Balmoral Pet Services

16/10/2023

This dog and child have not met before. The child lives with a cat and has been taught to be gentle and respectful of animals. The dog had been running, playing and chasing a ball. He had dropped his ball and was having a rest when the child picked up the dogs ball and threw it for him. The dog chased the ball and gave it back to the child. They had a relaxed, fun interaction while being very closely watched by both adults, ready to intervene instantly. We need to always diligently supervise young children around dogs as things change so quickly, which is when it can all go wrong with the child getting hurt.

06/10/2023

This is why saying ‘No’ to your dog does not help. It doesn’t tell them what they should be doing instead.

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DO “NO”!?
Picture this –
A mom walks past her son’s room and notices he’s drawing all over the walls with his crayons.

“No! No! No! “, she screams at him.

He immediately stops, looking startled, confused and scared. Satisfied that her son has stopped drawing, she continues with what she was doing.

A while later she walks past his room again. Now he is drawing all over the furniture. Mom is now furious and just doesn’t understand why he didn’t listen.

He didn’t “listen”, because he wasn’t given an alternative, acceptable behaviour. Maybe if he had been given an alternative – like lots of big pieces of paper or cardboard to draw on, this wouldn’t have happened and he would have understood what was acceptable and what wasn’t.

A similar comparison can be made to how we use this word with our dogs.

Show dogs an alternative, acceptable behaviour that can be rewarded to reinforce it, instead of just saying “No!”.

Showing dogs what to do instead of what not to do, builds trust, improves communication, helps dogs feel safe and encourages them to work things out for themselves.

06/10/2023

When we stand still and let our dog calmly process things, they have time to realise it’s not scary. Rushing them past just adds to their concern that it could be dangerous.

We tend to rush dogs through life, and never really give them the chance to make their own choices, or observe something for long enough to understand it.

Just slowing down and letting them be still, is good for them and for us.

Remember: ensure they have enough space to feel safe.

13/09/2023

Behaviours that are positively reinforced are repeated. Tell your dog when they do something you like, even if you didn’t ask them to do that behaviour and they will start to repeat the behaviour.

Training Tuesday
Try to focus on the good 'stuff'. Count out 50 treats (yes, 50) every morning, and make a list of 10 things you would like your dog to do more often.
Every time they do something you like, give them a treat. In no time, they will be doing the things you want more often and for longer.
The idea is from Kathy Sdao: Plenty in Life is Free.
If you have not read the book, you should!

04/09/2023

Congratulations to Rajah and Walter for graduating from Adolescent Manners Class.

30/08/2023

If you are considering teenage manners classes, my next group starts on Tuesday 5 September in Mosman. We cover walking without pulling, coming back when called, politely greeting people, leaving things they should not eat and calmly sitting or lying next to you.
More information is on my website or give me a call. https://www.balmoralpetservices.com.au/adolescent-manners-class

26/08/2023

It's International Dog Day!!

Let's celebrate our canine companions today, from our lounge lizards to our working dogs, from the pups to the golden oldies

Give them a treat from us at PPGA :)

16/08/2023

I am regularly asked how I get the dogs to walk so nicely together. The answer is lots of training – I reinforce behaviours I like and stop behaviours I don’t want by asking them to do something else instead. We keep practicing and I am consistent so they know what to expect. The result is (usually) a happy and relaxed walk.

15/08/2023

A wagging tail can be misleading. We need to look at the dog as a whole as demonstrated in this video.

10/08/2023

While you are teaching your dog a new behaviour, management helps prevent them practicing the unwanted behaviour.

TRAINING TUESDAY

MANAGEMENT - What does it mean in dog training terms?

Management generally limits your dog's ability to access a particular environment. This could include:
🐶removing items to prevent chewing them
🐶baby gates across doorways to more easily stop access to certain areas
🐶blocking vision out of certain windows or gates
🐶using a lead

Limiting your dog's ability to access a particular environment can really, really help:
🐶set up for success
🐶teach & practice under lower distractions
🐶avoid practicing undesired behaviours

It is not to be underestimated!

If you can't actively train, then manage!

