Brockhill Dog Training and Behaviour

28/07/2025

Did you know we offer a comprehensive gait and posture analysis in your dogs home environment .
Take a look at our website for more details

27/07/2025

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNduEQhQT/

203 likes, 14 comments. “Think about it: 80% of dogs that had aggression issues had underlying pain and discomfort.”

24/07/2025

Our next 6 week puppy course starts on 17th August in Wansford.

This course books up fast so do contact us if you’d like a place.

23/07/2025

THE RECIPE TO CHANGE BEHAVIOUR

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a recipe or instruction manual that when followed would guarantee to solve the problems of each and every dog and every situation?

There might be a general template that we can use to begin with, but there cannot be a specific recipe or a cookie cutter approach to change behaviour effectively or ethically.

Each dog and each situation have different “ingredients” that need to be assessed and considered. There are just far too many variables involved to use the same recipe.

Genetics, history, life experiences, environment, the individual dog, as well as the guardian or family situation and commitment, will all be different and have to be taken into account.

This is why ethical, suitably qualified dog professionals will often answer a question someone asks about dog behaviour by saying “it depends”, because it really does depend on all the different variables.

There are no quick answers, no quick fixes and no specific, cookie cutter recipes to bring about successful, lasting behaviour change.

Stay well away from promises or guarantees that there are.

19/07/2025

🐾PUPPY TRAINING 🐾 HELD IN WANSFORD

We are the best at what we do and are properly qualified by acknowledged associations. (Let’s face it, it’s a minefield finding a trainer that actually has the right cridentials to train your beloved best friend). You can trust in our qualifications and the assessments to train that we undergo each year.

We don’t use harsh methods. Only quality experienced training. No gimmicks made to look like quick fixes. We look at the whole dog not just the issue.

Our Puppy Training Course includes our unique puppy sensory and socialisation and habituation elements.
Socialising your puppy is Not just about meeting other dogs. We cover all of your puppy’s early experiences to ensure that they have the correct training on our course.
You will receive help sheets alongside the course.

We also cover all of the training your puppy needs as well as help with common puppy issues
As a puppy expert, our comprehensive course ensures the very best start for your puppy as standard.

🐾Adult Dog Behaviour 🐾

🐾Pet dog gun dog course🐾 this course helps teach an emergency stop. And whistle training for recall

🐾NEW 🐾. Puppy training walks. Individual walks with a qualified trainer to help you acclimatise your pup to the outside world.
Our advice on what to do and more importantly, what not to do, at this young and crucial age is absolutely invaluable to help you have a well adjusted dog.

Pain and behaviour assessment included as standard for our behaviour work and training

🐾 Association of Pet Dog Trainers registered trainer and Assessor of people wanting to qualify as a trainer with the well respected organisation ,the APDT

🐾 Registered with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.

🐾 Many years experience working as a trainer for assistance and support dog organisations including the groundbreaking and elite Medical Detection Dogs as well as Veterinary Surgeries and dog rescues.

🐾 Qualified in behaviour and pain analysis. This is something only experienced professionals cover.

🦴 In a world where it seems a minefield choosing a dog trainer, why not request a FREE Discovery Call with us to see how we can help properly transform your dog’s behaviour and to unlock their potential.
We are the gold standard for dog training and behaviour in Peterborough and the surrounding area.

🦴 Head over to our page for dog training advice, details of what we offer or take a look at our website.

Effective training for dogs of all breeds and ages

18/07/2025

ARE YOU USING THESE AVERSIVE COLLARS TO TRAIN OR WALK YOUR DOG? WHY?

These are some of the aversive tools handed over to me by my clients👇

All these dogs had 'trainers' who recommended that their guardians use these collars to walk them, but somehow, years later, they are still struggling to keep their dogs below threshold and being less reactive when walking.

All these clients have switched to Y harnesses after our session and are working with their dogs on how to walk loose lead.

One of the dogs, Rosie a big rescue Lab, suffered a tracheal collapse after being continously yanked by her 'trainer' at a local dog school while she was being trained using a choke collar. Lucky for Rosie, she has caring and compassionate guardians who now know better and hence will do better.

Another Pittie was being trained using a prong collar. After countless yanking attempts which resulted in severe damage to his neck, he was pushed to his limited and hence bit his trainer. He was immediately labeled as aggressive. My assessment found him to be a loving and gentle soul with no malice in his body. I put a harness and long lead on him and he walked without pulling or lunging.

If you are using these horrid tools to control your dog, big or little, please WhatsApp to book an assessment so we can find alternatives to deal with the underlying emotional state like pain, fear, stress, excitement, being overwhelmed or over stimulated.

Remember, every dog is an individual with unique feelings and emotions. Remember that behaviour can be contextual. No tool can resolve negative feelings, so we must understand the WHY of any behaviour before training can commence.

Reconsider your choice of training professional if you are asked to get a collar like any of the above for your dog. Choose a 100% force-free free professional as opposed to charlatans giving your dog treats while punishing them.

Some links:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=563238065846759&id=100064817121250&mibextid=Nif5oz

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=561679549335944&id=100064817121250&mibextid=Nif5oz

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=294247449877270&id=100078760517479&mibextid=Nif5oz

11/07/2025

11/07/2025

WHY DOGS NEED TO CHEW

Did you ever wonder why dogs love to chew so much? They sometimes chew furniture, the couch, your shoes or your books!

