Welcome To The Learning Hub
This is where you’ll find a lot of the stuff I talk about in sessions — plus a few bits we probably didn’t get round to yet.
Quick heads-up: dog training isn’t neat and tidy. There are always exceptions, grey areas, and those classic “yes, but…” situations.
I’m not writing the dog-training bible here. These posts aren’t bullet-proof essays that cover every scenario. They’re guides. Starting points. Things I know are true enough to help you and your dog move forward.
If you’re the type who loves digging deep and geeking out on the details — let’s have a proper chat. But if you’re just testing the water and trying to figure out what this whole dog-training malarkey is about, you’re in the right place. You’ll probably also notice I’ve got a soft spot for pop-culture references in the images — some a bit niche, some you’ll clock straight away.
Oh, and speaking of images — I lean on AI for the posters (because I can’t draw for s**t), but every word you’re reading is mine.
Straight up, this is exactly the sort of thing I wish I’d had when I first got a dog — So lets dive in…
The 7 Foundations
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.
Just Because It’s Common Doesn’t Make It Normal!
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.
I Can Only Show You The Door- It’s You That Has To Walk Through It!
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 Crrrrrate
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.
Not That Kind of Social
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: Building Better Engagement With Your Dog
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.
Pressure Builds Confidence — Avoidance Doesn’t.
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.
A Toy Story- Your dog sees everything — so play nice!
Choosing and using the right toy is more important than you think
How to Train Total Recall (Without Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Teaching Total Recall without the trips to Mars
Markers- What Are They & Why You Need One!
Shouting and screaming won’t get you anywhere — unless you’re in the film Jerry Maguire. Marker training helps you build a clearer, more meaningful line of communication with your dog. That’s where progress starts.