PPGA member Zara from Witty Woofs delves into more detail here: https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/Behaviour-Management

15/07/2023

Do you need help with your teenage dog?
I am pleased to be offering face to face dog training classes in Mosman, starting 3 August.
Over 5 weeks, we will cover:
- walking calmly with you without pulling on the lead
- coming back when called
- lying or sitting calmly next to you
- politely greeting people and dogs
- leaving things they should not be eating
- sit, lie down and stay

For more information please message me or check my website

Do you need help training your young dog? We cover walking calmly with you, recall, polite greetings, settling etc.

01/07/2023

Understanding why your dog is doing a behaviour and teaching them a better alternative is more effective and kinder than a harsh quick fix.

BEWARE OF THE QUICK FIX!
There are no quick fixes when it comes to lasting, successful behaviour change, whether with ourselves or with our dogs.

Want to lose weight? The quick fix of diet pills, meal replacements or slimming machines may initially be successful, but is unlikely to last. Long term success will require effort, a change in mind set, being mindful of emotions, eating less or differently and exercising – there is no quick fix.

Want to get a qualification? Hard work, long hours, commitment and effort is the only way.

The same principle applies to bringing about a change in behaviour.

We live in a society where we want and expect quick fixes. Our lives are often so busy, stressful and complicated enough without having to even think about spending time and effort in trying to “fix” our dog’s problems.

Why not just use a shock collar, choke chain, spray bottle, shake can or send them off to a board and train facility to quickly sort them out without us having to put in any time or effort? What about a trainer that guarantees quick results? There are never any guarantees when it comes to behaviour.

Stay away from quick fixes – they usually come at a great cost. Yes, they may suppress that particular behaviour but it is likely to surface in another way and we won’t like that either.

Changing behaviour takes time, it requires understanding, consistency, patience and commitment, but the results of “fixing” something the right way, are worth it.

This quote by Wayne Muller sums this up perfectly “In the soil of the quick fix is the seed to a new problem….”

01/07/2023

It must be so confusing for our dogs when we are inconsistent with our expectations and our behaviours.

It would be a rare client visit that there isn't some type of mixed messages given....and often.

We often don't realise just how many mixed messages and signals we can actually give.....and how often we give them.
Mixed messages will work against everything you want to achieve.

Let's look at this from your dogs or puppies point of view....

They may be given an old shoe to chew.....so shoes are now ok to chew?
You may tell your dog "down" over and over when you want them out of the car....but they ARE down (lying down).
They are not allowed on the furniture.....but occasionally when a movie is on...they are allowed ?

If you can start to become aware of mixed messages you give.....you may just start to see how many times signals are just unclear.
A muddle of different words by everyone... yet an expectation that they are understood and that your dog is just ignoring what you asked.
Are they ignoring or have we just asked them something that has a totally different meaning to the last time you said those words?
Yet we expect a different result?

Have a talk with the family and work out the SAME words and clear "rules" going forward.

Your dog will thank you and they WILL start to show you more wanted behaviour and less unwanted behaviour simply because they now understand exactly what you are trying to communicate.

Different rules.
Different words.
Different expectations
They will always give you far different results than you may want.

26/06/2023

Does your dog jump up at you when it sees another dog or something scary?

"Why does my dog jump up at me when another dog approaches?"

When a dog seeks height during a walk it is often a sign that they are asking us to keep them safe.

Dogs have a natural instinct to assess their surroundings and look out for potential threats. If they feel unsafe they will tell us, and some do it by height seeking.

When a dog engages in this behaviour, they are essentially communicating their need for safety.

They may be indicating that they are unsure or anxious about the surroundings, and they rely on their person to provide reassurance and protection. It is important for us dog guardians to understand and acknowledge our dog's signals, as it strengthens the bond of trust between us.

If a dog seeks height and appears worried during a walk, the best course of action is to assist in creating a safe environment. This can be done by:

-Empathising with them and seeing the approaching 'friendly' dog through their eyes, not your own.

-Protecting them from intrusive dogs and people.

-Adjusting the environment by maintaining their safe space.

