Problems On Paws

29/05/2025

Yep 10 years and counting with my boy!

Training really is an ongoing journey and nothing is ever "fixed" because behaviour is so fluid!

Is basic obedience really basic?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

I get asked so many times to just teach a dog how to listen, or to just get a dog to be perfect with the basics.

But the truth is, there is absolutely nothing basic about basics.

Basic obedience (I call it manners, and will do it from now) consists of a solid recall, loose leash walking and being calm and able to listen around distractions such as dogs and people. There is NOTHING basic about that and every dog trainer will tell you that every single thing there is advanced.

Unfortunately because it's labelled basic, most people think it just takes one puppy course, or one private lesson and the basics should be learnt. These basic cues, require hundreds of hours of practice in different environments at different thresholds and consistency in order to actually be proofed. And ever dog will be different. Some dogs pick up recalls quickly but their leash walking might take a lot longer to proof.

People will see me with my dogs in public, say oh wow you're a trainer I need you to just make my dogs listen like yours do.

Here are the numbers:
Titan = 9.5 years of consistent hard work and training
Wagyu = 4 years of consistent hard work and training
Sparta = 1 full year of hard work and training

And it is ongoing. I haven't stopped training with any of them.

So let's stop calling basic manners basic and call it what it is: Advanced, high level manners that take years of dedication and hard work.

30/04/2025

Enrichment doesn't need to be fancy or expensive.
Every few weeks I go through the dog cupboard and put together treat packs for work.

This results in a lot of dog treat packaging and guess who gets to shred it.

Share your easy enrichment ideas in the comments!

12/04/2025

Someone's back on a chicken and rice diet for a day or two.
He's not as resilient as he used to be in his older age.

Been a stressful week, made worse when I'm woken up by the sound of retching at 4am. Wasn't able to keep kibble down but chicken and rice is agreeing with him so far.

We will continue to monitor him and if he can't keep his food down then it'll be a visit to the vet.

18/02/2025

Many of my clients have probably heard me advise not to let their dogs practice the unwanted behaviours they have called me in to help with but why is that?
Why is management and prevention just as important as training the dog to do what we want?
Every time you let your dog partake in that unwanted behaviour, you are increasing the likelihood that they will choose that behaviour next time, due to the creation and strengthening of neural pathways within the brain. This means when presented with the same or similar situation the neural pathway is pretty much predetermined.
Let’s look at jumping up on guests as an example
Each time the doorbell rings, announcing a guest has arrived, the pre-practiced and strengthened neural pathway involved in the jumping up behaviour has begun to fire. Every time that two neurons fire together, their connection is strengthened, they wire together, increasing the likelihood that they will fire again together in future.

Are you seeing a vicious cycle forming?

So what can you do to break this cycle?
There are 3 key things when it comes to fixing problem behaviours in our dogs.
1. Preventing the dog from practicing the behaviour you don’t want through management
2. Teaching the dog an alternative behaviour for those situations, and
3. Practice, practice, practice
Back to our jumping up example
Before you even open the door, you should pop your dog on a lead. This will allow you to have more control over preventing your dog from jumping up on your guests and therefore avoiding strengthening those “jumping” neural pathways.
But prevention on its own isn’t going to provide a long-term solution to your problem.
We also need to teach your dog what to do instead of jumping when guests come over. This will start to build and strengthen those neural pathways that are involved in anything else but jumping.
What alternative behaviour can we teach? Anything that you deem is appropriate!
In the jumping up case, I usually recommend sticking to the “all four on the floor” rule– as long as all four of your dog’s paws are on the floor they can receive attention.
Then the third and final step is to practice that new behaviour in both set-up scenarios and organic ones. Every performance of that behaviour strengthens that neural pathway while weakening the “jumping” one.

It’s important that this alternative behaviour fulfills the same needs that jumping originally met- in this case attention from people!
This is so we can get a new strong neural pathway through repetition – because who doesn’t like practicing something they love, especially when they get a fantastic reward from it?

Take care and happy training!

27/01/2025

☀️ Dog owners, take note! 🐾

Today’s forecast is a scorching 40°C in Sydney! 🔥 Please ensure your furry friends stay safe and comfortable in this heat:

Hydration is key—keep water bowls filled and refreshed.

Avoid walks during peak heat—opt for early morning or late evening strolls.

Provide ample shade and consider indoor activities.

Never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.

Let’s keep our pups cool and happy in the heat! 🐶❤️

12/01/2025

🌟🐾 **5 Essential Tips for House Training Your Puppy!** 🐶🌟

1. **Establish a Routine:** Consistency is key! Take your puppy out at the same times each day, especially after eating or playing. This helps them learn when and where to go.

2. **Choose a Designated Spot:** Select a specific area outside for bathroom breaks. This familiar scent will help your puppy associate that spot with potty time! 🌳

3. **Use Positive Reinforcement:** Praise and reward your puppy with treats and affection every time they go in the right place. This builds positive associations! 🎉

4. **Keep an Eye On Them Indoors:** Supervise your puppy closely while indoors. If you catch them in the act of an accident, gently redirect them outside. 🚪

5. **Be Patient and Consistent:** Accidents will happen! Stay calm, clean it up without fuss, and remain consistent in your training. Patience is crucial during this learning phase! 💪

Happy house training! Share your tips below! ⬇️

🐕

07/01/2025

🐾 Training your furry friend can be a rewarding experience, but mistakes are often made along the way. Here are 5 common pitfalls to avoid while training your dog:

Let’s work together to train happier and healthier pups! 🐶✨

05/01/2025

🎉🏢 Guess who’s back? I’m thrilled to announce that I’m back in the office after a Christmas and New Year break! I'm ready to kick off 2025 with fresh ideas and renewed energy, excited to help you achieve your goals this year! 💪✨

Let's make magic happen together! Can’t wait to connect with all of you!

🌟

04/01/2025

🎉🐾 Ready to bring some extra joy to your dog's day? Teaching your furry friend fun tricks can strengthen your bond and keep their brains engaged! Here are some cute tricks you can try:

1. Spin - It's a real showstopper! 🌪️
2. Play dead - The ultimate dramatic flair! 😵‍💫
3. Bow - A classic cuteness overload! 🐶✨
4. High five - A job well done! 🤩🌟

What tricks does your pup know? Share below! 👇 -sitiveVibes

30/12/2024

🐾🎉 Happy New Year 2025, dog lovers! As we step into this brand new year, let's celebrate the pawsitive changes we can make together! 🥳 Whether it's teaching your furry friend new tricks or nurturing deeper bonds, we're here to make this year the best yet for you and your pup! 🐶✨

Let's embark on this exciting journey together! What goals do you have for your dogs in 2025? Share with us in the comments!