Fun Dog Training in Manchester & Salford
Helping dog owners achieve a happier life with their dogs through fun games based training that gets results
Are you struggling with issues like loose lead walking, recall, or reactivity?
If you'd like to avoid a boring sit and stay training package, you're in the right place.
Games based training solves real problems and gets to the heart of the issues you're having - while creating the solutions you need all through play.
At Lead & Follow Dog Training I work alongside you to help you live more harmoniously and solve the issues stopping you from having stress-free adventures together - so you can enjoy life with your dog.
Sessions can be in person if you are in the Greater Manchester area, or online via zoom if you're further afield.
What is Games-Based Training?
Games-based training is all about having fun with your dog, preparing them for situations in which they currently struggle by teaching them the skills they need to work on.
One example would be nervous, dogs who show anxiety out on walks - in many cases these dogs lack confidence, so by playing confidence-building games at home and building up to playing them outside and on walks, we can grow their confidence in those scenarios, so they’re better equipped.
We’re growing their brains in such a way that they develop the skills they need to behave appropriately day in, day out.
Why Games-Based training?
Learning doesn’t happen in the moment. Imagine you’re at a theme park and you want to teach your young child their 12xtable so you can use the time in the queues to practice it.
If they are excited to get on a rollercoaster and start running towards the entrance to the ride and you start trying to teach them their 12x table, that’s not going to go well.
But if you teach them that at home in a calm environment, then ask them to repeat that in the queue, you’re going to have much more success.
It’s the same for our dogs.
If your dog is super excited to be at the park, and running around sniffing all the grass, and the trees - and you think “now would be a good time to call their name and see if they come”.
Well they probably won’t.
But if you play games to grow their recall outside that exciting scenario, when the time comes to test out that skill at the park, they’re more likely to be able to listen and come when called. And that's because they’ve rehearsed it outside the stressful environment and it’s almost second nature to them - so it's easy to do.
What kinds of problems can game-based training solve?
Games-based training can help with issues such as:
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Reactivity - barking/lunging at dogs/people/cars...
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Loose-lead walking - preventing pulling on lead
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Recall - teaching your dog to come when called
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Settling - teaching your dog to settle at home and out and about
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Crate training - creating a safe place for your dog to settle
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Vet and groomer visits - helping with fear during vet visits
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Barking at the door or neighbours in the garden
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Confidence building - helping nervous dogs to thrive
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So much more - message me to discuss your particular issue if it's not listed!
How does it work?
Once you book a consult, I’ll email you a questionnaire to complete to give me an idea of what you want to achieve and the skills we need to work on.
At our initial meeting (usually in your home) I’ll show you the games to play with your dog each day, and follow up with a written plan by email. Then you get to have fun with your dog for a minimum of 10 minutes each day, playing the games and growing your bond together.
You can message me videos of the games/your progress and I’ll reply with any feedback to keep you on track. How often we meet after that is up to you and what you want to achieve, and can either be at your home, out on a walk or a mixture of the two. I’d usually recommended a minimum of 3 weeks between sessions to give your dog the chance to learn the games and see an improvement.
Tabby
"Really great setup for reactive dogs, and I very much recommend giving it a go!!"
Sam
“Before booking I was a little worried because Rodney can be a little anxious and reactive in some situations but Janet sent us a really comforting email before we booked and made us feel really welcome.”