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Dog training blog

Plain advice on puppies, residential training, behaviour problems and the breeds we see most, newest first. Every post is written by Alex Cooper, who has worked with over 10,000 dogs in more than 15 years.

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German Shepherd playing tug with its handler in a field

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  • Residential

    Residential dog training, week by week

    Residential dog training week by week: settling in, daily sessions, real-world outings and the handover on a three-week course with Alex Cooper. Read on.

  • Reactivity

    Reactive dog on walks? What helps

    Reactive dog on walks? Why dogs bark and lunge on the lead, the mistakes that make it worse, and kind steps that help. Read Alex's guide.

  • Puppies and teens

    How to stop puppy biting and nipping

    How to stop puppy biting: why puppies bite hands, ankles and sleeves, what makes it worse, and the routine that stops it in a few weeks. Read on.

All posts, newest first

  • Black German Shepherd watching its handler in a field

    Breeds

    Cockapoo recall and lead training

    Why Cockapoos lose their recall when they catch a scent, why they pull on the lead, and what fixes both. Read Alex Cooper's advice for Cockapoo owners.

    5 min read

  • German Shepherd lying down and looking up at its handler on a sandy parade ground

    Training kit

    Crate and travel kit for a dog flying abroad

    What your dog needs to fly abroad: the right travel crate, something that smells of home, and crate training first. Read the checklist.

    2 min read

  • Golden Retriever relaxing on a raised place bed in a field

    Residential

    Dog holiday stays for trained dogs

    Dog holiday stays for trained dogs: going away without undoing the training. Past residential dogs can come back to Alex. Read how it works.

    5 min read

  • Black German Shepherd portrait, relaxed with its tongue out

    Breeds

    How I train German Shepherds

    How Alex Cooper trains German Shepherds, from the trainer who won a World Championship with one: puppies, teens, pulling, barking, guarding. Read on.

    6 min read

  • Golden Retriever lying on a raised place bed, close up

    Residential

    Choosing a residential dog trainer

    How to choose a residential dog trainer: nine questions to ask before you book board and train, the red flags, and what a good answer sounds like. Read on.

    5 min read

  • Golden Labrador puppy settled calmly on a raised bed

    Puppies and teens

    How to crate train a puppy

    How to crate train a puppy: choosing the crate, the first nights, building time alone, and what to do when your puppy cries.

    4 min read

  • German Shepherd lying on a raised bed, mouth open, looking at the camera

    Reactivity

    How to stop a dog barking

    How to stop a dog barking at the door, in the garden, at other dogs or when left alone. Find the cause first, then the fix that works.

    4 min read

  • Black German Shepherd focused on its handler in a field

    Lead walking and recall

    How to stop a dog pulling on the lead

    How to stop a dog pulling on the lead: why your dog pulls, why the harness did not fix it, and the method that gets a loose lead in weeks. Read on.

    6 min read

  • German Shepherd puppy sitting on the grass beside its handler

    Puppies and teens

    How to stop puppy biting and nipping

    How to stop puppy biting: why puppies bite hands, ankles and sleeves, what makes it worse, and the routine that stops it in a few weeks. Read on.

    5 min read

  • Lead walking and recall

    How to teach a dog to heel

    How to teach a dog to heel: the position, first steps at home, adding turns and distractions, and the mistakes that stop it working.

    4 min read

  • Rottweiler lying down calmly in a training building

    Lead walking and recall

    How to teach a dog to stay

    How to teach a dog to stay: build duration, distance and distraction one at a time, use a release word, and make it reliable outdoors.

    3 min read

  • German Shepherd puppy sitting on the grass with its head up

    Puppies and teens

    How to toilet train a puppy

    How to toilet train a puppy: the routine, how often to go out, night-time wees, accidents and how long it really takes, from a World Champion dog trainer.

    5 min read

  • Springer Spaniel standing beside its handler in a field

    Training kit

    Harness or collar for a dog that pulls?

    Lead, collar or harness for a dog that pulls? What each does, why no kit fixes pulling on its own, and what to use while you train. Read on.

    3 min read

  • Labrador puppy lying on a raised bed with its lead on

    Puppies and teens

    Puppy recall training

    Puppy recall training: how to build a recall your puppy keeps as an adult, the first games, the long line stage and the mistakes that wreck it. Read on.

    5 min read

  • Golden Retriever puppy walking towards the camera across a training hall

    Puppies and teens

    Your puppy's first week at home

    Your puppy's first week at home and crate training from night one: a day-by-day plan for the first night and toilet training. Read Alex's advice.

    5 min read

  • German Shepherd lying on a raised place bed in a training building

    Residential

    After residential dog training: the handover

    After residential dog training: what happens at the handover, why dogs slip in the first month home, and the routine that makes it last. Read on.

