Trainer-Led Socialisation & Behaviour Support for Junior Dogs

The Calm Dog Workshop

With Wendy & Nikki

A controlled environment for junior dogs to meet and interact, with guidance throughout to help keep interactions appropriate, comfortable and enjoyable.

Delivered in partnership between It’s a Dog’s Life St Helens and Positive Steps Dog Training, providing a well-managed and supportive space for both dogs and their owners.

These are not free for all, unstructured chase sessions. Interactions are guided throughout to help you understand your dog, support appropriate behaviour, and step in when needed. The focus is on giving you practical skills you can use in everyday situations. Dogs are carefully matched, and sessions are structured to suit those attending.

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What to Expect

Each session is designed to be supportive, structured and easy to follow, giving you the opportunity to learn while your dog interacts in a managed environment. We keep groups small so that every dog and owner can be supported, with guidance throughout to help you handle real-life situations as they happen, particularly for dogs who may become overexcited, unsure, or need help staying calm around other dogs.

You’ll have the chance to observe, learn and ask questions, while your dog gains experience interacting appropriately with others.

These sessions are ideal for owners looking for support with socialisation, behaviour, and understanding their dog in everyday situations.

Small, controlled groups
Structured interactions suited to the dogs attending
Guidance throughout the session
Support with behaviour and handling
Understanding dog body language
How to keep your dog calm around other dogs
A practical, real-life approach

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Meet the Trainers

Nikki - Positive Steps Dog Training

Nikki, is the owner of Positive Steps Dog Training and is a qualified dog trainer with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT), qualified canine behaviourist through the British College of Canine Studies and specialist separation anxiety behaviour consultant (SAPro).

Positive Steps Dog Training began with the aim to create a platform for dog guardians to work with their dogs to help nurture the unbreakable bond between dog and owner. Nikki uses force-free techniques to ensure the relationship between guardian and dog is built on mutual trust, love, loyalty and respect.

Nikki provides 1:1 training and behaviour consultations in the North West, specifically Warrington and surrounding areas, and also offers online training. For more information on Positive Steps click here.

Wendy - It's A Dog's Life St Helens

Wendy is the owner of It’s a Dog’s Life St Helens and a qualified dog trainer with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) and qualified Canine behaviourist with The International School for Canine Psychology (ISCP). She is an Easy Peasy Puppy Instructor and Level 3 OCN groomer.

Alongside her professional work and her own 4 dogs, Wendy and her family have fostered many dogs from a wide range of backgrounds — including blind dogs, ex-street dogs adjusting to home life, and those with nervous or reactive behaviours, helping them build confidence and prepare for their future families.

Her approach is practical and supportive, focusing on helping owners understand their dogs and create calmer, more manageable day-to-day life.

Wendy provides scent detection training in group classes and also as 1:1 training for dogs that prefer to work alone. For more information on scent detection training please click here.