Refined Canines Halifax

10/11/2024

09/10/2024

A few pics from this summer

04/30/2024

Album cover

12/29/2023

Love working with puppy development!

Is socialisation what you think it is?

I nipped into my local pet shop today to stock up on some treats for my clients. As I entered I saw a beautiful Kelpie puppy who must have been around 15 weeks old.

The first thing I noticed was what a stunning puppy she was (can’t help myself, it’s the ears!). Then I noticed how ‘wired’ she was.

Her owner was paying at the till and pup was struggling at the very opposite end of the leash, desperately trying to get at the world around her. Neither of them had any clue of what the other was doing.

I instantly knew my proximity to this puppy was not going to set either her or her owner up for success, so I swiped a few feet to the right.

As soon as my movement captured this puppy’s eye, she turned in fast beaming excitement and launched her full body weight at me. Her poor mum being yanked to the side as she struggled to carry her shopping and manage a very over excited young puppy.

I gave them even more room.

To some that may seem strange. Surely it’s important for that puppy to meet as many people as possible during that all important socialisation period?

Well no, it’s not. The quality of what she’s learning from an individual experience is.

If I hadn’t moved and puppy had gained access to me (no matter how nice and friendly I am) I would have made that lovely lady’s job so much more difficult.

Arguably more difficult in that moment but absolutely more difficult longer term.

What would pup have learned? That other people are way more interesting than mum? That I can throw my weight around and it gets me closer to the lady who smells like sausages? And that the pet shop is “THE BEST PARTY EVERR!”?.

If she were to continue being put in situations where it’s too much for her and she’s always trying to get at what she wants and being forcibly stopped by a leash there’s also a chance she might learn leashes and harnesses are yucky because “they stop me getting to the things I want”. That constant frustration in these early experiences could bring with it a whole host of other issues down the line.

Is all socialisation good socialisation?

I really dislike the label “socialisation”. It feeds into this myth that, in those all important first weeks, a pup must go everywhere, see everything and meet every dog, no matter who our puppy is as an individual.

We could talk about how impactful genetics/ early experiences of Mum and Pup are here and yes they are incredibly important to consider as part of the ‘whole dog’ picture. But ultimately socialisation comes down to what that individual baby dog in front of you needs to learn how to navigate the world

There is no one size fits all. It should look slightly different for every puppy.

I see countless puppies happy to be calmly cradled while their owners shop in that pet store. I see other older puppies calmly exploring on a leash in that store. That’s what they need.
But what they need during their critical socialisation period is very different to what the pup I saw today needs. And that might be different again to what your puppy needs. Quality of learning for that individual pup over quantity of experiences wins every time.

Yes pups need to learn to navigate the world and be exposed to crazy things this modern world might expose them to. But if they can’t calmly explore or watch the world around them, or they have no clue you exist in a particular environment then it’s good to reassess early on how you’re doing things.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by knowing what to do to help your pup learn to navigate the world don’t wait to reach out for help from a good, skilled & knowledgeable trainer that has your dog’s welfare at heart. Those first weeks count for a lot 🐾

11/01/2023

08/13/2023

The hard thing with posting about e collars is the negativity. The haters. The naysayers. The force free community. The people who don't understand how we train or why we do what we do. And the first thing I have to say about that is

I get it.

There are a s**t ton of trainers who use e collars who are absolute garbage trash. They don't know what they're doing. They strictly use the tool as punishment to suppress the dog. They are unfair. They lack timing. They lack consistency and they don't use any motivation. They use the tool simply to harbour control over dogs. To make them stop barking. To make them stop moving. To stop them. To make them not do.

We are educated and experienced in the tool. We have attended various workshops, seminars and courses on proper e collar use- we have learned from various people and adapt our methods to fit each dog and handler team we meet.
We use it fairly. We teach the dog everything we want them to know without the tool first. We teach the dog what the pressure means and how to be empowered to turn it off. We use the lowest perceptible levels that will motivate the dog. We reward the dogs heavily- and as a result they are enthusiastic and happy when they feel the stim - not shut down.

We don't train every single dog on e collar- but the ones we do have amazing results. Dogs and their owners are able to live happier and more fulfilling lives together. They get to go on more adventures safely and trust each other more.

There is no "fry to comply" here and the trainers who joke about or preach that should be avoided at all costs.

So to everyone who hates e collar trainers- I truly get it. I'm with you. I hate most of them too.

06/08/2023

https://www.facebook.com/295798660775823/posts/1926856331003373/?sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6

In recent times, there's been a increase in appreciation of ethological studies on free living dogs (FLD). One insight that is gaining rapid acceptance is "choice". We see discourse on how our companion dogs can benefit from choice and agency.

However, another insight that is overlooked is “overadrenalisation”. It evokes a lot of emotions. There are deep rooted *beliefs* that dogs or certain breeds need to engage in a lot of frenzied movement.

