A short film on a foundation training exerciseto
November 27, 2009
Watch this if you would like to improve your relationship with your dog! Learn to speak dog!
Hear me on BBC Essex Tuesday 1st December
November 26, 2009
Just to let you know I am on BBC Essex Radio between 2pm and 4pm next Tuesday 1st December, or you can catch it on the pod from the BBC Essex web site for the following week should you miss the show live. (see links on this site)
I always enjoy my sessions at the Chelmsford studio, and I love the fact that I never know what will come up with the phone ins, it is a challenge and a fun way to help people and their dogs!
Is it me?
November 24, 2009
When I am out on a walk I am fortunate that I can read a dog fairly quickly, as I must say most owners are not aware of how threatening their dogs behaviour can appear, it is not good social behaviour for any dog to charge up to other people or their dogs, this would not happen in the wild, it is lack of education and understanding of the pet dog that causes them to behave in this way.
Many owners take exception to me repelling their dogs advances, as if I am the anti-social one for not wanting their dog jumping all over me and my dog! There seems to be an attitude in this country that it is not just okay, for a dog to charge towards anyone they fancy the look of, but that it is necessary for them to talk to everyone and their dog on a walk. I am amazed at how immersed British dog owners are in this belief, normally a nation of socially inhibited people; it seems that when it comes to dogs anything goes! Would we let our children do the same thing? Highly unlikely!
More than anything in the world I would like to change the minds of pet owners on this attitude, because then I and my dog could go for a walk without being constantly harassed by other peoples dogs, and so would everyone else, and we would make the country a place where dogs were more welcome by non dog owners. If I find other peoples dogs annoying when I am out, imagine how the non-dog owners feel?
Helping other people lose their fear of dogs!
November 24, 2009
As dog owners I believe we all have a responsibility to help members of the public that are afraid of dogs, not by pushing our dogs at them, but by demonstrating the dog is under control and therefor no threat!
Never dismiss anyone’s fear of dogs, it is real and respect of another’s feelings is the first step to helping them get passed their fear.
I was out with one of my dogs one day near the beach, I stood by the car changing my boots, my dog Teddy, was running round nearby, when someone walked into the car park, Teddy was near the entrance and though not taking any notice of the person was obviously to close for comfort for this person, I saw the scared look and the person freeze, my first instinct was to call out “it’s okay he won’t hurt you” but immediately realised that was irrelevant for this person and instead shouted “down” to Teddy, who hit the deck immediately and I called him to me, once I had him with me I apologised for the scare they had had, and put Teddy on the lead to further reassure them that they were safe.
I knew they were safe with Teddy on or off the lead, but this person did not, I could see the surprise on the persons face and the relaxed look that soon replaced the scared look. Teddy and I did more in that moment he obeyed me than any verbal reassurance from me could ever have done!
Inspiration!
November 23, 2009
This last weekend I attended a horse weekend with the Parelli’s, what an inspiration they are and not just to horse owners! As a dog trainer I found the weekend fascinating and absorbing! Making me rethink dogs is so refreshing for me, the experience gave me a new way of looking at dogs that I am sure will affect me for some time to come.
Although dogs and horses may be different species they do have similarities, and it was horses that I worked with first on leaving school, so I am excited that it is the horse element that is inspiring me once again 🙂
I will be writing a post later today that is a direct inspiration from the weekend to encourage all of you to be re-inspired about your dogs training!
I have added a link to the Parelli site which I hope you will follow to get more information about Pat and Linda and get a new slant for yourselves on there horse thinking!
The best time to train your dog!
November 20, 2009
The best time to train your dog or mine 🙂 is when he/she is hungry and when they have been alone for a time, for example if you have been out for a time, preferably 2 hours or more.
Titbit training is by far the easiest method of training any dog, it only goes wrong when the food is withdrawn to early in the learning process or when the dog controls when he/she gets the titbit, to be sure they do not made sure you are giving the food rather than the dog taking the titbit. For maximum results the dog must want the food, if they have just been fed they will not be so keen, even if the titbit is something exotic like chicken or sausage!
