Pauline | Alba Dogs

Why ACE and TTouch May Not Be Creating the Change You Hoped For You’ve been trying ACE Free Work. You’ve watched videos about TTouch. You’ve bought the equipment, slowed things down, practised the exercises… yet your dog is still barking, lunging, anxious, overexcited, shut down, or struggling to cope. And now you’re wondering… “Why isn’t this working?” The truth is, ACE and TTouch are not “quick fixes.” They are not techniques designed to suppress behaviour or force obedience. They are ways...

Are Treats Helping Your Dog… or Quietly Making Things Worse? Treats are one of the most powerful tools we have in dog training - but they’re also one of the most misunderstood. Used well, they can build confidence, support emotional regulation, and create lasting positive change. Used without thought, they can contribute to overwhelm, frustration… and even impact your dog’s behaviour in ways you might not expect. So how do you get it right? Why Treats Matter More Than You Think Treats aren’t...

When we live and work alongside dogs, it can be easy to fall into the idea that calm is always the goal. But life isn’t calm all the time … and it shouldn’t be for our dogs either. Dogs, just like us, need to experience a full range of emotions. Joy, excitement, curiosity, frustration, uncertainty, restfulness. These are all part of being a sentient being navigating the world. Trying to keep a dog in a constant state of calm can actually take away opportunities for learning, expression, and...