Most sport dogs don’t break because of sport.

They break because we misunderstood what “fine” looks like.

Hi. I’m Sarah. Physiotherapist. Dog trainer.

And yes — I’m the slightly annoying “health-first” person in the room.

RISE:PACE is our small, structured group walk and training session at Pishiobury Park in Sawbridgeworth, perfect for puppies, nervous dogs, or those needing more confidence in public. Over a one-hour walk with guided stop-offs, dogs and owners work on engagement, neutrality, and proofing behaviours in a controlled yet real-world environment. This class is ideal for building calm, confident dogs and helping owners feel more confident during walks and around distractions.

The 2025 Merry Pack Walk for Charity was a festive, fun-filled day for dogs, owners, and the ASCENDK9 team! Held at Panshanger Park in Hertford, this annual event brought together our local dog community for a joyful walk while supporting a great cause: Mind, the mental health charity.

The Lea Valley offers some of the best dog walks in Essex - but it’s also a powerful training environment filled with real-world distractions. From busy paths and wildlife to dog-friendly cafes, it’s the perfect place to practice recall, calm behaviour, and responsible dog ownership. In this blog, I share my favourite Lea Valley training spots, why bullet-proof recall is essential before allowing off-lead freedom, and how to use these environments to build confident, reliable dogs.

At ASCENDK9, everything we do is built around a core belief: dogs learn best through consistency, clarity, and real-life application. That belief is exactly why our newest service - Walk + Train - is currently in design and will be launching very soon.

If you’ve ever wished your dog could spend the day with a professional trainer, working on real-life skills in real-world environments, ASCENDK9 is excited to announce the launch of our new Day Training service in Harlow, Essex.

The months after Christmas can feel long, grey and aimless - not just for us, but for our dogs too. When walks are harder to schedule, mornings darker, evenings colder, having defined training goals gives you something to look forward to. It injects purpose into your interactions and helps maintain momentum.

The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to show love for the dogs in our lives - and for the humans who care for them! If you’re wondering what to gift a dog owner this year, consider options that are not just fun, but also support training, mental stimulation, and the bond between dog and owner.

Whether your loved one is a seasoned handler, a new puppy parent, or enjoys weekend adventures with their dog, these ideas will help you choose gifts that truly make a difference!

As the colder months arrive and the days shorten, many owners ask: “Can I still take my dog out on walks in snow and icy weather?” or “How do I keep my dog warm on walks when it’s freezing?” Whether you’re heading out for dog walks in Essex, or the neighbouring areas of Harlow, Epping, Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford, it’s absolutely possible to enjoy winter walks - with the right preparation, safety awareness and training mindset!

If you’ve ever asked, “My dog is scared of noises” or wondered “how to stop my dog barking at fireworks”, this post is for you. I’ll walk you through research-led strategies for helping dogs scared of fireworks, plus a detailed how-to for sound desensitisation and what to do if your dog is highly fearful.

Learn how to confidently advocate for your reactive or nervous dog in public. Practical tips from ASCENDK9 to support real-life training, reduce stress, and build trust with your dog.