Reactive Dog? Here’s How to Regain Control and Fix It for Good
Does your dog lunge, bark, or overreact on walks? You’re not alone—reactivity is one of the most common struggles for dog owners. The good news? You can break the cycle and regain control with the right approach. Here are five simple steps to help your dog become calmer and more focused. 1. REST – The Reset Your Dog Needs This may sound ridiculous, but hear me out! Reactivity often builds up from stress, and when your dog reacts, it’s their way of releasing that tension. Over time, this behaviour becomes self-rewarding and turns into a habit. Break the Cycle: ✅ Give your dog a full week of rest by avoiding overstimulating environments like busy parks or crowded areas.✅ Instead, focus on in-home obedience and structured drills to build confidence in a controlled setting. 🔗 Check out this article on how sleep affects dogs:Dogs Lack Sleep? Here’s Why They Get Grumpier 2. OBEDIENCE TRAINING – Build Focus & Trust Obedience training isn’t just about control—it creates positive associations and helps your dog feel more secure. Imagine this: Your dog spots another dog and tenses up. You say “Middle”, and they immediately run between your legs. Instead of reacting, they focus on you. Ask Yourself: ❓ Does my dog listen to me at home?❓ What about around other dogs, people, visitors, or food? If the answer is no, it’s time to build stronger focus and engagement. The goal is to make YOU more rewarding than the distractions around them. Key Commands to Practise: ✅ Down – Encourages calmness.✅ Watch – Teaches eye contact on command.✅ Middle – Redirects and provides security.✅ Heel – Keeps them focused on walks. The more reliable these commands become, the easier it will be to prevent reactions before they happen. 3. INCREASE MENTAL STIMULATION – Engage Their Brain A tired mind is just as important as a tired body! Mental stimulation helps:✔️ Lower stress levels.✔️ Release feel-good endorphins.✔️ Improve focus without adding more physical exercise. 5 Reasons Why Mental Work is Essential for Reactive Dogs: 1️⃣ Mental work tires dogs out: 10–15 minutes of mental stimulation can be as exhausting as a 30-minute walk.2️⃣ It releases feel-good chemicals: Activities like sniffing or problem-solving boost dopamine, reducing stress and anxiety.3️⃣ Variety is key: New games, toys, and puzzles prevent boredom and keep your dog engaged.4️⃣ Sniffing is natural enrichment: Letting your dog sniff on walks relaxes them and lowers their heart rate.5️⃣ It builds confidence: Mental stimulation helps shy or anxious dogs feel accomplished and more secure. Try These Easy Mental Stimulation Ideas: 🐾 Scatter feeding: Toss their food around for them to find.🐾 Stuff a Kong with kibble, peanut butter, or other treats.🐾 Use lick mats to provide a calming activity.🐾 Create a scavenger hunt: Hide food in everyday items like towels, yogurt pots, or egg boxes. Be creative—it’s fun for both you and your dog! 4. IMPROVE IMPULSE CONTROL – Teach Patience & Self-Regulation Impulse control is your dog’s ability to stay calm and composed in different situations. The better their impulse control, the more they can self-regulate, understand their environment, and build confidence. This makes a huge difference in managing reactivity. Quick & Effective Impulse Control Exercises: (Literally 5 minutes a day makes a difference!) ✅ Place Training: Teach your dog to stay on a mat or bed. Only reward them while they remain there. If they move off, guide them back. Increase difficulty by adding distractions like turning your back, jogging in place, or tossing toys/food. ✅ Tug or Flirt Pole Games: Play tug, but pause often to practice commands like “sit,” “down,” or “out.” Use a release word like “free” to resume the game. This helps them learn control even when excited. ✅ Focus Drills: Can your dog look at you while you hold food? What about ignoring food on the ground and coming back to you? These exercises strengthen their attention and self-control, making it easier to keep them engaged in real-life situations. 💡 Practicing these exercises regularly will help your dog handle stress better and stay focused—even in stimulating environments. 5. CREATE DISTANCE – Set Your Dog Up for Success Reactivity is often triggered when a dog becomes overwhelmed. The key to managing this is recognizing their threshold—the point where they stop paying attention to you and start reacting. Once they hit this point, reactivity is inevitable. How to Prevent Reactions Before They Start: 🚫 Avoid pushing your dog past their threshold—if they’re too close, they can’t think.✅ Give them enough space to remain calm and responsive to your cues.✅ Practise training at a safe distance first, then gradually decrease it over time.✅ Avoid overwhelming situations until their confidence improves. By carefully managing distance, you set your dog up for success and allow them to develop better coping skills. Over time, their ability to stay calm around triggers will improve, and you’ll have more control in stressful situations. Need Help With Your Dog’s Reactivity? Struggling to make progress on your own? I offer 1-to-1 training and residential training to help you get real, lasting results. Whether you need hands-on coaching or an intensive programme, I’ve got you covered. 📩 Send me a message to book a session and start transforming your dog’s behaviour today!
