Andrea's Ark

13/09/2024

Do you have a new puppy? Want to start off the right way with your new puppy? Having it come when called, not jumping on people are two of the things we can help you with. Puppy Companion Course is for puppies under 6 months old and is an 8-week long course that teaches you the how to train your puppy. Next course starts Sat 21st Sept at 10.00 am in Lochiel. Topics covered are how dogs learn, basic obedience, dog psychology, husbandry and the puppies get to socialize in a controlled environment. Cost is $160 and proof of vaccination must be produced. Please message me if you require more information or would like to book in.

05/07/2024

01/06/2024

Walking with worried dogs can make walks hard, emotional and even scary. It's important to remember that even when a dog lunges forward, they are just trying to stay safe. We can help you to understand your dog and learn howe to make walks better, just drop us a line below.

18/05/2024

Often, our expectations of dogs are based on misconceptions of their behaviour, subjecting many to punishment they don't deserve- Holly Leake

03/01/2024

This is very important to realise, dogs can be very tolerant of what we do with them. When you do something stop and see if the dog comes back for more.

03/01/2024

This is very important to realise, dogs can be very tolerant of what we do to them but watch closely and see if they are enjoying us "playing" with them.

28/10/2023

I'm getting a bit fed up of seeing this silly idea written everywhere.

Education is education because it's based on tried and tested methods, study and facts.

Educated dog trainers work with the dog when they teach them, because this type of dog trainer can recognise what a dog needs.

They know every dog is an individual and cater their own approach to that.

And if they can't motivate a dog to learn, they develop themselves, they don't blame the dog or change to harsher methods.

They set the dog up for success while gently changing behaviours that need to be changed.

They grow the dog's confidence to cope, which is more likely to promote calm behaviours.

They want to know how the dog feels and how to give the dog agency.

They know that suppression and punishment does not provide the healing process that the dog in front of them needs.

They know that a specific collar or threat does not provide the dog with the freedom from fear or force that they deserve.

What educated dog trainers don't do is permissiveness.

They don't just throw cookies at a dog and hope for the best.

They don't ignore behaviours if they are problematic or dangerous.

Educated dog trainers are scientists, teachers, ethologists and perpetual students. They learn from the science and from the dog.

They are the only dog trainers that you should ever employ. So look for those with understanding, knowledge and who are continually striving to be better educated.

17/08/2023

Love these water treadmills but Strider is not impressed

10/06/2023

When we struggle with the guilt, the worry, the compassion. It’s a sign of how much we care and much we give to our dogs.

It’s probably a sign you’re getting it right. Just remember to take care of yourself too.

16/02/2023

WHOSE WALK IS IT ANYWAY?
Imagine going on a long-anticipated walk, through new scenery and enticing scents after being cooped up in the same place all day, but you have been fitted with a blind fold and are being dragged or yanked along at a quick pace.

I imagine that this is how dogs feel when we don’t allow them time to stop, sniff and explore the environment. Dogs largely perceive their world through scent and it’s how they collect and process information and make sense of the world.

Taking away an opportunity for sniffing on a walk really isn’t fair and as much as physical exercise is important, the mental stimulation that sniffing provides is equally, if not more important.

Allowing dogs to choose when to stop and sniff provides so many benefits – increases self-confidence, promotes calmness, lowers stress and anxiety levels, lowers pulse rates, reduces cognitive decline in older dogs and provides important mental and environmental enrichment.

Make time for a slow sniffing walk when you can, where your dog is allowed to choose which direction to go and allowed time to just investigate, interpret the environment and follow wherever their nose leads them.

It may take far more time and patience as we wait for them to finish smelling that particular blade of grass, but the benefits are well worth it – after all, whose walk is it anyway?