Busimann's Dog Training

03/07/2025

Dogs are asked to cope with a lot in our world.
We don't look at how change can affect them....until it does.
We have family staying ➡️ but your dog doesn’t know that until they walk in the door.
We go on vacation ➡️ your dog has no idea they’re about to stay at a kennel or have someone new in their space.
Then we're shocked by the regression.

"It was all going so well !"
It can be the smallest of things that can undo all the progress made.
For your dog though....those "little" changes can be huge.

➡️Overnight guests

➡️Construction next door

➡️More kids visiting, esp during school holidays

➡️Taking your dog to a friend’s place

All of these are ordinary to us..... and may be overwhelming to them.

02/07/2025

Monday's Message:

02/07/2025

TEACH KIDS TO BE DOG FRIENDLY

I’m often asked - “How can I make my dog more child friendly?”

The question really should be - “How can I make my child more dog friendly?”

Children don’t come with an inborn ability to know how to interact with dogs. It’s up to us to teach them.

It’s surprising that there aren’t more dog bites considering how often children are seen treating dogs like stuffed toys.

If you think about it, dogs are actually amazingly tolerant and patient with us. They try their best to communicate with us, in the only way they know how, through using their body language.

A dogs attempt to show us they’re uncomfortable, scared, stressed or anxious is so often completely ignored or not understood.

As parents, I believe it should be a non-negotiable responsibility to teach our children about how to respect and behave around dogs to keep both of them safe.

Always supervise children and dogs, even if a dog seems relaxed and friendly.

Here are some links to free, on-line resources if you’re looking for more information on how to keep children and dogs safe together -

https://kidsarounddogs.co.uk/pages/free-resources

https://www.gooddoginabox.com/top-20-ways-keep-kids-and.../

https://www.familypaws.com/resources/

https://www.cooperandkids.com

https://poochparenting.net/blog/

02/07/2025

UPCOMING WEBINAR

In this webinar, Dr Tom Mitchell will dive into how to teach worried, reactive or overstimulated dogs to navigate the world effectively of their own accord, transforming behaviour struggles without constant management or input from the guardian/trainer!

This webinar will help dog trainers, veterinarians, dog groomers, dog walkers and dog guardians have a better understanding of the brain systems that help dogs feel better and how to use them to support our beloved dogs.

In his usual fun style, Tom will provide practical advice on empowering dogs to access their brain systems using self-management.

Attendees will learn how to utilise the Adventure Framework when growing a dog’s world from restricted to adventure bound by teaching them self-management.

If you’ve ever worked with, or been guardian for, an anxious, distracted or reactive dog then this webinar is for you!

Head to our website > Coming Webinars and Register
Event link https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/event-6244294

02/07/2025

A little while ago a friend asked if I had an article about the importance of choice... I didn't.

I've been putting this together over the past month and finished it today.

https://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/the-power-of-choice.html

02/07/2025

02/07/2025

It's brewing.
Bubbling and they're trying to tell you.
Reactivity isn't always explosive.
It builds.
Yes.... it may end with barking, lunges, screeches and growls, but that is often because we may have missed those little tell tale signs.

These are only some of the more common signals dogs can give.
There are plenty more... and they can happen in the blink of an eye.

That slight lowering of the head?
Did their mouth clamp shut?
Their tail bristle right out?

They are all signs they may be struggling to cope and they need your help.

Reactivity is nuanced and highly individual....but I hope this chart may give some clarity to those little "Hmmm why did you do that ?" moments.

Noticing these is half the "battle"

01/07/2025

Running around like they've had 5 espresso shots? ⚡
All day.
Every day?
You are not alone.....it is a really common issue and done with the best of intentions.
Unfortunately it can intensify this issue.
Not decrease it.

More exercise can just mean a more over stimulated/over aroused dog that cannot calm down unless physically exhausted.

Extremes aren't helpful for these dogs.

Think about scent games, low arousal exercises and teaching them how to settle.

