Take the Lead K9 Training

26/02/2023

Let’s talk recall.

How many times have you had your dog run away and not come back when called? The anxiety that follows is immeasurable, a rogue dog that doesn’t want to be caught is a danger to itself and others.

Unfortunately, a lot of people will chase the dog, shouting at it while it runs down the road and reprimand the dog once it comes back or they catch it, this is NOT the right thing to do. A big part of dog training is having the ability to think like a dog, think of a dog as a human child and the reaction a child has to being chased. They love it, don’t they? Dogs are the same, they think it’s a game more often than not and will keep running.

When you reprimand a dog for coming back, they will associate that negative action with coming back, making it unlikely for them to come back next time.

Instead, make a huge deal and praise the dog for coming back. Get into training your dog to come to its name in a closed in area or on a long line in an open area. Treat your dog as you would like to be treated, be encouraging and trust yourself and your dog!

12/02/2023

🌹 Maggie 🌹

Maggie was one of my clients yesterday, she’s a 7 month old Great Dane and she is learning leash manners and a bit of obedience. But as to be expected, Maggie can only work in short intervals as she’s still young and would much prefer to play! I look forward to working with her more and seeing what she can do 😊🌼❤️

08/02/2023

It might sound odd to say a dog trainer won’t train your dog but it’s true. The only person who can do that is you.

You are the person your dog spends the vast majority of their time with. You are the person they have most interaction with. Who sets the boundaries, who has the opportunity to consistently reinforce behaviours, who chooses the environments your dog is exposed to, who has control over your dog's day to day life & experiences.

When you go to a weekly training class or have a weekly session your trainer isn’t really teaching your dog….they are teaching 𝘺𝘰𝘶 how to teach your dog. And your success will be determined by whether you take what you learn and implement it on a daily basis. Because even if you see your trainer or attend your class religiously every single week, week in week out, that still amounts to a tiny proportion of your dog's life ( just 0.6% of their week if the training session lasts 1 hour).

Your trainer's job is to give you the understanding, skills and confidence that will allow you to effectively teach your dog and to support and guide you through the process.

Your job is to put what you learn into practice.

08/02/2023

How can you tell if a dog feels uncomfortable?

Here's three signs.

06/02/2023

we are live for group sessions! please pm me me or fridays dog salon for more information and how to secure a spot 😊

Basic Obedience Training beginning Wednesday 22/2/2023. 6 week course. 5.30pm to 6.30pm with Michelle and instructor Emily. Please phone 0459387771 or pm page for cost and details. Let's get learning!!!!

06/02/2023

06/02/2023

Create an account or log in to Instagram - A simple, fun & creative way to capture, edit & share photos, videos & messages with friends & family.

04/02/2023

Absolutely... Thank you Kommetjie Canine College for this...

04/02/2023

REACTIVITY REDEFINED
Although reactivity has other causes, many types of reactivity are triggered by the core emotion of fear.
The fear of whatever is making a dog feel unsafe, the fear of a valuable possession being taken away or the fear of a strange person or animal coming into their territory. Anxiety, stress, over excitement, over stimulation, feeling overwhelmed, trigger stacking, or a dog that is tired, in pain or even has chronic itching will often feel irritable and may be reactive in certain situations. When being reactive is successful in making the scary thing go away, it becomes a rewarding behaviour because it’s something that works and makes them feel better.
Reactive dogs are often misunderstood. A dog that is reacting is not trying to be difficult, they are having a difficult time coping with that particular situation and are trying their best to make the thing go away in the only way they know how.
It’s not easy to be the owner of a reactive dog. One of my dogs is reactive and I know how dogs like this can leave you feeling embarrassed, ashamed, angry or frustrated. Why do they have to be so difficult, why can’t they just behave normally? Everyone is looking at me, judging me, thinking that I’m a bad owner, have no training skills, can’t control my dog or have a unsocialised, vicious dog that shouldn’t be taken out in public.
As hard as it may be, we need to take the focus off how we as owners feel about their reactivity and focus on how our dogs are feeling and what is causing their reaction. Whatever it is, it’s not something our dogs can overcome on their own and we need to take steps to help them cope. Reactive dogs need compassion, understanding, management, force free, positive reinforcement interventions and decompression – a return to a normal, more relaxed state after a period of intense stress, psychological pressure, or urgent activity. These interventions take time and patience but are so important in helping our dogs feel safe and learn more acceptable ways of coping.
I have learnt through many mistakes, to recognise what triggers my reactive dog and take steps to either avoid those situations, provide enough distance, or provide her with an alternative choice where she feels safe and more in control. There will always be unexpected triggers around the next corner that are not within our control, but doing all we can to manage reactive triggers has so many benefits.

03/02/2023

Recall skills are as strong as the reinforcement history! ❤️🐾

03/02/2023

The less control we have over our dog’s environment, the more control we need over our dog.

Feel like you could never give up the prong collar or walk your dog on a long line? What if you had the space and communication with your dog to do just that?

Remember, it’s up to us to set our dogs up for success. Where skills end, force begins.

01/02/2023

Hi everyone! Just making an introductory post for myself and my beautiful dog, Mazikeen.

Thank you for liking my page and for giving me the opportunity to meet and train your gorgeous furkids! ❤️