SwatDogs Herts

19/03/2026

I’ve posted a couple of times on my other page (Wagtastic Walks) about how we always work on recall with our dogs, and the importance of making sure that your dog will return to you when called.
This has become increasingly important as of Wednesday 18th March as new legislation has been bought in to protect livestock from dog attack and, more relevantly for most, livestock worrying.
This is when a dog chase, attacks or causes distress to livestock on agricultural land. The legislation gives the police new powers, larger fines, and redefines the definition of livestock to include more animals.
Check out he link for more details.

Ultimately, your dog’s behaviour and actions are your responsibility. If you’d like some help with recall, please get in touch - we’d love to help you out!

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-law-comes-into-force-to-protect-farm-animals-from-dog-attacks

02/03/2026

More learning over the weekend! Really enjoyed this one - it affirmed lots of things I’ve thought about various behaviours over the years. If we can help our dogs to control their natural impulses (not all the time, obviously) then lots of other things click into place!

24/02/2026

Over the last few years (yes, years) I’ve done a lot of work with our little Willow. It wasn’t that long ago that any walk with her was fraught with tension. She would bark at absolutely any dog (or cat, or squirrel), almost no matter how far away it was or what it was doing. In fact, she would leave the house looking for things to react to (maybe not literally, but she was tense, on edge and ready to defend herself/us at any time - even if we didn’t need or want it. It felt like she was looking for a fight).
We don’t know where her reactivity came from - she’s a rescue and we don’t know about the first two years of her life. What I do know is that, through patience and constant work using consistency, reward based, and punishment free methods, I’ve got her to a point from barking at anything that dares to exist, to walking closely past a cat without even caring.
Will she do this every time? Probably not - there will be times when I’m not doing the right things for her, or she’s just in a different mood. Does she still sometimes get huffy with another dog? Yep - something she particularly doesn’t like still is if a dog is looking straight at her and approaching fast (and often when the owner is allowing the dog to pull towards her - there’s loads of reasons why she doesn’t like that!). And I’ll continue to work on these little behaviours, and she’ll never be punished when she has a bark or growl at another dog, or when it all goes wrong. We’ll reset, we’ll start again and she’ll continue to improve.
Where we’ve got to so far has taken a while. It’s been gradual. She’s learned a lot, and so have I. I’m grateful to the little rascal for teaching me these things.

If you have a dog who reacts at others, if your dog walks are feeling like a constant battle, a tense time where you hate the idea of going outside with them because you know there will come a point when they go absolutely crazy at another dog, where you’re embarrassed by your dogs behaviour and are completely at a loss as to how to stop it, please PLEASE get in touch with me.
There are so many little ideas, starting with games in the house and garden and little adjustments on walks , which we can implement into yours and your dog’s day that will improve their behaviours and in turn your walking experience with them.

I use only science based, force free methods for training and behaviours. I’m currently working towards getting my membership with the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers).

[email protected]
07590328103

20/02/2026

20/02/2026

I’m currently reading (yet) another book on dogs - because the more you know, the more you know, right?! This one is called “Inside of a Dog” by Alexandra Horowitz.
This paragraph really caught my eye - possibly because it’s something I think about quite a lot anyway.
I trust our little dog, and I trust all of the dogs that I walk (once I’ve got to know them)…but.
There is always a but. I try and never forget that they aren’t human. This may sound stupid. Of course they aren’t human. But we treat our dogs like they are little humans. We interact with them like they’re one of us. We talk to them (well, I do!) and they talk back (erm…). We play with them, house them, feed them and treat them like a member of the family. And we should do these things, of course.
And we anthropomorphise. We project human feelings into them all the time; “oh look, he’s sad because we’re leaving the house”; “he looks so guilty!” (After an unauthorised chewing incident, for example). But do dogs even feel any of these emotions, and if so how do they feel them?!
But they definitely are not humans. They are animals, with animal instincts.
And this means that sometimes we miscommunicate with them, and them with us. And this is when accidents can happen, when things can go wrong.
This has served as a little reminder to be ever on alert and aware, and has also strengthened my determination to do the best I can by all the dogs I know and will ever know by learning as much as I can about them!

04/02/2026

Over the last few years I have learnt a lot and read a lot about dogs. I’m constantly trying to find new things to read and learn, and I’m always on the look out for new ideas and information.
Here’s a couple of photos showing the small library of dog books I’ve read, the certificates from various places for a variety of learning (including canine first aid, canine behaviour and communication, and more specific ones like the IMDT Separation Anxiety course), and some dogs sitting nicely for me (because who doesn’t like pictures of dogs sitting nicely!).
I am currently looking for people who have just, or are about to, welcome a new puppy into their lives. I am putting together my first puppy training course (lesson plans are all but completed, I just need some victims..I mean dogs!) and if you have a new pup then I need you!
I would like your puppies (aged from 16 weeks old) to come and join me in the beginnings of a wonderful journey of learning!
I am passionate about helping people have the best possible relationship with their dogs, and that starts right at the start!
I use only force-free, reward-based, and science-backed training methods to help you get the best from your puppy, and for your puppy to get the best from you!
I am working towards my membership with the IMDT, an organisation whose ethos regarding animal care I am fully inline with. If you’d like to know more please visit their website! It’s full of interesting stuff!
If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in a six week course packed full of fun learning for you and your puppy, please get in touch with me on;

[email protected]

07590328103

Or on messenger.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Mark

10/01/2026

A change in the weather from the start of the week! Calm, tranquil woodland! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - it’s the best job in the work!

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

The weather this week has gone from super wintry with some beautiful snow, to foggy, to rain and damp! What a start to the year!

07/01/2026

I’m working hard all the time to be better. Better at what I do, better for the dogs who deserve the best (that’s all of them!) and better than I was before.
Here are the certificates from the various courses I’ve taken so far. There are two more booked in for this year so far, and I’ll continue to read whatever and whenever I can and continue learning.
I use only science based and force free training methods. If you or anyone you know has a training issue with their dog they’d like to discuss, or a behaviour they’d like their dog to stop, please get in touch!

[email protected]
07590328103