3 Simple Games to Improve Your Dog’s Focus & Engagement
Keeping your dog engaged and focused is essential for effective training and a strong bond. These three simple yet powerful games will help improve your dog’s attention, impulse control, and overall responsiveness. Plus, they make training fun for both you and your dog! 1. Focus Command (“Watch” or “Look”) Teaching your dog to focus on you is a foundational skill that improves engagement and communication. How to Teach It: Hold a treat near your face and say “watch” or “look.” When your dog makes eye contact, reward them immediately. Gradually increase the duration before rewarding. Practice in different environments to build reliability. Why It Works: ✅ Strengthens your dog’s ability to concentrate ✅ Helps redirect their focus from distractions ✅ Builds a stronger training foundation 2. The Recall Game A fun way to supercharge your dog’s recall while making training exciting. How to Play: Toss a small treat a few feet away. Once your dog eats it, run in the opposite direction and call their name. As they start chasing you, throw another treat behind them. Repeat several times, making sure they always turn towards you before rewarding. Why It Works: ✅ Reinforces the habit of coming back quickly ✅ Builds engagement and enthusiasm for recall ✅ Encourages responsiveness even in high-energy situations 3. Double Tug Toy (Chaser Game) A fantastic game to teach impulse control, engagement, and the “out” command. How to Play: Use two identical tug toys or balls. Move one toy along the ground to grab your dog’s attention. Once they latch onto it, play for a few seconds. Say “out” while making the first toy still and immediately bring the second toy to life. Repeat the process, reinforcing the “out” command each time. Why It Works: ✅ Mentally and physically stimulating ✅ Builds impulse control and patience ✅ Teaches a reliable “out” command ✅ Increases your value in play interactions Final Thoughts Incorporating these simple games into your training routine will help boost your dog’s focus, recall, and engagement while making learning enjoyable. Consistency is key, so practice these regularly for the best results! Want more training tips? Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly dog training advice and free resources!
The First 5 Commands Every Puppy Should Learn (With Step-by-Step Guide)
Bringing a puppy home is exciting, but it’s also a crucial time for training. Teaching essential commands early helps build a well-behaved, confident, and obedient dog. Here are the first five commands every puppy should learn, with a step-by-step guide to getting them right. 1. The Importance of YES ✅ Dogs learn through association—one thing leads to another. We need to use this to our advantage. From now on, anything you love, say ‘YES’ followed by a reward. ✅ They sit – YES, Reward✅ They settle – YES, Reward✅ They look at you – YES, Reward By doing this, the word ‘YES’ predicts a reward, reinforcing good behaviours and increasing their frequency. 2. Sit 🐾 One of the easiest and most useful commands, ‘Sit’ helps control excitement and is the foundation for many other commands. How to Teach: ✅ Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose.✅ Slowly move your hand upwards so their head follows the treat and their bum naturally lowers.✅ The moment they sit, say ‘YES’ and reward with the treat.✅ Repeat several times daily in short, fun sessions. ⭐ Pro Tip: Avoid pushing their back down – let them figure it out themselves! 3. Crate or Bed 🏠 From working with numerous of puppies, crate training is invaluable for your puppy to have sufficient quality rest (up to 18 hours), stopping destructive behaviours, and making toilet training so much easier. How to Teach: ✅ With an open crate, throw some pieces of food inside and allow your pup to go in and explore.✅ From here, make it into a game by throwing food in and closing the door before quickly opening it. ✅ Your pup will then go running in and getting the food. ✅ Then add the word ‘Crate’ or ‘Bed’ and build duration over time. 4. Come 📢 A strong recall is one of the most important safety commands. How to Teach: ✅ Start in a distraction-free area and kneel down.✅ Say your puppy’s name followed by ‘Come’ in a happy tone.✅ When they come, say ‘YES’ and reward generously with treats and excitement.✅ Repeat frequently and gradually introduce distractions. 🎯 Top Game: One person holds the puppy by a lead or gently by the collar while the other person calls them. This builds their desire and drive to run to you. After a few seconds, release the puppy to the other person. This is called a restrained recall. 5. Leave It 🚫 This command prevents puppies from grabbing unsafe objects or food they shouldn’t have. How to Teach: ✅ Hold a treat in both hands – one closed in a fist and one open.✅ Show the closed fist and say ‘Leave it.’✅ If they stop trying to get it, say ‘YES’ and reward with the treat from the open hand.✅ Repeat, gradually increasing difficulty by using more tempting items. ⭐ Pro Tip: Be consistent! If you sometimes let them have the forbidden item, they’ll keep trying. Final Thoughts 🎯 These five commands lay the groundwork for a well-trained, obedient dog. Keep training sessions short, fun, and positive. Consistency is key, and always reward success with treats, praise, or play. 🚀 Want more training tips? Sign up for my free weekly newsletter and get a simple training plan straight to your inbox!
How to Fix Overexcitement in Dogs – Practical Training Guide
Introduction Does your dog get overly excited at the worst times—jumping up on guests, barking excessively, or losing focus during walks? Overexcitement can be frustrating, but with the right training techniques, you can teach your dog to remain calm and focused. This guide will show you why dogs become overexcited and how to fix it with practical training steps. Why Dogs Get Overexcited Overexcitement often comes from a lack of impulse control, excessive energy, or unclear boundaries. If a dog learns that excitement gets them attention, play, or access to things they want, they will keep repeating the behaviour! Inconsistent responses, such as sometimes giving attention for jumping and other times ignoring it, can actually increase their desire to jump. The unpredictability of the reward—whether it’s touch, pushing them down, or even just eye contact—makes them seek it even more. Step-by-Step Guide to Calming an Overexcited Dog 1. Manage Their Environment ✅ Use a lead to restrict immediate access to guests and only allow greetings when your dog is calm. ✅ Use structured walks to reinforce calm behaviour rather than allowing pulling or lunging (please see my Loose Lead Guide). ✅ Create a calm zone at home where your dog can settle when excitement levels rise (please see Crate Training 101). 2. Teach Impulse Control ✅ Practice “Sit & Wait” before meals, walks, or playing with toys. ✅ Reward calm behaviour instead of excitement—ignore jumping and reward when all four paws are on the ground. ✅ Introduce “Leave It” and “Place” commands to help redirect excess energy. A solid “Place” command is a game changer for a calmer dog. 3. Is Your Dog Exercised Enough? 🐶 How does their behaviour differ when they have had a really long walk or run? ✅ Off-Lead Opportunities – You will notice a huge difference in calmness if you allow your dog more off-lead opportunities to run! (If they don’t yet have recall, try a private field.) ✅ A structured pack walk can be incredible for teaching calmer behaviours around dogs (please see “Day Training” for the perfect solution). 4. Calm Greetings & Social Interactions ✅ When guests arrive, ignore jumping and wait for a calm sit before greeting. ✅ Use a lead indoors to guide behaviour rather than physically pushing them down. ✅ Reward calm engagement with treats and gentle praise—no hyped-up voices. 5. A Fun Game to Teach Calmness A great way to build impulse control is the Calm Release Game: Step 1: Ask your dog to sit or lie down. Step 2: Hold a treat in your hand and slowly lower it. Step 3: If your dog moves before being released, bring the treat back up. Step 4: Only give the treat once they wait patiently for your command. This teaches your dog that calm behaviour leads to rewards! Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌ Unintentionally Rewarding Excitement – Stroking or talking to an overexcited dog reinforces the behaviour. ❌ Giving Too Much Physical Exercise Without Mental Stimulation – Too much running with no control work can increase hyperactivity. ❌ Inconsistent Boundaries – If you sometimes allow excitement (e.g., jumping when happy) but punish it at other times, it confuses your dog. Final Thoughts & Next Steps Overexcitement is fixable with the right balance of structure, training, and calm reinforcement. Stay consistent, and you’ll see huge improvements in your dog’s ability to focus and remain relaxed! If you want a calmer dog, reward calmer behaviours. Need extra help? Book a 1-to-1 training session today!
