Human + Hound

08/03/2021

Are you, or someone you know, about to bring a new puppy into the family?

The University of Adelaide is researching what it’s like to raise a puppy! We want to know the fun bits, and the-not-so-fun bits of life with your new pup! Our researchers are looking for participants who are happy to be interviewed on their experiences as well as fill out short bi-weekly questionnaires. This research will help vets, trainers and breeders provide better support for new owners in the future.

Please share with your friends and family!

If you have any questions please contact the principal investigator at [email protected]

Project title: Positive and negative challenges encountered by new puppy owners.

Ethics approval number: H-2020-253

Click here for more information and to register your interest: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7PNCWKY

21/04/2020

Highly recommend this team and their course. What a great time to start scent work with your dog. The difference it makes to confidence, calmness and your bond is the best.

http://scentdogsaustralia.com/online-courses.html

Module 1: Canine perception and ability In this information packed course you will be introduced to the very differently perceived world your dog lives in. Dogs see, hear and smell a world...

08/04/2020

Great work Dogspeak. So relevant right now and always.

Helping your puppy to build up confidence when faced with a scary experience. Without force or fear and giving him choice...

28/03/2020

If you’re thinking about taking on a puppy during this period of isolation please consider the long term mental well-being of animals you take on. Early and appropriate socialisation is vitally important.

https://animalsense.com.au/2020/03/27/puppy-socialisation-during-covid-crisis/

Socialising your puppy during Covid 19

22/02/2020

A blog about animal behaviour, animal training and my work as an animal behaviourist and pet behaviour consultant.

17/11/2019

Doesn’t get any sweeter than this.

02/11/2019

Turtle Nest searches at Gunbower. Such an incredible place.

11/10/2019

Food for thought. I have this conversation a lot and as the article says “it’s complicated”.
I’d love to see more research done on the behaviour side of things too.

Fixing dogs has been dogma for decades. Here’s why some pet owners are skipping it.

11/08/2019

It’s science Sunday. What a great way to spend 30 minutes or so on this rainy day.
If you’ve recently (in the last 2 years) acquired a new pet this ones for you.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W9ZJM36

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

11/08/2019

Got a teenager in your life? Want to help with science?

HUMAN-ANIMAL CO-SLEEPING 🐶🐱

Are you interested in understanding about how good your sleep quality is? Are you interested in how your pet influences this?

If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, then this study might be for you. If you are over 18 and know anyone in this age range then make sure you let him or her know!

The survey will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes of your time and participation is completely anonymous and voluntary. By completing the survey you can also enter the draw to WIN 1 of 4 gift cards worth $50!

Click the following link to the complete the survey: https://latrobe.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cBXGb9icxYKtYJT

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Dr Tiffani Howell ([email protected]) or Jessica Rosano ([email protected]).

La Trobe University Research Office HEC Approval number HEC19169

26/05/2019

Good advice. I have a ball obsessed dog but this reward is used for thinking and working rather than fuelling the crazy!
Always break up any play with some training.

Why the ball launcher could be terrible for your high energy dog.

22/04/2019

18/04/2019

Teaching a puppy how to problem solve. His first session and his lovely flexible brain picked it up so quickly. Too cute 😍

18/04/2019

Congratulations Billy and Saxon on graduating puppy school. We missed You Tully.
That’s my last puppy class for the foreseeable future 🥺 10 + years of non stop classes and I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every one.
Now for a new and exciting challenge.

Tristen’s Puppy Gym will be taking the reins at Spring Gully an I can definitely say Tristens classes will be loads of fun for you and your puppy.

10/04/2019

We spoke about this initiative in last nights puppy class. It’s often difficult to say please ignore my puppy he’s learning how to be calm around people. This makes it nice and clear!

Education

26/03/2019

23/03/2019

Another wonderful group of pups and their people graduated this week. Well done everyone.

17/03/2019

Lovely breakdown of how to eliminate simple but undesirable puppy behaviours.

14/03/2019

Congratulations to last nights wonderful graduation group. 4 weeks just isn’t long enough! Happy training 🐕🐕🐕
Special thanks to Jess for your excellent photography skills and sharing your expert puppy development knowledge with us.

05/03/2019

Five different dogs and five different training or behaviour modification goals.
But there a few common lessons amongst most of the dogs I see.
1: Playing often with your dog in a way they find motivating can help increase desirable behaviours and reduce undesirable behaviours.
2: Reward what you like (it will therefore occur more often).

24/02/2019

Monday is full so if you’re tossing it up don’t wait too long to register for Sunday!
Your dog will love it 😊

Registrations are now open for Introduction to Scent Work to be held in Bendigo.
Follow the link to register, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGyFFLsFrK1wm9RT-maV51XlTqfEmQFkpc7HbM6svchbOW8w/viewform?usp=sf_link

21/02/2019

So proud of this beautiful Hound and his Human!
Archie has come such a long way since we began his behaviour modification plan in conjunction with medication prescribed by his vet.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Archie since a new puppy and he has always been highly anxious (I belive genetically). This anxiety worsened to the point where he could no longer cope with many people and dogs.
This has not been a quick process, nor are we done yet but this is the best I have seen him.
The goal in this clip is he is aware of the people and remains calm and comfortable (under threshold), whilst having food delivered when he see's the trigger and then checks in with his human (counter conditioning).

