Every week I walk alongside people who are quietly struggling. Not because their dog is “bad”, stubborn, dominant, or untrained — but because simply stepping outside has become emotionally exhausting. They plan their walks.They scan the horizon.They tighten the lead, steady their breathing, and hope — please let today be calm . And then it happens. A dog appears. Off lead.Running fast. Straight towards them. No sign of their human or at best, shouted assurances float across t

Why guilt has no place in dog training — and what truly changes everything. If I could sit down with every overwhelmed, frustrated, heart-heavy dog owner, I would begin with this: You’re not a bad owner.
You just haven’t been shown how to listen yet. I have worked with thousands of people over the years, and do you know what I see far more than “bad handling” or “poor training”?
I see love.
I see effort.
I see people trying their very best with what they know at the time. But

Sometimes I’m reminded, painfully, how vulnerable we are when we step out with our dogs. We do our best — we train, we manage, we stay alert — but we can’t control the world around us. And when someone else’s carelessness puts your dog at risk, it shakes you in a way that sits deep in your chest for days afterwards. This is something that happened to a close friend of mine recently. I can’t share names or locations, out of respect, but the experience itself is important — bec

There was a time, early on in my journey, when I believed dog training happened only in the moments I decided it was happening. If I had my dog on a walk… If I had treats in my pocket… If I had a plan in my head… Then that was training. Everything else — the quiet moments at home, the tiny interactions as we moved through daily life — I simply didn’t consider them part of the picture. I truly thought progress lived only inside those “training sessions”. Looking back now, I ca

Why your dog isn’t giving you a hard time… they’re having a hard time. Most people only see the moment of reaction. The barking at a visitor. The trembling on a walk. The sudden lunge at a passing dog. The freeze when someone reaches out a hand. To the outside world it looks dramatic, rude, even “naughty”.But inside that little dog’s chest, something very different is happening. I met a dog once — let’s call her Luna  — who told this story better than I ever could. Luna wasn’

Understanding what’s happening, how to manage it, and how to keep everyone calm and comfortable   If you share your life with an unspayed female dog, you’ll eventually notice the signs of her coming into season. This is a completely natural cycle — her body preparing for the possibility of motherhood — but it can bring a few challenges for both of you. With a little understanding, care, and good hygiene, it’s easy to make this time comfortable and stress-free. This blog is fo

It’s one of the most frequent and emotionally charged questions I’m asked: “Should I have my dog neutered — and when is the right time?” Whether you share your life with a bouncy young male or a gentle young bitch, the decision to neuter (castrate or spay) is a big one. It’s not just a medical procedure; it’s a choice that can influence your dog’s body, emotions, and behaviour for years to come. My aim here is to help you understand both sides  of the story — so you can make

Every journey has a turning point. For me, that moment came when I began to write down what I had spent a lifetime learning from dogs and horses. What started as a few handwritten notes has now evolved into thedogcalmer’s  fully accredited six-part training pathway — a reflection of decades of dedication, learning, and quiet determination to help people truly understand their dogs. My Papillion Moose! This week saw a red-letter day for me — and for thedogcalmer. It marks the

As women, we’re brought up to be the caregivers. Yes, we live in an age where women supposedly have more choices, but the truth runs...

Teaching dogs how to settle and relax is a priority @thedogcalmer At thedogcalmer, we love “yes”. We also believe a, consistent “no” has...

This week I shared a photo from one of our recall sessions. Another trainer commented, “What a pity to see them all in half-check...

How our modern lifestyles may be making calm dogs a rarity We love our dogs more than ever. We give them the best food, the cosiest beds,...

It's a Two-Way Street! When it comes to choosing a dog trainer, it’s not just about finding someone who can teach your dog to sit, stay,...

by Avril, thedogcalmer When our dogs are frightened, every instinct we have as caring humans wants to soothe them. We reach out to cuddle...

Moose and pals at the beach! I had a frightening experience this week that I feel needs sharing — not for sympathy, but because it...

By Avril, thedogcalmer Over the many years I’ve worked as a dog behaviourist, I’ve seen more trends than I can count. Buzzwords come and...

by thedogcalmer We love our dogs—fiercely, unconditionally, to the ends of the earth. We let them into our homes, our lives, our beds and...

A heartfelt reflection from thedogcalmer We often see it as a kindness — hiring a dog walker to give our dogs what we believe they need...

(for clients navigating grief—of a loved one or pet—while also caring for a struggling dog). There are moments in life when pain feels...

From the heart of thedogcalmer – real lives, real dogs, real calm 3 Bulldogs A family reached out recently, exhausted and emotionally...