College 4 Canines

30/01/2025

For many many years I've been using Natural flea and tick repellents and had absolutely no issues. I refuse to use the chemical based, with Bears allergies he's got sensitive skin and a weakened immune system as a result. Using chemical based would irritate his skin making him restless. Would never go back now

The standard practice in the UK is to advise a preventative approach, treating pets every couple of months even if they don’t have fleas.

But flea treatments include powerful insecticides that have been found to leach off pet fur – and the hands of their owners – into waterways. A recent study also found that songbirds are inadvertently killing their young by making nests out of contaminated pet fur.

There is growing concern about the impact these treatments are having on biodiversity. Imidacloprid and fipronil, for example, are powerful insecticides: one monthly flea treatment for a large dog contains enough imidacloprid to kill 25 million bees.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jan/29/vets-urged-to-cut-back-on-flea-treatments-amid-uk-biodiversity-fears

20/01/2025

This study is actually a very interesting read, there was a higher correlation between early social exposure in puppies and aggression. The authors found puppies that were exposed as soon as they were 8 weeks old & puppies that weren't exposed until 18 weeks!.
Although the study showed a correlation it's interesting to think sometimes starting public exposure too early can be as detrimental as leaving it too late and past the early socialisation period which is important in puppy development.

What do you think?
Personally I say it all depends on the individual puppy some are resilient and confident for public exposure at 8 weeks old. But there are some puppies which are more sensitive, or perhaps more susceptible to anxiety and/or anxiety

Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhance and strengthen the human-animal bond. If you have any questions about your pet’s behavior please contact us.

19/01/2025

Scatter feeding is many benefits for dogs and often something I recommend.
Sniffing for dogs increases dopamine and makes them happier, as well as helping them calm. Tires ALL dogs out quickly plus much much more!
Try it next time time your out with your dogs 😉

14/01/2025

100%

For the people at the back you cannot train your way out of a behaviour issue . This is completely different to teaching a healthy animal a new skill set. If we want animals to learn well then all of the above need to be in place prior to training. Obedience and training do not fix everything .Punishment certainly does not and learning theory has its limitations . What you can do instead is in no particular order

🐴🐶 Ensure their species specific needs are met .

🐴🐶 Meet their emotional needs and ensure they have good relationships with other animals and humans. This can take a fair bit of time depending on the individual .

🐴🐶 Ensure they are physically healthy or that pain and disease are identified and well managed.

🐴🐶 Ensure their diet meets their species and individual needs.

🐴🐶 Recognise an individual who is struggling whether that is with fear, anxiety, frustration or another emotion that what they need is support not simply to have their behaviour made more acceptable .

🐴🐶 Use the body language and behaviour signals the horse or dog gives naturally to build a language between you as opposed to training a stop and start signal that you choose. If it comes from the individual it is far more meaningful to them because they created it. Secondly slow down, STOP if you observe tension and allow yourself to be animal-led

©️ Jessie Sams Animal Behaviour and Trauma Recovery Service

13/01/2025

So true!
Not all trainers are knowledgeable enough for behavioural work. But all behaviourists should know how to train common behaviours

Knowing which professional you need to contact to help you with your pet is vital. Use this handy infographic to decide whether you need a trainer or behaviourist. Keep In mind, some behaviour challenges may require both training and behaviour modification so often these go hand in hand. What's great is that when you choose a COAPE Certified Animal Behaviourist, you can be sure that they have the skills to help you with both training and behaviour. ​
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For a list of COAPE-endorsed trainers and behaviourists you can go to our website here: https://coape.org/find-a-behaviourist/

06/01/2025

RIP absolute legend in animal behaviour

With profound sadness and immense gratitude, we honor the life and legacy of Karen Pryor, a true pioneer in the fields of animal behavior and positive reinforcement training. Karen’s groundbreaking work revolutionized how we communicate with animals—and each other—leaving an indelible mark on science, education, and the lives of countless species around the world.

Continue reading: https://bit.ly/4214rRG

04/01/2025

This week we were all the way to Throckley for Scentwork training and boy golly was it worth it 🐾🤩
We worked on;
- Reducing the hide to a single clove pod
- Recognising and building a freeze indication
- Focus searches
- And even threw in some blind searches too

If you've got a venue in the North East and interested in hosting a Scentwork workshop with an accredited Scentwork instructor

31/12/2024

We are currently looking for a new venue for Puppy classes, Adolescent dog training classes and Assistance Dog training in or around Amble. Indoor or Secure Outdoor areas considered.
For indoor; Halls/rooms for hire, sanded areas or barns
Outdoor; Secure fields, secure empty car parks

For Scentwork workshops we are looking for unique places that's dog friendly and would be open to discussing workshops. I'm an accredited Scentwork instructor and Detection Dog Handler through the UKCSD

13/11/2024

🐶 Just FOUR spaces left for our next block of classes starting Tuesday 26th November @ 6PM - message to grab your space!

