Call / 07815 167247
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Call / 07815 167247
Email [email protected]
There’s something about autumn that feels like a natural reset.
The air is fresher, the days shorter, and the pace a little calmer. For our dogs, too, this change in season can make life feel easier — cooler walks, quieter spaces, and a chance to settle back into steadier routines.
This summer was a hot one.
I know many people cut back on their walks and training, and that was the right choice. When the pavements are too hot for paws and the air is heavy, pushing on doesn’t do anyone any favours.
Looking after your dog sometimes means doing less, and that’s not a failure — it’s care.
But now the weather has turned, there’s a real opportunity to pick things back up. The cooler air brings dogs a new burst of energy. With the summer crowds gone, there’s space to practise in quieter environments. And then there are the scents of autumn — damp leaves, earthy ground, wildlife on the move. For dogs, windy days can be both a challenge and a joy, with smells blowing in from every direction. I was out with a puppy the other day and we both laughed at his delight in chasing leaves — a reminder that autumn can bring fun as well as focus.
In recent sessions, I’ve seen a few familiar patterns. Young dogs who’ve been cooped up in the heat are ready to let off steam, and with the right outlet that makes training easier. Older dogs, too, seem to perk up once the temperature drops, happy to have a little more spring in their step. And quite a few owners have realised that training has “slipped” — nothing major, but enough to feel like things are a bit off.
That’s where an autumn reset comes in: a chance to take a step back, notice what’s working and what’s not, and put simple changes in place.
Work with the wind. Breezy days scatter scents everywhere, which can make dogs more distracted. Use it as a chance to practise focus, but make sure the level of distraction is not overwhelming.
Keep sessions short when conditions are tricky. If wind and scents are pulling your dog in every direction, scale things down. Even something as simple as practising loose lead walking from one lamp post to the next can be enough to keep progress ticking over.
Make scent part of the plan. Sniffing isn’t “wasted time” — it’s enrichment. Build pauses into your walk where your dog can explore with their nose before you ask for attention again.
Balance fun and training. Chasing leaves, bounding through long grass, following new scents — let your dog enjoy those moments, then bring them back to simple, reinforcing exercises. It keeps both sides of the walk in harmony.
Jess, who’s quite happy to bask in the sunshine and share an ice cream in summer, is just as delighted with the cooler weather now. She has more bounce in her step and is keener on her walks.
If you feel training slipped a little over the summer, or you’d just like to head into winter on steadier ground, now’s the time to get started again.
Small steps this season can make a big difference — and if you’d like some support finding the right reset for you and your dog, I’m here to help.