Struggling with Recall? Here’s How to Get Your Dog to Come Back Every Time
🔥 Does your dog ignore you when you call them? Do they suddenly develop ‘selective hearing’ when they’re off lead? If so, you’re not alone. A solid recall is one of the most important skills your dog can learn, but many owners struggle to get it right. The good news? With the right approach, your dog can have a reliable recall – even around distractions. This guide will take you through the key steps to train a recall that actually works and common mistakes to avoid. Why Your Dog Won’t Come Back (And How to Fix It) Before diving into training, it’s important to understand why your dog doesn’t respond when you call: ❌ You’ve accidentally taught them to ignore you – If you repeatedly call your dog with no response, they learn your voice is just background noise. ❌ They don’t find you valuable enough – If coming back means the fun stops (going on the lead, leaving the park), why would they rush to you? ❌ They’re too distracted – Other dogs, smells, and wildlife can be more exciting than your voice. ✅ Fix it by making recall more rewarding than anything else – Training should be fun, and your dog should think coming back to you is the best thing that happens all day. START HERE: Build a Positive Association with Their Name 📌 Tip: If your dog doesn’t react when you say their name, recall training won’t work. 1️⃣ Say their name in a happy tone and reward them for looking at you.2️⃣ Repeat this in different settings (garden, park, walks).3️⃣ Never use their name negatively – No shouting their name in frustration! 🔹 SIMPLE but so effective, try this today! Step 2: Start in a Controlled Environment 📌 Tip: Don’t start recall training in the middle of a busy field with other dogs! ✅ Begin in a quiet space like your home or garden.✅ Use a long lead for safety and to prevent running off.✅ Call them when they’re already heading towards you to build success early. 🚫 Common mistake – If your dog won’t come in from the garden when called, you’re just building the ‘screw you’ muscle. Fix this today by making recall rewarding, fun, and consistent. Step 3: Make Coming Back the Best Option 📌 Tip: If recall means ‘game over,’ your dog will ignore you. 🎾 Use high-value rewards – Not just dry kibble! Think cheese, chicken, or a favourite toy.🙌 Reward EVERY time at first – even if they were slow to respond.🕺 Make yourself exciting – Run backwards, use a fun tone, and make recall a game. ⚡ THINK – How excited and in tune are your dog’s senses when they see a rabbit, squirrel, or other fast-moving target? That’s the level of excitement we want to replicate in your recall! Step 4: Add Distractions Gradually 📌 Tip: Don’t expect instant success in busy areas – build distractions up slowly. 🔗 Start in a quiet area with no distractions.🐕 Introduce small distractions like another person or a toy.🌳 Move to busier environments (parks, fields) once they’re consistent. Step 5: Use a Recall Word or Whistle 📌 Tip: Your recall cue should be clear and consistent. ✔️ Use a specific recall word (like “Come!” or “Here!”) and stick to it.✔️ Consider a whistle – it’s clear, consistent, and carries further than your voice.✔️ NEVER recall to punish – If they know coming back means trouble, they won’t come. Common Mistakes to Avoid 🚫 Calling them for something negative (e.g., bath time, leaving the park).🚫 Chasing after them – This turns it into a game they’ll win. Instead, run the other way!🚫 Being inconsistent – Everyone in the household must use the same recall word and reward system. The Recall Training Plan Here’s a structured training plan to get real results: 📅 Week 1-2: Build name engagement and responses in the garden/home/places on lead.📅 Week 3: Rent private fields and introduce a long line – aim for 2-3 sessions this week.📅 Week 4: Practice these same drills in quiet parks and other low-distraction areas.📅 Week 5: Increase distractions and aim for 90% reliability. Take note of what’s working great and what isn’t.📅 Week 6+: Test off-lead recall in quiet areas and implement everything you’ve trained so far. Need Help with Your Dog’s Recall? 📩 Want a faster way to get results? Book a 1-to-1 training session and let’s get your dog coming back first time, every time!
