DOG STAR Dog Training

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.

28/06/2024

Get an appropriate breed for your lifestyle. How much training will you need to do in order to meet your dog's physical and mental needs??

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/MJkezjaAXgvQiku7/?mibextid=oFDknk

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

20/05/2024

We haven't posted any puppies for a while. Don't worry - here is your puppy fix. 🐕 Congratulations Bonnie, Luna, Pepper, Dakai, Watson, Whiskey, Alfie, Loki, Maggie.

10/05/2024

I'm a passionate advocate for rescue dogs. There are lots of dogs available to adopt but you should still check that the breed or mix of breeds is appropriate to your lifestyle and that you can meet their needs. Research the breed carefully whether you get a dog from a breeder or a rescue before you commit.

An animal sanctuary is receiving up to five phone calls a day from dog owners asking, 'Can you take my Maremma?' as they find the bundles of fluff become large dogs needing lots of room and discipline.

16/04/2024

To All Future K9 Noseworkers:

There will be an Introduction Class starting in August on Sundays in Camperdown. Make sure you have sent me your email address so I can keep you updated when it's time to register.
[email protected]

08/04/2024

A nice article on crating.

Please don't say you are "crate training" your dog if you are putting them in a crate, shutting the door and letting them cry - there is no 'training' there and all you are teaching your dog is that the crate is an unpleasant thing.

A lot of new dog owners feel pressured into confining dogs to a crate because the internet tells them too when there is really no need, especially if it is causing your dog unnecessary stress.

It is a good skill to teach but some dogs (including mine!) really do not enjoy being in a crate. There are other options!

Dog crates can be a wonderful management tool, a safe retreat, and a place of comfort. However, increasingly, crates are being used as a shortcut; to avoid training, instead of being a step along the way; to confine, rather than treat underlying problems. So, let's talk about crates and the ways in....

21/03/2024

This is a great article. First time dog owners are bombarded with 'helpful' advice from fellow dog owners, family and friends. Often this advice is based on old-fashioned and now-considered harmful methods. Please consult qualified force-free trainers and give your dog the best possible start in life.
https://www.facebook.com/share/c59p9ZByKX2jjg93/?mibextid=oFDknk

When people are new to dogs, it turns out they are at a greater risk of using outdated, aversive methods that risk damaging their relationship with their dog (along with other potential harms). So I put together a list of 17 tips on dog training for first time dog guardians. What are your tips on training for someone who gets a dog for the first time?
Read it here: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2024/03/17-training-tips-for-first-time-dog.html

13/03/2024

Term 1 2024 finished!
Congratulations to our new Intro class: Albert, Bella, Karu, Rud and Rumple.
And to our regulars: Albus, Archie, Babs, Bear, Bruno, Cindy, Duke, Ellie, Frankie, Gina, Henry, Izzy, Jeddah, Juno, Kirra, Kiva, Mabel, Mac, Max, Max, Penny, Pepper, Quinn, Roxy, Wilma.
And of course, thanks to their humans for being awesome ❤️.

22/02/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/T4DLDVXhB2Y9F5A2/?mibextid=oFDknk

Where can you add kindness and generosity to your interactions with your dog? Below are some ideas!

* Exercise patience when your dog is engaged in species-specific behaviors like sniffing and playing.
*  Honor their requests for exercise, outdoor time, and other enriching activities whenever schedules allow. 
* Learn about their body language.
* Respect their boundaries around handling.
* Practice empathy and try to understand things from the dog’s perspective.
* Avoid punishment and never be the source of fear.
* Celebrate their unique personality!

20/02/2024

Happy Tuesday 😊

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Q7kKq6cyoZHVRun8/?mibextid=oFDknk

14/02/2024

Sometimes we want our dogs to just fit into our human world but we need to recognise that it's our job to understand and meet our dog's needs so that we can all be happy together.

08/02/2024

Training Tuesday
Life with a pup does not always go to plan . There are good days and bad days . Bitey days and sleepy days . But two thing that always help
Training and enrichment

02/02/2024

Shay Kelly's Canine Enrichment Facebook group is the best resource for ideas on how to stuff Kongs, make mealtimes interesting and generally keep your dog's brain engaged.
I keep a ziplock bag in the freezer and stick any leftovers in it. Then occasionally mush it all up in the food processor and fill Kongs and Toppls and then refreeze. This delight has: sweet potato mash, fish skin, a small bit of bread, beef, tiny amount of coconut milk and blueberries.

31/01/2024

There are many differences between an anxious and non-anxious dog. The gardener was one of Genki's biggest triggers and it took a mammoth amount of management and training skills plus a build up of the right medication for us to cope with the situation. On the other hand....

14/01/2024

Counter Conditioning and Desensitisation are big words but the essence of much of our modern dog training. Too often, we focus on the behaviour that we as humans don't like (e.g barking at another dog, growling at people) but we should focus instead on the dog's emotion when they are doing the behaviour (usually fear or at least concern). If we change how the dog feels about a certain trigger, the behaviour we don't like will reduce. It is often very hard for us humans to get our heads around this kind of training (give them lots of food, have a happy voice and praise them when the trigger is present) because it feels like we are rewarding the bad behaviour. So, grab a cup of tea and read on, especially note the section on why this training often fails. I have done this training extensively with clients and my own dog so give me a call to help.

https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2018/07/what-is-desensitization-and-counter.html?

A user-friendly guide to desensitization and counter-conditioning for fearful dogs.

11/01/2024

I'm preaching to an already enlightened audience but if you have friends or family considering sending their dog to a 'board and train' facility, please ask them to give me a call for a quick, no-charge chat first. I am seeing too many dogs coming back way worse than when they went in.

02/01/2024

Noseworkers who are current students: check your email as registrations are coming out this week. Thanks!

28/12/2023

Just to prove to my K9 Noseworkers and to K9 Nose Time that I'm doing my homework, here is Bucket's first suspended hide on primary.

17/12/2023

For our reactive or fearful dogs, the key quote here: Training without management risks making the training slower or ineffective. Management without training leaves the dog still fearful and afraid.
https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2022/03/staying-safe-management-for-fearful-dogs.html?fbclid=IwAR2J1OqhtXGG9LBZZDKYUMJLqec9gQ_94carxUaCLcbmgoX08MIfSMeQUFA&m=1

If you have a fearful or reactive dog, you need to get good at management. Here’s how it helps.

15/12/2023

Little bucket 🪣 doing some Nosework.

12/12/2023

Prepare your pets for Christmas
https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/page-1862227?fbclid=IwAR0eTOWh7GE87oqp1FHSkidWn60Pc_z6ihr-qKc9MqB3-bblbHqZ4DZo6sc

The Christmas decorations are going up and we are starting to organise family get togethers and Christmas itself. It's a time for celebration, lots of great food and conversation. But is also can be a stressful time for our pets.

10/12/2023

Thanks to Rocky Ridge Pet Resort for looking after Bucket this weekend. ❤️

06/12/2023

How cool is this???
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=847796480681465&id=100063533621187&mibextid=Nif5oz