There’s something about being on holiday that changes the rhythm. You slow down. You notice more. You finally get a bit of breathing space—and so does your dog.

Over the years, I have helped many people train their dog while they’ve been on holiday in West Cornwall, and something wonderful often happens: dogs feel more relaxed, owners feel less rushed, and together they have head space to learn.

But this isn’t about turning your holiday into a project. It’s about making the most of the shift in pace and environment to connect with your dog. Even a short session can spark something fresh and positive and you don't necessarily need my input to the do that.

It might mean:

• Playing a quick recall game in a quiet field

• Practising calm lead walking on new paths

• Reinforcing settle time at the cottage

• Exploring how your dog copes with different places and sights

Often, these small training moments slot naturally into the day. It's real-life dog training. They don’t need to be long, or structured, or serious. 

And the bonus? Training is one of the best ways to tire a dog out—not just physically, but mentally. A dog who’s thinking is often calmer, more settled, and happier.

Tips to make the most of holiday training:

• Keep a few treats in your pocket so you’re always ready to reward something good.

• Pause regularly—at gates and stiles, when taking in a new environment, or at places you want to build calm focus.

• Reward check-ins when your dog turns back to look at you, because paying attention to you in a new place is exactly what most of us want our dogs to do—so let them know they’ve done the right thing.

• Pause and let your dog sniff—it’s part of the learning.

• Keep sessions short. Stop while it’s still going well.

So if you’re heading away and wondering whether to do anything training-wise… the answer might just be yes. Not in a pressured way, but in a “let’s enjoy this” kind of way.

And if you’re staying locally and feel like a bit of support would help, you’re always welcome to get in touch while you’re here. I can work out packages to suit you, your dog and your length of stay - www.westcornwalldogtraining.co.uk