Crate Training 101: How to Get Your Puppy to Love Their Crate
Crate training is one of the most effective ways to create a calm, secure space for your puppy. When done correctly, it provides structure, helps with toilet training, and prevents destructive behaviour. In this guide, we’ll cover the best techniques to make sure your puppy loves their crate rather than seeing it as a place of punishment. Why Crate Training is Important If done properly, your dog will soon love their crate, mimicking a den-like environment where they feel secure. It also plays a vital role in toilet training, as puppies naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area. Proper crate training also helps prevent separation anxiety and gives your dog a place to relax when needed. Dogs learn through associations and the meaning we give to things. Therefore, if they only know a crate as a place of positivity and relaxation, it makes crate training the number one tool I recommend—especially since a puppy should sleep up to 18 hours a day! You get THIS ONE THING right, and puppy training becomes a breeze! Step-by-Step Guide to Crate Training 1. Choosing the Right Crate ✅ Ensure the crate is big enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not too big—they need to feel secure. ✅ Use a plastic or metal wire crate with good ventilation. ✅ For growing puppies, consider a crate with a divider to adjust the space as they grow. 2. Making the Crate a Positive Space ✅ Place soft bedding or a blanket inside. ✅ Keep the crate in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home. ✅ Leave the crate door open and toss treats inside to encourage exploration. ✅ Avoid using the crate as punishment – it should always be a safe, positive space. 3. Introducing Your Puppy to the Crate 🐶 Feed meals inside the crate to create a positive association. 🐶 Use a cue word like “crate” when leading them inside. 🐶 Reward calm behaviour with treats and praise. 🐶 Start with short periods inside and gradually increase time. 4. Crate Training Routine for Success Day 1-3: Let your puppy explore the crate freely, tossing treats inside. Day 4-7: Close the door for short periods while they are relaxed. Week 2+: Extend crate time and use it for naps and bedtime. A great crate game to play is: Toss a treat inside and close the door. The puppy will develop a desire to go in. Once they show excitement, open the door—they should eagerly enter to grab the treat. This builds engagement and positive associations with the crate. Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌ Leaving your puppy in the crate too long – It should never be a place of isolation. ❌ Ignoring whining without assessing the cause – If they truly need the toilet, let them out. ❌ Forcing them inside – Always make crate time a choice, not a demand. Final Thoughts & Next Steps With patience and consistency, your puppy will learn to love their crate as their go-to relaxation spot. Need personalised help? Book a 1-to-1 training session today!
How to Stop Your Dog Pulling on the Lead – Quick Fixes & Training Guide
Does your dog pull like crazy on the lead? You’re not alone. Many dog owners struggle with this, but the good news is – it’s fixable! In this guide, I’ll walk you through why dogs pull on the lead and, more importantly, how to stop it using simple, effective techniques. Why Dogs Pull on the Lead (The Real Reason Behind It) Before we jump into solutions, let’s understand why pulling happens. Dogs naturally move faster than humans, and when they see something exciting, they want to get to it – fast! The issue is that if pulling gets them where they want to go, they’ll keep doing it. How to Fix Lead Pulling – 3 Simple Steps 1. Stop Moving When They Pull Every time your dog pulls, stop walking. The moment they release tension on the lead, reward them and continue. This teaches them that pulling doesn’t get them what they want. 2. Use Reward-Based Loose Lead Walking Keep treats handy and reward your dog for walking nicely beside you. Mark the correct behaviour with a “yes!” or a clicker and give them a treat. The more you reinforce this, the more they’ll choose to stay close to you. 3. Introduce Direction Changes If your dog pulls ahead, change direction. This makes them pay attention to you rather than dragging you forward. Do this consistently, and they’ll realise that staying close is easier than pulling. This method is also great for building engagement and improving listening skills. Best Equipment for Loose Lead Walking (What to Use & Avoid) Using the right tools can make a massive difference:✅ Slip Lead (Fitted Correctly, Just Behind Their Ears) – Provides clear, effective communication when used properly.✅ 6ft Training Lead – Gives your dog freedom without encouraging tension.❌ Back Clip Harnesses – These encourage pulling and reduce control.❌ Retractable Leads – These encourage pulling and remove control. Final Thoughts & Next Steps Loose lead walking takes consistency, but if you stay patient and reward good behaviour, your dog will improve. Need extra help? Book a 1-to-1 training session today!
