Underdog Training and Behaviour Consulting

28/08/2024

We had a week's break from our Dog of the Week post to feature an article on 'Matching Expectations' - did you read it? Today's pin-up boy hails all the way from Alice Springs. Here's...Wally!

27/08/2024

Want to join our wonderful team? We’re hiring!

https://www.seek.com.au/job/78413141?ref=hirer-success-posting&_gl=1*1qsndc2*_gcl_au*ODQzODMwOTkzLjE3MjQ3NTE5ODMuODAxODIwODIuMTcyNDc1NTYwNi4xNzI0NzU1NzEy*_ga*OTU5MTc1NDYxLjE2NTQwNjQ2MTE.*_ga_JYC9JXRYWC*MTcyNDc1NTYwNi41LjEuMTcyNDc1NTkzMi41OS4wLjA

27/08/2024

Graduation day for Brunswick Puppy School pups. Congrats little superstars!! Start your dogs education off with pawfect manners too, join us

21/08/2024

Matching Expectations

When we consult, we spend time discussing the expectations dog owners have of their dog’s behaviour.

No one likes to be told their expectations are unrealistic but I challenge owners to ask if their expectations are MATCHED, specifically to-

- the individual dog that they have, their current age, temperament and personality.

- The physical health of their dog, including physical issues that might always need to be managed, rather than cured.

- The amount of training that has been dedicated to the dog so far AND the amount of training that will actually be dedicated to the dog going forward.

- The willingness to manage the dog, when not actively training.

- The species level knowledge that we have (and can impart to owners) about what dogs need to be functional and fulfilled.

- The family/ home situation of the owners, what they can and cannot provide at an environmental level.

This is sometimes a very challenging conversation, as it requires equal parts insight and honesty about your dog, about you and about your home environment.

If I take ten dogs who pull on lead and bark at other dogs, and train them, the following outcomes are all possibilities for dogs within the group-

A- Meet and greet other dogs that they do NOT know, on lead with sociable behaviour.

B- Meet and greet other dogs that they DO know, on lead with sociable behaviour.

C- Move past other dogs without pulling on lead or barking, without direct, specific input from the owner, every time.

D- Move past other dogs without pulling on lead or barking WITH direct, specific input from the owner, every time.

But individuals within the group may only be capable of achieving one or two of these outcomes through their training process. Some dogs will shift between outcomes depending on the day, what else is happening in their life and that of the owners.

And having an EXPECTATION for possibility (A) is not one of the factors that will determine whether that ever happens.

Avoid frustration. Let us help you match your expectations.

Your questions are welcome in the comments.

Happy training x

Tamara

16/08/2024

Top marks pups! Congrats on graduating Puppy Pre School.

14/08/2024

Drum roll please...this week's handsome pin-up is, Charli! 😍

08/08/2024

Check out our latest group of handsome graduates. Well done pups!

07/08/2024

Making everyone drool with envy, this weeks super-pooch of the week is... lovely Lila!

07/08/2024

Start your pup off on the right paw. Come join in on our puppy school antics at High St Road Animal Hospital!

02/08/2024

Want to move your pup's paws to the next level? Does your adult pooch's manners need a tune-up? Our Group Obedience classes are just the thing!

01/08/2024

Unleash your pup's brilliance by joining us at our August Puppy School. Be quick, only a couple of places left!

31/07/2024

As lovely as a flower in bloom, our Dog of the Week is...Iris!

26/07/2024

And just like that...our new cohort of outstanding puppy school graduates! Come join us

24/07/2024

Today we're launching our fun new weekly post, 'Dog of the Week', where we'll be showcasing the wonderful dogs we get to work with. Keep an eye out in case your pooch features! For our first superstar, here's...Lucy!

19/07/2024

Here's our latest group of Patterson Lakes Puppy Pre School superstars. Give them a round of a-paws! 👏🐾

18/07/2024

Essendon Puppy Pre School at Studio 50 Paw is out! Congratulations graduates 🥳

10/07/2024

Happy puppies & happy owners! 🤩

28/06/2024

Unfortunately because of poor weather, Agility classes for this Sunday have been postponed. If you are enrolled, please check your emails for further details and the next available class option. Apologies for the inconvenience- have a lovely wet weekend!

21/06/2024

Happy Weekend 🎉 What are you and your dogs doing this weekend?

21/06/2024

14/06/2024

Come join us next Thursday at Patterson Lakes Animal Hospital for our Puppy Pre School course!! 🙌🏽🔥

12/06/2024

Have You Asked The Questions? Are You Content With The Answers?

A few weeks ago, I was doing a training session with two dogs I know well and walked past a fenced off lead dog park where we often train (always on the outside of the fence!).

A Volkswagen caddy (small vehicle) pulled up and caught my attention. The car, though parked, was shaking side to side and the sound of barking dogs made it clear there were multiple, highly aroused, frustrated dogs inside.

The driver (a dog walker) got out and opened the side of the car. Out ran dogs, all off lead, spilling onto the foot path and then through the now open dog park gate- 8 dogs in total, 7 large dogs and one small. It’s incredulous so many dogs fitted into the car- all unrestrained.

The dogs were so aroused that they pushed and shoved each other through the gate and the dog walker followed after gathering some items, shutting car doors etc- most of the dogs were deep into the park by the time they followed through the gate.

I could list off the dangers at every step of this process. There are many. There are risks I think are too significant to mitigate, regardless of one persons experience or the individual dog’s personalities.

But I’d like to simply ask the owners of the dogs- do you know that this is what is happening with your dog?

Have you asked your dog walker how your dog is transported? How they are secured? With how many other dogs at one time? What happens when a new dog is added? Are they introduced in the backyard of a vehicle?

Have you asked how your dog moves from the vehicle into the dog park? Are they on or off lead? What happens if one of the off lead dogs goes the wrong way- does the dog walker go after them or stay with the group?

Have you asked how they manage arousal in a group of dogs? What procedures do they follow if there’s a fight? How do they recognise dogs that are stressed? Overwhelmed? Physically fatiguing prior to the end of the session?

Do you know how to ask your dog whether they enjoy their sessions? Are they relaxed, confident- does it add to their well being? Do they feel physically comfortable after a session? (NB- Exhaustion is not comfortable)

What you choose for your dog is truly your choice. Nothing is risk free.

But.

Have you asked the questions? Are you and your dog content with the answers?

Underdog Training is a Melbourne based dog training business, developed and run by qualified dog tra

04/06/2024

I saw Hank whilst he was at the shelter before he was lucky enough to find foster care with Olivia. Amazing big dogs like this do not come along very often- he really is exceptional and would be such a rewarding dog to own. Enquire with AAPS directly.

29/05/2024

Attention all Puppy Owners! Come join us at Hawthorn East Vet and Kew Vet for our upcoming Puppy Pre School ✨

23/05/2024

We host puppy schools at a range of various locations all around Melbourne! Set your puppy up on the right paw and enroll today! 🐾

17/05/2024

An oldie but a goodie! Enrichment vs free food!

16/05/2024

Come Join us at Braeside for our June Obedience Classes! 💕

Enrol online today! 🐾

16/05/2024

Epsom Road Vet 🎓

16/05/2024

Patterson Lakes Animal Hospital 🎓

15/05/2024

Andy's Doggy Day Care🎓