One of the most visually evident differences between FLDs and companion dogs is the “frenzy”. Companion dogs are frequently seen in over-adrenaline states, being further adrenalized by their activities and interactions. They may stop moving for a bit due to extreme physical exhaustion, but their frenzied behaviour is back soon. This is a major impediment to emotional regulation, which in turn makes it harder for dogs to deal with fear, improve communication, problem solve, form secure attachments and build confidence.

FLDs on the other hand are often calm, emotionally regulated and rarely engaged in frenzied activities. When they do run and play, it's in short bursts, not lasting more than a few minutes and followed by “de-adrenalising” activities like chewing, sniffing, napping etc… Juveniles may get carried away, but adults step in and disengage quickly. Studies show that their activity budget is dominated by sleep. If not asleep, they spend a large part of their time sniffing or watching the world go by. Physical movement is limited. "Nap, observe, move sparingly and limit mindless frenzy to a few moments of vulnerability” is a common animal kingdom mantra, at least for megafauna.

But people often believe that our companion dogs are exceptions to this. We’ll discuss where these beliefs come from in more posts this month. Stay tuned.

NOTE : If this line of reasoning is triggering you, we’re sorry. It's an all too familiar feeling since all of us at BHARCS held such beliefs once. More on that too, soon!

If you feel like you are ready to learn from FLDs (streeties), sign up for Canine Essential 101

https://courses.bharcs.com/

04/05/2023

We’re often asked that age-old question – “What “Tips” and “Tricks” Can Help Me with My Dog Problem?”

First, let’s start with some definitions:
A Tip: “a small but useful piece of practical advice”
A Trick: “a clever or particular way of doing something”

If you work with dogs in any capacity, you are likely asked to share a tip or trick about how to do something with dogs. It makes sense – people are always hoping to find that little nugget of information that they haven’t heard before that will be a game changer for them and their dog.

The problem is that there really aren’t tips and tricks that will solve the issues that people typically ask about. They usually ask about complicated stuff – reactivity, aggression, fear, anxiety, hyperactivity…

Now, just to be clear, tips and tricks have a place in this world. There are a few that we’d gladly offer to people…
✅ You should definitely teach your dog to be comfortable in a crate
✅ Don’t let your dog drag you around on a leash
✅ Give your puppy tons of opportunities for naps during the day
✅ If you carry a food pouch on you all of the time, you’ll always be in a position to respond to your dog’s behavior

It’s really the follow up questions to a tip or trick that turn the conversation to something else. Something that has nuance. Something that has specificity. Something that has a few steps. Maybe a lot of steps.

This is really where the internet leads us astray. It makes us think that in a 2-3 minute video we’ll have an answer to a complex and possibly serious problem; that the solution is the same for any dog; that every dog and every human does things in the exact same way; and, that the provider of the tip or trick actually has the knowledge or experience to share useful information.

Here’s what we know for sure about tips and tricks…

There are no tips or tricks about dog training that will solve complex behavioral issues. That’s because resolving a dog’s behavioral issues just doesn’t come down to tips and tricks. Honestly, anything that matters in life probably doesn’t come down to a simple tip or trick either.

And asking someone who has invested time, energy, and skill into a career for a tip or trick devalues the depth of knowledge and information that they can share.
You’ll waste a lot less time and make a lot more progress if you engage a process or system with an expert. Pick someone who you feel comfortable with. Pick someone whose way of training resonates with you. Pick someone who has accomplished the thing you are asking about.

If there really were simple solutions to behavior problems, we all would have solved them all in a 3 minute TikTok video and there would be very few dog trainers walking this planet 😊 After all, if it takes multiple paragraphs to write out a brief description of what’s going on in your house, it will take about that long (and probably longer) for us to give you any useful training plan. And just like that… the idea of “tips” and “tricks” just flies out the window!

03/21/2023

You and your dog can't grow without going through some discomfort in order to grow both as individuals and a team - THAT is what actually builds your bond with your dog!

Discomfort leads to growth!Join our Patreon community at http://www.patreon.com/chrisfraizecaninecoaching

03/18/2023

What is a Good Dog? Basically an easy pet dog has low defense (fight) drive, and a high pack (social) drive. (Volhard.com) A dog with a high pack drive will bond and work for people easily....

01/31/2023

Today we are examining a statement we see a lot: “it’s all how you raise them”.

Here are some actual comments we read online in response to a recent dog bite fatality:

"It's all how you raise them 100% we have 5 pit bulls and they are big babies but if provoked like any animal they could do damage yes!!"

"Dogs are 80-90% how their human owners treat them and train them. The humans responsible for that dog should be held fully accountable for that attack."

"It's all about how they're raised, my dog is a rescue and has bad traits due to this. A dog is a product of their environment."

