Blog

Welcome to Confident Canine in Essex

We offer quality, fun and reward based courses, classes and 121 training in Essex Scentwork Life Skills Confidence Building Gundog Training Clicker Training Trick Training The DoLittle Way (combining Animal Communication & Dog Training) Mindfulness in Dog Training Show Training We also offer the holistic services of Reiki (we also offer training in this) Massage …

Featured Expert

Lovely surprise to cheer me up today when I received from the Ladies Working Gundog Group a Featured Expert badge for the Masterclass I delivered earlier this year. How kind of them!

My SOCS day 0 post

Day 0 – I am doing the 30 day challenge because as our puppy was entering our lives, our old boy, my heart boy, Kodi was leaving us, he died New Years day when little Rosa was just 4 months old and her training fell by the wayside as we grieved, I think this will …

Hoopers

Coming soon! Hoopers classes 10am on Sundays! Watch this space!

Exciting announcement!!

Today I officially became a Mantrailing UK Instructor!!! Loads of details to follow but for now……………..

Does your dog really find that rewarding?

Rewards in dog training, contentious for many reasons but they certainly have their place! I know that there are many opinions on reward based training in the gundog world and everyone is entitled to their opinion of course. Many misunderstand reward based training as treat bribery but if done correctly this is not the case …

The cost of confidence? Priceless

So, we have a young puppy, always been happy and confident and up until a recent ear infection in one ear she was also happy to have her ears cleaned. However upon her ear becoming inflamed she went from standing still to have it cleaned to flailing and yelling in panic. Completely understandable as her …

Ready for a challenge?

I’m soon to work in collaboration with the Ladies Working Dog Group on a months challenge!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my wonderful clients!

Perform action without regards for the fruits of action

“Perform action without regards for the fruits of action” I heard the above recently on a meditation experience download (it is apparently from the Bhagavad Gita or at least similar words are) and it really struck a cord with me in regards to dog training. I had to train my dog to do a new behaviour …

THE TELL TAIL TELL

Every dog is different and that is one of the things that I like best about scentwork and teaching scentwork. There is no magic way for you to understand your dog and what it is telling you when its working or on scent, the only way to understand your dog is to take the time …

What is an achievement?

I was recently on a training day and I had a great day and I believe everyone else did too and that was the main take on the day overall. I can’t help myself, I’m always observing how others work for good or bad. The good I take home with me and look at how …

Search & Rescue 121 session with Oscar

At Confident Canine we are able to help with many things outside the expected remit of dog training, we have a wide range of experience both personally and professionally in many different dog sports and activities. So, when I was asked if I could help a search and rescue dog with their indication work I …

I want it all !

Twice again recently I have had the age old conversation of doing more than one discipline/sport/activity with your dog. So many times over my past 10+ years in dogs I have been told I can’t do obedience if I want to do field work, I can’t take my dog tracking if I wish to field …

Relax, sit back and let your dog show you the world

I did a blog some time ago about working with the dog you’ve got, it still stands you should work with the dog you have in front of you rather than the dog you wished you had however I’ve learn’t a lot since then and I’d like to update it slightly. My previous blog was …

When should and shouldn’t you train…..

You will often hear me say, train them young, from the moment your dog comes home training commences, train anywhere, train everywhere….but when shouldn’t you train? I have two hard and fasts for no training and they are simple: When your dog is not ok (physically or mentally) When you are not ok (physically or …

Craig Ogilvie Event – Spectator place available.

Always Trade Up

“Always trade up!” My youngest, home bred girl, has always had a great retrieve. Her first retrieve to hand was completed at 6 weeks old, clicker trained and to her just another game to play. Bearing this in mind, her retrieve is by now very ingrained. When she finds things or steals something her instinct …

Our Blog

Welcome to our blog, hope you enjoy it. If there is something you would like to see a blog on please just drop us a message using the contact form. Nina x

Time – A precious training tool

“Please give me time” I was recently on a training course and was inspired to write this blog. This blog explains just how one of the most important training tools you can give to your dog(s) is time! I do not mean time as in taking the time to actually training them, I am talking about how that …

Testimonal – Help teaching a task

A huge thank you to Nina for stepping in to help in an emergency. My mature bitch came into season early, a week before a team obedience event. We are the only pair who do the scentwork retrieve task in the team! With a week to go, I substituted my young Gordon Setter who has …

Do you have a model dog?

Our latest offering at Confident Canine is for those of you who think your dog has what it takes to be a model. There are lots of agencies out there that you can join for a small fee and I know plenty of people of have gained work from those agencies but it all depends …

You can’t do it all!

