Oh My Dog Behaviour Training & Solutions

23/07/2024

A few weeks ago River found his rear legs paralyzed (for the second time in six months). A trip to the ER and an overnight stay in the hospital for tests could not come up with a definite diagnosis. He’s ok and can walk again. So for now it’s therapy and here River is getting special treatment with the brilliant Kate, osteopath and acupressure practitioner. 🧘 ☮️
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16/06/2024

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***

03/02/2024

Some red flags to watch out for when rescuing a dog.

29/04/2023

Shock collars are finally banned in England!

At last! Shock collars are banned in England. It's about ******** time. This has been debated for so many years I don't understand why it's taken so long when Wales banned them many years ago. Let us hope that Scotland now follows suit. The Scottish government came out and "condemned the use" of shock collars back in 2018 but that was found to be completely useless as it was ignored. Hopefully they will now follow England and ban them altogether. They are banned in countries in Europe. Hell, even prong and choke collars are banned in some countries in Europe. Nobody should be torturing dogs in this current day and age. Now, all those wannabe "trainers" who don't know how to train a dog unless they are using shock, will have to actually learn how to be proper trainers. It can't come too soon.

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/shockcollarsbanned?fbclid=IwAR2i8ME890_R1AaCpwZZSmyR8QP3HGUD2lPUIjTI3D7-JvY8dTHCWTWCx5Y

28/01/2023

Yes! one of my main focuses with our current dog was to make sure he is happy. This is an important part of good animal welfare.

When we focus on making dogs happy, it’s better for them and us.

17/01/2023

One more step in favour of animal welfare. 👏

⚠️ PREMIÈRE VICTOIRE DANS LA LUTTE POUR LE BIEN ÊTRE ANIMAL ⚠️

L'interdiction des colliers électriques, étrangleurs et à pointes vient d'être votée à l'assemblée nationale 😍

A la quasi unanimité, les députés ont votés POUR la proposition de loi interdisant la vente et l'utilisation de ces outils coercitifs 👍

Un pas de plus en faveur du bien-être animal 🐕

Nous vous tiendrons informé de la suite de cette première bonne nouvelle ❤️

Belle journée à tous

28/12/2022

04/12/2022

Spaniel Cooper, The Short General, is the big brother of Morris. Things are gonna get crazy in the hood.
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04/12/2022

This is Morris the Český Fousek or Czech Wire-haired Pointer. A good boy and a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.
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03/12/2022

Shock collars watch out!…..we are coming after you!

If San Francisco adopts the proposed ordinance, it will join a broader global animal welfare movement.

The idea of banning shock collars is not radical, and it is not new. In fact, many countries have already enacted laws that ban the sale and use of shock collars. Germany first did so in 2006, and other EU countries have followed suit.

By Ren Volpe and LT Taylor

02/12/2022

Prong Shock Choke….We’re coming for you! Bit by bit….
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Well done Queensland!

01/12/2022

Yes!

A BILL TABLED TO BAN 'TRAINING COLLARS' FOR DOGS
in South Western Occitanie region of France.

The text, if passed, would prohibit the sale and use “on a pet of any electric shock device, choke without a stopper loop or with spikes”.

Renaissance deputies have tabled a bill to prohibit the use on a pet of so-called “dressage” collars, with electric shocks or spikes in particular, because of the suffering they cause.

These collars “have never been proven to be effective for any behavioral problem, and on the contrary, increase the risk of aggression and biting in dogs due to the stress, anxiety and suffering they undergo. “, justify the initiators of this text, including the deputy of Haute-Garonne Corinne Vignon.

They argue that “many alternatives exist to train or retrain dogs, without resorting to tools or methods that generate pain or fear.”

The text, recorded on Tuesday by the Presidency of the Assembly proposes to prohibit the sale and use “on a pet of any electric shock device, strangler without a stopper loop or with spikes”.

Failure to comply with this ban, which, if adopted, would come into force in 2024, would expose you to a fourth class fine, up to 750 euros.

29/11/2022

Boye, Crykette, Figge or…….? Can’t decide what to name your next pooch? Here’s a list of names, 1065 hounds, from a 15th century manuscript. 😜 😯 🤙

8580 views on Imgur

11/11/2022

Quotes from River.

31/10/2022

They are 15 years commitment ..

12/08/2022

“If you don't own a dog, at least one, there may not necessarily be anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life." ~Roger Caras
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19/07/2022

🍄Even though it’s not wet season here yet (Southwest France), some mushrooms have started popping up the the forest. Mushrooms might be great on pizza for us, many curious pets consume mushrooms that are toxic while out on walks. It’s important to be diligent and to avoid any mushrooms you may see. This also includes inspecting your yard, especially after it has rained, for any mushrooms that may have sprouted up. We’ve compiled a list of a few of the more common mushrooms that are toxic to pets you may encounter.
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If you fear your pet has eaten a poisonous or unknown mushroom, seek veterinary help immediately. If possible, try to get a sample of the same mushroom from where they were found to help aid in identification. 🍄

15/04/2022

It’s true.
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21/03/2022

As a dog trainer I always discourage the adoption of siblings, or even dogs close in age. It is a serious behavioural condition and a disaster waiting to happen. It always ends up in tears, with one dog getting rehomed… I’ve seen it happen plenty of times. An ethical breeder or rescue organization will never adopt out two puppies at once.

