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Dog trainer in Derbyshire

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Grounded Canine

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Email: info@groundedcanine.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 7545675520

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“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”

And that applies to us as trainers just as much as it applies to the dogs we work with.

One of the biggest problems in the dog world is how often human ego gets in the way of good training.

Sometimes, the need to prove that we’re in control, that we can stop a behaviour, or that a dog won’t challenge us becomes more important than actually understanding the dog in front of us.

But suppressing a behaviour isn’t the same as resolving it. And making a dog submit isn’t the same as building a relationship based on trust, clarity and understanding.

I could focus solely on making sure he never attempts to bite me again, using whatever means necessary to shut that behaviour down. But what does that actually teach him? And more importantly, what happens when the pressure is removed, or he finds himself in a situation he doesn’t know how to handle?

This takes patience, observation, accountability and a willingness to adapt. It also takes putting your ego aside and accepting that being in control of a dog doesn’t automatically mean you’re helping that dog.

Good training isn’t about proving how much power you have over an animal. It’s about knowing when to apply pressure, when to give space, when to offer guidance and when to reconsider your approach entirely.

Every dog is an individual. Their history, genetics, experiences, thresholds and needs all matter. What works for one dog might be completely inappropriate for another.

The best trainers aren’t the ones who can make every dog comply at any cost. They’re the ones who can look at the dog in front of them, understand what that dog needs, and make decisions that genuinely improve its life.

Put your ego aside. Understand the dog. Train the individual, not your own need to be in control.

#dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogs #dogaggression #dogbite

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”

And that applies to us as trainers just as much as it applies to the dogs we work with.

One of the biggest problems in the dog world is how often human ego gets in the way of good training.

Sometimes, the need to prove that we’re in control, that we can stop a behaviour, or that a dog won’t challenge us becomes more important than actually understanding the dog in front of us.

But suppressing a behaviour isn’t the same as resolving it. And making a dog submit isn’t the same as building a relationship based on trust, clarity and understanding.

I could focus solely on making sure he never attempts to bite me again, using whatever means necessary to shut that behaviour down. But what does that actually teach him? And more importantly, what happens when the pressure is removed, or he finds himself in a situation he doesn’t know how to handle?

This takes patience, observation, accountability and a willingness to adapt. It also takes putting your ego aside and accepting that being in control of a dog doesn’t automatically mean you’re helping that dog.

Good training isn’t about proving how much power you have over an animal. It’s about knowing when to apply pressure, when to give space, when to offer guidance and when to reconsider your approach entirely.

Every dog is an individual. Their history, genetics, experiences, thresholds and needs all matter. What works for one dog might be completely inappropriate for another.

The best trainers aren’t the ones who can make every dog comply at any cost. They’re the ones who can look at the dog in front of them, understand what that dog needs, and make decisions that genuinely improve its life.

Put your ego aside. Understand the dog. Train the individual, not your own need to be in control.

#dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogs #dogaggression #dogbite

The dog industry isn’t an easy one to navigate. It’s competitive, it can be overwhelming, and imposter syndrome is definitely real. There will always be more to learn, more to improve on, and people who are further ahead than you. But I’m learning to focus less on comparison and more on becoming the best trainer I can possibly be.

I’m building a career around something that genuinely means something to me, with one goal in mind: to help as many dogs as possible live happy, fulfilled lives, whilst helping their owners fall back in love with owning them again - and for those without homes, find them a suitable one and relieve the stress and chaos they endure.

I genuinely believe there’s room for everyone who’s willing to put in the hard work, keep learning, and put the dogs first. There’s far too many people out there claiming to be in the industry yet care far too little about the dogs in their care and more about their ego and status.

It’s absolutely for the dogs❤️

#dogtraining #dogs #lovedogs #reactivedogs #dogtrainer

The dog industry isn’t an easy one to navigate. It’s competitive, it can be overwhelming, and imposter syndrome is definitely real. There will always be more to learn, more to improve on, and people who are further ahead than you. But I’m learning to focus less on comparison and more on becoming the best trainer I can possibly be.

I’m building a career around something that genuinely means something to me, with one goal in mind: to help as many dogs as possible live happy, fulfilled lives, whilst helping their owners fall back in love with owning them again - and for those without homes, find them a suitable one and relieve the stress and chaos they endure.

I genuinely believe there’s room for everyone who’s willing to put in the hard work, keep learning, and put the dogs first. There’s far too many people out there claiming to be in the industry yet care far too little about the dogs in their care and more about their ego and status.

It’s absolutely for the dogs❤️

#dogtraining #dogs #lovedogs #reactivedogs #dogtrainer

This dog was highly reactive, had bitten and struggled to settle so that constant state of arousal was contributing to his reactivity getting worse.

Place work and tether training became a big part of his programme, helping him learn to settle, disengage and exist without constantly needing to be doing something.

Because a dog that’s constantly switched on, overstimulated and struggling to settle isn’t always in the best state to make good decisions.

And no, the answer isn’t always more exercise. You can’t simply exhaust a dog into learning how to regulate themselves.

Emotional regulation is something we can support through training, and learning to do nothing is a skill in itself.

#reactivedogtraining #dogtraining #dogreactivity #dogtrainer #dogs

This dog was highly reactive, had bitten and struggled to settle so that constant state of arousal was contributing to his reactivity getting worse.