Someone said this to me just yesterday but it isn’t the first time and won’t be the last and its a phrase I will never ever understand, ‘You can’t do it all!’ Can’t I? Why can’t I? One good reason please? Just one will do me…. I can’t think of any and of my three …

Why you wont find your dog training answer on the internet

There were a couple of things I saw this week that prompted me to type this up. The first was a question in a dog training group, just a general one about some gundog retrieves and some answers received, and the second was feedback from a student of mine. Firstly the online question. The question …

What is success?

I have an ideal follow on to my last blog from just last week ‘Competing – It is never perfect‘ It has been an interesting week. I recently posted on my personal FB page that I am giving up competitive obedience for now, possibly permanently, time will tell and it was interesting to see the …

Competing – It is never perfect

Obedience competition – The ups and downs ********************************************************************************** Many people see our results and think that we just go out and do our thing and all goes well so I thought I would share how this day actually went as hopefully it will encourage others to give it a whirl and also to realise that …

I can do that!

Training for confidence I recently had a client join me for 121’s, she happened to choose Scentwork as her dog already loved to play ‘find it’ games at home so it seemed a natural progression. Her dog had recently had a traumatic experience and this had caused a loss of confidence in the dog and owner …

Tried and Tested

My clients already know this about me, its simple really, I dont recommend products, toys, treats and training that I haven’t tried and tested myself. Pet Remedy has not only worked for my dogs but for many, many dogs to whom I have recommended it. I am a stockists and orders will soon be easily …

Coming soon – Scentwork levels 2-4 !

Confidence boost for rescue

One of my latest 121 training sessions was with a gorgeous cocker spaniel rescue girl. She lacked confidence in general but especially when out and about. When seeing someone for a behavioural issue I don’t just look at that issues on its own but at the whole dog and environment, history etc is looked at …

Scentwork great for recovering dogs

My youngest recently had the misfortune of hurting a leg whilst tearing about having fun. Vet recommendation, anti-inflammatories and some rest. Now many years ago this would have scared the hoolies out of me but after many years of training I can finally take this in my stride! Scentwork is absolutely fantastic for recovering dogs …

Testimonial

Another lovely testimonial gratefully received.

About Canine Massage

Gait Analysis – Canine massage sessions begin with a comprehensive gait analysis of your dog. Gait analysis is the study of the movement of your dog and is part of what is used to assess, plan and treat. It will often show up the smallest of signs that might otherwise go unoticed and generally when …

Sometimes it’s ok to stop

Many of us dog owners are highly dedicated, I don’t mean in the sense of competing but in caring, loving and providing for our dogs. Some of that includes important things like daily food and exercise and some of that is also training time. Those who know me will know that I lost my mum November …

Rewarding or not

I find that one of the hardest concepts for students to grasp is actually one of the simplest. Isnt that often the way? The concept is the one of rewards. When we talk of rewards and what they are for your dog most dog owners have two responses, toys &/or treats. Yes toys and treats …

Obedience – what is it?

Many people use the term ‘obedience class’ to mean many, many different things, such as: Competition obedience – These should be about Learning and working with very precise movements and commands in order to later compete, usually in Kennel Club shows. Pet obedience – These tend to be about learning and working with general commands …

Jack of all trades, master….

This little phrase ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’ is one that I have pondered for some time now and I have been meaning to write a blog on it. Well this week I was introduced to 2 brilliant books and they just confirmed I needed to write this! Just as an FYI The …

Goodbye past, hello future!

This year has been a major one for me, for a start I lost my mum. Amongst other things I’ve had to let friends go which has been sad, for whatever reason they were not meant to be part of my journey going forward. I’ve said goodbye to my beloved cat after 16 lovely long …

Train without pain

I recently watched a post unfold on social media, this prompted me to write this short blog. So positive training, what isn’t it? Lets start with what too many people believe it is: Handing out to your dog an endless stream of treats Handing out those treats to bribe your dog to do what you …

Scentwork

Definition – Search: To try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly. Scentwork/Search work is fast becoming popular, it is simple thing to teach and great fun for your dog. Scentwork isn’t about pointing your dog to the object or showing it where you are hiding it, the clue is firmly …

Dogs Monthly Magazine – Featuring US!

