Heeling Hounds

02/09/2024

Found this really fun statue in the Queenstown Botanic Gardens. It says everything there is to say about dogs!

25/08/2024

International Dog Day is observed annually on August 26 to honour all dogs—no matter their shapes, sizes, age or breeds—and encourage adoption for those who have yet to find a home and a family forever.

It is an excellent and symbolic occasion to celebrate man’s best friend and remember that every dog worldwide deserves a better life: a life of joy, love, protection, care and respect. Today is a special day to raise awareness about dog adoption because if you are looking for a life’s companion, shelters are full of four-legged friends waiting for their chance and will bring happiness to your days.

If you need help with your dog training, don’t hesitate to contact Tom at Heeling Hounds, who loves all dogs and shares his birthday on this special day!
www.heelinghounds.com.au

24/08/2024

The face of Heeling Hounds, Sidney the Border Collie, turns 7 today! Sidney is the inspiration for my dog-training journey, which included discovering Absolute Dogs and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia Inc.

23/08/2024

If you are thinking of getting a dog, consider adopting one from The Lost Dogs' Home. Then, on Monday, August 26, you can celebrate International Dog Day together!

If you need resources for your new rescue dog, visit the Heeling Hounds website at https://heelinghounds.com.au/rescue-dogs.

Adoption fees for adult dogs are half price for three more days.
Our Half Price, Full Love adoption campaign will be running across both our North Melbourne and Cranbourne adoption centres today, Saturday and Monday.

There are more than 80 dogs who would love to celebrate International Dog Day (Monday, August 26) in your arms and your heart forever.

They are relying on all of us, as a dog loving community, to help make their forever after happen.

Visit us at dogshome.com to view all their profiles and our opening hours.

21/08/2024

Of course, there's a day to celebrate my favourite breed!

🐾 Happy World Collie Day! 🎉 🌟 Did you know Collies are not just beautiful but incredibly smart too?

Here are some fun facts about Collies! 🐾
🐑 Herding Champions: Originally bred for their intelligence and agility in guiding livestock.
🎦 Lassie: This iconic film star made the breed popular in U.S. culture. Collies are known for bravery and loyalty.

🏠 Excellent Family Pets: Known for their gentle and affectionate temperament.

🧥 Coat Variations: Collies come in two main coat varieties: Rough (long-haired) and Smooth (short-haired), both equally striking.

🧠 Highly Intelligent: Fast, athletic and easy to train, they excel in obedience training and dog sports like agility.

🐕 Collies and Border Collies are Two Different Breeds: Border Collies are smaller with significantly higher energy levels.

🏮The white tip on a collie’s tail has an endearing nickname: The “Shepherd’s Lantern.” This white patch of fur was thought to be easy to see at night.

✨Dive into the fascinating world of Border Collies in this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast with Obedience Champion and all-round brilliant Pro Dog Trainer Linda!

🎧👉🏻 https://absolute-dogs.com/blogs/podcast/training-border-collies-lifelong-learning-from-the-pros

09/08/2024

The Heeling Hounds website has been updated with new content, including all our services, enrichment ideas, rehearsal and management advice and self-care for those that own reactive dogs.

Discover all our new content at www.heelinghounds.com.au today!

02/08/2024

Sidney loves his Outback Tails brand new and stylish Water Dreaming bandana.

Kevin the Koala has lasted over a year and is still going strong! These Australian-designed toys and dog accessories are the best!

31/07/2024

Petsy understands how important your dogs are to you. They are an Australian-owned and made brand specialising in pet insurance, which can help lessen the financial impact of treating your pets due to life’s unexpected dangers. Get a quote today and grab a special discount on us!
www.heelinghounds.com.au/petsy

Heeling Hounds cannot tell you to get Pet insurance; that’s financial advice. However, you will pay 100% of the vet bill 100% of the time if you don’t have pet insurance. Petsy Pet Insurance covers up to 90% of vet bills.

Heeling Hounds receives a financial benefit from any policy via the relevant promo code, supporting Heeling Hounds in continuing to provide dog training services.

23/07/2024

FREE LEARNING ALERT
Have you wondered what Concept Training is all about? Now's your chance to find out!
absoluteDOGS is offering the Core Learning course for FREE right now!
Dive in and explore the fundamentals of Concept Dog Training with this amazing introduction.
Check out the Core Learning course now!
https://absolute-dogs.com/products/core-learning
Don't miss out on this opportunity!

