Frequently asked Questions!

Reliable recall is built on high-value reinforcement and preventing your dog from "practicing" ignoring you. To improve your dog’s recall, start training in a low-distraction environment (like your garden) using a long line for safety. By rewarding every successful return with praise or a treat, you build a "history of reinforcement" that makes coming back to you more exciting than chasing a squirrel or sniffing the grass. There are lots of recall games you can play with your dog or puppy. If you are in Crawley and would like help with this, drop me a message.

The secret to loose-lead walking is teaching your dog that a tight lead means the "fun stops," while a slack lead gets them where they want to go. Many dogs pull because they naturally walk faster than humans. By using positive reinforcement techniques, such as stopping when the lead is tight, or changing direction, you can teach your dog to check in with you and maintain a comfortable pace by your side. If you want to go back to basics, you can even try some backwards walking with your puppy or dog! Lots of different ways that you can train this, however, consistency is your best friend.

Barking and lunging, often called "reactivity," is usually a dog’s way of creating space when they feel overwhelmed, scared, or frustrated. Rather than scolding the behavior, effective training focuses on changing the dog's underlying emotional response. Through counter-conditioning and desensitization, we can teach your dog to remain calm and look to you for guidance when they see a trigger, turning a stressful walk into a relaxed experience. I run regular reactivity classes and also offer Reactivity One to One packages in Crawley.

Most puppy nipping is a natural part of the teething process, as your puppy uses their mouth to soothe sore gums and explore their world. To manage this, we focus on "redirection" and calmly offering a cold chew toy or an appropriate teething treat whenever they get mouthy. By teaching your puppy that biting toys is rewarding while nipping at hands makes the fun stop, we help them navigate the teething phase while developing much calmer habits. Making sure your puppy has enough sleep will also help reduce the biting.