DOG STAR Dog Training

12/10/2024

Future Noseworkers - email registrations for Intro Class have been sent out so check your emails if you want to sign up. Next term starts in 2 weeks. Hope to see you there. If you haven't received the email, let me know.

27/09/2024

Future Noseworkers! I should have an Intro course starting end of October. Registration emails will be sent out around 11th October.

24/09/2024

PSA. Pesticides are being sprayed on our local sports field. They are harmless once dry but not so when wet. It looks like this, blobs of white foam, you'll have to zoom in. Bucket ate some and got mild gastro. Posting because I've never seen it look like this before.

20/09/2024

Dog training is not regulated which means anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. I, and many like me, choose to study scientifically researched methods to get the best outcomes. Best doesn't necessarily mean fastest in my opinion but it does mean the most humane. The internet is full of bad advice which at best doesn't fix the problem and at worst can completely break your dog both physically and mentally.

I'm a member of several governing bodies who promote force-free training through education. In the latest magazine from Association of Pet Dog Trainers there are some great articles on the latest doggy research. I'll summarise for you some of the findings:
1) "Dogs specifically trained to pick up certain scents were better able to complete tasks. They also had better cognitive function and the ability to control themselves" Aberystwyth University
2) "A trainer's tone of voice affects a dog's emotions, learning and performance...Talking nicely with a high-pitched voice caused positive emotional responses...their tails wagged more, they stayed closer to their trainer and seemed more at ease." Minas Gerais University in Brazil.
3) Certain dog breeds are more honed to human behaviour. When trying to solve a particular puzzle, cooperative working breeds (e.g. herding dogs, pointers, retrievers) were able to solve the problem quicker once it had been demonstrated by a human whereas independent working breeds (e.g. terriers, huskies, beagles) were not focusing on the human for clues. Department of Ethology in Hungary.
4) "Dogs prefer food over toys [as a reward]". University of Florida
5) Interestingly, science is still undecided about the efficacy of the "button pressing" craze. Research is ongoing in several institutions across the globe. For what it's worth, my personal opinion is that we should learn how to read our dogs better, rather than making them learn English syntax, as they already have a clear communication system. We'll wait for the science...

Isn't it fascinating how much research is going on!

This is what your dog trainer should be learning. If they are telling you to do things to your dog without any reference to science, dog welfare or breed traits, then they are not doing their job properly.
(well done if you read to the end of this post!)

18/09/2024

Have you, your friend or neighbour recently got a puppy? My next puppy school starts Monday 23rd September and there is one spot left. Puppy school start age is 8-14 weeks old. It's vital to start as early as possible to give you and your pup the best chance of success. Contact me at [email protected]

13/09/2024

Don't tell your dog off for jumping if it's an "I Love You" jump. This is a great book for adults and kids to learn more about how your dog is communicating with you.
https://www.booktopia.com.au/doggie-language-lili-chin/book/9781787837010.html

13/09/2024

Started our Nosework journey!

11/09/2024

Congratulations to Term 3's Nosework crew and especially to the newbies: Toby, Poppy, Gus, Dinkly and Rio. A round of applause to these doggies and their awesome humans: Ellie, Albus, Bruno, Mac, Babs, Cindy, Duke, Georgie, Bella, Karu, Rumple, Rud, Karu, Jeddah, Izzy, Max, Mabel, Bear, Quinn, Frankie, Penny, Archie, Kiva, Roxy, Gina and Penny.

04/09/2024

I caught a bit of this Conversation recently. Nice to hear modern, science-based discussions and to highlight that us humans are very much part of the problem and the solution.

"Laura says that when a dog is displaying 'difficult' behaviours like too much barking, pulling on the lead, or jumping up, the first step in the process is often changing the behaviour of their human.
She also believes with the increasing tendency in Australia to view our dogs as quasi-people has led to heavy expectations on many dogs, to which they can't always measure up."

Dog behaviourist Laura Vissaritis uses science and psychology to better understand what our dogs really are telling us. (R) Laura is a dog behaviourist with qualifications in both animal behaviour and human psychology. Dogs were the first animals to become domesticated, and over the centuries they'v...

27/08/2024

Some excellent recall work from Bucket.
Coming back to humans should be very fun and very rewarding.

20/08/2024

Some recent puppy graduates. Happy Wednesday to you all! Congratulations Archie, Charlie, Chilli, Lola, Millie, Skye, Archie, Dusty, Rupert.

08/08/2024

Bucket Gotcha Day. We've survived a year together!

In summary:
The first 3 months was like living with a small dangerous dragon.
The next 6 months: a big, angry rat who hates your guts.
Then, moments of brilliance started occurring; infrequently at first and then more frequently.
Now, a nice little dog is turning up more and more often who I'm pretty proud of. Fingers crossed this continues to be the trend!

Thanks to everyone who has helped us along the way.

(To all new puppy owners out there....it gets easier!!)

23/07/2024

I don't usually share unpleasant articles and to be honest, I haven't even read it because I know it will make me angry and depressed and disgusted at where humanity is.
Upshot: do your due diligence on your "breeder". Call me if you want help with that.
https://www.facebook.com/share/nk1HwCJZmeLd8u4u/?mibextid=oFDknk

More than 250 labradoodles have been surrendered to the RSPCA following the closure of one of Tasmania's largest dog breeders.

15/07/2024

Noseworkers: Registrations for Intro Class will come out to your email in the next day or two. The classes will fill very quickly so don't delay.

10/06/2024

A somewhat depleted Nosework crew this term. Nevertheless, some excellent sniffing achieved by (in random order!) Wilma, Duke, Quinn, Ellie, Rumple, Cindy, Frankie, Bruno, Rud, Jeddah, Max, Mac, Karu, Izzy, Babs, Bella, Albert, Mabel and Bear.
Hope to see you all back next term!

28/05/2024

Harness Issues.

Does your dog run away when you get their harness out? Do you have to corner and trap them to get it on? This is not a good situation: your dog might find the harness uncomfortable, it might signify stressful things are about to happen, the reasons vary.

At minimum, let your dog have some choice in the matter and be as least intrusive as possible. Here is Bucket doing a version of Chirag Patel's aptly named "Bucket Game". When he is looking at the pile of treats, he is giving me consent to put the harness on.
Book in a session to focus on your specific dog's harness issues!

23/05/2024

2nd Fear Period.

Bucket turned 1 last week and yesterday he was uncharacteristically spooked by a paper bag on the street. He was more sensitive to noises and other dogs, barking at them with hackles raised. He also lifted his leg to wee for the first time. This is text-book Second Fear Period. I am following the advice from this article:

"The fear of new situations must be handled with the utmost patience....If your puppy appears apprehensive, avoid pressuring him. Allow him to approach as he is ready. Praise confidence. In the event of an aggressive display, provide space, not correction. You are his support system...He needs to feel safe."

https://www.diamondsintheruff.com/developmental-stages

Remember, the majority of dogs are surrendered between 8 and 14 months due to (often normal) behavioural issues. Educate yourself on what to expect and when with your new puppy.

Developmental stages                        Age                         Learning and Development                          What you should be doing