Have you ever wished you could understand more about the “why” behind your dog’s behaviour? Our Core Learning course is an introduction to the Absolute Dogs training approach. Learn about concept training and why we believe games are the best way to teach your dog the skills they need and achi...

16/07/2024

If you have been looking for the best dog food for your furbaby, look no further. Let me introduce you to Lyka, a natural dog food made from human-grade ingredients delivered straight to your door.
As an introductory offer, use the code HEELINGHOUNDS at check out to get 30% OFF your first meal box or follow the link https://lyka.com.au/join/HEELINGHOUNDS

19/12/2023

Dogs are not people and live in a completely different reality to our own. What we perceive as good and bad behaviours are just dogs being dogs. As their guardians, we can encourage (train) our dogs to repeat more desirable behaviours through rewarding experiences and management. The more we reward our dogs for making good choices and behaviours we want, the more our dogs will repeat those choices and behaviours.

If you would like help with training your dog, book a FREE Zoom consultation at www.heelinghounds.com.au

Canine cognition expert Alexandra Horowitz offers a peek inside the mind of your dog, sharing solutions to common "misbehaviors" that are often simply the re...

17/12/2023

How do you take your dog out for a walk? Is it a time for your exercise or for your dog to explore the world with their nose?
https://fb.watch/o-eu9A7Qfg/

13/12/2023

Sidney and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year for 2024!
Don't forget there are many free resources available on my website for you and any new dog owners.

11/10/2023

Does your dog struggle with being left alone?
If you find they get upset when you leave the house, have you considered whether they are okay if you leave the room?
Where and how can you start to teach your dog some independence away from you in the house?
• Gated communities where they can see and hear you
• Gated communities where they can hear but not see you
• The garden
• Downstairs while you are upstairs and vice versa
• While you pop to the toilet or have a shower
• When you get up from the sofa, can they stay in the room and not follow you?
These are all good places to start – see more tips and advice in the graphic, and feel free to share!
Want some more tips and advice? Download the FREE Separation Struggles Ebook from the Heeling Hounds website, or contact me for an in-home visit.
https://heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources
Scroll down to the Rescue Dog series.

10/10/2023

Self-control, or impulse control, is the concept that enables your dog to see something they value or have a desire for and still be able to control themselves.
This is an essential skill for your dog to learn – waiting becomes a rewarding experience.
Your dog always has impulses, whether for movement, scents, tastes, people, or other dogs – the choices are endless! However, you don’t want them to interact with those things constantly. Neither do you want to be constantly nagging them!
It is worth noting that the impulse might be for something your dog wants or is frightened of. For example, dogs might pull and bark on lead because they want to say hello or are scared.
Instead, you want to inspire them to control themselves around these distractions and impulses – self-control and calmness work together.
A dog with self-control won’t:
• jump on visitors
• counter surf or take food that’s not given to them
• run up to every other dog they see on a walk
• chase birds, or children, or joggers
• run out the front door or jump out of the car when the door is opened
Download the free Calm resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their self-control skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

09/10/2023

Proximity is the concept that determines whether your dog sees value in being close to you.
A dog who values proximity will:
• enjoy off-leash freedom
• walk loosely on lead
• stay close to you
• check in often
• have a reliable recall
You want to provide your dog with many great experiences around you! If you put more value in being close than being further away from you, your dog will actively choose to spend time in proximity.
A dog with value in proximity has the skills to hang out with you and make great choices. The other advantage of a dog that likes to stay close is that you have better control when unexpected events occur – the random motorbike that roars past or the surprise dog that appears out of nowhere!
If you want to grow your dog’s proximity skills, consider investing in the Sexier Than A Squirrel Challenge online course available from Heeling Hounds.
https://heelinghounds.com.au/sexier-than-a-squirrel-1

08/10/2023

Independence is your dog’s ability to work away from you and away from reinforcement, as well as their ability to make the right choices without guidance. Independence determines whether your dog sees value in spending time away from you and is comfortable doing so.
On the face of it, that might feel counterintuitive, right? You want engagement and proximity! But there are many situations in which you need your dog to operate independently. It’s essential to be clear that proximity and independence are not mutually exclusive. A dog can be good at both!
A dog with independence can be in the garden, curled up on their bed, and when you go about your tasks, they will remain unconcerned and worry-free.
A dog who understands that there is value in independence is much less likely to struggle with Separation-related behaviours (also known as ‘separation anxiety’).
However much you love your canine companion and want the very best for them, you need to be able to do things that don’t involve your dog. There are occasions when you will need your dog to be calm and content with spending time away from you. Independence is a vital concept here.
Download the free Boundary Games resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their independence skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

