but has suffered abuse and neglect and now has a mistrust of humans.
Although their situations have been different their view of training is the same, makes them anxious.
I need to get them working with me and listening to cues etc, so agility training is perfect. I'm not looking for polished behaviour in agility, we're not going to competition.
It's about having fun, working together and building a bond.
Sometimes we need to think outside the box when deciding how best to work with our dogs.

10/02/2025

Unfortunately
1st for Dogs
Is no longer doing home boarding
We are still taking dogs for Training 😊

22/12/2024

What an amazing surprise to receive this painting of my boy Duke. So grateful 🥰❤️

Let me introduce you to a beautiful pointer. Our Weimaraner adores him and so do we, he’s such a gentle loving soul. This watercolour portrait was painted as a surprise gift for his mum who looks after our boy so well when we go away gallivanting…
thankyou for all you do and for the love and care you give to our boy 🌟🐾

18/11/2024

Cold but beautiful day today. Love being out with these 2 on days like these 🐾🐕💖

03/11/2024

Please share!!

YuMove purchased from Amazon has been recalled.

25/10/2024

Made me laugh 😆

21/10/2024

The 3 amigos always up to mischief and Wilfie the gorgeous Maine C**n 🐕🐾🐈😸🐶

13/10/2024

Fab walk this morning, 1st time I've been here and will definitely go back. 🐕🐾

08/10/2024

WE REALLY MUST STOP JUDGING PEOPLE WITH REACTIVE DOGS.
WE DO NOT KNOW THEIR HISTORY
WE DO NOT KNOW THE PERSON WALKING THE DOG OR HOW THEY ARE TRYING TO DO THEIR BEST FOR THE DOG.

PLEASE JUST GIVE THEM SPACE. NO NEED FOR DISGUSTED LOOKS OR NASTY COMMENTS.

Ive been quiet for a couple of months with family life etc. and during this time I've also taken on a gorgeous and loving but very troubled 4yr old German Shepherd dog.
He's had a terrible start to life and suffers from separation anxiety, from being left alone indoors for days on end with nothing to eat but his own waste.
He suffers from reactivity towards humans due to being treated terribly and abused. His reactivity towards them is because he is afraid. He just wants to make sure the people walking towards him don't come too close as he doesn't want to get hurt again.
For safety I muzzle him while out and of course keep him on a lead. I have received comments and dirty looks due to him barking at people as they pass. Not really helpful!
I have a lot of work to do to help this boy realise that life can be good and that no-one is ever going to hurt him again.
Please if you see us out give us space, and not judgment.
Here he is with Duke and Wilson, he has a few doggy friends and loves to play. Of course he's happy with dogs as they have never abused him.

10/07/2024

Which of these methods of dog training do you think is best?

1)
Set your dog up to fail and punish unwanted behaviour to teach them what they are not allowed to do.
Be 'the Boss/alpha/pack leader'. Make sure your dog knows who's in charge, expect them to do as you say regardless of the environment or situation and if they don't, punish or shout at them.

2)
Set your dog up for success. Reward behaviours you like. Teach them through reward and trust what you would like them to do.
Be the person they look too for support, let them know they can trust you and you would never put them in a situation that makes them anxious or uncomfortable. Understand your dogs limits in certain environments and situations and act accordingly for your dogs benefit.

Hopefully you will agree that number 2 is the way we should be teaching our dogs, but surprisingly and sadly there are dog trainers out there that still think number 1 is the way to train. They use shock collars, choke chains, slip leads, shouting and abuse.

If you ever make the decision to hire a dog trainer. Alway ask what methods they use. Always ask what they will do to your dog if they get it wrong or don't obey.

09/07/2024

At last a beautiful day to spend all day outdoors 🐕🐾💕

25/05/2024

WHATS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

I've noticed people use this sequence a lot.
Recall the dog, the dog returns, ask dog to sit, then reward (give a treat).
What is being rewarded? It's definitely not the recall. You have given the dog nothing for the recall. You have rewarded the SIT. Why ask the dog to sit? What purpose does this have?
If you are wanting to improve your dogs recall you MUST REWARD THE RECALL, everytime your dog comes back to you. There is absolutely no need for the dog to sit. Your aim was to have your dog return to you.
Don't overcomplicated things by then asking for another behaviour.

If you would like to improve your dogs recall. Please get in touch.

21/05/2024

Duke and I spent the afternoon looking after this gorgeous guy again today. Such a lovely happy chap 😁🥰🐾