All About the Hound

31/08/2026

I'm incredibly proud to have been one of the contributors to the ***Modern Principles of Behaviour-Informed Dog Grooming*** course in collaboration with Natalie West and Anna Harch at igroomhub and Kath Anderson from K9 Kudos, helping bring evidence-based behaviour principles into practical grooming.

Whether you're just starting out as a groomer, a groomer already working but looking to deepen your understanding of dog behaviour, or you're a pet guardian who'd love to see more low-stress handling in the grooming room, this course will set you on the right path.

It's been created to help groomers better understand what dogs are communicating, reduce stress where possible, and create safer, more positive grooming experiences.

The course is live with an introductory offer available. Share with your current groomers or your groomer friends.

In this course, we’ll bust a few myths, share up-to-date, easy-to-understand science backed information, and look at how this knowledge can make a real difference to you and your canine client.

10/07/2026

Does size really matter?
How big should your dog's training treats be?

Those little pieces you see in the image are about the size I recommend for most training sessions. They are roughly the size of a baby pea. It often surprises people just how small they are!

We tend to think bigger treats are better, but when we're training, smaller is usually much more effective. Why? Well....

🐾 You're not feeding a meal. During a training session, your dog may earn dozens of reinforcers. Tiny treats allow you to reward lots of successful choices without your dog becoming full too quickly.

🐾 Keep an eye on overall food intake. Those training treats all count towards your dog's daily calories, so using smaller pieces means less overall consumption so to avoid overfeeding.

🐾 Maintain the flow of training. A treat should be quick and easy to eat. If your dog has to stop and spend time chewing each reward, the momentum of the training session is lost. We want them ready for the next opportunity to succeed almost immediately.

🐾 More repetitions equals more learning. Small, easy-to-eat treats allow you to reinforce more behaviours in a session, giving your dog more opportunities to practise and be successful.

Of course, the treat still needs to be something your dog finds valuable. Small doesn't mean boring! Soft, tasty treats that can be swallowed quickly are ideal.

It's not the size of the treat that makes training effective—it's the timing, consistency and the number of opportunities your dog has to earn reinforcement. When timing is right, even the tiniest treat can have a big impact on learning. This is the size of treat I use to train with Monty and I have never heard any complaints from him... so far! 😆

Let's see the size of your training treats? Show me in the comments!

01/07/2026

Caption competition!

When AI over delivers! 😁
You know the other day when I posted about recognising pain in our dogs. Well, when I was putting that post together, I wanted to have a suitable image to go along with it so, using an actual image of Monty as my reference, I asked AI to generate an image of Monty looking like he might be in pain.

I was expecting something subtle. I think it is safe to say AI may have slightly overdone it. 🤭AI decided Monty needed:
• Two crutches
• A professionally bandaged leg
• A bow tie (essential of course, when recovering from injury, although..... I have been known to adorn Monty with the odd bow tie myself - Nothing like a 'dapper' looking dog!) 😂

I had to share this masterpiece with you. It’s good to have a laugh in life. 🤣😂
The good news is that the real Monty is perfectly healthy. The bad news is AI still has a little way to go when it comes to canine anatomy.

Let’s see who can come up with the funniest caption… Go!

01/07/2026

🐾 What's a marker... and why do we use one?

A marker is simply a signal that tells your dog, "Yes! That was the behaviour I wanted."

Markers bridge the tiny gap between the behaviour happening and the reinforcer (usually food, a toy, or something else your dog enjoys) being delivered. That clarity helps your dog understand exactly what earned the reward.

There are a few different types of markers:
✔️ A clicker (sound marker) – a consistent, precise sound.
✔️ A verbal marker – such as "Yes!" or "Good!"
✔️ A visual marker – a thumbs up or a flashing light
✔️ A physical marker - such as a finger tap to the body
✔️ A terminal marker – tells your dog they've finished the behaviour and reinforcement is coming.
✔️ A duration marker – lets your dog know they're still on the right track and to keep going.

The better your timing with the marker, the clearer the communication. And clearer communication leads to faster learning and less frustration for both you and your dog.

Do you use a clicker or a verbal marker with your dog? What kind of marker do you use?

29/06/2026

It was pain that affected my mood and it got me thinking!

Recently, I had a little accident. Nothing particularly dramatic, but it will take between 8 to 12 weeks to heal. At first, I didn’t think it was a big deal and just expected it to go away. I took some ibuprofen, told myself it would sort itself out, and carried on.

It didn't. Sort itself out that is. In fact, it gradually got worse until I eventually admitted defeat and went to the doctor (which is what I should have done in the first instance!). I was prescribed some heavy-duty pain relief (along with x-rays, ultrasound and now physio) and once the pain relief kicked in, the difference was remarkable. Not only did I move more comfortably with significantly reduced pain, but my mood lifted too. I had more patience, more energy, and I wasn't constantly thinking, "If I move this way, it's going to hurt."

This experience led me to thinking about our dogs – and their pain, and the fact that they can’t tell us if they are experiencing pain. They can't tell us where it hurts. And all of you who have dogs in your care now and have had in the past, will know that many dogs are incredibly good at masking pain. By the time we notice something obvious, they may have been uncomfortable for quite some time.

