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

Owning a dog isn't always easy but top dog trainer, Alsager's Julia Hawkins, from Linley Grove is a font of knowledge on the subject.

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

She offers tips on her blog https://alltoplayfor.co.uk/blog/ as well as other help and contact details on her website at https://alltoplayfor.co.uk/ shares some special tips for your pooch.

Today's advice is about giving your pooch a safe place.

Does your dog have their own bed and or a crate? More to the point, do they actually use it?

Giving your dog a safe place where they can chill out and where they really want to be is so beneficial to training - it helps with barking in the house, visitor struggles, and even seemingly unrelated struggles like lead walking, says Julia.

"For it to be truly effective we want their bed or crate to be somewhere which they absolutely love to be and is almost like a magnet to them."

To achieve this there are a few golden rules:

• Increase the value of the bed by feeding your dog on the bed.
• Going to their bed should always be a positive experience, and never used as a punishment.
• Your dog's bed should be somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of the house.

When your dog is on their bed, they should be left alone. The bed or crate needs to be super comfortable and not full of distractions like toys.

"For many dog owners, giving their dog a comfortable, safe, relaxing space to be can be transformational," says Julia.

To download and ebook on how to help your dog to LOVE their bed just click here: https://subscribepage.io/UZxmOX

Julia with her two Romanian rescue dogs. (Photo: Deborah bowyer/Alsager Nub News)

Interested in finding more about 'All to Play For'? Julia also has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/alltoplayfordogtraining and can be contacted on 07913 757304.

You can also read our launch article on Julia here