We often talk about dog training as if it's simply a matter of consistency, patience and practice. While those things are important, there is another factor that rarely gets discussed: The mental health of the person holding the lead. Depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, burnout, major life changes and everyday stress can all affect our motivation, confidence and energy levels. When you're carrying more than people realise, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. And when tha

Choose a side? If you've spent more than five minutes in an online dog training group, you've probably seen someone dramatically announce: "I only use positive reinforcement!" Followed by someone else replying: "Actually, that's impossible because all four quadrants are always present..." At which point three people leave angry comments, someone posts a picture of a wolf, and the original question about pulling on the lead is completely forgotten. Welcome to the wonderful wor