Pre-puppy Advice

II will visit and explain what having a puppy involves, how to find the right breeder, and what standards, etc. to look for.  Advice will be given on what you will need, how to prepare for the arrival of a new puppy, the journey home and the first few nights in its new environment..

Puppy Training

This includes how to deal with basic issues like toilet training, beds, teething, biting, jumping up, etc. etc. How to introduce puppy to its first collar and lead, confidence building, setting boundaries and many other important aspects associated with bringing up a new puppy, as well as addressing any initial problems.

When puppy is finally able to go out I will accompany you and teach you how to deal with outside issues including taking the lead off for the first time (safe area of course), coming back, interacting with other dogs, building more confidence, etc. as well as how to deal with the important issue of socialisation.

Rescued/Re-homed Dogs

This is always a sensitive and potentially difficult subject as all rescued/re-homed dogs will bring some baggage with them. Although a lot of dogs are re-homed for genuine reasons, the vast majority that end up looking for a new home are in that position because their original owners could not handle them or did not want them any more.

My aim is to help support you and your dog during the settling-in period and help him/her re-adjust to a  better lifestyle and to gain or re-gain confidence whilst setting those all-important new boundaries. Where appropriate, corrective training will also be included.

General/Social Dog Training

These sessions deal with real everyday issues including coming back when off lead, how to interact with other people, including children, as well as dogs and other animals.  Also how to prevent chasing, territorial issues, aggression, etc., etc. and how to behave when visiting public areas.

Dogs, just like children, cannot live by our rules if they do not know what those rules are.

Dog Walkers' Courses

This comprises of at least five hours tuition, for individuals or groups, which can be taken on one day or spread over a couple of weeks. and teaches you how to handle dogs from varying backgrounds.   At the end of the course you will receive certification together with a copy of my book entitled 'A Complete Guide For Dog Walkers'.

Behaviour Counselling and
Remedial Training 

With dogs, problems can emerge that are a delayed result of uncertainties and  general lack of confidence, not only in themselves but also in the people around them.  

Dogs are far more aware of what is going on around them than people generally appreciate or accept.  They can bottle things up just like we can. They, also like us, can have delayed reactions which do not always emerge in a physical or even an obvious way.

Such reactions can produce skin  and eye problems, etc.  weight loss, even a general lack of condition, all due to varying degrees of anxiety. Therefore, because the problem is not medical, neither then is the remedy. Recognising and dealing with such disorders can be a very complicated and involved process.   It is also a very common problem as the number of dogs I see each week with anxiety issues proves 

Problems and Symptoms.

Jumping up, aggression, chasing, barking, in-house toileting, etc. etc. are referred to as problems but in reality they are the symptoms.  All symptoms have a cause.  My role is to identify the source of the problem and to set about dealing with it.