You cannot just stop what you have been doing with these dogs....but you can start to place limits on it while adding in tiring but low arousal activities.
Try adding in food puzzles and scent walks.
Look at other enrichment games that don't necessarily involve heavy and sustained physical activity.

Those low arousal activities have a dual effect.
They calm and tire....in a new way your dog is likely craving.

This alone helps them to rest/sleep more and settle easier.

Running a dog ragged can be unsustainable.
They may always crave more.

It is much more than many people can give.

You are not failing them....you are just learning about the need they may be searching for behind that behaviour.

30/06/2025

"They just adore each other" 😍

Do they? 🤔
Sometimes we really want to see signals that just aren't there.

We may focus on one area....like a wagging tail, because it "confirms" what we hope is true.
The reality though is scared, conflicted or anxious dogs can and often do wag their tails.

Unsure what's occurring?
In moments like these....the majority "rules".

A dog "backing away" ?
That can be a pretty clear signal for us to pay attention to.
It can even be combined with a little "happy dance".
That pattering and quick plods....those fast moving feet?

It can look playful but can mean your dog is unsure or even uncomfortable with what is happening.

Scroll back a few posts.
Look at ways to support those nervy greeters.
There are lots of ideas for that on this page.

Forcing interactions is never a way to fast track anything positive.

29/06/2025

Refusing to move?
Panting?
Shaking and desperate to escape?
Vet visits can be terrifying for dogs, especially when visits are only for procedures that may be unpleasant, involve restraint, needles or even pain.

This step by step guide can help even the most fearful pups.
The ones that want to bolt back back out that door.

It won't work in a day or two....it isn't meant to.
We don't just get over our fear and neither do our dogs.

The time to start this is when there are no immediate issues your vet needs to assess.

Take your time and try not to rush this.
I know you want this to work.....so give it your best shot by going slow.

This works when there is no pressure, no panic and no rush.

26/06/2025

𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

We’re heartbroken to announce that due to overwhelming demand and limited resources, we are temporarily unable to accept private surrender requests.

Every day, we receive 2–3 requests to surrender German Shepherds, sometimes even double or triple that number. This doesn’t include the constant calls for help from pounds, shelters, and other rescue groups, we simply don’t have the resources to keep up.

While we do our best to support those facing genuine hardship, many requests come from people who didn’t fully consider the long-term commitment of pet ownership. Sadly, it seems pets have become disposable, a trend, something for “right now” rather than “forever.” We fear that rescue groups and shelters in their plight to help animals, have made it all too easy for people to give up their pets and use rescues as a rehoming service, and we now have over 200 dogs waiting to be rehomed.

At the same time, adoption rates have plummeted. We’re receiving a fraction of the applications we saw before COVID. More dogs and fewer adoptions create a heartbreaking cycle that’s burning out our team. We’re exhausted. We’re hurting. We need to pause and regroup before we can continue.

We need to reset. Our mission has always been to rescue vulnerable dogs - those at risk of euthanasia, those without homes, those who truly need saving. We are German Shepherd Rescue Victoria, not a rehoming service. It’s time to return to our roots.

𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬.
We’ll continue working through existing requests but will be scaling back intake. Our focus will shift back to rescuing German Shepherds from pounds and shelters across Victoria.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝:
• Contact a qualified trainer or behaviourist for support. https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/Owners/Find
• Reach out to your local council and shelter for desexing programs and other resources.
• Contact the German Shepherd Club of Victoria, which offers a dedicated rehoming service. https://gsdcv.org.au/rehoming/

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩?
• Become a foster carer - especially if you don’t have other pets.
• Adopt - help us find loving homes for the dogs already in our care.
• Share our posts - every share helps us reach new adopters and supporters.

We know this is hard to hear. It’s hard for us to say. But we’re doing this because we care deeply for the dogs, for our team, and for the future of rescue. Thank you for standing with us.

www.gsrv.com.au