Pain doesn't always look like limping or crying out. Sometimes it looks like reluctance to walk, difficulty settling, panting out of context, avoiding being touched, becoming quieter, finding a safe place in the house to hide... or even becoming grumpy, reactive, or less tolerant than usual.

Behaviour is communication. That doesn't mean every behavioural issue is caused by pain. But it does mean that pain should always be on our list of possibilities, particularly if there's been a sudden change in behaviour or something just doesn't seem quite right.
We might see a behaviour and think we need a training plan to change that behaviour, all the while being unaware that the behaviour in question is being driven by pain or discomfort. Sometimes the kindest and most effective training plan starts with a conversation with your vet.

I was thinking, if my injury was enough to affect my mood, my patience and my overall enjoyment of life, imagine how hard it must be for a dog who can't tell anyone that every movement feels uncomfortable or painful. Our dogs rely on us to notice the subtle signs of pain and/or discomfort.

So... has your dog's behaviour ever changed, only for you to discover there was an underlying pain issue? What signs did you notice first?

17/06/2026

Focus on Me – Adolescent Group Class 👇
Adolescence can be a challenging phase of your dog’s development, but with the right guidance and training, it can also be incredibly rewarding.

Bookings are now open for the next course starting Sunday 28th June, and places are already beginning to fill. If you've been thinking about joining us, now is a great time to secure your spot.

This class is designed to help your adolescent dog:
• Tune back in to you
• Focus around distractions
• Build real-life skills that actually stick

All within a supportive, positive training environment using reward-based training methods.

📩 To book your place, send me a message, email [email protected], or call 0204 163 4035.

16/06/2026

Not Getting Very Far, Are You?
The other day, Monty and I were out for a walk when we passed an older lady. Then a little while later, after stopping to investigate several fascinating smells, we crossed paths with her again. She was obviously doing the same route as us but in reverse and she’d covered a lot more ground by the time our paths crossed again.

She smiled and said, "Not getting very far, are you?" I smiled awkwardly and replied, "I'm allowing my dog to sniff." Judging by her expression, it wasn't a concept she understood. For a long time, many of us viewed dog walking more as a military exercise: out the door, around the neighbourhood, keep moving, get the exercise done, and head home again. The faster and further, the better. These days, I see things very differently.

For dogs, a walk isn't just about stretching their legs. It's about gathering information, exploring their environment, making choices, and engaging with the world through their incredible sense of smell. What looks like "just sniffing" to us is actually a rich and meaningful activity for them. They're reading the daily news, checking who's been around, noticing changes in their environment, and satisfying natural behaviours that are deeply important to them.

Of course, there are times when we need to keep moving. Life doesn't always allow for a leisurely stroll. But not every walk needs to be double time. I haven’t marched double time since I left the Air Force. It's okay to slow down. To pause. To let your dog spend an absurd amount of time investigating one particular patch of grass or pile of fallen leaves. To notice the birds, the changing seasons, and perhaps even take a moment to smell the roses yourself. Monty certainly reminds me of this on a regular basis. And I love our walks together.

So, if your walk today was more of a wander than a workout, don't worry. Your dog probably had a wonderful time. After all, from Monty's perspective, we're not dawdling. We're conducting important research. And here is Monty, as happy on the couch as out on a walk. How do you walk with your dog?

11/06/2026

🎉 Happy 3rd Birthday to Monty! 🎉
Three years already!
Since joining me, Monty has dedicated himself to a number of important pursuits, including toilet paper thief, principal sock chewer, and snack gastronome even if the ‘snack’ happens to be food on my dinner plate!
He's clever, enthusiastic, and the most affectionate dog ever, and has a knack for making me laugh every single day.
Thank you for all the laughs, the lessons and the cuddles. You are the bright, shining star in my life.
Happy Birthday, Monty. ❤️🐾

28/04/2026

If your dog doesn’t respond to a cue, it’s easy to think they’re being stubborn.

But there’s always a reason.

A cue might not be performed because:
• Your dog doesn’t fully understand it yet
• The environment is too distracting
• The skill hasn’t been practised in that context
• They’re unsure, tired, or overwhelmed
• The reinforcement history isn’t strong enough

Dogs don’t ignore cues out of spite.
They respond based on what they’ve learned and what they’re capable of in that moment.

When we look at the why, we can support them better
…and that’s where real progress happens

If you would like help with your training challenges, feel free to get in touch.
[email protected] | 0204 163 4035 | or message the page.

27/04/2026

When we talk about cues in dog training, we’re not just talking about words.

Dogs can learn to respond to different types of cues, including:
• Verbal (like “sit”)
• Hand signals
• Body movement
• Environment (like stopping at a door)

But just as important as what a cue is… is how we think about it.

Training has moved away from commands - From telling dogs what to do

And towards cues - Which invite the dog into the behaviour

It becomes a conversation, not a demand

Your dog isn’t being “made” to respond
They’re learning what works, and choosing to engage

That’s where you get calmer behaviour, clearer understanding, and a dog who actually wants to work with you.

If you would like help with your training challenges, feel free to get in touch.
[email protected] | 0204 163 4035 | or message the page.