Sound as a Hound

Sound as a Hound At Sound as a Hound, our purpose is to share joy through deeper understanding. One which will be backed up by our own continued professional development.

Dog training services in Limerick City

APDT student member
IAABC supporting member

We share joy through a deeper understanding of our four legged friends and we help people learn life skills based on positive, science-backed, modern methods of training. By deepening bonds and increasing our understanding in the world of dogs, we aid people in developing life skills that benefit the wellbeing of

both dog and owner. From training a pup to geriatric care we help people learn skills based purely on positive, science-backed, modern methods of training. Our mission is to create a community that is full of care for our four-legged companions. Upskilling the hardworking staff of rescues and pet shops, collaborating with current industry professionals and providing essential services to our locality all strive to develop a community of care.

01/05/2026

Here's a little fun video on my monthly/weekly/daily/hourly feelings on being a professional in the dog industry.

It's tough going out on your own, re-educating yourself working for yourself and being everything for your business. The invisible hours are uncountable, the work unceasing, the imposter syndrome very VERY real. But I have never felt so connected to another species in my life.

The more I learn about the dog and dogs in front of me the more I see how all this applies to not only us but to all living things. Do I have my bad days? Of course! Am I worried I'll be able to sustain this? Absolutely!

Will I pack this in? No, never, not a chance! I love what I do despite the trails and tribulations. I'll always want to do this.

30/04/2026

As the month of Co-operative care draws to a close. I find myself reflecting on the month that's just gone by. It's been a tough one and one that I threw myself body and soul into. I have identified many MANY limitations with the video series but like the series itself I cannot hope to input all these into a single reflection video.

Let's just say that the ways, the tips, the situations and the how to of co-operative care are as varied as there are breeds of dog. This is not a one size fits all and the series barely scuffs the surface of the knowledge I contain.

There are depths unplumbed and skills not mentioned so this will act solely as an introduction to the skills and maybe later (much later....I'm so tired) I can dedicate more videos to an intermediate level!

For now, dog bless you all and goodnight!!!

30/04/2026

Our final "how to" video covers some of the very basic procedures your dog is likely to encounter during their regular check-ups at the vet.

The vet is a central part of your dog's life so they should not feel afraid to go to the office, least of all afraid of yearly injections.

Too often are dos digging their heels in, refusing to go in the door to the vets or even freezing in place terrified of what is to come. This is no way for our animals to experience a standard aspect of their lives.

Taking the time to walk your dog through some basic procedures and even (top tip) regularly going to the vets with your dog for no other reason other than to say hi with your dog is one of the kindest things you can do for your animal.

Be kind and take the fear out of going. Help your dog understand that their vet is one of the coolest people around. After all they help keep them hale and hearty so they can keep on loving us!

29/04/2026

Are sounds really that important in co-operative care? Yes! Yes, they are!

Imagine going into a new space and some weird wired hunk of metal and plastic starts making an almighty ear grating buzzing, blowing shrieking noise? Wouldn't you be scared? Or at the very least spooked and uncomfortable? This is our dog's experience when we don't take the time to introduce them to these novel sensations at levels that they can cope with.

Gradually exposing our dogs to any sound in short positive stints build resilience and a history of safety in our pups and very often in a co-operative care setting sounds are accompanied by physical sensations, handling and sometimes restraint. All of these are triggers that can stack on top of one another and any one of these can push our dogs over the limit of what they may be able to cope with in a given situation.

So, pulling apart the components, and following a habituation (or gradual desensitization for the dogs that have had bad experiences before) can lay a fantastic foundation for them being able to cope with that component.

Each step each level is a rung on a ladder, each leading our dog to better quality car and a better quality of life.

25/04/2026

⚠Disclaimer⚠

Before setting off on your nail trimming journey, Check your dog's nails. If your dog's nails are black you will need to get these trimmed by a professional as it is impossible to see your dog's quick at home if their nails are dark.

The quick is a piece of nerve tissue in your dog's nail and if we inadvertently nip or cut this it can cause extreme pain for our dogs which then sets them up to associate all forms of nail clipping with pain. We don't want this.

It is important to still take them through the process out lined in the video but DO NOT CUT!

⚠End of disclaimer⚠

Nail trimming can be a little scary for our dogs. After all it's very much a human thing. Through this video I take you through how to best set your dog up for success around standard nail clipping. I focus on specifically the front paws but applying all the techniques learned so far in this series you can combine everything to get them used to having their back legs done too.