Choose quieter walking routes or avoid crowded areas until your dog feels more at ease. Creating a more controlled and familiar environment can help reduce your dog's stress, only when a dog is not stressed can they learn to be resilient to stressors.

It's important to remember that every dog is unique, and their reactions may vary. Pay close attention to your dog's body language and individual needs. By recognising their request for safety and responding appropriately, you can help your dog manage their worries and enjoy walks with a greater sense of security.

Learn more about what your dog is trying to tell you, with our Canine Communication workshop and free eBook: https://www.canineprinciples.com/course/canine-communication-webinar

23/06/2023

Our dogs body language tells us so much about how they are feeling.

THEORY THURSDAY - canine body language

As humans we know how important our body language is to convey context & clearly communicate (& how tricky the written word can be for context, particularly in short form as per social media!)

For dogs, body language is so much of the picture. Understanding body language on the lower level of the 'ladder of aggression' can help avoid escalation to the potentially more dangerous higher rungs.

Dogs don't necessarily methodically move up rung by rung, but it gives good context for the types of behaviour you may see as stress escalates.

You're looking at the whole dog, and taking context into account. If unsure, stop, give space & re-evalutate. If you'd like support to translate your dog's body language, contact a PPG member for help https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/find-a-professional

13/06/2023

Puppies just need to learn what is a dog toy and what isn’t.

🐾 Attention Puppy Parents! 🐾

📢 Tired of those little puppy teeth finding their way onto everything in sight? We've got a tip to help curb those biting and chewing tendencies. 🦴

Redirect your adorable fur baby's attention to a puppy-approved toy or chew!

🧸🦴 Not only does this save your favorite pair of shoes from becoming a chew toy, but it also encourages positive behavior and keeps your furry friend engaged and entertained.

🐶 Next time your pup decides to give your furniture a makeover or nip at your ankles, gently remove yourself from their reach and offer a tempting toy or a delicious chew treat instead.

🍗🦴 This way, you're providing them with a designated outlet for their natural chewing instincts
while reinforcing the notion that chewing on appropriate items is paw-some!

Remember, patience is key! Consistency in redirecting their attention to their toys will help teach your pup what's acceptable and what's not. 🐾

Share this tip with your fellow puppy parents and tag a friend who needs this helpful advice!

🐾❤️ Let's keep those puppy teeth busy and our belongings intact! 🐶💪

08/06/2023

If your dog is doing something you don’t want them to do, ask them to do something else instead. ‘No’ does not tell them what you do want them to do. If you don’t want them to jump up, teach them to sit instead by practicing lots of sits until they are very good at it. Sitting will become a new habit instead of jumping up.
If you need help teaching a new behaviour, click here for more information or send me a message www.balmoralpetservices.com.au/dog-training.

01/06/2023

Likimats can keep your dog busy and mentally engaged. I've used cooked pumpkin and a few bits of chicken. I haven’t spread it to the corners to encourage the dog to lick the middle of the mat rather than chew the edges. You can also use peanut butter, Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, mashed banana etc.

27/05/2023

Moving away from another dog or something scary can usually reduce dogs pulling, barking or lunging at it.

25/05/2023

Training is always the best option to teach your dog to walk calmly next to you. You can also try using a harness which has a clip in front of their chest to attach to the lead. It’s so easy for your dog to pull you along if the lead is attached to the top of the harness on their back.
If you need help to teach your dog to walk calmly next to you, send me a message or click here for more information about what I offer: https://www.balmoralpetservices.com.au/dog-training

18/05/2023

A cardboard roll is one of my favourite enrichment toys as it encourages dogs to think, keeps them busy and is good for the environment. Make it easy for them while they learn what to do - first make one fold at one end (cardboard roll on left), put in some treats and show your dog how to tip it over to access treats. Then fold both sides on one end (roll on the right). When they are confidently getting the treats out, also fold one side on the opposite end, then both sides on both ends. Mental stimulation is tiring - give your dog things to think about and do, rather than barking or digging.

15/05/2023

If your dog licks his lips when there is no food, he could be worried about something. Watch your dog for lip licks next time you are somewhere that could be scary and see if he is communicating with you.

