Why I Chose a Positive, Modern Approach to Dog and Puppy Training (and the Journey to Becoming Qualified)
Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy - Qualified Instructor
Becoming a dog trainer wasn’t something I rushed into.
Like many people, my journey started with a genuine interest in dogs understanding behaviour, building better relationships, and helping owners feel more confident.
But the more I learned, the clearer it became that how you train matters just as much as what you train.
Where It Started
Early on, I came across Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann.
What stood out immediately was how practical and realistic it was.
There were no quick fixes.
No rigid rules.
Instead, it focused on:
Understanding your dog as an individual
Setting them up to succeed
Using kind, effective methods that build trust
That approach made complete sense to me and it’s a big part of how I work today.
Taking It Further: Becoming Qualified
Rather than just reading and applying the concepts, I wanted to build a proper foundation.
I went on to become:
A qualified instructor through the Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy programme
A trained and qualified member of The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers
This combination is important.
The Easy Peasy approach focuses on:
Simplicity
Real-life application
Helping owners feel confident, not overwhelmed
While the IMDT brings:
Strong grounding in learning theory
Practical handling skills
Structured, ethical training standards
Together, they shape a clear, consistent approach that I bring into every session.
Why This Approach Matters
Modern dog training has moved on significantly.
We now understand far more about how dogs learn, how they communicate, and what motivates them.
Positive, reward-based training focuses on:
Encouraging behaviours you want
Building confidence rather than suppressing behaviour
Creating clear communication between you and your dog
In simple terms it helps dogs want to get it right.
Real Life Over “Perfect Training”
One of the biggest takeaways from both my training and experience is this:
Training isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress.
Dogs don’t live in controlled environments.
They live in homes, parks, streets—real life.
That’s why my approach focuses on:
Practical, everyday situations
Simple steps that are easy to follow
Building habits that actually stick
What This Means for You and Your Dog
If you’re dealing with things like:
Recall challenges
Pulling on the lead
Puppy biting or overexcitement
The goal isn’t just to “fix” behaviour.
It’s to:
Help your dog understand what’s expected
Build a strong, trusting relationship
Give you confidence in handling situations calmly
Because when those foundations are in place, everything becomes easier.
A Final Thought
There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there when it comes to dog training.
For me, becoming qualified through both the Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy programme and the IMDT has helped shape a clear philosophy:
Keep things simple.
Keep things fair.
And focus on what works in real life.
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