By far the most important factor, one that is often overlooked by pet owners is to train the dog when it is not saturated with your company, for me this means that I will shut my dog in my utility room to artificially create his want to be with me, this makes him 50% keener to please me when I start training him. Whereas the dog that has just been having a cuddle on your lap will have much less motivation to work for you, why should he/she?
Helping to keep the mud out!
November 17, 2009
The finished foot!
Pie had a trim today, he is of the age (3) when he is getting extra hairy feet! Some breeds get hairier all over but the feet are the part that brings the mud and water in from outside in the winter!
I really should have taken a before picture so that you could witness the transformation, but I can show you a trimmed foot!
Last winter I only had to do his feet once and they kept neat, this is already his second trim! He didn’t mind too much, though his feet are a bit ticklish which makes him twitch from time to time, I use blunt ended scissors to ensure I don’t stab him!
Dogs, babies and children and how to be sure they all get along!
November 11, 2009
Dogs, babies and children
Having a new baby is an exciting and a scary time for Mum and Dad, only new parents can really know how precious that new baby is when you first bring them home, and no matter how loved your dog is, they now rank second in your affections to this new person in your life, coupled with the fact that all of our human instincts are to protect and keep this baby safe. Suddenly your family pet can seem very threatening to your family added to this is the guilt you are likely to be feeling at this change in loyalty!
The reality is that with some careful management and understanding this phase of your dog’s life can go reasonably smoothly.
- Ø New mother and father to start using some baby products a few weeks before the due date, for example soap or baby lotion, to accustom the dog to the new smells of a baby
- Ø Prepare your dog by changing appropriate daily events for example if sleeping in your bedroom start training the dog to sleep in the kitchen or utility room well in advance of babies due date
- Ø It is likely that as a new Mother you will want to have private time with your baby, start accustoming the dog to being shut in another room away from you for sensible time slots say 1 hour two to three times a day, if you are at home a lot.
- Ø Teach your dog a half hour down stay in your living room and commit to daily practice to adjust your dog to be trained to be in the same room as you without having your attention
- Ø If a crate will suit your lifestyle, introduce this well in advance of your babies arrival, say at least 3 months before the due date or sooner if possible
- Ø When you first bring the baby home once you feel comfortable bare the babies feet for the dog to sniff or lick, this will satisfy the dog’s curiosity and he/she will then lose interest in the baby.
- Ø Do put your dog away when you need time alone with your new baby, this is a precious time and it is important for you to enjoy yourself as much as possible, your dog will be fine.
- Ø Do not feel guilty that the time you used to have for your dog now has to go to the baby, this phase will pass and you will soon want to escape for a dog walk.
- Ø You and your dog’s life has changed for good now, your dog will adjust to this much faster than you!
- Ø Babies are more important than dogs and that is okay!
- Ø Never never leave a baby or child alone with a dog, however trusted the dog is!
Older babies
As your baby grows so will the relationship between the baby and dog develop, luckily around the time babies start crawling they also start to throw food around, your dog will soon become a very faithful companion to your child as a result!
However with time new rules must be enforced:
- Ø The dogs sleeping area is a no go for any children, this may mean using a baby gate in a doorway to protect the dog or putting the dog in a crate.
- Ø The child’s sleeping area is a no go for the dog, or if not this will mean child and dog are alone unsupervised.
- Ø Do stop your child from pestering the dog, such as when the dog is asleep or minding its own business, do not let your child approach, or your dog may have to tell the child off.
These rules are necessary for your dog to respect your child as a human and therefore higher in the pack than them. As the child grows we can encourage the dog to respect the child further by involving the child in the training and feeding of the dog.
- Ø While supervising give your child food to place in the dogs bowl for the dog to eat, thereby teaching the dog that the child is not a threat at feed times.
- Ø Teach your child how to use a hand signal with food to get the dog to sit and/or go down.
- Ø Teach your child how to play retrieve with the dog, if your dog likes this game.
The biggest reason dogs see children as not higher than them in the pack is because they see adults ordering children about, much as they do dogs or maybe more so, as in my childhood, by having clear rules and boundaries we can keep our children and dogs safe.
