Little Paws Big Paws

18/03/2024

🌟 Important Announcement 🌟

To our beloved Facebook community,

We have some important news to share with you all. After much consideration, we've made the difficult decision to close down our services in the Adelaide Hills region. This decision comes as a result of unforeseen health issues faced by James, one of our key team members, and Alex's decision to embark on a new professional journey.

While this may come as disappointing news, we want to assure you that this decision is necessary for the well-being of our team and the future direction of our company. However, we're thrilled to announce that our services in the South East will continue as normal for the time being.

We want to express our deepest gratitude for your support over the past 10 years. Your trust and loyalty have been the cornerstone of our success, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to have served you.

But fear not! While our Adelaide Hills services may be closing, we're not going anywhere. We'll be focusing on revamping our services and introducing new team members to bring you even better offerings in the future. Stay tuned for updates on our website and social media platforms as we unveil our exciting changes.

In the meantime, we'll continue to share valuable training tips and tricks right here on our page. So be sure to keep an eye out for our posts to help you with your furry friends.

Thank you once again for your continued support and understanding during this transitional period. We can't wait to share our new services and structure with you soon.

Warm regards,
Little Paws Big Paws Canine Training & Behavioural Specialists 🐾

03/03/2024

🐶💕 Welcome Your New Puppy into a World of Understanding and Growth 💕🐶

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting journey of love, learning, and discovery. To ensure this transition is as joyful and smooth as possible, it's crucial to embark on the right path from the very beginning.

Key Steps for a Happy Start:

Breed & Breeder Research: Select a breed that fits your lifestyle and find a reputable breeder to ensure a healthy, well-adjusted pup.
Understand Puppy Development: Knowing the stages of puppy growth helps in providing appropriate care and training that supports their emotional and physical well-being.
Early Training Plan: Establishing a training routine early on is essential for socialization, preventing behavioral issues, and fostering a strong bond.
Introducing Our Puppy Development Packages: Tailored to meet the unique needs of your puppy and your family, our Puppy Development Training Packages on our website are your go-to resource. Designed by experienced trainers, these comprehensive programs offer practical training sessions and ongoing support, ensuring you and your puppy thrive together. Focused on building trust and mutual respect, our packages are the foundation of a lifelong joyful relationship.

Visit Our Website: Dive into our Puppy Development Packages for a detailed guide on nurturing your pup into a well-behaved, obedient, and happy companion.
https://www.littlepawsbigpaws.net

Let's make your puppy's journey into their new home a seamless and enriching experience. With the right preparation and our expert support, you're setting the stage for countless moments of happiness and a strong, loving bond.

29/02/2024

🐾 Unlock the Secret to a Deeper Bond with Your Dog 🗝️💕

Understanding your dog's needs goes beyond basic care; it's about tuning into their signals and communication. This deep understanding fosters an incredible bond, making life together more harmonious.

👣 Routine Benefits: Establishing a routine provides your dog with a sense of security and predictability, reducing anxiety and building trust.

📚 Basic Obedience Training: Essential commands like sit, stay, and come are not just tricks; they are tools for effective communication. Basic obedience creates a language that both you and your dog understand, enhancing your connection.

🌟 One-on-One Training Sessions: Tailored to your unique needs, these sessions focus on building this understanding and communication pathway. Our trainers help you interpret your dog’s behavior and needs, aligning training with their personality and your lifestyle.

🔗 This isn't just training; it's building a foundation for a lifetime of mutual respect and love. Struggle with understanding your dog's needs? Let our one-on-one training sessions guide you. Establish routines, master basic obedience, and unlock a deeper bond.

🐕‍🦺 Ready to transform your relationship with your dog? Contact us to learn more about our personalized training sessions.
https://www.littlepawsbigpaws.net

28/02/2024

🐾✨ Why Walking Your Dog is a Win-Win for You and Your Furry Friend! ✨🐾

Hey, Little Paws Big Paws family! 🐕❤️🐩

We all know life gets busy, but did you know that setting aside time for regular walks with your dog can significantly enhance both your lives? Here's why stepping out with your pup is a must-do activity:

Healthier Hearts & Happier Minds: Walking is a fantastic cardiovascular workout that helps both you and your dog stay fit. It also boosts mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Strengthening Bonds: Spending quality time together on walks strengthens the bond between you and your pet. It's an opportunity for mutual trust and understanding to grow.

