Thrive Dog Care

24/01/2026

When I am out with Gudrun and Queenie I forget about time. I feel at one with life and the ground under our feet. I am complete with myself and the universe. I would love to have that wholeness all of the time – but that is a topic for another post.
And to be honest, I am modestly proud of what the girls and I have achieved. Most of all our relationship, the sense of belonging. Having fun, warmth and enjoying the work with each other.

I don't post that much about my two setter girls, because what we spend our time doing together isn't very sensational. It is nothing splashy, unique or sexy. We don't master complex skills, we do not compete in trials (anymore) nor are we out rough shooting. I have a friend however, who likes my secret clips. They make her happy, she says. She loves gundogs too. And like me, she is a dog trainer. So I decided to do her suggestion: you should post some of those lovely reels.

Setters have been bred to hunt fast, far and wide. They should always remain in contact with their handler, but they are expected to work independently and with confidence. The amount of times I get held up, everywhere, by people is amazing: ‘Aren’t your dogs just sooo beautiful (gorgeous, stunning, handsome, ....) I always answer: ‘You are right, so they are. Thank you. And their characters are as beautiful as their looks’. And then think to myself: their appearance is the easiest to manage! It’s what they like doing the most that is the demanding bit: learning to navigate their predisposition to hunt, their freedom of spirit and tendency towards independence, their desire to go all out – to run fast and wide and give what the body has to give, being drawn to the environment and the forever motivation to seek out what the wind brings them.

People also seem to think that setters need hours of exercise; jogging besides bicycles, running on beaches, chasing balls. That they are overly active, nervous in the home, restlessly pacing and always wanting to be on the move. These are MYTHS. Giving setters lots of exercise makes them very fit, but it does not give them outlets for their intrinsic desires. Creating an athlete is setting yourself up for an addiction trap. Obviously any dog that is meant to perform a specific job needs to be prepared to do that job, just like human athletes. Fitness, physio, nutrition, muscle strength, and lots of sleep too.
My two ladies are couch potatoes. They sleep when they are at home. They are switched off. They are calm and their bodies are soft. Lots of sleep and dreaming happening.

The time I spend outside with the setters is always ‘dedicated time’. With this I mean that I try to provide activities that fulfil their natural needs as gundogs. We stay in touch and preferably in sight. We do exercises that demand focus on me and the job, even though scents all round pull at them. I seek out environments that are challenging and will therefore offer learning opportunities. We change modes, between being free to explore the area and performing a task. We are rarely out for hours on end. Fatigue is bad news for concentration and learning. I want to prevent over-arousal or accidents. We take breaks. An important skill we have worked on is ‘wait and watch’. Having two dogs means both need to be able to calmly wait while I am engaged with the other. Still work in progress. And of course they benefit from time alone with me. So frequently, I take each out by herself to work on specific skills. All in all, I think we are doing well. The girls are healthy, happy and content. With gundogs you can’t really be lazy or complacent, they will always be tapping at your elbow with a surprise. But that is exactly why I enjoy living with them so much.

An added note: if you have a gundog, and you think you could use some help, please feel free to get in touch. I am happy to explore with you how I can support you and your dog.

21/01/2026

Do you know how Dogs Communicate??
We humans, we love words. Talking is a preferred way of communicating to other humans how we feel, what's bothering us, what we'd like or need (chocolate...). Dogs communicate how they are feeling by body language. When we don't "read" what they are telling us, i.e. where they are experiencing stress or discomfort, a situation can go wrong, because the dog decides to escalate their behaviour. This often means: scaling up the ladder of aggression. To be able to accomodate your dog's needs it is really valuable to be able to understand what your dog's body is telling you.
Take a look at the attached post, the illustration is very helpful.

Dogs’ stress signals often get misunderstood or missed, with some owners not realising their dog is unhappy until they growl, snap or even bite.

The canine ladder of communication is a useful guide, showing the different signals dogs show through their body language to communicate. As a dog gets more upset, their body language may change according to the steps on the ladder.