01/11/2024

For the pets and owners who find fireworks season distressing, try our radio sanctuary: Classic FM’s Pet Classics. 🐾

On Saturday 2 and Tuesday 5 November from 5-9pm, join us for soothing classical music and practical tips from RSPCA (England & Wales).

Just tell your smart speaker to “play Classic FM” or listen on . 🎶

30/10/2024

After 9 years of covering South Northumberland. Next month we are relocating to Amble and will be offering classes and behavioural training based in Amble in the new year

All current classes in Blyth will be completed as planned, same as 1:1s

21/10/2024

🐾🐾PERFECT PUPPY CLASSES 🐾🐾
LAST CLASS OF THE YEAR
TUESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 6pm-7pm

Do you have a puppy aged under 6 months and want them to grow into happy confident dogs?
Our Perfect Puppy Classes cover everything you and your puppy need to know to maximise success in training and to build a solid foundation before your pup hits adolescence.

In the perfect puppy classes we cover:
- Building motivation and focus
- Dog Body Language
- Sit, and down
- Leave (perfect for young pups when they start exploring)
- Settle (one of the most important things to teach a puppy)
- Loose lead walking
- Recall
- Mental stimulation and problem solving
- How to greet other people
- How to greet other dogs

PLUS:
We cover:
- Teething and appropriate chews
- Jumping up
- Housetraining
- How to prepare them for adolescence

You also get a puppy pack to take home that covers everything you need to know to make your puppy into the perfect puppy and a bag of treats.

For more information go to;
https://www.college4canines.co.uk/service-page/perfect-puppy-classes-6?referral=service_list_widget

Do you have a puppy aged under 6 months and want them to grow into happy confident dogs? Our Perfect Puppy Classes cover everything you and your puppy need to know to maximise success in training and to build a solid foundation before your pup hits adolescence. In the perfect puppy classes we cover:...

21/10/2024

🐾🐾BRONZE LIFESKILLS CLASSES🐾🐾
LAST CLASS OF THE YEAR STARTING THIS
SUNDAY 27TH OCTOBER 5-6PM

Are you looking at improving your dogs obedience arond other dogs and people?
Do you have an adolescent dog that gets excited around other dogs?
Do you struggle keeping your dogs attention around other dogs?
Do they constantly pull or run away?

In Bronze Lifeskills classes we train behaviours that can be incorporated into every day life using force free and reward based training. By the end of the 6 weeks your dog will be able to walk past other dogs, stay focused on you and bring back the enjoyment of walks.
The classes are open to all dogs aged 6 months and above.
Over the 6 weeks your dog will learn-
✅How to maintain focus on you
✅Building motivation and how to have inject fun into training
✅Loose lead walking around distractions
✅Walking through a crowd of dogs and people
✅Sit, down and stand
✅Leave
✅Stay
✅Recall working up to offlead recall
✅How to greet someone without jumping up
✅How to greet other dogs

For more information go to;
https://www.college4canines.co.uk/service-page/bronze-lifeskills-6?referral=service_list_widget

Do you have an adolescent dog that gets excited around other dogs? Do you struggle keeping your dogs attention around other dogs? Do they constantly pull or run away? In Bronze Lifeskills classes we train behaviours that can be incorporated into every day life using force free and reward based train...

14/10/2024

🐾🐾BRONZE LIFESKILLS CLASSES🐾🐾
LAST CLASS OF THE YEAR
SUNDAY 27TH OCTOBER 5-6PM

Are you looking at improving your dogs obedience arond other dogs and people?
Do you have an adolescent dog that gets excited around other dogs?
Do you struggle keeping your dogs attention around other dogs?
Do they constantly pull or run away?

In Bronze Lifeskills classes we train behaviours that can be incorporated into every day life using force free and reward based training. By the end of the 6 weeks your dog will be able to walk past other dogs, stay focused on you and bring back the enjoyment of walks.
The classes are open to all dogs aged 6 months and above.
Over the 6 weeks your dog will learn-
✅How to maintain focus on you
✅Building motivation and how to have inject fun into training
✅Loose lead walking around distractions
✅Walking through a crowd of dogs and people
✅Sit, down and stand
✅Leave
✅Stay
✅Recall working up to offlead recall
✅How to greet someone without jumping up
✅How to greet other dogs

For more information go to;
https://www.college4canines.co.uk/service-page/bronze-lifeskills-6?referral=service_list_widget

Do you have an adolescent dog that gets excited around other dogs? Do you struggle keeping your dogs attention around other dogs? Do they constantly pull or run away? In Bronze Lifeskills classes we train behaviours that can be incorporated into every day life using force free and reward based train...