It's Training Tips Tuesday and time for some top suggestions  from Alsager Nub News sponsor, 'All to Play For'.

This week, top dog trainer and behaviourist Julia Hawkins, talks about giving our dogs some freedom on walks and ensuring they stay close to owners and are safe around others.

Julia, a former maths teacher, from Linley Grove, uses concept training which helps dog owners to see how they can reshape their dogs' brains using games.

"I don't know about you but I'm so happy the temperatures have dropped a bit so we can take our dogs out for walks in the day, although do be careful, temperatures over 20 degrees can still be dangerous for some dogs, particularly the young, the old, and shorter faced breeds," says Julia.

"So we start thinking about letting our dogs have a brilliant time running around free whilst we walk with them but is this always appropriate?"

"Unless your dog will recall to you 100% of the time, even when there are distractions, they really should be kept on a fixed, long line (not a retractable lead which can be dangerous), says Julia.

"Why? Well, if your dog might get distracted by another dog, a squirrel, a scent or if they a spooked by a noise then they can be out of sight and in potential danger in seconds.

"Also, we must be mindful that not all people and dogs are happy being bounded up to by an off lead dog, regardless of how happy and waggy they may be!

"Maybe the person coming towards you has a child with them, or are not steady on their feet, or are just not keen on dogs. We need to keep our dogs close so that those people can feel safe."

Maybe the dog with the person coming towards you is fearful or reactive - an encounter with your bouncy, happy pooch could make their anxiety worse, or even lead to a bad experience for your dog.

"Remember the rule of thumb that if you approach and on lead dog, put your dog on lead and keep your distance. If that dog is wearing yellow, that is a sign that they are anxious so give them extra space."

Julia also reminds pet owners about livestock. "On our lovely country walks we are never too far away from farm animals and we must ALWAYS keep our distance from them with our dogs," she says.

"If you are near livestock with your dog, they MUST be on lead. No matter how good you think their recall is, no ifs, no buts, always.

"If your pup isn't quite there with your recall, whilst you are training them use a fixed long line, and for a run around there are some brilliant secure dog fields locally - for example https://outward-hounds.co.uk/ and https://www.safeandhoundmiddlewich.co.uk#

Let's all enjoy the countryside safely!

Interested in finding more about 'All to Play For'? Julia also has a Facebook page here  and can be contacted on 07913 757304.

You can also read our launch article on Julia here