Progressive Dog Training

04/08/2024

Congratulations to Finley and his owner, Sue, for passing his IMDT Partnership Grade 2. The hard work paid off - now on to Grade 3! Welld done guys.

18/07/2024

Well done to beautiful Molly and her lovely owners, Catherine and Martin, for passing the IMDT Parternship Grade 1 assessment. the hard work paid off! Now on to Grade 2. See you soon!

28/06/2024

I often have people saying to me that their dog is 'ignoring' them, but are they really, or are we being unfair? Have you ever been watching an amazing movie or been trying to concentrate on driving somewhere you haven't been before and someone is nattering in your ear? Can you honestly say that you don't tune them out? Of course, we all do this, but it's subconscious.

Now consider that a dog has up to 300 million scent receptors (compared to our approximately 6 million) or that they are very focussed on something exciting. Is it any wonder that they can't hear us incessantly calling their names?

I was recently teaching a class where I had 2 dogs parallel walking and I was so completely focussed on watching the body language that I genuinely didn't hear one of my customers asking me a question. I wasn't being rude; I just didn't hear him.

This is why a solid reflex to name or other positive interrupter is so important in dog training.

Dogs don't deliberately ignore us - that's a human trait, they simply don't always hear us.

28/06/2024

Should be a great day out, with or without your pups!

23/06/2024

I have a new 8-week foundation puppy course starting 16th July at Chawton Village Hall.

All training takes place in a relaxed and supportive environment using positive reinforcement methods.

In addition to training, learn how to manage and prevent common undesirable behaviours.

Maximum of 4 puppies per class.

Please contact me for further information.

16/05/2024

We are proudly sponsoring the Temptation Alley Scent Trail at Binsted Dog Show this year. The winner of this class will also receive a copy of Steve Mann's Easy Peasy Doggy Diary.

Whether you are entering or not, get yoruselves along and have a great time!

01/05/2024

New Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy 12-week courses starting on 16th May at Chawton Village Hall. Limited spaces. Please message for further details.

17/04/2024

They are out there! There seem to be a lot of ticks out early this year. I have removed several from my dogs already. Please ensure that your tick treatment, whatever method you use, is up to date.

Even with treatment they will latch on, so regularly check for them, especially in areas such as the ears, eyebrowls, groin. inside legs etc.

Ensure you remove carefully using a tick remover, so that no mouth parts are left behind.

Ticks are also very happy to latch on to people so check yourselves too. The UK Health Security Agency is running a tick surveilance scheme. Please see this link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tick-surveillance-scheme

Be tick aware!

20/02/2024

There is still a space left on my 12-week puppy class starting on Thursday 29th February at 5.30.

Ever wonder why your puppy has zoomies, bites your ankles and does other behaviours you would prefer they didn't? We cover this as well as training foundation to more advanced cues - all using positive reinforcement.

Please get in touch if this is of interest.

28/01/2024

The winner of the Progressive Dog Training award for Best Puppy 2023 goes to Duke. His owner, David Brown, has worked incredibly hard with Duke's training and although he is only 9 months old, with the expected adolescence challenges, he has already passed his IMDT Partnership Grades level 1 and is well on his way to level 2.

Congratulations to Duke and David, great job!

20/01/2024

A double congratuations to Sue and Finley. Not only have they passed their IMDT Partnership Grades level 1 but they have also won the Most Improved Dog award for 2023 .

Sue has worked really hard with Fin who had previously had some bad experiences with other dogs and had lost his confidence. Fin has really taken to the gun dog style training and games we have been doing and has hugely grown in confidence.

Well done to Sue and Fin for all the hard work. You have really earned this award and now let's get that grade 2 done!

19/01/2024

Massive congratulations to Eoghan and Flynn for passing the IMDT Partnership Grades level 1. Flynn originally came to puppy classes and has now progressed to 'big dog' classes. Eoghan has worked very hard with Flynn, so I am delighted to be able to present their certificate and rosette. Onwards and upwards to Grade 2!

