I have had a couple of recent interactions at the dog park recently where Alpha has had to be separated from other dogs, and it has left me feeling a bit lost about how to approach letting him play going forward. Both times involved intact males that were larger than Alpha and similarly confident/dominant play styles. When Alpha was “corrected” by the other dogs (because he was being annoying - trying to take their ball or in their face when they didn’t want to play) it turned into aggression and the dogs had to be separated. It seems to me like frustration more than any aggression, as there is no real biting or “attack” and once separated and taking a moment to relax, Alpha is eager to continue playing. He loves other dogs and plays so well with lots of other dogs, especially big high energy dogs. I used to be really comfortable introducing Alpha to new dogs, warning people he is excitable but not aggressive. These last couple of interactions have rocked me a little and I’m not sure how to best take this forward. I’m was thinking maybe I should start muzzling him, at least when playing with new dogs? Would love to hear your insights and suggestions.

We’re bringing the Walkys community together for a relaxed morning of sunshine, coffee, great conversation, and quality time with our dogs. Whether you’re a current Walkys member, a friend of a member, or simply love getting out with your dog, we’d love to see you there. 📅 Saturday 4th July ⏰ 8:00am 📍 Meet at Warilla Beach Café We’ll grab a coffee and head off for a casual walk along the beachfront pathway together. This isn’t a training session or a structured event. It’s simply an opportunity to: ☀️ Get some sunshine ☕ Enjoy a coffee 🐕 Spend quality time with your dog ❤️ Connect with like-minded dog owners 🧠 Support mental wellbeing through movement, fresh air, and community A few simple guidelines: • Dogs remain on lead throughout the walk • Bring treats and water for your dog • Respect every dog’s space • No retractable leads please • Friends, family, kids, and friends’ dogs are all welcome No bookings required. Just turn up, grab a coffee, and join us for a great morning with great people and great dogs. Your Dog’s Best Day, Every Day. 🐾❤️

Walk and Talk Q&A is happening LIVE at 10am today and it’s open slather. Anything goes. Got a dog that won’t settle? Pulling like a freight train? Selective hearing on recall? Reactive on lead? Whatever it is, bring it. Jump on live and ask your question in real time, get the answer straight away, and join in on what everyone else is working through too. This is where the gold happens. Can’t make it live? No stress. Drop your question in the comments below and I’ll cover it on the call for you. See you at 10am sharp 👊

Currently on a road trip with Alpha and can’t believe how well behaved he has been! He wasn’t a fan of his crate in this new environment (refusing to get in after a while), but we went back to basics with shorter distance and duration, plus some high value treats. While he still prefers to be around me, he is back to following “place” command and having dedicated downtime with less stress in the crate. He’s also had lots of interactions with other dogs - learning to be much more polite with his introductions and disengaging quicker when other dogs aren’t interested. I’m feeling so empowered and in tune with Alpha thanks to everything we have learned from the Walky’s team!

If you’ve ever felt stuck with your dog’s progress… this is the one to watch. We broke down: 🐾 Why your dog isn’t actually “not listening” 🐾 How learning really happens (hint: it’s not in comfort) 🐾 How to use “YES” and “AH” to create crystal clear communication 🐾 Real examples using crate & place training This is the shift most dog owners miss… and once you see it, everything changes. Full pdf attached below for you to dive deep into the rabbit hole with me! 👇 Now I want to hear from you: What clicked the most? What are you struggling with right now? Where do you feel your dog hits that “threshold”? Drop your questions below and we’ll jump in and help 🤝 Let’s keep building calm, clarity, and control together 🐾