SkellyWags Dog Training Kent

You might be reading this with a puppy asleep on your foot, wondering how something so small has created quite so many questions. Or perhaps your dog is a little older and walks have started to feel like an upper-body workout you never signed up for.

You might simply fancy trying something new together. Your dog doesn’t have to be struggling for training to be worthwhile.

There is plenty of dog training advice available, but knowing where to start can feel surprisingly difficult. Before teaching another behaviour or buying another bit of equipment, I like to ask: what would make everyday life a little easier or more enjoyable for you and your dog?

At SkellyWAGS in Old Romney, on Romney Marsh, that gives us a useful starting point. From there, we can choose skills, activities and an environment that suit the individual at the other end of your lead.

Puppy training: start with the life you share

It’s understandable to want to teach a new puppy everything immediately. Recall, lead walking, settling, not borrowing your slippers with their teeth. The list grows quite quickly.

However, puppies are also learning what feels safe, how to communicate and whether the humans in their new home make sense.

Start with small, manageable moments. Reward your puppy for checking in with you. Give them comfortable places to rest. Practise coming when called over a short distance indoors, when they’re likely to succeed. Help them experience the world at a pace they can cope with, with opportunities to observe without having to greet everyone.

Socialisation doesn’t mean meeting every dog in the county. Watching something from a comfortable distance can be a valuable experience too.

Our puppy training classes in Old Romney help you build practical foundations and understand the puppy in front of you. You certainly don’t need to arrive with everything already sorted.

Loose lead walking: make the first few steps achievable

If your dog pulls on the lead, begin by looking at the whole walk. Are they excited to get somewhere? Worried about something behind them? Following a smell? Is the environment simply more difficult than the places where you’ve practised?

A loose lead is a skill we teach. It isn’t something dogs automatically understand because we’ve attached one.

Choose a quiet place and reward your dog for being near you while the lead is loose. Begin with a step or two, reward, and gradually build from there. Make your rewards easy to deliver without pulling your dog into position.

Allow time for sniffing as well. A walk can include learning to move together and opportunities to investigate what the dog finds interesting. Those aims can work together.

If practice keeps turning into a struggle, make the task easier: a quieter location, a shorter session or a little more distance from distractions. Our Life Skills classes offer support with everyday skills, including lead walking, recall and settling.

Recall training: build a reason to come back

Recall is about helping your dog learn that returning to you is worthwhile, even when the world offers some very persuasive alternatives.

Start somewhere easy. Say your recall cue once when your dog is likely to respond, then reward generously when they reach you. Food, play and being released to explore again can all be useful rewards, depending on the dog and the situation.

Try to avoid making every recall mean the fun is over. Sometimes returning can lead to a treat and another opportunity to sniff.

Use suitable management while your dog is learning. A secure space or a long line attached to a well-fitted harness can help you practise while protecting your dog and others. Choose somewhere the line can be used safely, away from roads and hazards.

If your dog struggles to return around other dogs, wildlife or exciting smells, work at an easier level first. Repeating the cue more loudly rarely makes the squirrel less interesting.

Scentwork: give that remarkable nose an opportunity

Scentwork is a lovely option if you want something enjoyable to do together, whether your dog is confident, cautious, young or older.

For a simple introduction, place a few pieces of your dog’s usual food or suitable treats in an easy-to-search area and let them investigate. Start with visible, straightforward finds on a safe surface, away from other animals who might compete for the food. There is no need to turn your living room into an airport security exercise on day one.

Let your dog choose whether to take part, and give them time to search. If they struggle, make the next search easier.

Searching gives dogs opportunities to use natural behaviour, make choices and solve manageable problems. It also gives us practice at watching rather than stepping in with helpful instructions every three seconds.

Our scentwork classes and individual training offer ways to develop those skills at the Scent Shed, field and search areas in Old Romney. Contact me before booking if your dog needs extra space or support.

Classes or 1-1 training: which suits your dog?

A small group can be a lovely place to learn when your dog feels comfortable enough to take part. Individual sessions give us more flexibility over the environment, pace and activities.

Neither option is a measure of how well you or your dog are doing.

Our 1-1 dog training sessions can help with recall, lead walking and everyday challenges. They can also be about enjoyment: scentwork, hoopers, confidence-building activities or trying something new.

You don’t need to wait until things become difficult to ask for help. Equally, there is no need to invent a training problem to justify spending an enjoyable hour with your dog.

Frequently asked questions about dog training

What age should I start training my puppy?

Gentle learning can begin as your puppy settles into your home. Focus on safety, rest, trust and short, rewarding activities. For group classes, check the course’s age and vaccination requirements, and ask your vet if you’re unsure about safe outings.

Is my dog too old to learn?

Older dogs can continue learning and enjoying new activities. We adapt the pace, environment and physical demands around their comfort and needs. If behaviour changes suddenly or movement seems uncomfortable, speak to your vet before treating it as a training issue.

How long should a training session be?

Start with a few enjoyable minutes, or even a few successful repetitions. Watch your dog rather than the clock. If they become tired, frustrated or distracted, pause and consider whether the task needs adjusting.

Why does my dog listen at home but struggle outside?

Outside brings different smells, sounds, movement and emotions. A skill learnt in the kitchen needs practice in other places, starting with manageable distractions. It doesn’t mean your dog is deliberately ignoring you.

Can a nervous or reactive dog enjoy scentwork?

Potentially, yes, when the setup suits them. Some dogs need individual sessions, more distance or a quieter environment. Scentwork isn’t a cure for anxiety or reactivity; contact me so we can discuss an appropriate starting point.

Where does SkellyWAGS dog training take place?

Our main venue is Waggy Tails Field in Old Romney, Romney Marsh, Kent. It includes a secure training field, meadow pathways and the Scent Shed. Check the details for your chosen session, as some training takes place elsewhere.

How do I choose a class or book a session?

You can view our current classes, courses and workshops, or get in touch and tell me about your dog. If you’re unsure, we can work out a suitable option together.

Start with one thing that matters to you

You don’t need to fix everything this week. Pick one achievable starting point: a few comfortable steps together, a rewarding recall, a simple search or a quiet moment watching the world.

Training should help you understand your dog and enjoy the life you share. There will be wobbles, changes of plan and days when an interesting hedge has considerably more pulling power than you do.

That’s something we can work with.