07/10/2023

Grit is the concept that dictates whether, when presented with a challenge, your dog steps up and pushes through or gives up. It is the understanding that when not given an immediate reward, it pays to try harder rather than give in.
How persistent is your dog? Think perseverance.
Imagine a sniffer dog who searches for a missing person or hidden drugs. That dog will only be good at its job if it is persistent (“gritty”) – what you might term “tenacious” – and doesn’t give up if not immediately rewarded with a find. Indeed, there will be occasions when there is nothing to find, yet the dog is still expected to look and approach the next job with the same determination.
A gritty dog will push harder and will bounce back more quickly.
A dog who has plenty of grit will be better at:
• duration, i.e. waiting, sitting still, remaining calmer for longer
• working/playing/learning without (immediate) reward
• reliability of behaviours in everyday life
• calmness, patience, and household manners
If your dog relies on food to give you the desired behaviour, working on grit will help you get more from your dog for less payment.
Download the free Optimism Rocks resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their grit concept skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

06/10/2023

Does your dog focus on you or the environment? Where does your dog see value?
Focus is your dog’s ability to stay committed to you or a task. This can be handler focus (focus on you) or forward focus (focus ahead while still being able to think clearly about the instruction you are providing). Focus is the foundation for many positive interactions between you and your dog.
Your dog might have fantastic focus, but is it on appropriate things? If they focus on the neighbourhood cat, a jogger in the park, the dog across the street or the best-smelling fencepost, you will likely encounter a few frustrating behaviour struggles!
Your dog’s focus on you will impact:
• their recall
• their ability to perform well in dog sports, such as agility
• their off-leash freedom
• their on-lead walking
If your dog focuses on events and things, you’d prefer they consider none of their business, playing games that grow this concept will transfer your dog’s focus back to you.
Download the free Focus resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their focus skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

05/10/2023

Flexibility is an important personality trait you can teach your dog. This concept dictates whether your dog will respond or behave the same way in the same situation every time.
Can your dog adapt, think quickly on their feet, and recover quickly if there is a change in their life? Do they go with the flow and adjust accordingly, or do they respond with anxiety or stress?
Can they take instruction they weren’t expecting and be flexible within a training session in the real world? This is true flexibility!
Flexible responses in your dog include:
• not barking at other dogs whenever they may be
• not jumping up on people or furniture in different environments
• not leaving the yard if the gate is left open
• play games with you in unique environments
A flexible dog can make different choices when presented with the same situation.
Ditching routines is key to building the concept of flexibility in your dog. Download the free Ditch the Routine resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their flexibility skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

04/10/2023

Engagement is your dog’s ability to remain focused on you no matter what is happening in the environment. They enjoy playing games with you and think you’re the best! Engagement with you will ensure that your dog chooses you over distractions. This concept works best when combined with other concepts, such as self-control and disengagement.
Developing a ‘passion reward’ is a great way to grow engagement with your dog.
What is a passion rewards? When you play with your dog, look for intense engagement that excites your dog. Aim to grow an experience your dog wants to engage with over everything else, no matter what, but with you at the centre! An example of a passion reward might be a game of tug.
Download the free Chase resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their engagement skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

03/10/2023

Disengagement is your dog’s ability to see value in moving away from things in the environment.
One of the skills you can teach your dog is to empower them that whatever they are distracted by, whether positive or negative, is none of their business.
Can your dog acknowledge that something is none of their business, and can they remove their attention from it without interacting with it?
If your dog gets “stuck” when they see a distraction, won’t take food or struggles to move away – they need disengagement!
Growing value in moving away from scary and exciting situations will serve your dog well in all aspects of life.
• Less leash-pulling
• Greater recall success
• Appropriately interact with dogs
• Remain calmer in new situations
• Off-leash success
Download the free Chase resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their disengagement skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

02/10/2023

Confidence is the concept that allows your dog to go through the world feeling like a superhero—whatever might happen! Confidence can be defined as your dog’s willingness to try anything and everything put before them.
• How happy is your dog to have their body touched and manipulated?
• How willing is your dog to put themselves in different situations?
• How does your dog respond to failure?
True confidence goes beyond how your dog interacts with the world; it also influences how they interact with you and engage in your training sessions.
Download the free Optimism Rocks resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their confidence skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