11/01/2024

Poor Stanley cut his carpal pad very badly yesterday whilst running round a field. I am guessing he did it on a bit of flint. Of course it was about a mile and a half from home and was bleeding profusely. Note to self - always have a bandage in the dog walking jacket.

He is now stitched and under instruction from the vet to have 14 days of strict lead walking. No running or jumping. Hmmmmm, I always wonder how many vets have had a young, fit, bonkers springer used to 2 hours off lead exercise a day....

However, opportunity knocks and it's about time I did some serious loose lead training with him. I have been trying to plan it for a while and now my hand has been forced.

The first walk is complete and thanks to a wonderful rubber boot from Sid & Lola natural pet shop, the bandage is intact. Let's hope it holds out until Saturday when the dressing is changed.

This is also an opportunity to broaden my enrichment repertoire. stuffed Kongs, licky mats, puzzle games, treat balls etc, to keep him mentally stimulated while on enforced rest. He will get lots of sniffy walks instead of running around. There is so much we can do with our dogs to prevent them from getting bored when they can't go out. Any inventive suggestions are welcome!

31/12/2023

As we move into 2024 I would like to wish all friends, supporters and customers of Progressive Dog Training a wonderful New Year. Thank you and your pups for a fabulous 2023. Much love, Stella, Bella and Stanley ###x

11/12/2023

New 12-week puppy classes starting in January on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Chawton Village Hall.

Maximum of 4 puppies per class.

Please drop me a message for further information.

07/12/2023

Q: When is a treat not a treat?
A: When it's reinforcement for a job well done.

I often get asked when training, "When can we stop using treats?"

I consider that a 'treat' is something nice given to the dog, regardless of behaviour. 'Reinforcement' is something that we give to the dog following a behaviour that we like, to make that behaviour more likely to occur again in the future. It doesn't always need to be food - we use food in classes as it's the best way of achieving multiple repetitions in a short timeframe, but in real life, toys, play, and life rewards are all appropriate reinforcement.
,
My dog Stanley isn't interested in food for training in a distracting environment, but he will work very hard for his squeaky ball.

when we consider that if we prevent, divert or ignore a behaviour we DON'T like and the dog isn't getting any reinforcement, the behaviour stops (becomes extinct). Well the same principle also applies to behaviour that we DO like.

Praise is good, but if you worked very hard all week and your boss just gave you a ruffle on the head and told you you were a "Good person", would you be motivated to work as hard next week?

Remember though, a reward given AFTER a behaviour is reinforcement. Unless you are using food as a lure when teaching a new cue for the first few times, just make sure you don't cross that line into bribery as demonstrated in the image!

03/11/2023

New courses starting soon, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Chawton Village Hall

- 12-week courses
- Training notes provided after each lesson
- Maximum 4 puppies per class

Please contact me for further information!

19/10/2023

A massive congratulations to David Brown and his lovely pup, Duke, for passing their IMDT Partnership Grade 1! This is all the more impressive because Duke is only just 6 months old. What a great team!

14/10/2023

As my budding groomers out there needing a home?

Dog Groomer wanted 🐶

I have a brand new dog grooming salon here at Sid and Lola natural pet shop, and I am looking for a self motivated, experienced dog groomer to join me in this exciting new venture.
Please get in touch or share this post & help me spread the word.
[email protected]
01420 388900

01/10/2023

Had to share this, it made me laugh so much! Trouble is, I completely identify with it!

08/09/2023

Just a quick reminder that due to the hot weather, all of my outdoor training classes are cancelled this weekend. See you all next week!

01/09/2023

New classes start on Tuesday 26th September.

Spaces available 5.15 to 6.15pm and 6.15 to 7.15pm.

Maximum of 4 puppies per class.

We will cover foundation behaviours through to intermediate, plus some fun games all using positive reinforcement techniques.

Please message for further information or an application form.