In the the wild, they have to kill their prey and eat it. Grinding and gnawing on the carcass bones can clean tartar off teeth, while shredding and tearing aids in flossing for healthy gums. The dexterity needed to chew keeps the dog’s jaw, neck, and forearms well-muscled. So for our pet dogs, the need to chew is a hard-wired, healthy, normal dog behavior. The act of chewing is internally rewarding and brings our pet dogs much enjoyment. It also helps with boredom and mild anxiety relief.

Though our pet dogs may not be using their teeth as weapons anymore, it’s still important our pups chew for their dental health. Chewing is also a great outlet for extra energy in our dogs. Providing the proper chew toy can even help reduce mouthiness and nipping during puppy play, and prevent inappropriate and destructive chewing at home. Always supervise your pet when given a chew. If you have other dogs, pets, or children, be sure to give your dog a safe, quiet place to chew without being bothered.

Take away items that become too small and could be a choking hazard. Be proactive and prevent guarding behaviors by teaching your dog to “trade” for a treat when you take away bones and chews.

Consider the following types of chews:
- Frozen raw marrow bones. The enzymes from the raw marrow help break down plaque and tartar naturally.
Frozen raw bones are much less likely to splinter or crack than cooked bones. They last forever, and getting more chew action equals cleaner, healthier teeth, and a happier hound. They are inexpensive and accessible at natural pet food stores or local butchers.
- Tendon chews. All-natural and completely digestible. Inexpensive and flavourful. Tendons are especially great for extra flossing action.
- 100% natural beef or ostrich sticks. This is my personal favourite.

Avoid:
- Rawhides (bleached or flavored) as rawhides are not safe. Dogs can choke on these, get ill from them, not digest the rawhide completely and need surgery to remove it.
- Busy Bones. Contains every ingredient NOT to feed your pets. You will spend a lot of money for your dog to devour the whole chew in less than 5 minutes, then have mushy clay-colored p**p for 3 days.
- Greenies. Albeit better than Busy Bones, they still have very little nutritional content and encourage weight gain. Also, very expensive if given as recommended (daily).

Remember to always supervise any chewing, as with any other enrichment activities. Not all bones are appropriate for all dogs as some may damage their teeth due to being hard chewers. Cooked, smoked and prepared bones are a no no as they break and splinter easily.

What daily chewing opportunities do you afford your pet?

07/07/2025

🐾New Training Option🐾

Alongside our structured 6 week courses we are now offering a pay as you learn option.

If you struggle to commit to a 6 week course or if your dog only needs to brush up on a few skills, then this is an ideal way to train with us.

You will be able to book as many sessions as you wish.

Details on our website SOON

21/06/2025

The magic loose lead walking tools - Slip leads, grot collars, choke chains and prong collars 😡

Some dog trainers (i say "trainers" but its an unregulated industry so there are those with no actual education, or experience that call themselves "dog trainers) that will use, or recommend to use these torturous tools, because its a quick fix, which they "think" makes them look good.

But there is NO MAGIC!
JUST PAIN, AND DISCOMFORT
The dog just learns how to avoid this pain and discomfort by shutting down.

(What kind of person would want to intentionally cause pain and discomfort to a family member?)

But its not just the physical pain and discomfort, or the emotional pain and trauma, there is also a lot of physical damage these tools can do.

A dogs neck is a very delicate part of their bodies!

The neck and cervical spine contain the spinal cord, this is where the nerves of the front legs originate. Excessive paw licking is quite often misdiagnosed as allergies when it is in fact pain.

Putting stress on the neck can cause painful disc damage and shoulder problems

One of the most important structures of the nervous system "The Vagus Nerve" originates at neck level and this controls life essential organs like lung, heart, stomach, and intestinal tract.

The Thyroid gland is located in the neck. If this gets inflamed the immune system trys to remove the inflamed cells.
The destruction of the Thyroid gland cells can lead to hypothyroidism

Increased pressure put on the Jugular vein can cause seizures
Ear and Eye issues are significantly increased

Being je**ed on a lead causes whiplash and bruising.

The epidermis of a dog is only 3-5 cells thick
A humans is 10-15 cells thick (prong collars HURT)

Unfortunately there are some dog trainers that dont care if their results hurt or worry the dog.
All they care about are their own egos and money, not the welfare of the dog.

No educated, positive trainer would ever use or recommend these tools.
Please advocate for your dogs. Dont be a yanker, and find a trainer with ethics, morals and compassion

A well fitted Y shaped harness is the safest and kindest peice of equipment to use on a dog.

17/06/2025

GUNDOG FOR THE PET DOG is now enrolling again

This course has been extremely popular since we started to run it.
Make sure you’re first to get your place, they go quick!

🦴 The course will teach your dog memory skills, direction cues off lead, to retrieve multiple items, to retrieve with distractions, a send away to a mat or area, to hold and release an item, to stop when off lead.

🦴 This a great course for dogs with predatory behaviours.

🐾 As usual, our places will be limited to create an individual feel to the support you receive. And, for now, we are only accepting dogs that have been on our training courses or had home training in the past.

The perfect course to progress your dog

Please email brockhilldogs@aol.com. And we will send across the registration info.

Gun dog training for the urban dog is already really successful.
Don’t miss out! If you don’t think your dog is ready, email for a chat. As you know, our courses have modifications for each training exercise as we know dogs learn at different paces.