I am also aware of multiple different approaches to nail trimming. I know groomers can use dremels for example and while the tool is different the approach is the same for any tool. Separate the application of the tool into its constituent parts (physical tool, pressure, sound, sensation, duration, etc) and work on these individually to acclimatise your dog and build confidence around it.

How's your dog looking? By now you should have a pretty relaxed and a perfectly pampered pup!

24/04/2026

(Disclaimer: My camera was dead before I realised I missed the first batch of demo videos with Obie. Hence why the first part doesn't line up. The demos I had for handling portion were further into the process and I was far too lazy to go back and re-record what I missed!)

We come to the point of the co-operative care series where all the techniques taught so far start to blend together.

By now you will have realised the main thrust of these techniques are based in observing and learning body language and not pushing your dog. Keep these aspects in mind and you'll be ahead of the crowd in all forms of training not just co-operative care!

This is a vital component for any of our touch sensitive dogs. Grooming is something that most of our dogs need to go through so take your time going through this training to take the stress out of tyhe once in a while event!

23/04/2026

The co-operative care series continues and this time we talk about the importance of and the how to of mat work. (Yes my videos are getting longer but I'm trying to keep them all under 4ish minutes! I promise there are some short ones to come.

Expectation is a huge driving force for many animals. It can turn a positive experience bad and can make a negative experience more tolerable.

Mat work give our dogs a sense of predictability. And if they know what is coming it does tend to take on a less scary shape. Predictability promotes resilience and resilence paired with understanding breeds confidence.

The kindest thing you can do for your dog is to signpost intentions and open communication with them so they are not blindsided by uncomfortable grooming/handing or restraint.

20/04/2026

Up next targeting behaviour.

Sick of pushing your dog into situations. embarrassed when they dig their heels in? This behaviour might just be for you.

Teaching your dog to touch a target is a fantastic way to get them moving in and out of situations and places. It can be a game; it can be creative it can build confidence as they work out how to access a slightly out of reach target.

For co-operative care this behaviour comes in handy in the vet's office or any place you may need your dog to move. Giving our dogs bodily autonomy; to move themselves when asked and not be shunted or manhandled into situations gives them a deep sense of choice and control.

The more you make this choice fun and rewarding the more they will likely say yes to the things we ask!

19/04/2026

The Touch cue is definitely one you’ll want not only for Co-operative care but in your general everyday training.

Touch is another start/stop button and one that really puts our dog's ability to say no right in the spotlight. Your key here is to build duration is small bursts and then build handling in similar short exposures. Your dog will dictate the pace and the more you observe this the more you'll be surprised at just how resilient they will become!

Disclaimer:
Please be aware that I am not advocating the methods described in these videos as the "one size fits all" approach to dog training. I know intimately that not all training methods fit all dogs. These videos are a basic introduction to give you an understanding of the why as well as some tips on getting started. Train with the dog in front of you and if you are struggling to train any of these that's what professionals like myself are for. Don't be afraid to reach out!

Cooper, 7 and a half months old golden retriever, is already stealing the hearts of everyone in his locale.Like many you...
15/04/2026

Cooper, 7 and a half months old golden retriever, is already stealing the hearts of everyone in his locale.

Like many young pups facing down adolescence, Cooper is struggling with stimulation regulation and an inability to settle down. However, with a couple of small consistent changes to their routine we generally see a much more satisfied teenager.

While formal training has its place this period of development in our pup's life is marked by rapid neurological development and synaptic firing. Behaviour becomes increasingly exploratory and self discoveries and internal rewards play a huge role in the long term life of certain behaviours. In short, and to butcher Shakespeare, for good or ill behaviour will out!

Dogs discover what is the most rewarding for them during this period and we can either fight against the rise tide and hope for the best or see these behaviours as opportunities to learn more about our dogs and give them the out they are seeking in a far more appropriate and workable manner.

Mental stimulation, guidance and constant communication on what is and isn't expected of our adolescent pups is the best kind of "training" one can do.

Having met Cooper and his stellar family I am fully confident that Cooper and his family will navigate his new developmental stage with aplomb and come out the other side with a dog fulfilled.

Give it up for team COOPER!

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Limerick

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9am - 5:30pm

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+353896126563

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