Harmonious Hounds

14/12/2024

This is a long read but the information is so important when we are approaching the time of year when homes can become hectic.

10/12/2024

We did the Lapstone Hill Tunnel walk on Sunday. At 660m long it is quite impressive. Originally built for the railway in 1891, a new rail line was subsequently and the tunnel was used for the storage of mustard gas during World War II, then used as a mushroom farm. Hopefully it will be open to the public permanently when restoration is completed.

25/11/2024

Joey has had his summer haircut. I have 3 shorthairs again. I can hardly tell them apart now. 🤭

24/11/2024

Congratulations to 2 of my students for completing “Skills for Life” classes today. Mannie and Bunji both achieved fabulous goals with leash manners, recalls, station training as well as having some fun with engagement games, targeting and improving connection. Well done.

30/10/2024

Joey is learning to station with 2 paws up. I had 3 sessions with him today and this is what we got. He does have a good understanding of place training and we have had some fun with paws on things so the concept is not new to him.

We begin rewarding the position with low value food rewards, and rewarding the release with a high value food reward.

We quickly transition to making the release more exciting and fading out rewards in position.

This is all in a quiet environment. As we progress to more difficult situations, such as when visitors arrive, we will increase rewards for being in position again.

This station is not meant to be a relaxed behaviour like I expect with place training on a mat or bed, so I actually want the anticipation of the reward for release to be exciting.

Teaching Joey a station behaviour with front paws up. Beginning by rewarding the station behaviour with low value treats, and rewarding the release, or break...

27/10/2024

Huge congratulations to Albert, Marlow and Belle for completing Harmonious Hounds “Skills for Life” course today. These 3 dogs and their humans did so well. Loose lead walking is well on the way, as are stays and RECALLS…. Wow!! They all blew me away with their recalls. Good work everyone. Wish I had videoed those recalls. What an absolute pleasure to have you all in my class. 🐾🐾🐾

24/10/2024

Yes I agree with this. Keep your best mate safe. It’s you that your dog needs a good relationship with, they don’t need to play with a whole lot of unknown dogs at a dog park to be social. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard or read “we used to go to the dog park until…..”.

13/10/2024

These 3 beautiful dogs are in my current Skills for Life class. They are such a pleasure to have in class and their humans are so keen to give them the best life.

12/10/2024

These two were on fire last night at the United Retrieval agility trial. Joey 1st place and Q in Novice Agility, Georgie 2nd place and Q in Open Agility and 2nd place but over time in Masters Jumping. Seven runs altogether and all were such fun to run. Good dogs🐾😇

09/10/2024

Joey is learning to hold a retrieval bumper. I am hoping to start him in RATG (retrieving ability test for gundogs) and for that he needs to be able to retrieve a thrown bumper, hold it steadily, and deliver it back to my hand. He’s off to a good start.

I love his vocalisations when he is working with me. He always does it. He is so enthusiastic. Just hope he can get his little mouth around a competition size bumper.

Good boy Joey Cocker🐾💙

02/10/2024

“Skills for Life” class. A new course of 4 weeks beginning soon in the Penrith area. If you have a dog 6 Months or older who needs a little help with those important skills like leash manners, recall training, waiting on a place, as well as foundational engagement games so that your dog is more focused on you, feel free to contact me for more information or to book a spot.

Mob: 0408 625 817
OR
[email protected]

These are a few of the previous stars who nailed some useful skills and had fun.

30/09/2024

This was a really interesting and informative course. It backed up what I already knew and went much deeper into animal behaviour and why they do what they do, as well as teaching most effective ways to resolve challenging behaviours.

30/09/2024

I have just completed this really interesting and informative course on animal behaviour and how to go about resolving challenging behaviours most effectively.

28/09/2024

Joey and I attended the Pointer Club of NSW Scent Trial this morning and gained a pass with 2nd place in Advanced Exteriors. He looks happy about it too🤭🤣❤️💙🐾. Good boy Joey - “Laramis Leave Your Hat On”.

11/08/2024

Congratulations to my latest “Skills for Life” class. I’m so proud of these dogs and their humans for achieving so much. Some of their achievements are learning to be calm around other dogs and people, to focus on their humans, they can do brilliant recalls, they have begun learning door manners and loose leash walking. Today we had some fun with targeting behaviour, rewarding whatever their dog offered, whether a look, a nose touch, and/or paws on target. Clever dogs.

Congratulations Mallee, Frankke and Gucci, all pictured. Not pictured but well done to Bear, Dusty and Bear.

04/08/2024

A few of the lovely dogs in my current Skills for Life class. Good job Mallee, Frankke, and Bear. They are learning great focus on their humans, can now come when called, and more.

22/07/2024

Fabulous photos of Georgie from the 2024 agility nationals.