As most of you probably know, we offer much more than just a training, we offer training, behaviour, pregnancy scanning and many holistic services such as: Animal communication Reiki Crystal healing Canine Massage Aura photography This month we are proud to have one of our canine holistic therapists in Dogs Monthly magazine, a lovely 4 …

Over Arousal / Reactivity

Most people now know that the physical effects of reactivity / stress / fear etc can last for up to 72hours after the event but what many people do not fully appreciate is the physical effects of over arousal. Over arousal is often put down to drive but isnt the same thing. Over arousal is …

Dog Law

So many people remain unaware of the changes that took place to dog law recently. Please take your time to familiarise yourself it could save your dogs life. Changes include your responsibilites at home and also the fact that a dog now only has to be seen to be a worry for action to be …

Keeping hot dogs cool

Summer finally looks to be rearing its lovely head and its a great fun time of year for your dogs but remember to take care too as with the heat comes a few added dangers to consider watching out for. Exercise – Take your dogs out early or late since these are much cooler times …

Stand up for what you believe in

We are our pets guardians, they do not have their own voice and it is therefore up to us to keep them protected and ensure they feel safe, we know this, yet sometimes it can prove difficult. Today I failed in that job and its led me to reflect just how hard it can be …

Can your trainer practice what they preach?

I recently came across the website of a fellow dog trainer. On their page they mentioned something that drives me crazy, I never tend to tackle it myself (until now) as I dont believe in putting down other trainers down because I think thats cheap tactics. Instead I prefer to talk about and show people …

Testimonial – Pet Remedy

Had opportunity to put the ‘Rescue Remedy’ you recommended to the test yesterday. Must say I think it did help my boy, Merlin. He is undergoing Hydrotherapy and seeing a Chiropractor, he stresses out badly. Yesterday I sprayed the back of my hand and had him keep sniffing it, after about 10 minutes he laid …

Change the emotions, change the dog!

Dare I say you may even be enjoying your new position and feeling quite proud of yourself and how well you are coping with the whole situation, its a whole new feeling and its positive! Now return to dogs, is it really fair that we expect different of them? Changing a dogs emotions will change …

Testimonial – Training – Prey Drive

Happy New Year! As you well know we work on our anti Fenton training all the time. Well we back in New Forest and this time I had no issue in popping him on the lead when I felt his prey drive to high and the others when off lead had 100% success using the …

When should I start training my puppy? NOW!

I often hear people proud they have taught their young puppy to sit, and yes, they should be, its great they are actively training their young puppy and discovering what it can do. Puppies are however, like sponges when it comes to learning and we often underestimate them. The moment you get your puppy home, …

What goes in……..

I dont normally blog about other things other than my dog here but I feel this post is most worthy. IT IS IMPERATIVE YOU FEED THE RIGHT FOOD FOR YOUR DOG ! My dogs are raised on a quality raw food diet and when I need to use a kibble (travelling etc) I feed a …

Testimonial – Rescue

Met Nina last night, she was very warm and welcoming, answered all my questions for making my good boy an even better good boy! Hopefully with the training she has given us will work a treat (excuse the pun) I will keep you updated! Thank you again Nina for taking the time to come help …

Thank you Pet Remedy

As a stockist of Pet Remedy I obviously believe in the product, I would never stock a product I did not have faith in. I wish to thank Pet Remedy for their kind gift of a small bottle of Pet Remedy for each of my newborn puppies. Each puppy will be going home with a …

What to expect of Canine Massage

Many moons ago I used to carry out human massage treatments (in my youth, so many moons ago indeed!). Something I have noticed is that people often thing that canine massage is similar in the way it is performed but it is not. When humans book a massage with a therapist that therapist will normally …

Congratulations!

Winner of our Pet Remedy competition is Lisa Coull! Congratulations!

Testimonial – Nail trimming fear

Just a quick update regarding Simba’s paw phobia…I have been working on de-sensitising him most days and this morning I managed to use the dremel to file down his claws! I didn’t think I would ever be able to that! I’m going to continue with his training to get him more comfortable with his paws …

Testimonial – 121 Training

Thank you for our brilliant 1-2-1 training session. We all got so much out of our time spent with you. We appreciate not only the specific training advice that we sought but all the other bits in between. We certainly have a lot to keep our clever WCS busy which is exactly what we all …

Looking forward to helping settle a puppy next week

I am very much looking forward to meeting a certain little puppy next week. His new owners are having some trouble settling him down for alone time and crate time. There are lots of different hints and tips to be shared and various methods that can help your pup cope with alone time and learn …

Bonfire night & fireworks

With fireworks night fast approaching, for those who have pets that do not cope it’s a time of dread. Below are short bullet points to consider at this time of year: Firstly remain calm yourself. Consider contacting a dog trainer or behaviourist for specialist advice/help. Please note all my contact details are at the bottom …

Club Show – Event

Had a great time hosting a joint Ki Communications (Holistic Therapies & Dog Walking) and Kalma (Dog Training, Holistic Therapies & Pet Remedy supplier) stand and was suitably busy with customers all day. Thank you to everyone who popped along to purchase or have a chat about what we both do!