Crate Training a Dog
November 9, 2009
Why puppies/dogs like crates:
Used well, crates become a place of sanctuary and refuge for puppies and older dogs, somewhere to hide when the hustle and bustle of home life gets too much and the puppy or dog needs to rest without fear of being trodden on or pestered by people! In the wild a dog would dig a hole in the ground, no larger than themselves to rest!
Choosing a crate:
A crate needs to be large enough for the adult dog to stand up, turn around and lie down full length, any bigger and the crate will not only become less practical for you, but will not give a cosy house for your dog.
The advantages of using a crate:
- Aids and speeds house training
- Prevents destruction of the home and therefore learning bad habits
- Can be used for car travel
- A travelling house that will give your pet safety and you peace of mind when you visit others homes
- Teaches the dog to lie down and sleep when you are out
Being kind:
- Water must be available (water bowls with brackets that fix to the side of the cage are available from pet shops)
- Maximum time in the crate overnight and for up to 5 hours during the day will be tolerated comfortably by dogs of most ages
- Choose the location of the crate carefully, dry and warm, but not in a conservatory in full sun
- Follow the steps below to ensure your puppy will not be distressed when left alone or shut in the crate
Training Steps:
- Bring the cage into the home, you can start in the living room, where the cage is in the early days is not important, start somewhere convenient to training, once the training is complete your dog will be happy in his/her crate where ever it is!
- Put some comfy bedding in the bottom, preferably familiar bedding.
- Prop the door open and let the puppy/dog see you throw some food inside the crate and wait for your dog to walk in and eat the food. If the puppy/dog is reluctant find some tastier food, cheese, sausage or chicken will generally work. Be patient and wait for the puppy/dog to walk in of their own accord, this the most important moment.
- Allow the puppy/dog to come back out of the crate and then repeat as before by throwing food in the crate.
- Next time throw several pieces right to the back of the crate, the puppy/dog will be in there slightly longer to eat the food.
- Continue as above until the puppy/dog stays in the crate, they will when they are feeling at ease.
- Once the puppy/dog is at ease shut the door and stay right by the cage, it would be good to push some more food through the bars.
- When the dog is settled, open the door, do not make the puppy come out or make a fuss at this point, doing so would be praising the dog for coming out, all the rewards must be whilst the puppy/dog is in the crate.
- Wait a few moments throw some food in the crate, when the puppy/dog follows the food in, close the door and wait till settled again before opening the door and ignoring the puppy until you are ready to do the whole process again.
- If this is going well you may now increase the time the puppy/dog is in the crate, but you must stay by the crate!
- You may leave the training at this stage to continue later the same day or carry on.
- Every time use food to encourage the puppy/dog into the crate.
- Now when the puppy is in the crate and settled, go and sit on a chair in the same room for a time, at least 10 minutes, again release the dog from the crate continue to ignore and only give attention when in the crate.
- If this goes well increase the time and your movement in the room, stay in sight until you have practised every variation in the room.
- Once you are successful at the previous stage start leaving the room briefly and returning. If this goes well the training is complete for the dog but you may well need to feel more confidant, increase the dogs time in the crate whilst you are in the house and every variation that you need to feel completely confidant.
- Having the crate by the bed for the first 2/3 nights will ensure your puppy/dog is totally trained, after these 2/3 nights you can leave the crate wherever you find convenient.
Barking or whining:
If your puppy/dog barks or whines in these early stages use noise to interrupt the barking and distract them e.g. drop a book on the floor, stamp your foot or rustle a bag, experiment until you find the noise that works (do not look at the puppy/dog when you make the noise).
If your puppy/dog shows signs of distress at any stage go back to an earlier step.
Please contact me for more help if you need to or would like to be personally coached through the training.
A great dog book!
November 3, 2009
The Art of racing in the rain by “Garth Stein ” is a great read, I loved this book! Not just another dog story but really uplifting, if you happen to be in to formula one racing as well so much the better, can’t say I am but I still enjoyed this book told from the dog’s eye view.
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