It’s important to note that all dogs are different - not every dog will show every behaviour on the ladder and might not follow the specific order.

Familiarise yourself with the signals shown above so that you can recognise them with your own dog 🐶

18/01/2026

One-on-one sessions are always tailored to you and your dog's needs. Maybe you have just welcomed a puppy? Or you've adopted a rescue (~ love at first sight). Perhaps you already have quite a bit of training experience but could do with some support sharpening up a specific skill? Feel free to get in touch to find out how I can help you and your dog.

09/01/2026

THE WONDERS OF PLAYING TOGETHER

Have you observed dogs in social play together? They are a joy to watch, don’t you agree? It is masterful how they invite, seduce and challenge each other to play a game. Despite intense physical activity or excitement, their eyes, their bodies, tails and muscles are relaxed. A bigger dog will purposely ‘handicap’ themselves to be a match for their smaller play mate. As the game continues roles will switch and they swop initiative. They never hurt each other and always respect the mutual boundaries. Active sessions are often alternated with short breaks. Should something unpleasant – accidentally – happen, they will acknowledge this. Usually a good ‘shake off’ restores the balance and off they go again.

Did you know that play between humans and dogs is hugely beneficial too?
🐾Play is one of the best ways of strengthening the bond with your dog.
🐾Play brings you and your dog in a happy, fulfilled mood.
🐾Positive experiences in play lead to a more confident attitude towards the world.
🐾When a dog is playing, they can’t be fearful at the same time.
🐾Play provides mental stimulation and improves physical and social development.
🐾Training that is fun is effective, plus: play has shown to consolidate learning.

Pet dogs generally don’t lack toys. On the contrary, much money is spent on toys, that sadly often end up lying around. ‘Fido isn’t really into playing; he doesn’t seem to like any of the toys we buy him’. But imagine it: maybe Fido doesn’t get much joy out of playing by himself. My impression is that many dog owners aren’t aware of the value théy – yes, themselves - bring to the equation. Play isn’t just about the dog having fun, it’s about both of you feeling pleasure playing the game. Playing together and positive feelings are mutually connected!!

You may not have discovered yet how much your dog loves you engaging with them in games. Certainly, not all dogs have the same preferences. Some dogs love chasing, pouncing and grabbing. Others love the physical contact: leaning into you, being pushed back, using their butts to bump you. Some dogs love running, being chased and playing hide and seek. Other dogs get fulfilment from sniffing games or searching for objects you hide. No dog are the same, do you know which games float your dog’s boat??

If you want to learn more about the benefits of play, then you may like the webinar in which Dr. Karolina Westlund is being interviewed by Marilyn Mele on the topic of play. Karolina is a Swedish Associate Professor of Ethology, whose passion it is to improve the lives of the animals in our care. She writes and teaches to help people understand animal behaviour. Their talk was part of the online summit ‘What Reactive Dogs Really Need’.
I have attached the link to the webinar in the comments below.

07/01/2026

🎉🐾 PUPPY TRAINING CLASS – STARTING TUESDAY 27 JANUARY 2026! 🐾🎉

Did you welcome a puppy in your home? Is it bouncing around and chewing everything in sight? Are you feeling somewhat overwhelmed and wondering what you got yourself into?
Yep, you have a puppy and it is doing all the normal puppy stuff.
This is the perfect time time to start training. Join our fun, positive puppy classes and let us help you enjoy those intense, early stages.

For fully vaccinated puppies from 12 weeks up to 6 months at the start of the course.
Trainer: THRIVE Dog Care
Hosted by: Downstrands Family Resource Centre
Location: Dolmen Centre, Kilclooney, Portnoo, Co. Donegal, F94 DN83
Duration: 6 weeks
Start date: Tuesday 27 January 2026
Start time: 7 – 8 pm
Price: €150

What does our puppy class cover?
🐾 One classroom lesson just for humans – talk puppy topics and answer your questions
🐾 Bonding with your pup and building trust
🐾 Socialisation – making new experiences pleasant, give confidence
🐾 Body language - learn to see what your pup is telling us
🐾 Recall – your pup loves to come back to you
🐾 Walk with you – the beginnings of loose lead walking
🐾 Settle – learning to turn off and be calm

Small group, just 4 places. No pressure, no judgement. Relaxed, reward based training. One-on-one support during class. Bullet point notes after class.