Puppys first vet visit

So, you have your lovely new puppy at home and it’s time for that first visit for a check up and perhaps their first vaccination dose so what should you be thinking about before you go? Well firstly the car journey, depending on how your car journey home with your new puppy went, you might …

Testimonial – Dog walking

Thank you. Thank you for yesterday. It meant my Mum had a great day without working about the dog. Will be contacting you again when she is next over. Thanks again x E Cook

Testimonial – Pet Remedy

Nina suggested Pet Remedy to me as I had tried another leading brands Diffuser, Spray and Collar which sadly had no effect on any of my 3 dogs. I do think that the Pet Remedy Diffuser has made a difference in aiding to calm my dogs behaviour, along with other training tools such as a stuffed …

Testimonial – Pet Remedy mini spray

Hi, I just wanted to say that the spray worked brilliantly ? To be honest I wasn’t really sure that it would work but for the first time ever he jumped in the car laied down and had a nap. Didn’t cry, moan or shiver. Highly recommend the spray to anyone with a dog thats …

What is wrong with this?

What is wrong with this? LINK TO FB VIDEO There is nothing in this video to be laughed at. Had the dog wished to bite the child, in this given situation it could have and would have but it chose not too however that is not the point. I could merely share this video as …

Testimonial – Canine Massage

Would like to say a big thank you to Nina for helping to get summer back to fitness following a torn muscle. Moving much better now and back to playing with her daughter. Tracy B – South Woodham Ferrers

There’s a storm coming!

We’ve had such a year of them this year, year of what I hear you ask….storms! Storms can often cause dogs to exhibit fearful behaviour such as shaking, whining, drooling and desperately trying to hide or escape. I’ve had a few people contact me asking how they can help their dogs when the storms begin …

Testimonial – Training – Montys tail hasnt stopped wagging!

Thank you for our 1-2-1 yesterday, I don’t think Monty’s tail stopped wagging the whole time which is always a good thing! We came away having really enjoyed it too and have learnt lots, especially the confidence to show him things aren’t that scary really. We’ve just been for our first flat collar clicker walk …

Testimonial – Puppy visit

Thank you Kalma Training for your wonderful support with my New baby!! Look forward to the next session. T. RH

Testimonial – I am more exciting than squirrels !

What can I say since we started 1-2-1 Kalma Training we have successfully avoided previous ”Fenton” moments. We have remained controlled (and yes does apply to me and my dog) 1x squirrel (as well as deer this is his nemesis) 2x ducks that were flushed by an accompany spaniel and this spaniels owner calling him …

Testimonial – Behaviour – Highly recommended

Nina is a great teacher, happy to explain things several times over if needs be. She is very understanding and picks up on all the little messages your dog is trying to tell you. Great communicator and will keep you up-to-date with training dates and work around your schedule. She sets fun little tasks between …

Testimonial – Tailored Training

So good to see someone tailoring training to each individual dog and not applying a one size fits all protocol to every dog. Well deserved success xx Angela C – SWF

Testimonial – Fenton

Whilst ‘’Fenton’’ is not my dog we did have a very similar experience last Christmas with our WCS in the stunning New Forest. I will never forget the moment I saw my beautiful white then 20month old Spaniel having the time of his life as he flushed a herd of deer. I saw my husband …

Testimonial – Fantastic Trainer

Fantastic trainer, thank you for all for help yesterday we had a more peaceful evening last night and it seems to be going the same way tonight. I am really looking forward to our next session. Toni Reckhouse-Smith – Althorne

Testimonial – Training

Thankyou for our brilliant 1-2-1 training session. We all got so much out of our time spent with you. We appreciate not only the specific training advice that we sought but all the other bits in between. We certainly have a lot to keep our clever WCS busy which is exactly what we all thrive …

Testimonial – Fantastic BAT session

Just had a fantastic BAT session with Nina to help my boy – who had started to get wary of strangers approaching him after a traumatic experience. He responded amazingly well to the technique in such a short time. I feel we’re on the right road to solve the problem and give him his confidence …

Testimonial – Nina was fantastic with our new addition

Nina was fantastic when advising and helping us with our new addition. Marley was having difficulties with separation anxiety and with adjusting to using a crate, especially as bed time. Nina introduced both us and Marley to a clicker and the benefits of using the device. She enabled to gain a deeper understanding of why …