Guiding Paws

22/11/2025

Congratulations to the Good Companion courses graduates.
Meet Mikey Chihuahua & Buffy Terrier X who passed their Improver level. Mr Binks Cavapoo & Teddy Labrador who passed their Puppy level. Well done 😍

27/10/2025

*Preventing unwanted litters is a goal we all share—but it's time to rethink the surgical approach. Hysterectomies and vasectomies, which preserve hormonal balance, can safely be performed as early as 8 weeks of age, making dogs sterile without disrupting their natural hormones.

New peer-reviewed study published in Nature:

How a dog’s lifetime exposure to his own hormones (before being neutered) affects how well he handles aging and frailty later in life.

Study Background

• Frailty = when older dogs (and people) become weaker, less resilient, and more prone to illness and death.
• Most research looks at how to prevent frailty — this study looked at what makes some dogs bounce back better after frailty sets in.
• The focus was on the HPG axis — the hormonal system that produces testosterone and controls reproduction.

Key Findings

• Dogs neutered very young (before 2 years old) had:

o A much higher risk of death once they became frail.
o About 16% higher mortality for every small increase in frailty.

• Dogs kept intact longer (more than ~10 years) showed:
o No increase in mortality linked to frailty.
o Their hormones seemed to “buffer” the negative effects of aging.

• Each extra year of natural hormone exposure reduced frailty-related death risk by ~1%.

What It Means

• Hormones from the te**es may protect against the worst effects of aging later in life.
• Removing them too early could make dogs less resilient to age-related decline.
• Frailty isn’t just about getting old — it’s also shaped by early-life events like the timing of neutering.
• This supports a “life course” view: what happens early in life affects health decades later.

Why It Matters

• The study suggests timing of neutering might influence how well dogs age.

15/10/2025

I am proud to say that I am an ATI (Animal Training Instructor) with this organisation. This announcement is huge. Know where to look for an accredited trainer or behaviourist.

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗨𝗞𝗔𝗦 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗔 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿. 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) is proud to announce that its Assessing Organisations Certification Scheme has been formally recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Following a detailed review, UKAS confirmed that the ABTC Scheme meets the requirements of the international standard ISO/IEC 17067. In simple terms, this means the Scheme meets the high standards required for recognised certification programmes, the same framework that underpins quality assurance across many professional sectors.

This recognition, published in the UKAS Stage One Report on 6 October 2025, confirms the ABTC Scheme as suitable for use within formal certification processes. It also enables the ABTC to apply for Certification Body status under ISO/IEC 17065.

For the first time, the animal behaviour and training community has a UKAS-recognised certification scheme. This milestone strengthens ABTC’s long-term goal of embedding professional standards, supporting practitioners, and helping the public find ethical, evidence-based help for their animals.

We extend sincere thanks to the volunteers and representatives from our Member Organisations whose expertise and dedication made this possible.

“The ABTC Assessing Organisations Certification Scheme was reviewed for compliance against the requirements of ISO/IEC 17067. UKAS confirmed that the ABTC Scheme is formally recognised as suitable for use in the Conformity Assessment arena.” - UKAS Stage One Report, 6 October 2025

[Alt text: Red graphic titled “Important Announcement.” Text reads: “ABTC secures landmark UKAS recognition — a first for the animal behaviour and training sector. Driving excellence in animal behaviour and training.” Includes ABTC logo and two megaphone icons.]

06/10/2025

Now booking for Jan 26 is our course specifically for baby puppies. Full details
Find out more: https://www.guidingpaws.co.uk/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social-posts-mobile&utm_campaign=f0e2001b-26b1-4a74-94a7-1c72e1809bf7

18/09/2025

😣 Do you struggle with nail trims, grooming, or vet visits with your dog?

You’re not alone — and that’s exactly where Cooperative Care comes in.

Starting 4th October, I have just ONE final space available on my Cooperative Care Course.

🐾 What is Cooperative Care?
It’s about teaching your dog to be a willing partner in their own care. Instead of stress, wrestling, or force, your dog learns to feel safe, confident, and in control during handling, grooming, and vet checks.

✨ Why does it matter?
• Reduces stress for dogs and owners
• Builds trust and strengthens your bond
• Makes vet and grooming visits calmer, safer, and easier
• Prevents fear and anxiety from building up over time

📅 Course starts: Saturday 4th October
📍 Location: Abberton - outdoor class
🐶 Suitable for all dogs, all ages

👉 With only one place left, secure your spot today and turn those stressful moments into calm, cooperative ones.

Bookable here: https://bookwhen.com/merseamutts/e/ev-sfbw-20251004083000

💬 What would you most like to work on with your dog when it comes to their care routines?

17/09/2025

Find out more: https://www.guidingpaws.co.uk/event-details/apdt-good-companion-award-course-puppy-foundation-levels-6

04/09/2025

If you haven't been to Dogtaggs yet, both you & your dog are really missing out.

Get Cracking with Tracking Part One is the first part of a three part course for beginners. Two days learning tracking skills that will complement your dog and last a lifetime.

01/09/2025

Pat has one space remaining if anyone wants to snap it up

Learn tracking the Dogtaggs way, and your skills aren’t tied to just one dog—they’re fully transferable. Once you’ve got them under your belt, you can pull them out like a magician’s handkerchief and apply them to any dog, anytime.

September 13th/14th
Location DT2
Max four attendees
£260
Book here https://dogtaggs.co.uk/portal/courses/Get-Cracking-with-Tracking-Part-One

28/08/2025

A little taster of what to expect

23/08/2025

I've made a big b**b and ordered a DT 600 crate that its too big for my car. Its the DT 600. Brand new, unused
https://dtboxes.co.uk/collections/all-boxes/products/dt-box-dog-car-travel-crate-the-dt-600
Its located near Colchester. Looking for £430

22/07/2025

With the last course filling almost immediately, I've added another course in September.
Highly qualified & experienced trainer, who specialises in puppy education. Full details www.guidingpaws.co.uk