🦷 The bite happened out of the blue… or did it?

👉🏻 Dogs don’t bite out of the blue. ‼️

😩 They have an entire language of their own and give signals when they are feeling stressed or conflicted.

❓Is a lick just a lick? Not always.

👅 In dog language, a dog might stick their tongue out and lick their nose is a big swoosh because they ate something tasty. This happens when food is involved. Maybe you have your dog a piece of steak 🥩. Maybe your dog just licked some delicious peanut butter 🥜.

👀 BUT, have you ever noticed your dog licking/tongue flicking when there is no food present?

👁 Watch your dog when they are interacting with people, at the vet’s office, while at the farmer’s market, in the pet store, while driving in the car, when strangers interact with your dog, or any other encounter.

👅 Do you see tongue flicks/lip licks when there is no food around?

⚠️👉🏻 Your dog is telling you that something nearby is causing them stress or concern.

🔬 Watch your dog this week let us know if you had any “a-ha” moments that you weren’t aware of before learning about lip/licks/tongue flicks.

03/05/2023

Billy found dog parks very scary when he started walking with us. He has now learnt how much fun they are and races around and goes exploring. It has taken lots of treats and very short calm experiences in the park to build his confidence. If there are big dogs, barking dogs or dogs playing a rough game we leave the park, to ensure he doesn’t have a bad experience. It doesn’t take much to scare a dog, particularly a young or small one so make sure you intervene quickly if your dog is uncomfortable.

01/05/2023

I can’t wait for these to be banned everywhere. There is no excuse for hurting a dog in the name of training.

Well done England!! The English Government has laid legislation which will completely ban the use of remote controlled electric shock collars in England, as of 1 February 2024, following a ten year campaign to .

A number of states in Australia have banned the use of these devices and we hope to see other states follow suit soon.

PPGA's position statements regarding the use of these devices is below:

https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/shockcollars

There is simply no excuse for using these devices, which cause physical and psychological harm, especially given the vast array of positive training methods available.

17/04/2023

Dogs communicate with us in so many subtle ways. We need to learn to interpret their behaviour. A yawn could indicate your dog is concerned about something.

👉🏻 Yawning may not mean what you think!

😫 Unless your dog just woke up from a nap or is sleeping, the yawn likely means there is something going on nearby that is causing stress.

🥱 Yawns are part of your dog’s language that let’s you know when they are feeling anxious or stressed. Yawns are signals that are often misinterpreted or missed.

✅ In order to help our dogs and reduce the chances of biting we need to understand the language our dogs speak and what they are trying to tell us.

27/03/2023

I received such a lovely compliment in the park today. A lady I don't know commented that she sees me all over Mosman and the dogs always look happy and so do I. Dog training and walking should be relaxed and the dogs know, or quickly learn, that they have fun with me.

08/02/2023

Our Neutral Puppy School Course has some spots left. The class starts on Monday at 4 Paws Vets. Puppy school is fun meeting other families, and seeing how your pup interacts with new people, places, and dogs. Learn how to build the essential recall. Gain confidence in reading dog play and when to let go and when to step in . Enjoy the success of having a dog that trusts to listen and respond to your signals .. Sign up quick
https://letsgofido.com.au/neutral-bay-puppy-school/

28/01/2023

If you are using a trainer and you aren’t 100% comfortable with their methods, stop using them. Don’t doubt yourself. You are responsible for the welfare of your dog and you can prevent your dog experiencing pain and emotional stress. There are lots of force free trainers that dogs enjoy working with while they learn new behaviours.

19/01/2023

Hiding treats is a great way to keep your dog busy and to provide mental stimulation. Chloe has a sore leg and can’t go on walks, so we are giving her something else to do. As she hasn’t done this before, I first scattered treats on the paper and let her find them. Then I scattered treats and crunched up the paper, with a few treats on top to get her started. When she was happily pushing the paper around and pulling it apart, I put the paper with treats, in a cardboard box. The next step is to use a bigger box that she can step into, with smaller boxes in it, all with crumpled up paper and treats.