At-home training

At-home Training Top Tips

Friendly, beginner-level guidance you can use between sessions. Take it slowly, keep it kind and stop before anyone gets frustrated.

Tip 1

Keep sessions short and finish positively

A few minutes, several times a day, beats one long session. Stop while your dog is still enjoying it so they are keen to start again next time.

Tip 2

Timing does the teaching. Mark the moment your dog gets it right with calm praise or a small treat, rather than a few seconds later.

Tip 3

Agree the words and the rules with everyone at home. Dogs learn fastest when the answer is the same whoever is asking.

Tip 4

Start indoors, then a quiet garden, then a safe enclosed space before anywhere distracting. Make coming back worth it every single time.

Tip 5

Low-distraction places make loose-lead walking much easier to learn. Reward your dog for walking beside you before adding busier environments.

Tip 6

Calm is a skill too. Notice and reward the moments your dog chooses to relax on their bed or mat.

Tip 7

Puppies need a lot of sleep. Plenty of downtime prevents them becoming overwhelmed and overtired.

Tip 8

Add distance, duration or distraction one at a time. Expecting too much too soon is the most common reason training stalls.

Every dog is different. If you are struggling, unsure where to start or want a plan tailored to your dog, contact Tom for professional support.

No online booking and no payment forms — just a friendly chat about what your dog needs.