01/09/2023

Happy 1st birthday Larry! We hope you are having a wonderful day. We look forward to seeing you and your mum very soon. Sophie Rimmell

23/08/2023

What's in a name?

Are you aware that your dog doesn't acutally know that their name is their name? Bear with me on this one!

Giving each other names is a human concept. We think our dog's know their names, but what their name is actually a 'positive interrupter'. A sound that get's their attention, hopefully....

Now here's the thing. Many of our dogs don't have a reflex to their name. What I mean by that is that they flick their head to look at you when you use their name, without even thinking about it.

What can often happen is that we get a puppy and we overuse their name without any positive consequences. This is particularly the case in households with children who continually use the puppy's name "Fido, Fido, Fido, Fido" without anything else. What then happens is that the puppy learns to ignore their name, it just becomes white noise. A bit like when your kids nag you!

Even worse is if their name is used harshly to tell them off and they have a negative association with it. Every time their hear their name they think they are in trouble and will slink away.

A positive interrupter is very important. It helps to divert your dog away from trouble when out on a walk, helps with teaching loose lead walking and gets their attention before giving another cue.

So, if they are ignoring their name, all is not lost. We can positively condition a nickname or sound (such as a clicker) to be that positive interrupter. It's a simple case of pairing the word or sound with something good, such as a tasty treat.

To become reflexive a lot of repetitions are required, on average 2500, but when you break it down it isn't so bad. If you can do 40 repetitions a day split over 2 sessions with small but tasty treats, it will only take a couple of months to get this all important reflex in place. A short period of time when you put it in perspective with the years you are going to have your dog.

Test your dog. How do they react when they hear their name, particularly in a more distracting environment. Are you getting that reflex?

11/08/2023

One space remaining on my new puppy course starting Thursday from 5.30 to 6.30pm at Chawton Village Hall. Please message me if interested.

03/08/2023

I have just had the most wonderful morning conducting a suitability assessment on behalf of Pawsable Ltd for Jinx to go into training as an Autism Assistance Dog. I am delighted to say that Jinx passed all her tests with flying colours and can now continue with her training. She is a fabulous little dog and has a great future ahead of her. Good luck Jinx!

21/07/2023

We have new classes starting at the new secure dog paddock, Four Barks in Four Marks.

In addition, there are new puppy foundation classes starting on the following dates at Chawton Village Hall:

Thursday 27th July from 6.30 to 7.30pm
Thursday 17th August from 5.30 to 6.30pm

Limited spaces available - maximum of 4 puppies per class.

Please message for more info.

13/07/2023

It has not been a great morning so far. I was meeting one of my lovely clients to do an accompanied walk and instead of walking, I had to send her off to hospital in an ambulance, with a suspected broken hip and wrist.

I am sharing this because it happened as she got her dog out of the car. Unfortunately she had wrapped the lead around her wrist and her dog lunged forward as he saw another dog, pulling her to the ground.

Please, please don't ever wrap your leads around your wrists, it is really dangerous. Her dog isn't particularly large or strong but very young and excitable and he just caught her unawares. Better to let go of your dog than put yourself in hospital.

12/07/2023

Hi Everyone, I have some brand new classes starting in August. They will be held in Four Marks, at the new Four Barks dog paddock, Hawthorne Farm on Willis Lane.

Classes will be on a Sunday morning from 9.30 to 10.30am and 10.30 to 11.30am. Classes are aimed at adolescents and adult dogs that want to continue with their education.

Focus will be on recall, loose lead, enrichment games and there will be the ability for those wanting to work towards their IMDT Grades 1-6 to do so.

Maximum of 4 dogs per class. Please message me if interested.

09/07/2023

We had a great time at Binsted Fete yesterday and the weather (eventually) was kind to us. It was lovely to see clients past, present and future visiting our stand. Huge thanks to Sue Vincent for all the help and support and to the lovely (tall) chap from The Hampshire Dog Bed & Breakfast for helping us to put up the gazebo!