Dog Training Blogs and Dog Training Tips

A group of dogs playing together on the day care floor at The Fairy Tails K9 Centre

Careers 4 July 2026

What Jobs Can You Actually Get With an Animal Management Qualification? An Employer's Honest View

An employer's honest view of animal management qualifications: where the animal care jobs really are, and the laws every dog professional works under.

Say no to cruel dog collars illustration — three dogs straining against a choke chain, prong collar and electric collar

Training Methods 10 August 2025

Why Dog Training Guarantees Can Be a Red Flag – The Truth About Quick Fixes and Archie’s Story

Learn why guarantees in dog training are unrealistic and risky. The injuries they can cause, and why positive reinforcement is the safest, most humane approach.

A Weimaraner relaxing on a leather sofa at the Fairy Tails K9 Centre

Behaviour 16 October 2024

Training is not working?

Dog behaviour is more than just a training issue — the owner plays the most critical role in shaping their dog's behaviour.

A young Labrador peering over a yellow stable door at the Fairy Tails K9 Centre

Training Methods 12 October 2024

Board and Train (Intensive Dog Training) Program

Why the Fairy Tails board and train programme is your dog's best path to success — consistency, repetition and a balanced, reward-based approach.

View across Greenwich Park towards the Old Royal Naval College and the Canary Wharf skyline

Health & Care 17 December 2023

Dog Parks in London: A Dog's Guide to the City's Green Spaces

London's Top Dog Parks

A group of dogs of all shapes and sizes looking up at the camera in the daycare yard

Puppies 22 November 2023

Puppy Daycare Benefits: Shaping Happy, Confident Canines

Introducing a puppy to daycare at a young age is a crucial step in nurturing well-rounded, sociable and joyful canine companions — building routine, socialisation, confidence and adaptability.

Behaviour 11 February 2023

Building a relationship with your dog

A good relationship requires knowing what you want as a handler and what the dog wants as a dog. Plan training for mutual benefit, combining the two.

Training Methods 8 February 2023

Certified Dog Trainer?

Dog training courses are an important aspect of professional dog trainers. However, education providers have yet to offer OFQUAL-registered courses for dog trainers despite this growth.

Behaviour 13 December 2022

Dogs reacting to the noises and activities that occur by the door

Some dogs that are unable to be left alone become worried if there is any activity at the door. Some fearfully aggressive, protective, or territorial doggies will respond when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door. This post describes the protocol for desensitisation and counterconditioning in dogs to noises and activities that can occur by the door.

Behaviour 6 November 2022

Frustration in dogs - dog training

Frustration is a negative emotional state implicated in a range of canine behaviour problems.

A dog being trained to overcome fear and anxiety

Behaviour 20 October 2022

Fear and anxiety in dogs

Fear is essential for survival. In a famine, the resource-guarding dog would live. The chaser can hunt more effectively. The territorial dog would guard the puppies. The fearful dog is the first to notify the group of danger. It flees, enhancing its chances of survival. Fearless wild creatures do not survive. We believe that "they should not be afraid," and we wish to "teach" the dog not to be afraid.

A relaxed tan dog sitting on grass, watching a hand signal from its owner

Training Methods 10 September 2022

Force-free trainers v Balanced dog trainers

Why are dog trainers only confined to two types – Force-free trainers v Balanced dog trainers?

A yellow Labrador lying calmly in an open wire crate

Puppies 11 April 2022

How to crate train your dog

Crate training your dog may take some time and effort but can be useful in various situations, giving your dog a safe place of its own.

A tan dog on a lead barking and lunging on an indoor training floor

Behaviour 3 April 2022

Fear anxiety - humans and dogs with CER

How a Conditioned Emotional Response (CER) is learnt, why it drives fear and anxiety in dogs, and how counterconditioning can change it.

Four dogs of different breeds barking, surrounded by colourful exclamation marks

Behaviour 20 March 2022

Dog Barking

Barking is one of various techniques of vocal communication used by dogs. To address a barking problem, you must first work out why your dog is barking.

A terrier playing tug of war with a colourful rope toy on the grass

Health & Care 20 January 2022

The importance of toys in your dog's life

Why dog toys are crucial for a dog's development, providing mental and physical stimulation, reducing destructive behaviour and encouraging rest.

A golden retriever puppy lying on grass, inset against a night sky full of fireworks

Behaviour 27 December 2021

How to desensitise your pet to fireworks

As their hearing is so acute, dogs can find fireworks and other unexpected loud noises stressful. Fireworks go off at irregular intervals, with no warning and no way of knowing how long the loud bangs and whistles will go on for. All of this triggers disorientation, anxiety and distress.

A freshly groomed white poodle-cross sitting on a grooming table with its head tilted

Health & Care 17 April 2020

Why dog grooming is important

A regular dog grooming schedule helps to maintain a healthy coat, help stop hair from matting and will help keep your pooch looking, feeling and smelling great.

A white dog pulling hard on the leash while being walked on grass

Training Methods 16 April 2020

Why your dog is pulling on the leash

What's a dog's opposition reflex? You may have heard that dogs have an opposition reflex but may be wondering what it's all about. To better understand this, let's take a trip back in history.

A bulldog eating an iced doughnut from a plate on a kitchen table

Health & Care 15 April 2020

15 Food items to avoid

As dog owners, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves on foods that may be beneficial to humans but are detrimental to our dogs — this list details the fifteen most frequent foods to avoid giving your dog.