📞 Questions or sign up, call Ruth: 085 1734 796
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.thrivedogcare.eu

19/12/2025

It is almost Christmas and the year is coming to its end. Look at the girls, posing under our Christmas tree. It has been a special year. We moved into our new home in Lettermacaward, Donegal on the 1st June and have been welcomed here by everyone we met. I started a small B&B and had my first guests to stay.
Perhaps even more exciting was starting my own dog business Thrive Dog Care, offering kind, fun and positive services to owners of pet dogs.
I am thankful to the owners who placed their dogs and themselves (!) in my hands. And even though I tend to set high standards for myself - "you're not made of sugar" is the expression from my youth - I admit that when I look at 2025 from a distance, I am also modestly proud. Bit steps in this new life for us three ladies.
I hope the coming year will be as graceful to me as this year has been and that I will have lots of opportunities to share: friendship, knowledge, company, walks, laughter, comfort, experience, insights, good coffee, inspiration...
I wish you a lovely Christmas and prosperous 2026 💫.

25/11/2025

"We learned so much, I'm so grateful! I loved all the info and we've already implemented a lot of it and Hazel has been calmer and more content. And our visit with friends went really well, we were delighted"

This weekend I met adorable Hazel, the 20 week old Cavapoo, and her family; mum, dad and two children. They are doing super together. Everyone is is working hard to give Hazel the best start a pup can have. And Hazel... she is as puppies tend to be: full of life, playful, exploring the world, sniffing, chewing and lots of biting.

As for many first time pup owners, when the teeny fluff comes home after all that impatient waiting, everything is heavenly. As the puppy grows - physically and emotionally - habits and behaviours begin to establish. For the family an exciting time. Gradually questions start to pop up too: 'How should we deal with this? Why does Hazel do that? Can we....? Should we....? Is it oké to....?

I am very happy that Hazel's family asked me to come over and let me answer the questions the four of them had. Some of the typical puppy topics we covered:

🐾Puppies have a personal space too, reading body language,
🐾Sleep: why it is essential and how to make sure that Hazel gets lots and lots of it,
🐾Toilet training.....it's hard for puppies, how routines can support Hazel to 'get it right',
🐾How experiences affect a puppy's hormones, mood, learning and resilience, and the need to manage their day,
🐾Pup = Play?? the secret to making sure it's fun for everyone,
🐾Exploring the world: make every walk a pleasant event with lots of learning,
🐾 and much more....

Well done everyone, good luck and enjoy puppy times!
We will meet again.

16/11/2025

You don’t have to feel uncomfortable about leaving your dog at home. When you are at work or when your furry friend can't accompany you on your trip. I offer daily walks to suit you and your pet’s needs. I am happy when your dog is happy, which is what you wish for!
I can walk your dog by themselves or in a group of max. three, if they like company. If your dog struggles with other dogs, is recovering from injury, or because their seniority asks for adaptation - bless them - a walk with just them might be more suited. Options can be discussed.

Walks take place at dog friendly, public locations and last 45 to 60 minutes. Your dog's safety, wellbeing and enjoyment are my priority. Dogs are always carefully introduced in a safe environment when meeting each other for the first time. Dogs will be kept on a lead or long line until it is safe for them to be off lead. Dogs in a group will have the opportunity to play with each other if they are a play-match and only if the environment is safe to do so.

I am a certified Dog Trainer, Dog Walker and Canine Nutritionist. Fully insured and First Aid trained. If you'd like to know more about me or the services I offer to dog owners, please check my website. The web address is on the image.

14/11/2025

Good morning Donegal!

