A dog trainer from Alsager is bringing a game changing type of training to The Big Bark at Trentham Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent today (May 22nd).

Julia Hawkins from All To Play For is introducing concept training that helps dog owners to see how they can reshape their dogs' brains using games rather than teaching behaviours and putting dogs in situations that they can't cope with.

She said: "This type of training is fun for both dogs and trainers and, instead of teaching traditional behaviours on cues (although some of this is included), it reshapes concepts within the dog's brain so that they are able to make better choices.

"Concept training is a really exciting and innovative way to train your dog, it's backed by neuroscience.

"Training a 'Sit' does not prepare our dogs for day to day life. It doesn't prepare them for that dog that's going to run up to them unexpectedly on a walk and roll them over.

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"It's not going to prepare them to be able to listen to you when there's a really exciting squirrel over there and you want them to respond to you. It does not prepare them for life."

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Julia was drawn to concept training by training her own dogs - two Romanian Rescues called Hattie and Dash. Conventional training meant they learned behaviours brilliantly and could behave perfectly in a training hall but hey were still scared of wheelie bins, and noises outside the house, and other dogs.

She's also a secondary school teacher with a background in medical research so the scientific basis for concept training was really appealing.

Julie added: "During my years teaching in schools, I did extensive research into how people learn and neuro-plasticity.

"When I started researching dog training methods, I discovered that there was a way of training which used this kind of scientific approach and gets incredible results without intimidating, shouting at or hurting dogs.

"So when I set up my dog training business, this had to be the way to go. More and more people are discovering concept training as a kind, fun and effective way of training their dogs for real life results."

At a Doggy Day Out at Trentham Gardens today Julia will be showing owners how to use games with their own dogs to reshape their brains to help with their dog training struggles.

You can like their Facebook page www.facebook.com/alltoplayfordogtraining/ where you will find dog training tips being shared every Tuesday or you can contact Julia directly at [email protected].