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Your Dog Doesn’t Suck—They’re Just Learning

2/13/2025

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Don't bite — Your Dog Doesn’t Suck — They’re Just Learning

It’s frustrating to see large, commercially-driven pages resorting to inflammatory language to sell their products or services. Phrases like “Your dog sucks at walking” may grab attention, but they come at a cost—they chip away at the bond between you and your dog.

Let’s be clear: your dog doesn’t “suck” at anything. Dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk politely on a leash, respond to cues, or adapt to human expectations. These are learned skills, and every dog learns at their own pace. What’s often labeled as “bad behavior” is simply a dog communicating, exploring, or even struggling with something deeper, like fear, frustration, or discomfort.

Some advice from these pages also oversimplifies the reality of training. For example, holding out a spoon of peanut butter isn’t a magic wand to make your dog walk perfectly on a leash. Sure, it might help in some situations, but lasting success comes from understanding your dog’s emotions, motivations, and the reasons behind their behavior. Effective training takes time, patience, and consistency—not quick fixes.

Using language like “your dog sucks” reinforces feelings of guilt and frustration for guardians. It paints your dog as a problem to be fixed rather than a companion who needs guidance, patience, and understanding. The truth is, training and behavior challenges are opportunities to strengthen your relationship, not proof of failure.

So next time you see a flashy ad claiming your dog is doing something wrong, remember: your dog isn’t “bad” or “broken.” They’re just trying to navigate the world with the tools they have—and it’s our job to help them. Instead of criticism, let’s focus on building trust, teaching with kindness, and celebrating progress, no matter how small.

Your dog isn’t failing. They’re learning—and so are you.


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Why Choose an Online behaviour Package?

2/1/2025

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Taking the first step to support your dog’s behavior can feel overwhelming, but I’m here to guide you every step of the way. My consultation package is designed to be straightforward, supportive, and focused on creating positive changes for both you and your dog.

🐕 Tailored strategies for your dog’s unique needs

🌍 100% online – accessible from anywhere and you can use our world time buddy converter widget on the website!

📚 Includes a consultation pack + included with your Consultation Pack is a Medical Pack (Costs £10 as a stand alone!) + an exclusive Dropbox folder just for you and your dog!

🐾 Initial Consultation: We’ll begin with a relaxed, in-depth chat about your dog’s history, current behavior, and daily routine. This helps me get the full picture so we can focus on what really matters to you and your dog.

Recording and transcript: each consultation will be recorded and sent to you alone with a transcript of what we discussed.

🐾 Personalized Plan: After our session, you’ll receive a clear, step-by-step plan tailored specifically to your dog’s needs and your goals. No jargon—just practical advice that works for your lifestyle and step by step video tutorials.

🐾 Supportive Resources: You’ll also get helpful tools like journals and trackers to make it easy to monitor progress and celebrate wins along the way.

The Medical Pack is a comprehensive tool designed to help you track your dog’s health and behavior changes effectively. This helps us to work with your vet to rule out pain or health issues that might be contributing to your dog’s behavior.
Most people are shocked when we suggest a veterinarian check however Mills, et al (2020) found 80% of dogs presenting with new behaviours were actually experiencing pain and or unwellness. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/2/318

It includes:

✅ Simple forms to share key observations with your vet.
✅ A checklist of things to discuss with your vet, so nothing gets overlooked.
🩺Helsinki Pain Scale: To monitor pain levels in your dog and ensure their comfort.
🩺 Behavior & Wellness Trackers: Keep an eye on your dog’s progress and identify patterns.
🩺 Vet Collaboration Tools: Simplify communication with your vet, ensuring they have all the information needed to support your dog.

This invaluable resource gives you the tools to stay organized and informed about your dog’s overall well-being — included at no extra cost with your consultation package and the confidence to communicate with your vet and other professionals involved in your dog's care as an individual.
Use the included Helsinki Pain Scale to assess your dog’s discomfort, keep video records for professionals, and understand how physical issues could be affecting their behavior.

Plus, you can store your dog’s medical notes, vet visits, hydrotherapy details, and more in one place, ensuring a collaborative approach from your dog’s multidisciplinary team.

Inside the journal package, you’ll find everything you need to monitor key factors like eating habits, sleep patterns, and exercise levels. Identify potential changes in your dog’s behavior and explore what may have triggered them.
This pack is all about making sure your dog’s health and happiness are fully supported. Most guardians find it really helpful for improving communication with their vet—and many vets appreciate it too!

💡 Backed by positive, science-based methods

Packages

📩 Book Now
🍪 1 Session: £75
🍪 5 Sessions: £350 (save £25!)

Take the first step toward a happier, connected dog!

📧 Email [email protected] to book now.
🌐 Visit: www.muttsnmischief.com
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Or are you looking for support and would like to get to know us better?

If the answer is yes then click the image below to join my free facebook group. What is Mutts & Mischief Community!
​
​So it is what it says on the tin! Its a community that is international of clients and colleagues with the most supportive and friendly people on the planet. Dog Trainers and behaviourists from all over the world!

Why did I set up such a mammoth group?

​I wanted to have a group exclusively for clients. For support and build on friendships from classes or individual consults. I want clients to see you are not alone with your dog and the problem you maybe having that you are not the first and won't be the last! I wanted a safe place where clients could trade stories good and bad in one place for free!

I also wanted a safe place for the trainers and behaviourists I mentor too.

Why do this for free?

Because when I say I offer an holistic service I really do. It isn't about the money it is about you and your dogs. You and your dogs are all that matter.

​So I wanted to encourage people to do homework and build better quality relationships with their dogs. So 5 years ago I had a mad idea and set up the 100 days of dog training challenge in 2019. Once a day people would spend 5 minutes plus training their dog. Recording it and uploading their video onto the community. Every participant received a certificate.

​What I didn't count on was how many professionals wanted to join and how fast word would spread. So in 2020 I set up a 366 days of dog training challenge.
​
We have clients in America, Greece, Norway, Denmark and Spain. We have Trainers from Greece, Norway, Isle of Wight, America and many more countries. As well as dog trainers and trainee behaviourists: I mentor all over the world.

​So yes this group is free. It is still primarily for clients and for people to get to know me but we now have Pawsitive Wednesdays running, where I share a narrated free video tutorial for you to try with your dog and all are welcome to upload their video to the group for support from members!



What are you waiting for? Come and join us!!
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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services, Classes and Prices
  • Books
  • Seminars and Workshops
  • Peritis absurdus Canis Familiaris Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reviews and Testimonials
  • Mutts & Mischief Blog
  • Shock collar ban
  • Stream for MInd