karen henley karen henley

Top 10 things to train your puppy.

So you have a new puppy, firstly congratulations. Having a dog is simply the best experience however those first few weeks can be tricky. So where to start? We have put together a top 10 of training to consider with your new puppy:

Read More
karen henley karen henley

How does a mouse eat an elephant?

A bit like most things in life, successful dog training doesn’t happen overnight. There's no quick fix, miracle cure, or amazing hack that will solve all your issues instantly. Training your dog, building that trust and bond takes time, commitment and consistent effort from you.

Often, what we perceive as dog training issues are simply natural behaviours for our dogs. They're just being dogs—running, chasing, digging, barking, and exploring. While these behaviours can be frustrating for us, they are normal for them. So, how do we address this? Let's explore the concept of LEGS: Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

All the small things

New year, new beginnings! New year is a great time to re-evaluate, take stock and plan for the year ahead. I can’t be alone in diving into January with a whole load of new resolutions. Eat more lettuce, less chocolate, exercise for 2 hours a day, run a marathon and of course dry January. What usually happens is you are all rested from a week of eating and drinking, full of cheese and avoiding the scales.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Guy Fawkes has a lot to answer for

Love them or hate them, fireworks season is upon us and we want to share with you our best advice to get through this.

It is important to remember that animals have hearing outside of our range so fireworks can be more intense for them. They don't understand why their once-peaceful home is now enveloped in bangs and flashes.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

It's a Kinda Magic

October is upon us (honestly how did that happen!) and we are looking forward to Halloween when witches and wizards are abroad and magic is in the air. It is a fun time but we all now know that there is no such thing as magic! In life there are rarely any quick fixes, a magic pill to make you thin, a gadget that will give you a six pack in one week and cream that will make you look 10 years younger. The only magic ingredient really is you and what you put into it. Change the way you eat, exercise, have a good skin regime, you get the picture.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Back To School...

September always seems like a new start, kids are going back to school with new enthusiasm after the summer break. No more long walks in the light summer evenings, the nights are drawing in and Autumn is nearly here. As we lose the light maybe you could think about doing a little more ‘brain work’ so that on the dark nights and rainy days you can tire them out polishing up your training skills.

We have put our heads together and come up with our favourite training games and basic skills to practice. Give it a go, it will not only be lots of fun it will build your relationship, focus on you and for those of you in class will help you with your exams!

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Kids & Dogs

So the summer holidays are upon us, children are off school and everywhere is busy with families enjoying time together and this got me thinking about the family dog. Growing up I had a dog she was wonderful, calm, clever and sweet and she never put a foot wrong. However, some dogs struggle, some children have never spent much time around dogs and occasionally it ends up in conflict. Not great for anyone.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Sun, sea and dog training

So summer is finally here, the sun is shining and a lot of people of planning their hols. We are all excited and feeling good. But what about our dogs? We all know that hot weather can be difficult and even sometimes dangerous for our pouches but also holidays can be very stressful. So we put our heads together and came up with some top tips

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Just DO IT!

Do you want a dog that is obedient? A dog that does everything you say and hangs on your every word? It’s the dream, isn’t it? The reality of course is often very different. The most common phrase I hear is ‘he is great at home but as soon as he sees ______’ insert your very own nemesis here! Dogs, people, and squirrels are the most common.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Focus

Crufts was finally back on TV in March, whatever your thoughts it is a massive spectacle and celebration of things canine. All those dogs showing, agility, fly ball, dancing to music, obedience. What did they all have in common? They were all utterly focused on their person. Until you have your dog’s attention, they will struggle to be able to do what you are asking them to do.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Tug!

Tug is one of the absolute best games to play with your dog! It helps to build a bond, is physically and mentally tiring, helps to teach impulse control and is a fantastic high-value reward.

But hang on won’t it make my dog more aggressive? Or even dominant?

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Bored!

First, there was Dudley, then Eunice and most recently Franklin - the storms have been coming thick and fast these last few weeks and they’ve caused their fair share of problems. Not only have we had to deal with blown away fences and fallen trees there have also been days where it has just not been safe to walk our dogs. For some pet families, this is an absolute nightmare - with stir-crazy canines kicking up their own storms whilst confined to their homes.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Fluffy pup seeks human family for snuggles and long walks

Adopting dogs is wonderful, and I would wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. But it can be challenging, and the reality is so often very different from your dreams of fun adventures together, long walks, cuddles on the sofa, and relaxing evenings in the pub. To achieve the transition from shelter pup to a totally awesome family pet, consider these simple tips:

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Puppy Power!

Having a new puppy in the house is of course cause for much joy and celebration. Super cute fluffy pup and everyone is oh so excited. Then comes the reality, sleepless nights, toilet training, biting toes and chewing shoes. All totally normal dog behaviour but doesn’t quite fit in with our lifestyles. Many people struggle, get frustrated. Why can’t the dog just do it!

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Guy Fawkes has a lot to answer for!

Love them or hate them, fireworks season is upon us and we want to share with you our best advice to get through this.

It is important to remember that animals have hearing outside of our range so fireworks can be more intense for them. They don't understand why their once-peaceful home is now enveloped in bangs and flashes.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Goals

I have been thinking a lot about goals this week as we look forward to the next term of classes starting on 26 October 2021. I love my dogs; I love studying, training, and working with people and their dogs, building solid foundations and helping them thrive.

Read More
karen henley karen henley

Five Top Enrichment Games. Perfect For Puppies.

Does your puppy constantly get into mischief? Most unwanted behaviours arise from boredom; dogs are naturally curious and will find ways to entertain themselves whether it’s something we approve of or not!

Read More
karen henley karen henley

SHARK! Or Five Tips For Managing Puppy Biting.

Puppies explore the world with their mouths; it’s a natural and essential part of their development. But it can be hard when you are on the bitey end of those needle-sharp teeth. So what can you do to safely navigate the land shark stage?

These are my 5 top tips

Read More