Harrogate Dog Training

19/05/2026

23/04/2026

A warning video about tulip fields: Our dogs don’t need to go everywhere with us … but when you are unaware of certain dangers in the environment there can be tragic outcomes. So sad.

18/01/2026

Establishing foundations in a no distraction environment (session 1) is important before we start work out and about in a low distraction environment (session 2 here). Working towards focus on lead as well as engagement with mum all helps establish predictable patterns which in turn creates a sense of safety. Further sessions will be spent ensuring recall is 100% around distractions.

With those dogs who may not feel confident around certain other dogs, it can make life feel a little unpredictable for their humans, so it is really important to help our dogs develop a sense of safety through predictability . Responding quickly when hearing a positively trained cue should not become overshadowed by already established undesired responses that have, up to press, served a purpose from our dog’s pov. Teaching new (desired) behaviour involves relegating old (undesired) behaviour and this takes time patience and repetition!

Great response from this lovely boy in a new environment learning new skills … these are the beginning steps with more to do; but being able to focus, enjoy rewards and respond to cues while learning to manage emotional responses around other dogs when at a safe distance, is where we start.

Approaching stimuli when feeling safe keeps emotions under threshold, while being given a choice to choose to withdraw when not feeling safe, aids a return to baseline emotional stability, before approaching again.

Layering training carefully in this way enables the brain’s neural pathways to adapt to the changes brought about by learning emotional regulation. Coping better through self-regulation around triggers is the aim!

We achieved a lot in this session while also being able to note thresholds in different situations.

Life can sometimes become a little overwhelming for our dogs but there’s lots we can do to make positive changes using positive reinforcement 💜

18/01/2026

Release Cues: can be highly rewarding.
While food rewards are a staple of early puppy behaviour shaping, we can also use plenty of alternatives to continue reinforcing those behaviours we want our dogs to maintain. Exploring and acknowledging what our individual dogs really enjoy is an important part of developing engagement and keeping our dogs happy 💜

09/12/2025

28/11/2025

It rained, it hailed a bit and the wind blew! Still, we found a windbreak outside and started our protocol for developing confidence around other dogs … without other dogs around.
- With behaviour modification it is essential to establish foundation training first, before tackling the issue in real life.
- Such a sweet boy. He learned some new skills very quickly. With my guidance his lovely mum got to grips with lead handling skills and teaching new behaviours and cue responses straight away
- We may have got a soaking but we got first steps of success in his new behaviour and training plan

🟢Session 1: establish foundations and advise on managing triggers as a first point of call
🟢Session 2: in approx 2 weeks start to practise the new skills in the real world under my guidance
🟢Session 3: re-assess if needed and progress. Working at a pace the individual (canine) learner can cope with is key
🟣There are no quick fixes to changing emotional responses but taking the humane dog-centred approach aims for long term change. Teaching our dogs that they have choices can shift their world view significantly!
🟣Ongoing support during the process via preferred contact medium What’s App, Email or Text 😊

24/11/2025

Sky may be 13 years old … and after a not so good year for her healthwise following anaesthetic last year … she’s still physically fit and now recovered from the effects and has been delighted to be back doing her favourite thing. She has been managing half days beating … full day would be a bit much … she is loving her Gundog spanielling and doing her thing … I’m delighted she is still loving life. Out with her daughter Scout and granddaughter Juno here - who is quartering well and working nicely in a very exciting environment

14/11/2025

Tom Gordon MP how is banning shock collars in England progressing? Thanks

Dozens of peer review studies have demonstrated the dangers, potential short- and long-term impact of using shock collars (e-collars) on dogs. And just now a $1.9 million consumer class action arising out of misrepresentations and omissions by parent company Radio Systems in connection with its manu...

03/10/2025

Of course … they would rather do this 😂 so they all worked very hard and were fab little learners 💜