Your guide to a happy, confident wildpaw
Welcome to our resources hub! Here, you'll find helpful tips, answers to common questions, and hand-picked recommendations to support you and your dog on your journey together. Let's nurture their wild spirit and strengthen your bond.
Unlocking their potential: practical tips for your pup
Empower yourself to nurture your dog's wild spirit while building calm confidence and stronger bonds. These tips draw from positive reinforcement principles, real-world dog walking experiences, and common challenges.
General positive reinforcement tips: Timing is everything! Give treats, praise, or play the instant your dog does something good (sit, loose-lead step, calm glance). Keep sessions short and fun — 5–10 minutes a few times a day beats long, frustrating ones. Ignore unwanted behaviour (when safe) — for jumping or attention-seeking, turn away or walk off briefly. Reward the calm alternative.
Walking & adventure tips: Let them sniff! Allow plenty of nose time on walks — it tires them out mentally. Practice loose-lead in low-distraction spots first, rewarding every few steps of slack lead. Carry essentials like high-value treats, poop bags, and water.
Tips for reactive or sensitive dogs: Create distance from triggers so your dog stays under threshold. Teach a "check-in" cue, rewarding eye contact or turning toward you. Be patient and proactive; progress is step-by-step.
Puppy-specific advice: Socialise gently and positively during the key window (8–16 weeks). Redirect mouthing/biting to toys. Build independence early with short alone times and enrichment.
These tips are simple starting points — every dog is unique, so what works best often comes from tailored guidance. If something resonates or you're facing a specific challenge (pulling, reactivity, puppy zoomies?), our free consultation is a great place to chat about it without pressure. We're here to help every step of the way! 🐾
Your questions, our answers: common queries explored
Here are the most common questions clients often ask us at Wildpaw Pathways about their dogs, behaviour, training, or walking services. If your question is here (or similar), know you're not alone — and our free consultation is always a great next step for personalised advice!
About training methods & philosophy: What methods do you use — is it force-free / positive only? Yes, we use only positive reinforcement — rewards like treats, praise, play, and toys to encourage good choices. How long will it take to see results? It varies by dog, consistency, and issue — often noticeable shifts in 4–6 sessions for basics, deeper changes in 2–4 months. Do you use treats forever, or will my dog obey without them? Treats are a powerful starter tool, but we fade them gradually, so dogs learn the behaviour itself is rewarding.
About specific behaviours: How do I stop my dog from pulling on the lead? Reward loose-lead moments generously, change direction when they pull, and let them sniff. What can I do about reactivity (lunging/barking at dogs/people/noises)? Increase distance from triggers, reward calm focus on you ('check-ins'), and build positive associations. Why does my dog jump up / mouth / get over-excited when greeting? Teach an alternative (sit for greetings), reward calm, and ignore jumping. How do I improve recall / get my dog to come when called? Start in low-distraction spots, use high-value rewards, make coming fun, and never punish for slow returns.
About puppies & early training: When should I start socialisation / training with my puppy? Right away! The critical window is ~8–16 weeks. How do I stop puppy biting / mouthing? Redirect to toys immediately, reward toy use, and pause play if teeth touch skin.
About walking services: What's the difference between group walks and solo/one-to-one? Group walks are great for social dogs; solo walks offer full attention for focused work. Do walks include training, or just exercise? Our walks blend both, weaving in loose-lead practice, recall games, and calm settling.
These are the questions that pop up most — they show how much owners care about doing right by their dogs. If one of these matches your situation (or you have something different), drop us a message or book the free consultation. We're here to listen, answer honestly, and help find the right path for your pup — no judgement, just support. What's the top question on your mind right now? 🐾
Beyond our pathways: recommended resources
Here are some helpful recommendations we often share with dog owners — things that complement our positive, force-free approach and help support your pup's well-being, training progress, and everyday adventures. These are general suggestions based on what clients find useful (no affiliations or sponsorships implied — just resources that align with kind, effective methods).
Positive reinforcement training resources: Books — Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor, The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller, The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell. Apps & online tools — Zigzag puppy app for new puppy owners, Gundog app (by Ben Randall) for recall/focus, and websites like the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) UK or Victoria Stilwell Positively for free articles.
Recommended products & gear: Training treats — High-value, small, soft treats like Natures Menu Meaty Treats or plain cooked lean meat. Harness & lead setup — Front-clip harnesses (e.g., Ruffwear or Julius-K9) with a treat pouch. Interactive toys & enrichment — Puzzle toys (Kong, Nina Ottosson), lick mats, or snuffle mats. Clicker — A simple tool for precise marking of good behaviour.
Dog-friendly places & general support: Local & national dog-friendly directories — Check sites like BringFido or PetsPyjamas. Assistance dogs support — Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) coalition. Vet & health check-ins — Always consult your local vet first for any sudden behaviour changes.
These are go-to suggestions that fit seamlessly with our philosophy: focus on kindness, fun, and building trust. If any of these spark questions (e.g., treat ideas for a picky eater or app recommendations for puppies), or if you're dealing with a specific challenge, mention it in your free consultation — we'd love to tailor advice to your pup! What resource or tip would be most helpful for you right now? 🐾