Socialization & Stimulation: Walks provide essential socialization for your dog, allowing them to meet other dogs and people. The new scents and environments stimulate their senses, keeping their minds sharp.

Behavioural Benefits: Regular walks can significantly reduce behavioural issues. They help burn off your dog's excess energy, reducing tendencies like barking, chewing, and digging.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Literally! Both you and your dog benefit from the fresh air and change of scenery, enhancing your mood and well-being.

🌟 But we get it - sometimes, there just aren't enough hours in the day. That's where our Walk and Train service comes in! 🌟

Don't let a hectic schedule keep your dog from enjoying the great outdoors and reaping the benefits of regular walks. Our professional team is here to help. With the Walk and Train service, not only does your dog get their much-needed exercise, but they also receive expert training during their walks. It's a fantastic way to ensure they're getting physical and mental stimulation, even when you're swamped.

🐾 Ready to give your dog the gift of health, happiness, and good behavior? Contact us today to set up your Walk and Train sessions. Let's make every step count towards a happier, healthier life for you and your furry best friend!

📞 James - 0422 449 320
📞 Alex - 0411 678 448
🌐 https://www.littlepawsbigpaws.net/

12/02/2024

🌊 Exciting News for Mount Gambier & Limestone Coast Dog Owners! 🌊
Little Paws Big Paws is now offering new booking times in your area, thanks to our wonderful new staff members! Dive into our tailored services designed to strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend:
Walk & Train Sessions
1 on 1 Training
Puppy Development Packages
Behavioural Assessments & Tailored Training
Don't miss out on securing your spot! Visit our website
www.littlepawsbigpaws.net to explore our services and book an appointment. Let's embark on a journey to happier, well-trained pups together!

12/02/2024

Dog reactivity training can look very different, and in order to effectively change a reactive dogs mindset, you need to generalise the learning.
This means being calm around dogs while walking, playing, sitting in the car etc.
A big component of training a reactive dog is the art of doing nothing.
Jax and Chase did a fantastic job practising the 'art of doing nothing'.
For two reactive dogs to be able to maintain their composure around each other is a big ask, but with the right foundations put into place, practise makes perfect!

10/02/2024

🌿 Discover Our Expanded Services in the Adelaide Hills at Little Paws Big Paws! 🌿

We're excited to announce new weekly spots available for our expanded services, including Walk & Train sessions and 1 on 1 Training Sessions, alongside our popular Puppy Development Packages and Behavioral Assessments & Tailored Training. With new staff on board, we're eager to welcome new clients looking to enhance their canine companions' well-being and behavior. Interested in joining our community? Message us on Facebook or visit our website to book your spot. Let's embark on this journey together!

10/02/2024

We are here to support our clients 100%, we really mean it.
Bob was recently adopted by his owner. His owner voiced her concern as multiple groomers had cancelled, and she was struggling to find one. With a lack of car, it was even more difficult.
Not to worry! Alex picked Bob up, took him to a doggy bath and his pamper day started.

He is already feeling better and refreshed!
His owner has done an incredible job so far with Bob and it's amazing to see the progress in Bob.

08/02/2024

Very interesting!

08/02/2024

🐾 A New Chapter for Little Paws Big Paws: Growth and Collaboration 🐾

In 2014, we embarked on a journey in the Riverland, quickly extending services to Murray Bridge. Recognizing the need for our expertise in the Adelaide Hills, we welcomed Alex in 2019 to support our expanding clientele in this vibrant community. The same year saw James venture into the Limestone Coast, setting roots to further our reach. Today, as we introduce new team members to cater to an increasing demand for Walk & Train services, we reflect on a decade of meaningful partnerships with industry professionals, welfare, adoption, and rehoming organizations, as well as veterinary clinics and pet stores. These collaborations underscore our commitment to the canine community and fuel our mission to enhance the lives of dogs and their families.

31/01/2024

Jarque had his second walk and train today. He was pretty chuffed with himself!
Jarques's skills are coming along quickly! He is eager to learn and show us what he can do.
We've been putting in some foundation skills to ensure we set Jarque up for success with other dogs. Jarque gets a bit emotional when he sees another dog.
We are super excited to see his progress in a few months.

