Mutts Manners and Obedience

27/01/2025

We had a little catch-up and refresher with Mabel today. Wow! I was blown away. She held a drop for about 20 minutes while her Ma and I chatted and ironed out a few creases, even staying put whilst we were out of sight. She's only 18 months old, so she still has lots of learning to do, but is in very capable and consistent hands.
Can't wait to catch up again in the future.

19/01/2025

Every day is a chance to consolidate good manners and boundaries.
Here, Missy, Milly, and Finn wait outside patiently while I prepare their dinner in the kitchen.

12/01/2025

2nd session for Dom. He's a fairly anxious boy, and progress has been a bit slow, but that's ok... With persistence and consistency, he'll get there. Having said that, he learned to drop pretty quickly in spite of his initial reluctance.
Then the heavens opened, and the light and noise show began, and we all had to run for cover and go home.
Proud of you, Dom.

08/09/2024

Such a proud moment for me here.
Where once Zoe would have growled, lunged, and been really difficult to handle in the presence of another dog, showed us today that all the hard work that has been going on between sessions is really paying off.
She may still be a bit too interested in Missy, but she listened to mum, kept a loose lead, and walked on by. No hackles and no growling...onwards and upwards from here.
Well done Team 🥰

19/08/2024

We've been working towards working in proximity to other dogs. Starting with learning the language, general obedience, and good manners.
Today, Zoe was able to walk past my van with Missy and Milly inside without any reaction at all. Listening to mum all the way and getting lots of praise at the end.

04/08/2024

Long Read:

Last month I had an article included in the inaugural Zine published by LOOP Art and Photo Space.
The Zine sold out so I'd like to re-print it here for you.

ANGUS

It struck me the other day as I was remembering the many dogs I’ve shared my life with, that searching the internet for a prospective dog to adopt is rather like online dating. You find a site, fill in the search criteria you feel is relevant to the future success of your relationship, press enter, and come up with nothing because it’s far too restrictive and nothing matches. You end up broadening the search from teacup to monster and end up with many potential matches (in itself very sad) whether they are appropriate or not.
The first photograph of Angus I set my eyes on had me falling head over heels with this scruffy black and white stray with a huge grin. A bit like Tramp in the Disney film Lady and The Tramp.
There was a limited back story, but I did know that he was busted out of the Mildura Pound where he was languishing on Death Row at the age of around 18 months. He was now in Woodend and looking for his forever home, which of course, was going to be with me!
A date was set for a meet and greet. (this was 16 years ago, so no formal checks were done) and I bundled my old girl, Kia, into the Ute and off we went. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I had a full on Oh.My.God. moment when I first saw him. He was, indeed, black and white and there was no denying that he was scruffy, but his coat was dull and dry, he was as skinny as a rake, stank to high heaven and was bouncing off the walls of the pen like he was on speed.
Our first walk was a drag up the road and back with me hanging on for grim death and I narrowly missed a spray when his bowels exploded on the pavement, honestly how could I take him home?
But I did, with all the windows down trying not to gag from the stench. My old girl was not impressed.
However, that first memorable journey was the start of a long and perfect relationship, for all 3 of us.
He and Kia became inseparable, causing all kinds of mischief and nearly sending me insane. They’d go on adventures without me, a clear reason why he ended up in the pound, and would return home filthy, happy, and sometimes covered in leeches!
We travelled to Outback Queensland several times for work, where he won the hearts of all who met him. Swam in dams and rivers and camped in the middle of nowhere – the Back of Bourke to be exact!
With Kia in her dotage, he watched over her and kept guard in her final hours, never leaving her side. Taking to his kennel for a week after she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Self appointing himself as Master Meeter and Greeter of all dogs when I started my own business as a Professional Dogwalker, he came everywhere with me, enjoying hours and hours of adventures. He was in his element.
As the years crept by and the black in his fur began to turn grey, he became a star of a short film and a tv commercial. He was a consummate professional and was humble with his newly found fame.
We welcomed several new dogs into the household, but he was most dedicated to the tiny, rescued puppy that found her way into our arms from a particularly unpleasant situation. Taking her under his scruffy wing he taught her that life wasn’t all that scary and there were people and dogs out there that were friendly, fun, and caring.
The devil also taught her to chase the postie…but we won’t dwell on that!
When he broke his leg at the age of 13, following an altercation with one of our younger dogs over a freaking Cheezel, I knew we were going to be on borrowed time, and when we had to make the hard to decision to amputate 12 months later after he developed osteosarcoma, it was a no brainer.
Facing the challenge head on he was hopping up and down the front steps 2 days after coming home from hospital, he even came out with me to join the walking pack again. It was like he was relieved to be free of the useless leg he’d been living with.
I knew there were some nodules in his lungs so the possibility of the cancer having spread were very real, but we chose to embrace life with everything we had.
We met other tripod dogs, and shared stories. This really helped me to focus on the good things in his life rather than get emotionally bogged down with the knowledge his time with me was now finite.
When he went off his food and opted to stay in bed, I knew we were at the end. He’d bounce back for a couple of days then fall heavily in a heap. He struggled to do the things he always loved, and he would look at me with such understanding and knowing on his face.
Our cats sat with him, and our 17-year-old Dowager Duchess pug cross lay with him. His protégé pup was quiet.
I watched him fade away with such overwhelming grief but knew that he’d had a life many dogs can only dream about.
The day he crossed the Rainbow Bridge was so painful for me but a perfect, and thankful release for him. Free from pain forever and remembered with so much love by so many.
Rest in Peace sweet boy: Angus 2007 - 2021

