A weekend to reduce the stress of handling and vet visits, and build real, lasting confidence for you and your dog.
Key Details
Format: 3 full days combining theory and practical handling skills
Dates: Friday 28th - Sunday 30th August
Location: Honest Hounds HQ - Balgray Works
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6wPCjbNV3dsNrP4T8Price
Working Spot: £750 (£699 for Coaching members)
Spectator Spot: £299 (£250 for Coaching members)
With all the retreats, workshops and webinars that we run here at Honest Hounds, one theme comes through louder than almost anything else: handling, restraint and vet visits are some of the most stressful moments our dogs and owners face together.
A great proportion of the dogs who join us have real difficulty around vet handling. Many need to sedate their dogs to be examined, and some are simply not able to get their dog through the door.
Phrases we often hear?
We try to avoid vet visits unless absolutely critical.
He needs to take sedatives, and even then he can’t really be handled.
We haven’t been to the vet since she was a puppy.
We are so passionate about EVERY pet dog being able to thrive at the vets, so they can access vital healthcare and regular checkups.
Our Handling With Confidence weekend is built to reduce stress and build real, lasting confidence for your dog, so that being touched, examined and handled starts to feel safe rather than frightening; and for you, so you can walk into a vet visit or grooming appointment feeling calm and capable, rather than braced for the worst.
Who This Is For
• Owners who want to work towards their dog feeling optimistic about being handled, inside and outside the vets and who know that good welfare includes their dogs being able to be handled in a range of different settings
• Owners who want to walk into a vet or grooming appointment with confidence instead of dread
• Dogs who currently need a muzzle, sedation, or several people to be handled
• Dog professionals, trainers, walkers, or vets who want to build their own handling skills
• Previous event attendees wanting to build further confidence or newer Honest Hounds members looking for an achievable, supportive first step with us
Working Spots - Before You Arrive
We want to set you and your dog up for success leading into the event, so your ticket price includes the following sessions:
• 1:1 pre-Zoom with Rachel (our counsellor): a private call before the weekend to talk through how handling and vet visits feel for you, not just your dog. So much of this is about the human nervous system - Rachel helps you arrive ready, rather than already bracing for a hard weekend.
• Small group Zoom with Jess & Jessie: once you’ve booked, you’ll join a short video call with your fellow attendees to talk through key focus areas for your dog, the restraint and handling procedures we’ll use, what to expect, and to ask questions before you travel.
Prerequisites
• Your dog needs to be fully muzzle trained
• They need to be able to settle in your car/in a crate at the venue during downtime.
• You must we willing and able to complete both pre-arrival sessions and continue the work once you leave. This is not a magic fix.
What We’ll Cover
Handling fundamentals - touch, restraint holds, and body positioning that keep both dog and handler safe and calm. Work with your own and a range of other dogs to build your confidence and skills
Vet-specific cooperative care - muzzle conditioning, consent-based exam positions, desensitising to tools (thermometer, otoscope, nail clippers, needles)
The impact of stress - we will look at the Honest Hounds pyramid, the impact of stress in the body and your dog’s biological baseline
Real-world scenario practice - mock vet visit, mock groomer session, car travel and waiting-room simulation
Understanding body language - we break down the nuance of body language in these interactions so you can set your dog up for success in the quiet moments
Teaching regulation - settle, disengagement and calming protocols the dog can fall back on under stress
Handler regulation - breathing, body language, and decision-making under pressure, recognising your own stress response before it transfers to the lead
Take-home plan - a written handling and vet-visit protocol specific to each dog, plus a follow-up check-in
What’s Included
• Three full days of workshops
• 1:1 pre-Zoom with Rachel
• Pre-arrival small-group Zoom with Jess & Jessie
• Tea, coffee & light refreshments
• A written, personalised handling & vet-visit plan
How to Book
Working Spot: Complete the interest form here: https://forms.gle/kNry3jhWjKYjRdge8
and our team will follow up to make sure this weekend is the right fit and genuinely sets you both up for success, before booking opens.
Spectator Spot: Drop a DM and she will send you the info to secure your space!