Dog Trainer and Canine Connection Specialist based in Devon

Discover the Power of Connection Beyond Dog Training

As I've delved deeper into the human-dog connection, I've moved away from the title of "Dog Trainer." Instead, I resonate more with terms like "Relationship Coach." I believe that rewarding every little behavior can sometimes diminish our dogs' individuality, autonomy, and spark. My goal is to explore how we communicate with our dogs and build relationships that are more equal, supporting their uniqueness and encouraging us to reflect on our own behaviors as well.

Together, we'll create a more fulfilling and understanding relationship with our beloved companions.

In our journey together, we will work on creating a balanced and fulfilling relationship with your dog. Here’s how I will help:

  1. True Communication: Move away from solely relying on treats and cues, fostering genuine understanding and connection by reading your dog's body language and needs.

  2. Natural Outlets: Learn how to provide your dog with natural outlets for their instincts and energy, reducing unwanted behaviours.

  3. Safety and Boundaries: Focus on giving your dog opportunities to make mistakes, learn to problem solve, and resolve conflicts independently, building their confidence and resilience.

  4. Building Trust: Through consistent and positive interactions, we will build a foundation of trust, helping your dog feel safe in different environments without over-relying on treats.

  5. Holistic Approach: While I still use food and toys to train, our sessions will go beyond reinforcement, exploring deeper connections.The term "Dog Trainer" feels one-dimensional and doesn't fully capture the essence of the work I do. When I think of Dog trainers I often think of sports like agility and obedience, but I want to focus on relationship. Over many years of working in a positive reinforcement, force free way I have started to realise that we still use a lot of coercion and not enough true communication in Dog Training.

The first step to building a stronger bond with your dog, is getting in touch…

Dog Training/ Connection Training Services

Free Dog Training Videos

My dog training videos are not edited. When I am out with dogs, it isn’t about social media or making great content, its about me and them and if I think its appropriate, I will video some of our moments to share with you and hopefully our moments get to help you too.

Training Loose Lead Walking

Loose lead walking is often considered a dog trainer’s nightmare, as it can be one of the most challenging aspects of dog training. When using kind, reward-based methods, teaching a dog to walk nicely on a lead takes time, patience, and consistency. Many owners become frustrated when their dog continues to pull, making walks stressful rather than enjoyable. However, if we constantly approach every walk as a rigid training session, it can take the joy out of the experience for both the owner and the dog. Instead of viewing loose lead walking as a chore, we should focus on making it a natural part of our daily routine, incorporating gentle guidance and positive reinforcement to create a better walking partnership.

Rather than relying solely on commands and corrections, we need to see our walks as an opportunity to communicate with our dogs through body language, voice, and actions. Dogs are highly perceptive and respond well to subtle cues, so by adjusting our pace, direction, and tone, we can encourage them to stay close without tension on the lead. Consistency is key—rewarding moments of slack in the lead and gently stopping or changing direction when pulling occurs helps the dog understand what is expected. With patience and persistence, loose lead walking becomes second nature, turning walks into a more enjoyable and stress-free experience for both dog and owner.

Communication

The more we understand how to communicate, the better relationship we have with our dogs. Many people think they know how to communicate with dogs but dogs are great at just getting on with it. There are often so many subtle signs that we miss and can make such a difference to how we share our lives with them. My body language walks allow us to get to know your dogs individual communication style and create an even closer bond than you already have.

By observing and understanding these subtle signals, we can respond in ways that make our dogs feel more secure, understood, and connected to us. Dogs communicate through their posture, facial expressions, tail movements, and even the way they breathe, and when we learn to recognise these cues, we can prevent misunderstandings and build trust. During my body language walks, we take the time to slow down and truly listen to what your dog is telling you, allowing for a deeper, more intuitive connection. This approach not only enhances your bond but also improves training, behavior, and overall well-being, making everyday interactions more harmonious and fulfilling for both you and your dog.