31/07/2024

Missy is a sniffer. It's what she loves most about walks, but if I let her sniff for as long as she liked on a walk, it would take all day.
Communication is key, and here she shows that she understands my tone of voice to mean 'that's enough,move on'
It's simple and easy to learn both for you and your dog.
Would you like your dog to listen to you and follow your directions?
Send me a message or give me a call.

28/07/2024

Ms Coconut's second session went quite well. She still likes to push the envelope but managed to hold a drop in the presence of Milly. A tough one for an excitable pup.

20/07/2024

This sweet girl is just letting me know how she feels about her first session.
Zoe is newly adopted after being in rescue for several months.
She picked up the language really quickly and did extremely well... Now on the road to address her reactivity around other dogs.

06/07/2024

Sometimes, things don't go according to plan, and the dogs show us that they are indeed individuals with minds of their own. That doesn't mean we throw our hands up in despair and stomp off, feeling dejected because they didn't listen. It means we revisit the situation and work on it until we all get it right.
In the first clip, everyone decided they identified as Lenny and barged through the door when I said his name.
The second clip is after we reset the exercise and everyone was on the same page.
Working together to achieve the end goal.
And if you're wondering what happened to the ridgeback, he didn't participate in the second time around

03/07/2024

Cafe session for Ms Mabel to practice all the things she's been learning. Her manners were impeccable. She did break her drop a few times, but every mistake is an opportunity to learn...so proud of this little pup who turns 1 tomorrow

22/06/2024

Tassie and Benji have transformed from jumping and barking at anything that moves or makes strange noises to feeling relaxed enough to just watch them go by.
Still a few issues to iron out, but their folks are totally committed to helping them live their best life

08/05/2024

Theres a couple of layers to this photo.
We're on holiday at the moment. We're staying on a farm...I was walking around the property with the girls on lead when I saw a koala in a tree...clearly I had to take a photo!
Into a drop they went so I could manoeuvre my camera, then these loose sheep crept up on us...no worries...these 2 know they have to stay in a drop, hassling sheep is just not an option...would you like your dogs to be calm under distraction?

13/04/2024

This is spot on...if you want to succeed with your dog...live your truth every day

Where’s the “magic” in dog training? Not in the places most are keen to look.

When you incorporate training (what we call passive training) into everyday life, you not only learn to apply training in practical, actually useful daily scenarios, you also teach your dog that you are leader who is always on the clock, rather than one who only clocks in when it’s time for some training drills—because if you know dogs, you’d know that dogs are happy to switch the good stuff on and just as happy to switch it off, depending on whether they think a leader who enforces rules is present… or not.

Be present and believable throughout the day, rather than just when “training” and watch what kind of awesome behavior your dog is actually capable of. Because the wise owner knows they’re always training, and that often the most important moments which transpire between dog and owner occur when we’re not “training” and instead simply living life together.

PS, I post this every year because it’s such a critical concept to get. Feel free to share it with those who would benefit—just actually share it, don’t edit out my name and face like so many have done in the past. That’s tacky and low integrity. 😉

www.thegooddogway.com

11/04/2024

Meet Paddi and Winnie. Their mum has a disability and she was worried about a few behaviours that they are displaying, especially when out walking.
We always start our sessions with the basics, which enables us to introduce a mutual and simple language and 'switches their ears on'
Whilst Mum has some concerns, these 2 clearly already have some boundaries in place and definitely listen to what is being asked of them.
Onwards and upwards for these 2...ironing out the walking issues will not be too hard.