"If we can get them through their puppy days with a sense of optimism because the encounters they have had have been good, then we have done our jobs and given them the best possible chance of growing into happy adult dogs."

Happy International Dog Day! 🐶 #dogs #dogsofbluesky #internationaldogday

There's heartbreak when we lose them, but a part of each dog we've loved and lost stays with us, so our heart becomes more and more 'dog' 💕

I'm about to hit 5k followers. So how about a give away? Like and repost this, and I'll enter everyone who does into a draw to win a full set of my British Fantasy Award nominated Empire of Ruin series! Good luck - I'll do the draw this Friday afternoon :)

Join us at the International Institute for Canine Ethics. Whatever your role, if you work with dogs, IICE is for you. Trainers, behaviourists, groomers, dog walkers, vet nurses, working in rescue - if you work with dogs in any setting, IICE is a perfect fit. Great CPD & support for all dog people 😊

If you live with a reactive dog & it feels like a struggle, this is just for you. A non-judgemental & understanding space to share your experiences, thoughts & feelings with others who get it. Direct message support from me also included. All for a monthly investment of £32. More at the link.

Be rude not to on an evening like this 🥰🌳

ANYWAY, I have way too many copies of Gods and Warlords so reskeet this, follow me and tell me the best name for a goat for a chance to win signed copies. I'll pick a winner next week. (UK and EU only*.)

Does your dog struggle with aspects of the world around them? Do they overreact to things that bother them, making walks and going out into the world difficult for you both? Then the Good Guardianship Reactivity Support Hub is designed just for you. For more details check it out on the website! 🐶

Are you a canine professional looking for ethical & reliable sources of CPD? If you work with dogs in any way the National Institute for Canine Ethics will be a great fit. Contact me at [email protected] to learn more! 🐕 #ethicaldogpeople #cpd #dogpeople #doglearning #dogcpd #ethicaldogpros

"What is important to consider is whether asking them to do that particular thing at that moment is fair and appropriate, and to think about how we actually show them what it is that we would like from them." #dogs #dogtraining #dogwelfare #dogcentred #dogbehaviour #caninebehaviour #happydogs

Me and the dog who changed my life - because of him I do what I do now 😊 #reactivedogs #reactivedogsaregooddogstoo #dogbehaviour #dogtraining #fearfree #dogwelfare

Chilly and slightly damp walk today, not that these guys cared in their coats! #dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #dogwalks #dogwalking #happydogs

"This is something that I used to feel a bit strange about, walking along the road or path, chatting to my dog. It’s a habit I’ve had for as long as I can remember. Whenever there is something out of the ordinary, or that might bother my dogs, I talk to them about it."

New harness day, and her first Perfect Fit harness! Although I nearly used her old over head one because of the mud 😂 (Her fluff makes it look like it's right under her elbow but it isn't, she's yak-like in places 🤣) #perfectfit #dogwalk #dogwalking #bordercollie #bordercolliesofbluesky #collie

Teefs! Sleepy puppy 😴🥰 #bordercolliesoftheworld #bordercollie #bordercolliesofblusky #sleepydog #dogs

Bit of log posing and treat searches for Rogue. Doesn't matter that it's grey & rainy when you take the sunshine with you 🥰 (Too peopley for Finn, we left him home in the dry) #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogwalk #dogwalking #winterdogwalks #woodlanddogwalks #dogparkour #dogposing #bordercollie #collie

They do love Tongue Out Tuesday 👅 #dogsofbluesky #dogs #tongueouttuesday #bordercollie #bluemerle #tribluemerle

Hello winter walking - not cold but damp and her thick coat takes ages to dry which means less time with damp dogs trying to snuggle 😆 Her first walk in a coat and in typical Rogue fashion didn't take a blind bit of notice 🥰 #dogsofbluesky #dogs #dogwalks #dogwalking #winter #wetdogwalks #doglovers

Rogue's face on being informed she cant have my food 😧😆 (I would share but it's not dog safe so I can't 🙁 - she was also fed before I got my food!) #dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #collie #pleasemayi #beggingpup #puppydogeyes #dogs

What a way to spend a lunch break 🥰 I love this little girl so much. She's always ready to come and keep me company. #dogsofbluesky #dogs #dogwalks #autumn #autumndogwalks #bordercollie

Think that migh be the right spot 😆 #dogs #dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #collie #doglovers #dogpeople

Counteracting Monday with throwback pics from last year and Rogue as a young puppy 🥰

Finn joining me to get some CPD with another dog course! (Check out the Canine Principles Black Friday sale here: www.canineprinciples.com/link/XQfqOm for some great courses for all levels of dog knowledge) #dogs #dogselfie #doglearning #learningaboutdogs #bordercollie #dogsofbluesky

Our dogs cannot speak for themselves so it's up to us to be their voice and make sure they are able to express themselves, that their voices are heard. #dogs #dogethics #ethicaldogtraining #doglovers #dogparents #dogpeople #dogsarefamily

Weather is not pleasant here today so here's a pic of Finn and Rogue both helping with a prewash cycle 😛 #dogs #dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #bordercolliesofbluesky #doglovers #dogsarefamily #cutedogpic #cutedogs #cutedogpictures

Thinking of learning more about dogs? Canine Principles have an amazing range of courses, from those for dog parents right to canine behaviourists. There's 30% off in the Black Friday sale! Click the link - your dogs will thank you! #dogs #dogcourses #doglearning www.canineprinciples.com/link/XQfqOm

Finn as a puppy, a gorgeous bundle of enthusiasm 🥰 #dogsofbluesky #dogs #puppy #bordercollie #doglovers

Put a spare dog bed on top of Rogue's (always open) dog crate and now she loves her bunk beds 😴 #dogsofbluesky #dogs #bordercollie #sleepydog

2 dogs with very different approaches to Friday nights 😆 ##dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #fridaynightvibes

Living in a house with a (very clever) adolescent dog can be very hard work, but just looking at her makes every single second worthwhile. 😍 #dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #prettygirl

My younger dog when informed it is not yet dinner time 😆

Wanting a behaviour from our dogs to stop is common. Sadly, there are so many 'trainers' who appear on television or have massive social media followings who will advocate using devices and methods that 'will stop it fast'. (🧵)

Study buddy is literally sleeping on the job! 😆😴

Is it just me or is this face totally irresistible? (This is his 'Is it dinner time yet?' standard pose. 🥹) #dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #hungrydog

Showing line Border Collie demonstrating the style and elegance of the breed... 😆 So sleepy! 😴🥰

Lazy Sunday for the senior collie dog 😍 #dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #collie #chilleddog #sundaydog

A minute of calm with a Border Collie in an autumnal English woodland 💕 #dogsofbluesky #bordercollie #dogs #dogwalks #autumn

My absolute heart 💕

It can be all too easy to look at a behaviour, particularly one that we find problematic, as an isolated thing that just occurs, or is put down to false and outdated ideas like 'dominance' or 'stubbornness'. (🧵)

Why might that 'quick fix' not be the magic solution that it appears it might? Read more in my article on Substack about why ethical, science-based trainers will not use aversive tools to train dogs. #forcefree #fearfree #ethicaldogtraining #nofearnoshocknoprong

Fun fact: If someone quotes a post of yours in a way that is unwelcome (as is commonplace on Twitter/X) there is a tool to combat the unwanted attention. Simply click the three dot menu on the quote post & click "Detach quote". This removes your post from their quote post. Useful to know, do share!

With connection comes trust and harmony and a relationship and bond with your dog that is so strong you will never want to live with them in any other way again. #dogs #goodguardianship #happydogs #doglovers #buildingthebond