27/01/2024

You've probably noticed that a lot of dog trainers/daycares and doggy services are popping up lately and there's a reason for this.
The industry is not regulated, meaning anyone can open up a daycare, anyone can claim to be a trainer... this becomes tricky for certain dogs as the owners seek guidance and get the wrong advice from uneducated professionals.

Yes, there training might work for a puppy, a companion dog designed to lay on a lap but when powerful genetics come into play, bad behaviour that's been allowed to be practised for months, if not years... it can go very wrong very quickly.
When fear is confused for arousal, when frustration is confused for fear... these small components missed create havoc for the dog and owner.

** Buyers Beware - Behaviour Problems are not for Franchised Dog Trainers! **

I had a consult today with a dog that is likely to be subject to a Menacing Dog Order following an incident while being walked in the street. Fortunately, the incident did not result in serious injury to anyone involved.

The dog had been showing mild signs of anti-social behaviour to unknown people for the last 12 months which recently deteriorated further; likely due to entering maturity and changes to the family situation.

The family responsibly sought consult from a trainer when these issues first began. Unfortunately, they retained the services of a franchise trainer. The dog had previously been fitted with a prong collar by another trainer, most likely for good reason; that being strength disparity. The franchise trainer changed the dog to a martingale collar. This decision has undoubtedly contributed to the loss of control during the incident.

Make no mistake, regardless of how well training is progressing, strength disparity will always be a constant factor! Competing motivators will always be a constant factor! Maintaining effective control must always be the number one consideration.

Formal training or qualifications are not required to buy a dog training franchise; the franchiser generally prefer the franchisee to have no formal training. Training is provided on purchase and the quality of that training, at least by the major two franchisers, is nothing short of disgraceful. Baaa-ing like a sheep while throwing a check chain at a dog is disgraceful, reactive, low level training. Training scenarios need to be set up in a controlled environment where a desired outcome can be assured. Likewise, staking a dog out and ignoring it for a couple of weeks is not going to modify any behaviour issue and will be highly detrimental to the mental health of the dog. You don’t have to eat before your dog to show “dominance”; no “pecking order” needs to be established in the household. The feeding of raw or red meat won’t make your dog aggressive nor will playing tug with your dog.

What dogs need is exercise, stimulation, set boundaries and clear communication.

Fortunately, franchised dog trainers appear to have become a lot less popular in recent years.

If your dog starts displaying potentially dangerous behaviours, especially with large and powerful breeds, you need a trainer apt in dealing with these issues; the consequences for getting it wrong could be dire. For this reason many competent trainers will not accept these jobs. Unfortunately others with lesser skill sets are only too willing to fleece people of their money and create potential time bombs.

It can be difficult sorting the chaff from the wheat in an unregulated industry like the dog industry. The flashiest websites touting deceptive slogans and making outlandish claims are never what they portray.

When it comes to behaviour issues with dogs, do your research and leave the franchises alone!

Footnote – This equally applies to any trainer or behaviourist claiming to be purely positive, positive only or force free. I’ve made several posts on this issue previously.

24/01/2024

They say a picture can speak a thousand words, so here's a photo of Bambi after her first walk and train session.

After one session, we've already seen a massive improvement in her loose leash walking skills.
You go Bambi!

18/01/2024

"My dog only listens if I have food."

It's not the food that gets results. It's how you use the food to get results!

Here, Chase is maintaining his place command, licking his lips in anticipation for food because he knows it's coming if he maintains his command.

Although there's nothing wrong with bribing your dog, especially to create behaviour or change emotion, it can create problems down the track if you don't understand how to transition from bribery to independent behaviour.

02/01/2024

A few months ago, Jax would see a horse in a paddock over 10 metres away and start barking, lunging, growling etc.
His mindset towards them is changing dramatically! What once caused him a lot of stress now leads to happy, neutral feelings allowing him to live his best life and maybe even make some new friends... 🤭

15/12/2023

Having the right tools can make a world of difference to what you're trying to achieve. Working with difficult dogs in a grooming environment can be stressful at the best of times.
Rufus Bathhouse is a new grooming salon that's going to make a huge impact on the grooming industry because they are setting themselves up for success with the right tools and knowledge of how to use them.
We are super excited for what's to come and can not recommend these guys enough.