This seems to be an appealing sentiment, because it allows us to believe that we have full control over our dog’s behaviour.

Unfortunately, it’s simply not true.

A dog is a product of both nature (genes and heredity) and nurture (environmental and external factors). Both factors play a significant role in all beings, not just dogs. Scientists have been unable to give a percentage as to how much influence both nature and nurture play. This is a very complex issue that is specific to the individual.

A dog can be raised in a home environment that has done everything possible to ensure a happy, healthy, and well-mannered dog. But despite these efforts they still end up with a fearful, anxious, unstable or even aggressive dog.

Why? Because genetics are real. A predisposition towards anxiety and fear can develop at the time of conception and can imprint a puppy from this moment. The mental and physical state of the momma dog during pregnancy has also been shown to affect the puppies for life.

On the flip side a dog could be raised in an environment that does everything wrong, and once removed from that environment that dog can flourish. You would expect this particular dog to never recover from the way it was raised but some of them certainly do.

We don’t know the exact balance of nature/nurture in any creature, but we know that temperament is ALWAYS a combination of both. That goes for good temperaments as well!

Some dogs have naturally stable and resilient personalities. These are the ones you see rescued from abusive or puppy mill seizures but go on to make fantastic family pets, even therapy or service dogs. If it was “all how you raise them” there would be no hope for these dogs, but there are a ton of these examples.

By denying the reality that a dog’s behaviour (like ours) is dictated by a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, environment – and probably a number of factors we don’t even know about yet – we aren’t giving them the respect they deserve. They are not blank slates or robots. They are complex, sentient, emotional animals. And that’s why we love them.

We suggest that we stop using “it’s all how you raise them” and refer instead to proven risk factors for behaviour. You could also talk about the responsibility of an owner to use behaviour modification and responsible management if their dog does show concerning behaviour. You can find information on both topics on our website.

09/19/2022

This is CRUCIAL information. The ratio of reputable & responsible rescue organizations to emotionally manipulative, irresponsible dog importation is easily 1 to 100+. It's very scary out there folks, be EXTREMELY careful and be sure you know exactly who & what you're actually supporting when looking for a dog.

Rescue Red Flags

Responsible pet ownership starts early, from the minute you source your new family member. Whether you choose a breeder or a rescue, it’s your responsibility to do your research and make a responsible choice.

While we would like to believe that any “rescue” has the best interest of the animal at heart, this is simply not the case. By supporting unethical or predatory rescues, you are lining the pockets of organizations that cause harm. You are also putting yourself at risk of getting a dog with behavioural, medical, or other challenges you may not be prepared to manage.

We've compiled a list of five "red flags" to watch for:

⒈ Mass adoption events and mass transports. Do you see posts about a rescue taking in 10, 20, or even 50+ dogs at a time? Or hosting events where a large number of adoptions are done on-site? This is not a good sign. Most rescues are run by small teams of volunteers. When there are large numbers of dogs moving through their program, it can mean they are either “flipping” dogs for profit, or they are in over their heads and can’t possibly be providing the care, screening, and support the dog (and adopter) deserves.

⒉ Screening. Put yourself in a rescue’s shoes for a minute. Imagine you have rescued a dog who may have had a difficult life, and has lost the only home they have ever known. You owe them the best future possible. What would it take for you to be comfortable placing them with a stranger? A long conversation? A home check? A vet referral? A meet-and-greet to observe them interacting with the dog? Think this through, and research the steps reputable rescues take.

⒊ Rushing the process. The hallmark of a predatory rescue is fast-tracking the adoption. They will often give you excuses: this dog just “happens” to be available now and desperately needs a home. The dog is in another country in a “high kill” shelter and only has 24 hours to live. Or, your application was so strong that they will make an exception and drop the dog off today! A rescue that cares about the dog’s future will take time to ensure a proper match.

⒋ Disclosure. A rescue should provide a vet check, treat any medical issues, and provide basic vaccination, ID, and spay/neuter. They should partner with reputable trainers who can provide assessment and support for any issues that arise – especially if it is aggression or another serious behaviour. All of this information should be discussed with you in detail, and records should be provided. An ethical rescue will want you to know exactly what you are signing up for.

⒌ Emotional manipulation. Most rescues share stories about the dogs in their program to raise awareness and attract adopters. However, a good rescue will focus on the needs of the dog in front of them. They will use their head AND their heart to make a good match. Unethical rescues use emotional manipulation as their main marketing tool – they will focus on lurid details and a dramatic backstory. They will pressure you into making a decision and make you feel like a dog’s life is in your hands. As tough as it might be, do not fall for it. These stories are often fabricated or exaggerated in order to “flip” the dog quickly.

Keep these five tips in mind next time you or someone you know is looking to adopt! A little time and vigilance can make sure you make the right choice for you – and support organizations that are doing good things for animal welfare.