All Posts

One of the most common questions I’m asked as a dog trainer is: “How long will the training take?” “How many sessions do I need?” “How much will it cost to fix X, Y or Z?” They’re completely understandable questions — you want clarity, predictability, and a sense of what the journey ahead might look like. But the honest answer is this: There is no fixed number. Every dog is different. Every home is different. Every lifestyle, every routine, every goal — all different. So

Food drive is one of the most useful tools in dog training — but it’s not only about choosing cheese or chicken. While high‑value treats absolutely have their place, there are several other ways to increase your dog’s motivation to work for food. Here are six simple, effective strategies you can start using today. 1. Hand Feeding Hand feeding is one of my favourite training foundations. It allows you to portion‑control your dog with ease, ensuring they stay at their optimum w

Your Complete Guide to Dog Supplements 🐕💊🌿 Supplements can be a brilliant way to support your dog’s long‑term health, lifestyle, and specific needs. While a complete, species‑appropriate diet provides the essentials, supplements allow you to tailor extra support — especially for active dogs or breeds prone to deterioration conditions later in life. Prevention over cure. Below is your full, easy‑to‑follow guide to using, choosing, and loving supplements with confidence. Why

Hills I Will Die On… as a Professional Dog Trainer Some controversy here, I’m sure — but these are the things I will not budge on (for the moment anyway… humans can change their minds!) 🔥🐾 These principles come from years of training, rehabilitating, and living with dogs — and seeing firsthand what truly sets dogs and owners up for success. 1. Every Dog Should Be Crate Trained 📦🐶 Crate trained means your dog goes willingly into a crate, on command, and settles happily wit

So — you’re working on reducing reactivity in your dog. Well done you! 🐕💛✨ Before you dive into rehabilitation, there are a few foundational skills I recommend getting locked and loaded in your toolbox. It’s easy to feel eager to CRACK ON and focus solely on the problem (your dog reacting to other dogs or people). And while avoiding the problem won’t make it better, jumping straight in without preparation can mean you’re unintentionally practising reactivity — strengthening

Some thoughts I had recently were around the language we use to describe our dogs 🐕💭. For those of you who don't know, I used to live in Spain and have a degree in Linguistics and Spanish 🇪🇸📚 — so I’ve spent many hours studying semantics, etymology, grammar and the rest. I truly believe that the words we choose to use hold power, even if we aren’t always aware of it ✨🗣️. Temporary vs Permanent “Being”: A Linguistic Lens In Spanish, there is a verb for “being” as a tempo

As heatwaves become more frequent — not just this year, but likely in years to come — it’s important that we think beyond the usual advice of ice treats and early‑morning walks. While those are helpful, there are several deeper, often overlooked ways we can support our dogs’ wellbeing in hot weather. Heat can be genuinely challenging for dogs, especially those who are overweight, anxious, reactive, or carrying excess coat. The good news? There is so much we can do to make the

Co‑regulation is one of those concepts that sounds a bit “woo‑woo” at first… until you realise you’ve been experiencing it your whole life. And your dog has too. At its core, co‑regulation is the idea that emotion is energy in motion — and that energy can be transferred between beings who are close to each other. Humans do it. Dogs do it. All mammals do it. And once you understand it, dog training suddenly makes a lot more sense. 🌡️ You Already Know What Co‑Regulation Feels

⭐ Exclusive Discounts for the Priestlands Dogs community At Priestlands Dogs, we’re always looking for ways to support you and your dogs — whether that’s through secure field sessions, training, holistic care, or simply helping you choose products that genuinely make a difference. Many of you ask for recommendations on supplements, treats, training tools, raw food, trackers and more. So today, I’ve put together a list of brands I personally trust, use regularly, and see bril

Priestlands Dogs: Emma & Hildi’s Cupboard Essentials for Everyday Dog Care Every dog owner has those go‑to products they trust — the items they reach for when their dog needs a little extra support, comfort or care. At Priestlands Dogs, we’re no different. Over the years, we’ve built a small but reliable collection of essentials that we always keep stocked in our cupboard for our own dogs, and we’re often recommending them to clients too. These products help us manage everyth

🌼 Spring Has Officially Landed at Priestlands Dogs 🌼 As the days get brighter and the fields start filling with wildflowers again, our pups seem to get that extra spring in their step — and honestly, we’re right there with them. To celebrate the new season, we’ve rounded up our top spring picks . These are products we genuinely use, love, and recommend to our clients because they make everyday dog life easier, healthier, and a whole lot more joyful. Here’s what’s made our s