Barkers Blog

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks People often ask, “Can you teach an old dog new tricks?” My answer is always “Yes”. Yesterday I saw an 11 year-old Poodle who has moved into a lifestyle village with her 80+ year-old humans. She has become reactive to other dogs on the lead and even hesitant around …

Our Holistic Approach to Training

Our Holistic Approach to Training I’ve decided that the word “holistic” describes the approach that we take to helping people and their dogs, especially when they come to us with problems. While of course we want to with the barking, pulling on the lead or separation issues, it is practically impossible to head straight to …

We love what we do

We love what we do Today I’d like to thank the Department of Education for awarding me a cadetship in 1985 to attend university full time to study behavioural science through Special Education. I’m not sure if they intended me to use this qualification to help people live harmoniously  with dogs but I’ve always been …

Transition out of Lockdown

Transition out of Lockdown Well we’re all at the crossroads – when, where and how to we transition out of lockdown? For our business this means: When do we advertise new group classes? Will indoor classes have different limitations to outdoor classes? Do I need to wait till my trainers and I are double vaccinated? …

COVID Safe Puppy Play Group

COVID Safe Puppy Play Group A few saturdays ago we took the plunge and ran a contactless puppy class. We decided its creation was close to essential, our goal was to give puppies gentle exposure to environmental factors, including other puppies. Puppy parents dropped their charges off and left them with us for an hour. …

Training for Life

Training for Life Taking on a dog is a lifetime commitment. This means way more than putting a roof over the dog’s head for life. Many people learn that continuing training is part of that lifetime commitment. Leonard the Labrador cross came to puppy school with us. The family was besotted with this puppy and …