01/10/2023

Calmness is one of the most significant gifts you can give your dog and is an essential concept for any dog to understand as they navigate life. Ideally, calmness should be your dog’s default state.
Calmness allows your dog to choose contented independence over separation-related behaviours. Calmness allows your dog to choose a quiet, relaxing activity over pulling on the lead, barking and lunging.
A calm dog behaves appropriately, is not frustrated, and fear will not overwhelm them.
The advantages of calmness for your dog include:
• Ability to relax at home
• Loose lead walking
• Makes good choices
• Happier and healthier
• Maintain an empty stress bucket
• Greater capacity to learn
• Better thinking in arousal
Download the free Calm resource from the Heeling Hounds website today, and if your dog could benefit from growing their calmness skills, don’t hesitate to contact me.
www.heelinghounds.com.au/training-resources

30/09/2023

Every dog has a brain shaped in a particular way with different strengths and weaknesses due to genetics, the environment and past and present experiences. Put another way, your dog’s personality comprises various building blocks called concepts. Each concept can be trained through lifestyle games and activities to help your dog navigate the world and become a better canine citizen – concept games-based training is force-free, positive and fun for you and your dog.
Contact Heeling Hounds www.heelinghounds.com.au to learn more.

13/09/2023

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia Inc. has a 4-day learning conference in October.

For more details, go to: https://apdt.cw3.events/

26/08/2023

Spoil your dog rotten today on international dog day! Play, explore and enjoy time together.

09/07/2023

This is my dog Sidney snoozing in his crate, but he is not at home, he's in a completely different house.

Crate training is so important for your dog. It means you can take your dog to a new place (in this case a cottage in the country) and they have a place to calmly settle.

If you need help to make crate training great training contact Heeling Hounds today.

30/05/2023

Let’s talk about a win for calmness, management and disengagement!
While my son’s apartment had new flooring installed, our family looked after their pet rabbit. I own a 5-year-old Border Collie that has never lived with a small animal before, so the challenge began on Day 1!
Sidney, our Border Collie, has been trained using the Absolute Dogs Concept Training method for over four years and is a master at calmness. However, a rabbit in the house is such a novelty that his training went backwards several steps to reinforce known skills.
Days 1 and 2
To begin with, I used barriers to manage access and my dog’s leash for control. To ensure the safety of the animals and keep buckets from filling, encounters were brief and always supervised. I observed the body language of the animals during their time together and also helped Sidney disengage from the rabbit and rewarded him for his efforts. When I was unable to supervise, the rabbit remained behind closed doors.
As you can see from the picture, Sidney was very wide-eyed and amazed with our new visitor!
Days 3 and 4
As Sidney’s excitement waned, I allowed him greater access to roam freely but still rewarded disengagement. By day four, Sidney could relax in the next room away from the rabbit.
The animals also had outside time, with the rabbit safely in a crate while Sidney roamed the backyard. This activity further helped both animals practice calmness and disengagement.
Day 5 and beyond
The truth is that I am writing this post with Sidney asleep in his open-door crate beside me while the rabbit scurries in his enclosure down the hall. The doors to rooms are not closed, the house is peaceful, and all the animals are happy and relaxed. Sidney has become quite fond of the rabbit and will sit beside his enclosure and check up on him occasionally throughout the day.
I am very proud of my dog and how quickly he has translated the concept skills he learnt previously and adapted to this new and very novel situation. My initial plan when agreeing to look after the rabbit was to have the bunny behind closed doors for the next two weeks to prevent chaos. The chaos has been averted with concept training, and our final week of looking after the rabbit will be a breeze!
Thanks, aD, for all the amazing training you provide me and my dog. The rabbit thanks you too!

05/05/2023

Do you and your dog need a training boost?
The Absolute Dogs mini-courses are 40% until Monday 8th May.
Go to my website https://heelinghounds.com.au/absolute-dogs to discover more about these relationship boosters.
Normally £27, these courses are £16.20 for a limited time only.
Help your dog stop barking, stop jumping up and stop pulling on their leash.
While your on my website discover what else is available including the new book by Absolute Dogs.
https://heelinghounds.com.au/absolute-dogs