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.

And there Julia, who 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 we're talking food. We know that food is always motivating for our dogs, without it they could not survive. But what if we could supercharge that motivation to train and grow our dogs' brains in the direction we want.

"The fantastic thing is that we can! Dog's left to their own devices are scavengers - they don't choose to have one, two, three or even four meals per day given to them in a bowl.

"That's what we humans have decided. And we have grown an absolutely brilliant relationship between our dogs and their bowls. What a waste!"

Julia added: "The truth is you don't need to feed your dog in a bowl at set times in the day. In fact, by ditching the bowl we can supercharge our training AND provide a more enrichment rich life for our dogs.

"So, perhaps try using your dog's dry food to play training games or to encourage proximity to you. Even simple games like throwing a piece of food one way, waiting for your dog to eat it and look at you, then mark with a "yes!" and throw a piece of food the other way can really help your relationship AND it's training your dog to focus on you. Win, win!"

And Julia has other ideas too. "Wet food can be spread on a lick mat or stuffed into a Kong for your dog to lick, giving them a naturally calming activity which will help them to chill out," she said.

"Snuffle mats, puzzle toys, long lasting natural chews or making a cardboard fort out of boxes and scattering food amongst them for your dog to sniff out (always supervise this) will help your dog to become a happier and healthier companion. Give it a go!"

Julia with her two Romanian rescue dogs. (Photo: 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