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.

Displacement behaviours in dogs are often misunderstood and easily overlooked - yet they’re one of the clearest ways your dog communicates stress, uncertainty, or emotional conflict. From sniffing and yawning to scratching and shaking off, these behaviours aren’t random or “bad behaviour”. They’re signs your dog is trying to cope. Understanding what displacement behaviour in dogs looks like - and why it happens - can completely change how you approach training, improve your dog’s confidence, and strengthen your relationship.

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.

Today’s blog is written by Izzy, Owner and Head Groomer at The Canine Parlour in Ealing, West London. Known for her honest, compassionate, and no-filter approach, Izzy specialises in grooming difficult, nervous, reactive, and rescue dogs - and has built a reputation for making even the most challenging cases feel understood and safe.

The festive season is a wonderful time: visiting family, sharing meals, catching up with friends, and for many of us, including our dogs in the celebrations. But it can also be a challenging period for our four‑legged companions, especially puppies, anxious dogs or dogs who haven’t yet had experience of busy homes, visitors, odd routines and distractions. Whether you’re in Harlow, Hertford, Bishop’s Stortford, Epping or the surrounding areas, it’s possible to make the season calm and enjoyable for your dog - with the right preparation and mindset.

If you’ve ever searched “Will dog training help with separation anxiety?” or worried “My dog barks when I leave”, you’re not alone. Separation anxiety is one of the most common challenges faced by dog owners and while it can feel overwhelming, the right dog training approach can make a huge difference.

Training a reactive dog requires more than heel and sit. It requires understanding why your dog feels the need to react, what they're trying to communicate, and how to support them in feeling safer and more in control.

Vet visits can be overwhelming for many dogs, especially those who are sensitive to handling, new environments, or strangers.