Laura Wyllie Dog Training

The 1st of today's 1-2-1's was with little Monty. He was adopted from the Dogs Trust 3 months ago. He is nearly 9yrs old and very sweet. Monty has a few situations where he gets over aroused.... not unusual for Pug or Jack Russell breeds, and Monty is a mix of both. So todays session was about reading body language and rewarding calmness.

LWDT summer social is over for another year. There was plenty of laughter, silliness and a a touch of 💧 Thank you to everyone that joined us, I hope you enjoyed yourself. I'm not sure how mobile I will be tomorrow after proving I wasn't too old for the broom handle party trick 🤣

MORE AWARDS!! I have a few uncollected certificates and rosettes from last year. If the following people would like to join us at the summer social tonight, then we can present you with your certificate, and rosette.
Adult - Beginner Charlotte & Jackson... Ben & Bailey
Foundation Hannah & Scout Dan & Baxter Sarah & Bella
Progress Chelle & Olive
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An apology.....
I know there are a few people that are disappointed at not being able to book a training place with us at LWDT, in beginners, follow on classes or hoopers.
Please know that we try our absolute hardest to offer what we can for handlers, and dogs, of various abilities. We have those just joining us, those that have trained regularly for 6 plus years, and even those returning to train with a 2nd or 3rd dog.
... We are limited to days/times that we can use Dodford Hall, and the two hoopers venues that we hire. We are hopefully taking on an extra venue in September( as well as Dodford), which will hopefully give us more flexibility.
Our week currently consists of .. ..Monday & Tuesday at Dodford. Here we have two puppy preschool sessions, beginners (16 places) follow on classes ( 48 places) Wednesday Lifeskills ( 4 places) Thursday hoopers ( 18 places) Weekend hoopers workshop ( 10 places) Plus 1-2-1 sessions happen during the day on Mon, Wed, Thur and Friday and some Friday evenings and weekends, depending on when they are required.
LWDT has a fab team with Shannon doing the admin, Martin setting up/packing up sessions, Prue assisting in Dodford classes and Helen covering classes, and being there to give us two trainers for hoopers, and life skills.
We do NEED a field ( or a large barn big enough for us to offer everything under one roof) to enable us to offer more .. plus an extra day in the week 🤣 So if you know of a flat piece of land to rent, with vehicle access, please email admin@lwdt.info
In the meantime we will continue to offer what we can, and you can be happy in the knowledge that our classes are busy because our members enjoy it enough to keep coming back 😉
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Exciting award news!! Due to a shortage of rosettes, we have had some APDT Good Companion Awards outstanding. Certificates, and rosettes, will be presented during tomorrow's summer social...... another great reason to come along!
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS 🎉
... 🐾Adult - Beginner award to ... .. Chloe & Luna Ellie & Bella Lucie & Bonnie Angela & Chloe Jo & Bracken Chris & Sparkie Helen & Gnawer Jayne & Lottie
🐾Foundation award to... ... Ellie & Bella Lucie & Bonnie Helen & Gnawer Amanda & Charlie Caroline & Barney Sian & Sid
🐾Progress award to ... ... Claire & Mabel
Well done everyone, now onto your next level 😁
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Well done to Verity & Hermione for biting the bullet and entering your first Scentwork UK trial 🐾

It's been 3 years since we lost Casper, only months after losing Murphy and Bear, then 4 weeks later we lost Toddy 😢 It was a heart breaking time for us, and they were each very special and are deeply missed. Each dog teaches us something new, and the pleasure we get from having them definitely out weighs the pain of losing them. I often feel sad when people say they wont get another dog because of the heartbreak when you say goodbye. There are years of fun, love and laughter that are being missed out on not only by the person, but by a dog sat in rescue waiting for a forever home. Yes it's horrible to say our final goodnight, but they are so worth it 🐾

Vixie is staying with us for the weekend. As you can see, she is finding it very stressful 🤣
Does your dog sleep upside down? Post your tipsy turvy dog photos below.

Vixie is staying with us this weekend, and as you can see she is very stressed by the whole thing 🤣 Does your dog sleep upside down? Post your photos below.

After a much needed weekend of showers, it looks like the weather is going to be good for our summer social on Monday evening 🌞 An evening for LWDT members to come and socialise with other like minded people, without having to be focusing on your dog ( this social is for the handlers) Flore Playing Field, from 6pm. We will bring the bbqs , cooking utensils, music and the fun 😁 you need to bring everything you need for a bbq picnic, and camping chairs if you have them.

Here is a photo of puppy Tavi, when he attended our puppy preschool sessions.
Tonight I caught up with Tavi , after his owners won a one hr 1-2-1 with me from our dog show raffle draw. Tavi is now around 10 months old and is very typical of an adolescent, unneutered, cockerpoo ..... he thinks EVERYONE, dog and human, has been put on the planet to be his friend. So we revisited his basic training and how to put it to use in different situations. I forgot to take a photo of him tonight, but he is ridiculously handsome 🥰

"Yellow dogs" require space. So look out for yellow jackets, lead slips, bandanas, leads or even a yellow ribbon tied to the lead. That dog may be recovering from surgery, be in training, not like other dogs too close, or maybe it's scared of children. The reason isn't important, but the need for space is 🐾

Question of the day - What do you wish you had known before getting a dog ?Question of the day - What do you wish you had known before getting a dog ?

Sorry, hoopers handlers, but tomorrow night has been cancelled. Helen and myself have been carefully watching the forecasts, and although it seems to have dropped a bit, it's not enough to safely run the class and my air con unit doesn't work outside 😔 We have tried to think of ways around it, like focus on course running for handlers, course/exercise designing for those practicing at home, moving the 6pm class to join 7pm, but it would still be too warm ( including for me😜) Do not fear, this week will be added on. Stay cool ❄

UPDATE ON COURSE AVAILABILITY 🐾 Following our next course bookings going live last night, there are spaces on the following courses left:
🐶 GCA Monday Improvers 6.45pm - FULLY BOOKED... Monday Intermediate 7.45pm Monday Advanced 8.45pm Tuesday Mixed Ability 11.45am Tuesday Intermediate/Advanced 9pm- FULLY BOOKED
🐶 SCENT WORK Tuesday Beginners 8pm - FULLY BOOKED
🐶 REAL LIFE SKILLS Wednesday 7pm - FULLY BOOKED
🐶 HOOPERS Thursday Improvers 6pm Thursday Intermediate/Advanced 7pm Beginners Workshop Group 1 - FULLY BOOKED Beginners Workshop Group 2 - FULLY BOOKED
If you were planning on continuing your training with us, please book sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment! Courses are filling fast! 🙂
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Newsletter sent out last night! 📨
This newsletter is jam packed with details of LWDT membership, information on how to book your August GCA, Scent work or Hoopers follow-on training course, Hoopers beginners workshops, Real Life Skills courses, details of our summer social, and our brand-spanking-new website!

We've had 6 classes today, and all dogs and handlers have remained comfortable, even in this heat. Fresh water bowls, paddling pool, owners bringing cool mats, fan, enrichment and training exercises that didn't involve too much activity. Thank you to Martin for carrying the very bulky air conditioning unit into the hall, to help us all stay cool ❄ Well done to our beginners, who just completed their 7 week course this evening. They all made great progress, and I look forward to watching them progress as lots of them continue their training with us 🐾

Only one ring of the paddling pool was inflated, so it was easily accessible for all puppies, especially lil' legs Bailey 😍 We gradually built up all the puppies confidence, and they were soon snorkeling for treats.