20/02/2019

Just because.....

13/02/2019

These gorgeous pups are coming to Bendigo - and you could care for one of them.
We're looking for staff and students to be part of our anthrozoology lab's world-first program to train assistance dogs for veterans living with PTSD. Check out this MyLa Trobe blog story for details.

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/mylatrobe/these-puppies-are-coming-to-bendigo-and-you-could-care-for-one-of-them/

06/02/2019

And Rosie showing off her excellent “leave it”

06/02/2019

And a couple of videos. Lovely recalls 😁👏👏👏

06/02/2019

Very proud of all the graduating puppies tonight and of course their humans!!
*missing Mali and Reggie.

03/02/2019

Woohoo nose work workshop coming to Bendigo! This type of game will unleash your dogs confidence and strengthen your communication and relationship.
Talia is incredibly knowledgeable and I can personally recommend her! Looking forward to coming and watching 👏👏

Registrations are now open for Introduction to Scent Work to be held in Bendigo.
Follow the link to register, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGyFFLsFrK1wm9RT-maV51XlTqfEmQFkpc7HbM6svchbOW8w/viewform?usp=sf_link

03/02/2019

Ok not dog related but this is fantastic environmental enrichment for cats 😁

Turn your wall into a playground for your favourite feline(s). Attach different-sized MOSSLANDA picture ledges at various heights and distances (we sawed a few, too.) Make sturdy wooden boxes into nap spots. Line a ledge with rug pieces for scratching action. Use wall brackets to dangle toys.

23/01/2019

An excellent easy to read article which summaries all the things we discuss in our behaviour consultations when working with fearful or reactive behaviour.
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/16_4/features/across-a-threshold_20726-1.html

When you work with your dog on reactivity with other dogs or fear of children, the usual recommendation is to work with the dog under threshold.

19/01/2019

Meet Jura. Another brilliant rescue dog who I am working with to help adjust to her new life. Image one shows what a sweet willing dog she is but as you can see in image two she’s having some difficulty coping with being home alone as well as being very stressed when out of the home which presents as reactivity to many things like dogs and people she finds scary.
There are many tools which we use to bring down her stress levels so that we can begin introducing her to the world in a way she can cope. We will take it slow and build up her confidence gradually. Long term success is definitely more likely if we work at the pace she needs rather than the pace we want!

16/01/2019

Excited to be soon stocking the funky and functional trainers pouch!
They will be available for purchase at private training sessions and classes.
Feel free to pre order your favourite colour.

Are you looking for a gift for a family member or friend that:

a.) Is studying or has just graduated from an animal behaviour/training course. 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 b.) Just acquired a pet and is keen to train them.🐶 c.) Is a dog trainer, horse trainer, zoo keeper or works in an animal related industry.🦁🐨🐼🐵 Then is the perfect gift for them! Visit our website to order online or find out your closest stockist.

16/01/2019

Just a wee bit of puppy spam for the night. Some of the cuties who started puppy school tonight @ Spring Gully Animal Hospital. Apologies for the few I missed.

15/01/2019

If you are interested in trying Nose Work for your dog, you really can't go past this workshop. Your dog will love it and you will learn so much.

11/01/2019

These two Hounds are incredibly lucky to have such dedicated Humans.
Severe agression between the dogs has meant we have needed to strictly manage their environment whilst undergoing training and desensitisation/ counter conditioning.
Environmental enrichment is also essential and these guys have nailed every step 👌

09/01/2019

Fantastic graduation for these beautiful dogs and their wonderful people tonight. Well done guys I loved all the interesting questions and watched your pups develop. It’s busy time of year and classes are filling fast so booking ahead is a good idea.

08/01/2019

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-dogs-see-with-their-noses-alexandra-horowitz

You may have heard the expression that dogs ‘see with their noses.’ But these creature’s amazing nasal architecture actually reveals a whole world beyond what we can see. Alexandra Horowitz illustrates how the dog’s nose can smell the past, the future and even things that can’t be seen at ...

06/01/2019

For those of you I’ve spoken with about fence jumping. This is a great idea. I’ve also seen it with a less visually obvious option which I’ll try to find.

Is your dog a fence-jumper? Try paw-proofing the top of your fences with a PVC 'roller bar' which dog paws can't hold onto. For more info check our Knowledgebase at http://bit.ly/1iU270l

04/01/2019

Rescue can be so rewarding. And with a little help to get this beautiful boy on the right track he will make a wonderful companion. he has an incredibly dedicated owner so has really landed on his feet.
Looking forward to working with him more 😍