LITTER MATE SYNDROME / HOUSEMATE SYNDROME

I know there is a lot of controversy going around saying that litter mate syndrome hasn't been proven, but I just want to tell you what I have experienced personally teaching lots of siblings and why we no longer allow dogs who live together to attend group classes together.

I have seen that when someone gets two puppies together, or two pups within a short time period, less than a year apart, these pups form an extremely unhealthy bond. This is what I have noticed:

1. They are extremely attached to each other. Since dogs are social animals it is natural for them to seek out companionship whether it be with other animals or humans. It is also naturally easier for dogs to bond with other dogs from a young age because they are dogs. When two puppies are bought together, they immediately connect with each other and quickly become inseparable. They usually have separation anxiety and lack confidence when separated.

2. When we have two littermates together, you see that one is often more subdued and the other one is often a bully. This heightens when they are placed in social situations. One puppy will cope well, the other one will crumble and it takes ages to build their confidence as an individual.

3. We find that they are generally harder to train. Raising one puppy takes a lot of effort, two puppies is even more. A lot of people get two puppies at once so that they can 'keep each other busy' not realizing that it usually means double the potty accidents, double the destruction and double the reactivity. Dogs are social learners as well, so when they see a dog doing something, they usually join.

4. There is an increased risk for inter dog aggression with litter mates. We see that a lot of siblings start fighting with each other especially when adolescence hits.

What I have found now that we no longer pups who live together to join the same class together is:
1. The humans become so much more bonded with the pups as individuals.
2. The humans realize that each pup has completely different needs and a personality. One pup might need a lot more attention on confidence building and socialization where the other pup needs to work on play biting and being calm.
3. The humans realize how much the pups have bonded and how hard they need to work at separation anxiety from each other.
4. Over the course/s we see the pups flourish separately. Before I had this rule I have never been able to confidently say that litter mates have flourished in my class. I can see that they struggled being placed opposite sides of the class and I can see them become protective of each other during play group or I will see the subdued pup never fully become confident. Now that we have separated the pups I have seen so much more improvement in the development and confidence of these pups.

Tips for raising two pups together:
1. Enroll them in a force free puppy class asap. Do not wait until they are four months old, start NOW with a school who is strict with vaccinations being up to date.
2. Keep them apart often. Be strict with doing training, feeding, walking and enrichment separate and build their confidence as individual dogs.
3. Work on separation anxiety soon. Just like we need them to feel okay being separated from us, they also need to be able to be okay being alone and without the other pup. There will be times where one of the pups might need to go to the vet, and your other pup has to be okay.
4. Make sure you treat them equally, but acknowledge their differences. Make sure you spend enough alone time with them that you know what issues they need to work on.

16/02/2022

Today’s the day. 😬
🎾🎾’s ✂️😳

16/02/2022

Back by popular demand: Babies, Kids & Dogs & Safety

Live virtual workshop Thursday March 3rd 6pm

Review from a participant that attended previously:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Aviva's workshop on Safety for Babies and Dogs is an absolute must for any parent with babies or toddlers who are thinking of getting a dog or who already have a dog.
This workshop provides vital information for anyone including grandparents and caregivers who want to make sure that children and dogs are safe together.
I am an avid dog person and I have read and researched a lot, yet I still learned so much that I'd never seen or heard before anywhere else.
I cannot recommend it more highly."

To register email [email protected]
Cost $52.50

This workshop is virtual and can be attended by anyone, anywhere.

Please share, or tag someone that you think could benefit from some education around dogs and children and safety 🙏🐾

29/12/2021

Dive into mudpits. Roll in old p**p. Dig tunnels in the sand. You’re only a puppy once. There’s time to be clean later.
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23/12/2021

From our family to yours, best wishes for a joyous Christmas filled with love, happiness and good health.
🎄 🎅🏻 🦌☃️❄️💙

06/12/2021

The mother load from arrived in time for Saint Nikolaus day. Lucky lucky River. Yum yum 🤤
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06/12/2021

Interesting study demonstrates that dogs can gather information from our emotional expressions, infer some kind of emotional state and use this functionally to make decisions.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-021-01544-x

25/11/2021

My Lion turned one today 🥳 🎉

11/11/2021

Winner winner….. hairy cow ear dinner ……(?) 🤢
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Yep 👍 …… fur is actually undigestible, however, as the fur passes through the digestive tract it basically brushes the tract and helps to clear away food residue which can build up over time. This build-up of food residue, if left, can cause a sluggish digestive system and also cause discomfort!
✅ nutritional benefits
✅dental benefits
✅cognitive benefits
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22/10/2021

Eleven months. 32 kilos
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20/09/2021

The uncles have arrived and look at the beautiful collar they brought from Canada handmade by
Great idea!
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