Place work and tether training became a big part of his programme, helping him learn to settle, disengage and exist without constantly needing to be doing something.

Because a dog that’s constantly switched on, overstimulated and struggling to settle isn’t always in the best state to make good decisions.

And no, the answer isn’t always more exercise. You can’t simply exhaust a dog into learning how to regulate themselves.

Emotional regulation is something we can support through training, and learning to do nothing is a skill in itself.

#reactivedogtraining #dogtraining #dogreactivity #dogtrainer #dogs

Everyone wants to reduce reactivity, but people are so focused on over-exercising their dogs out that they overlook the importance of teaching self-regulation, calmness and an off switch.

Exercise and enrichment are essential, but constantly exhausting your dog isn’t the same as teaching them how to switch off.

Learning to do nothing is a skill.

Teaching your dog to settle, disengage from their surroundings and exist calmly without constant stimulation can be a valuable piece of the reactivity puzzle.

#reactivedogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogs #reactivity

Everyone wants to reduce reactivity, but people are so focused on over-exercising their dogs out that they overlook the importance of teaching self-regulation, calmness and an off switch.

Exercise and enrichment are essential, but constantly exhausting your dog isn’t the same as teaching them how to switch off.

Learning to do nothing is a skill.

Teaching your dog to settle, disengage from their surroundings and exist calmly without constant stimulation can be a valuable piece of the reactivity puzzle.

#reactivedogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogs #reactivity

If you actively see someone training their dog or puppy in public, LEAVE THEM ALONE.

Today, I had at least three separate people stop and linger nearby with their dogs pulling towards ours, allowing them to sniff and watching us train.

When I politely explained that we were training, the response was: “Yes, I know. Do they want to say hi?”

No. They don’t.

Not every dog wants to greet yours. Not every interaction is welcome and not every dog needs to meet yours to have a positive experience in public.

We were working on neutrality, engagement and the ability to exist around distractions without needing to interact with everything. Having your dog pulling towards us while you stand there watching obliviously completely undermines what we’re trying to achieve.

Please stop assuming that because a dog is out in public, it’s available for your dog to interact with.

If you see someone actively training, give them space. Keep your dog moving, don’t allow them to approach or sniff, and don’t put the handler in the awkward position of having to ask you to move.

You have absolutely no idea what that person or dog is working through. They could be building confidence, working through reactivity, teaching neutrality or simply trying to get a young puppy to focus.

Respect people’s space. Respect their training. And teach your dog that not every dog they see is an opportunity to say hello.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone else’s training is simply leave them alone or interact from a distance.

#dogtraining #dogs #dogowners #lovedogs #dogtrainer

If you actively see someone training their dog or puppy in public, LEAVE THEM ALONE.

Today, I had at least three separate people stop and linger nearby with their dogs pulling towards ours, allowing them to sniff and watching us train.

When I politely explained that we were training, the response was: “Yes, I know. Do they want to say hi?”

No. They don’t.

Not every dog wants to greet yours. Not every interaction is welcome and not every dog needs to meet yours to have a positive experience in public.

We were working on neutrality, engagement and the ability to exist around distractions without needing to interact with everything. Having your dog pulling towards us while you stand there watching obliviously completely undermines what we’re trying to achieve.

Please stop assuming that because a dog is out in public, it’s available for your dog to interact with.

If you see someone actively training, give them space. Keep your dog moving, don’t allow them to approach or sniff, and don’t put the handler in the awkward position of having to ask you to move.

You have absolutely no idea what that person or dog is working through. They could be building confidence, working through reactivity, teaching neutrality or simply trying to get a young puppy to focus.

Respect people’s space. Respect their training. And teach your dog that not every dog they see is an opportunity to say hello.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone else’s training is simply leave them alone or interact from a distance.

#dogtraining #dogs #dogowners #lovedogs #dogtrainer

A calm dog isn’t just luck. It’s built through consistency, patience and intentional training.

Dogs aren’t simply born knowing how to settle, switch off and navigate the world calmly. These are skills they need to learn.

Puppies need to learn that they don’t have to be entertained every second of the day, that not everything requires a reaction, and that they can exist in an environment without constantly seeking stimulation.

Calmness is something we need to actively teach, practise and reinforce, both at home and out in the real world.

Because raising a well-rounded dog isn’t just about teaching them what to do. It’s also about teaching them when to do nothing at all.

Do you want to build the foundations for a calm, confident dog? The Puppy Plan is designed to help you navigate puppyhood and develop the skills your dog needs for real life. Comment ‘PUPPY’ for more info!

#dogtrainer #puppytraining #puppy #puppyowners #calmdogs

A calm dog isn’t just luck. It’s built through consistency, patience and intentional training.

Dogs aren’t simply born knowing how to settle, switch off and navigate the world calmly. These are skills they need to learn.

Puppies need to learn that they don’t have to be entertained every second of the day, that not everything requires a reaction, and that they can exist in an environment without constantly seeking stimulation.

Calmness is something we need to actively teach, practise and reinforce, both at home and out in the real world.

Because raising a well-rounded dog isn’t just about teaching them what to do. It’s also about teaching them when to do nothing at all.

Do you want to build the foundations for a calm, confident dog? The Puppy Plan is designed to help you navigate puppyhood and develop the skills your dog needs for real life. Comment ‘PUPPY’ for more info!

#dogtrainer #puppytraining #puppy #puppyowners #calmdogs

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