29/10/2025

"🎾🎾🎾 Don’t want to be a party pooper but think about what you are doing with that ball !!"
Great article by my colleague Kathryn Wellock owner of Startrite Dog Training, about why you need to be awfully cautious about throwing balls for your dog. A short read but a bulk of information every dog owner should take in.

🎾🎾🎾 Don’t want to be a party pooper but think about what you are doing with that ball !!

Repetitive ball throwing can be extremely detrimental to the mental wellbeing of some dogs. I see this issue regularly.. the dogs become like drug addicts, completely hooked on the thrill of the chase. Their entire focus narrows to the ball, and they struggle to think about anything else. As a result, other types of training become very difficult, because they are constantly filled with adrenaline and anticipation of the next throw. When the ball is not present, they can become restless and frustrated as though they are missing their “fix.” Over time, this cycle creates a dog that is mentally unbalanced, unable to relax, and far less able to engage calmly with the world around them… you might get away with it with some dogs who don’t have that addictive nature (the majority of working line Gundogs do) but for some it can be a real problem !!

Dogs that have balls thrown repetitively for them often struggle to perform calm behaviours such as walking to heel. Because they become so conditioned to high-arousal activity every time they leave the house, their brains switch into ‘go mode’ the moment they step outside. Instead of settling and focusing on their handler, they’re pumped full of anticipation and ready for action, making calm, controlled behaviour extremely difficult.

Dogs are not biologically designed to engage in endless, repetitive chasing. In nature, the act of chasing would serve a very specific purpose…the pursuit and capture of prey. This process would happen occasionally, often with long periods of rest and recovery in between. A successful hunt would end with the animal either catching the prey or giving up after a short, intense burst of energy. What would never occur in the natural world is a dog chasing again and again, dozens of times within the space of 30 minutes, as often happens when a ball is repeatedly thrown. This kind of artificial repetition places strain on both the body and the mind.

I do use balls with my dogs, however for hunting and retrieving..chasing is very limited and used only now and again and specifically as a reward.

If you want to use a ball, use it in a breed-specific way for hunting and retrieving, or to teach them how not to chase.. not for endless chasing.. you will find you have a much calmer and more fulfilled dog !

24/10/2025

Last week I had the privilege of meeting Bella and her owner. Bella has had a few nasty experiences with a pack of dogs from up the road. This has led her to start to feel anxious when she has other dogs in sight, and even signs of reactive behaviour when other dogs come too close. What you see is that in these situations she will pull with determination towards the other dog, lunge, bark, snarl.

This is quite intimidating when you see it, certainly since Bella is a sturdy, strong dog.
For Bella's owner too. It causes feelings of guilt and embarrassment. Because that's 'not how our dogs should behave'. So it is a double whammy for the owner: worrying about the dog's behaviour, topped up by feeling shame about it.

This of course gives tension during walks. Bella's owner wants to prevent confrontations. So she keeps Bella on the lead and always has antennas out for potential danger. Bella feels this all too well. Dogs have phenomenal senses.
Are walks stress free and fun? No, not really.

It is really important to realise that the aggresive behaviour that Bella has demonstrated once or twice, and her desire to approach dogs she spots, is in fact driven by fear. The fear that was instilled by that one or two traumatic experiences. So she physically does a behaviour, but the feeling inside is total opposite.

This is why you should never punish you dog when they show behaviours that are driven by fear. It makes it worse. Plus it damages your relationship when actually your dog needs your support to help overcome their fear.

We went on a walk in an area where we were not likely to meet many other dogs. Bella was on a long line, but had all the freedom to explore and sniff. It was lovely to see how happy, calm and relaxed owner and dog were.

We talked about strategies that can be used to support Bella to regain confidence when out and about and in meeting unfamiliar dogs.
We introduced games that strengthen the bod between the two and give Bella the security that her owner will take care of her when a situation is challenging.
Next up for a future meeting is teaching them a recall that is more reliable than the one they have now.

Well done gals, enjoy your walks 🍁.