    5 min read

  • Black German Shepherd sitting in the woods

    Lead walking and recall

    Dog ignoring recall? How to fix a stubborn recall

    Dog ignoring recall? Why dogs stop coming back, the mistakes that poison the word, and how to rebuild a recall that works around dogs, scents and wildlife.

    4 min read

  • Cocker Spaniel sitting calmly on the beach

    Training kit

    The training kit I actually use, and why

    The lead, long line, treat pouch and toys Alex Cooper uses every day, why each one earns its place, and what you can skip. Read before you buy.

    2 min read

  • German Shepherd lying on the beach, relaxed with its tongue out

    Residential

    Residential dog training, week by week

    Residential dog training week by week: settling in, daily sessions, real-world outings and the handover on a three-week course with Alex Cooper. Read on.

    6 min read

  • Cane Corso sitting calmly in the middle of a tree-lined avenue

    Residential

    What to pack for residential dog training

    What to pack for residential dog training: what to bring on drop-off day, what to leave at home, and how to get your dog ready in the week before. Read on.

    5 min read

  • Husky sitting on a lead on a tree-lined avenue, looking up

    Guarding

    Resource guarding in dogs

    Resource guarding in dogs: the warning signs, why it happens, what makes it worse and a safe step-by-step plan to change it. Read Alex Cooper's advice.

    8 min read

  • German Shepherd puppy sitting and looking up at its handler for a treat

    Puppies and teens

    How to raise the perfect puppy

    How to raise the perfect puppy: a practical first-year training plan covering socialisation, biting, toilet training, settling and recall. Read the plan.

    6 min read

  • Several dogs settled on raised place beds along a fenced field

    Choosing a dog

    Choosing the Right Dog: What I Told BBC Essex

    Choosing the right dog: the dog you want or the dog you need? What Alex Cooper told BBC Essex, and what to ask before you choose. Read the guide.

    6 min read

  • Black German Shepherd lying down with a ball between its paws

    Choosing help

    Dog behaviourist or dog trainer?

    Dog behaviourist vs dog trainer: what each does, why the titles aren't regulated in the UK, and the questions to ask before you book. Read the guide.

    7 min read

  • Golden Cocker Spaniel sitting on the beach

    Separation anxiety

    Separation anxiety in dogs

    Dog separation anxiety: why some dogs panic when left, the mistakes that make it worse, and small steps that help. Read the guide from Alex Cooper.

    8 min read

  • Springer Spaniel sitting close beside its handler in a field

    Costs

    How much does a dog behaviourist cost?

    How much does a dog behaviourist cost in the UK? What you pay, what's included and what to ask before you book. See Alex Cooper's own prices.

    6 min read

  • Labrador lying on a raised place bed in a fenced field

    Residential

    Is residential dog training worth it?

    Is residential dog training worth it? What really happens on a stay, which methods to avoid, and how it carries over to your home. Read Alex Cooper's view.

    6 min read

  • Dobermann sitting on the beach beside another dog

    Puppies and teens

    Why did my teenage dog stop listening?

    Teenage dog stopped listening? Why many dogs ignore their owners at around 8 months, why it passes, and how to get through it kindly. Read the guide.

    6 min read

  • Cane Corso lying down on the beach

    Resource guarding

    Why does my dog growl over food?

    Why does my dog growl over food? Why dogs guard food, toys and spaces, the mistakes that make it worse, and when to get help. Read the guide.

    7 min read

  • Black German Shepherd lying in a down in a field

    Aggression

    Can an aggressive dog be rehabilitated?

    Can an aggressive dog be rehabilitated? Banzai was dropped from film work for biting, then became a world champion. Read what it means for your dog.

    6 min read

  • Cocker Spaniel sitting on the beach on a loose lead

    Fears and phobias

    Dog scared of fireworks?

    Dog scared of fireworks? How to keep them safe on the night, when to call your vet, and how to start sound work after the season. Read Alex's guide.

    7 min read

  • Spaniel sitting on a raised place bed in a field

    Reactivity

    Reactive dog on walks? What helps

    Reactive dog on walks? Why dogs bark and lunge on the lead, the mistakes that make it worse, and kind steps that help. Read Alex's guide.

    7 min read

Get help

Not sure where to start?

Tell us what your dog does and how long it has been going on. Alex will reply with where he would start.

Prefer email? hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk

Get help with your dog

We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour, by email.

Please choose what your dog is doing.

Please tell us your name.

Please add your town, postcode or country.

Please add your email address so we can reply.

We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour, by email.

Only used to reply to you: privacy

Dog training in Chelmsford, Brentwood, Basildon, Southend-on-Sea, Billericay, Colchester, Braintree, Harlow and across Essex · All areas

Get help with my dog

hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk · Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm