If Blofeld had owned an over-excited spaniel instead of that calm white cat, he wouldn’t have looked half as cool — martinis flying, henchmen panicking, Bond with muddy paw prints on his tux. Pure chaos.

This post digs into why so many dogs struggle to stay calm during greetings, how our energy feeds it, and what you can do to stop turning every hello into a full-blown action sequence.

Nothing kills the mood like the thought of homework — except the Daft Punk album, that was a banger. But when it comes to training your dog, it’s the only way real progress happens. In this post I break down why I set it, how filming yourself makes you a better trainer, and why the little bits you do outside of sessions matter more than anything else.

Zuckerbrot Und Peitsche translates to Sugarbread & Whip — but don’t worry, it’s just a metaphor. Think Charlie & The Chocolate Factory: most of the kids had too much sugar and ended up needing a bit of whip. Only Charlie stayed balanced. What do you get when you guzzle down sweets? A lesson in why balance matters — for kids, for grown ups, and for dogs. Still not sure what I’m on about? Step inside and read on.

“He’s a COVID puppy” can often be used as a kind of Get Out of Jail Free card for dog issues today. I see it a bit differently. COVID wasn’t the problem — in many ways, it was the perfect time to train a dog. This post looks at why the “COVID puppy” excuse doesn’t really help, and what you can do instead.

This is my routine. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

Routine sounds neat, but life isn’t. That’s why I lean on structure instead — it builds calmer, more adaptable dogs that can cope when things don’t go to plan.

Puppy classes? Half the time they look more like a scene from Ghostbusters — pups flying about like little poltergeists, owners hanging on for dear life in the middle of the madness. Cute as anything, sure. But calm, structured learning? Not so much.

This post’s about why I don’t run puppy classes, why all that chaos doesn’t set your pup up to win, and what I do instead to make sure they grow into the dog you actually need in the real world.

Social media makes it look like every trainer’s dog is flawless. Truth is, even Sam isn’t perfect — and that’s ok. Training isn’t about creating robots, it’s about learning, mistakes, and building a bond so the memories live forever.

We all think of ‘treats’ as something extra — but like Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda, too much of a good thing isn’t always good. The real treat is having a dog that wants to work with you for their daily food.

Enrichment should feel like Jurassic Park — full of adventure, stimulation, and new experiences. Just… without the near-death raptor chases. A licki mat won’t cut it. Take your dog out into the real world and give them the kind of enrichment that truly enhances their life.

Rescue dogs aren’t Chip ’n Dale — they don’t need saving every episode. With the right approach, they can just be what they are: dogs.

Freedom looks epic in the movies — but in real life, giving dogs too much too soon can be a recipe for chaos. Whether it’s a puppy or a rescue, structure first, freedom later. Freedom that is earned is the only kind that lasts.

"Judge Dredd had it right: ‘I am the Balance.’ That’s how real dog training works too — rewards, boundaries, and clarity all working together to build reliability that lasts."

Dog training isn’t magic — and it’s not as tricky as a crane kick either. Before the flashy obedience or cool tricks, you need the basics in place. Wax on, wax off — these are the 7 foundations I use with every dog, every time.

The first rule of Dog Club? No on-lead greetings. Just because everyone does it, doesn’t mean it’s normal. Here’s why neutrality beats chaos every time.

A trainer can only show you the door — but it’s you that has to walk through it. Think The Matrix, but with fewer leather coats: take the blue pill and nothing changes. Take the red pill, and see what’s possible when you put in the homework and the graft.

They’re grrrreat! Well… when you do it right. Crate training done properly isn’t cruel — it’s a skill every dog should have in the bag before they actually need it.

Puppy classes got you shouting “He’s friendly!” while your dog drags you across the park? Socialisation needs a serious rethink. Less Crazy Town, more calm town.

Co-operative play with your dog. It’s not just chucking a ball — but it’s a hell of a lot easier than the board game Operation.

Under pressure? So is your dog. But pressure’s not the problem — it’s how we deal with it. A lesson for dogs… and us.

Choosing and using the right toy is more important than you think