Cleaver Dog Training

10/01/2025

DO YOU REALLY NEED TO WALK YOUR DOG TODAY?
There are lots of keyboard warriors ready to victimise anyone seen with a dog out in the summer and of course, it is extremely important to be mindful of this, but consideration should also be given in cold temperatures too. Within 10 minutes of leaving my house today, I saw someone slip and fall on the black ice; an old blind dog struggling with the ground and dogs being walked on very salty pavements.

I am not saying that no one should walk their dog when it is freezing; but do assess the risk vs benefits. After all, if you fall and break your leg today, you won’t be walking for weeks or months 😢

Hazards to consider in the cold include
🐾 Risk of injury to handler due to slipping on ice
🐾 Potential injuries to dogs caused by slipping
🐾 Increased chance of injury due to cold muscles
🐾 Discomfort/frostbite to paws on extremely cold surfaces
🐾 Irritation to paws caused by walking on salted pavements
🐾 Gastric issues caused by ingestion of salt from dogs self cleaning paws/legs
🐾 Threat of broken/strained toes/legs/tendons etc from running and tripping on frozen uneven ground
🐾 Possibility of hypothermia from cold temperatures

Consider if other forms of exercise and enrichment will meet your and your dogs needs instead. These can include scentwork exercises (finding a single target scent, scatter feeding, tracking a scent trial etc); training different postures, behaviours and positions (sit, down, twist, fetch, wait etc); indoor home based mind games (proprietary brain games, rummage boxes, KONG Wobblers etc); taking your dog to indoor alternatives if appropriate and practicing settling as well as exploring the different smells and experiences (shopping centres, garden centres, cafes etc).

Stay warm and safe everyone.

06/01/2025

LIFE SKILLS PROGRESSIONS CLASSES ARE BACK ON!

If you are looking to polish up your training this new year, this is the course for you.

After a short break for my surgery, I am pleased to confirm this course is restarting this weekend. We will generally be training outside unless the weather is bad, in which case, we will go into the training hall.

Groups are kept small to ensure maximum attention.

For more information, or to discuss if this course is right for you, please get in touch with Vikki Cleaver on 07773 784402 or to book, see https://cleaverdogtraining.upshotbookings.co.uk/face-to-face/silver-improvers-training/

05/01/2025

LOCAL ROAD CLOSURE WARNING
Rectory Hill will be closed from tomorrow for the next 6 weeks to do the work finally to stop the flooding on the bridge….but do not use today as a last opportunity to go that was as st least 4 cars broken down in the flood today already!
Obviously other local roads are likely to be busier as a result so allow plenty of time to get down to Old Amersham.

28/12/2024

MY TOP TIP FOR WINTER- Fishing gloves, you will not regret it!
If anyone finds any that are more girlie and still affordable then please let me know!

28/12/2024

PUPPY CLASSES ARE BACK 😁😁
I am thrilled to report that I am now cancer free, fighting fit and ready to get back to normal life
…..albeit feel free to tell me off if you see me heavy lifting as the head and body is willing but my surgeon is not so keen! 😁
Classes will start again on Sunday 5th January and are run on a rolling programme so you can start as soon as you are ready.
To reserve your space see https://cleaverdogtraining.upshotbookings.co.uk/face-to-face/puppy-foundation-manners/

After a few pretty horrible scary months, I am even more excited than ever to welcome you and your puppies again 😁🙌🐾🐶

26/12/2024

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas Day.
This is Hettie enjoying the Christmas toy I gave her today - not killed it after 5 minutes so I take that as a win!
Let’s see pictures of your dogs this Christmas

16/12/2024

Currently sitting on a tree trunk ‘walking the dog’! It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it 😂😂😂
Well the surgeon did tell me I need to take it easy! 🤣

15/12/2024

CHRISTMAS HAZARDS
When enjoying the build up to Christmas, don’t spoil it by overlooking some of the seasonal hazards for dogs

🍫 Chocolate is toxic to dogs so keep well out of reach even if wrapped

🎄 Baubles and other decorations can look very appealing to dogs but may splinter or cause blockages and cuts

🥧 Grapes and raisins can be fatal even in small quantities so be careful when eating mince pies etc that your guests do not drop any

💡 Cables to Christmas lights can be very tempting to chew, especially to puppies

🍀 Poisonous plants - holly, holly berries, poinsettia, pine trees and mistletoe are all toxic to dogs so be careful where you display them in your home (clover is ok but I couldn’t find a holly or mistletoe emoji😂)

🥂 Alcohol - as well as the risk of us loosing our guard when enjoying a drink (or 12!) at Christmas, dogs can be tempted to help themselves to unsupervised alcoholic beverages, which can make them very ill and you still need to be able to get them to the vets if necessary

🚮 Much of our Christmas rubbish can be tempting to our pets (cooked bones, fat covered foil, plate scrapings etc) so make sure all rubbish is well out of reach

🍗 Cooked chicken and turkey bones are especially hazardous to dogs as they can splinter, causing damage and obstruction to the gut

🚪 Safe place - many dogs are not used to, or comfortable with, the hustle bustle at Christmas so it is important to have somewhere they can safely go when they need down time. A stressed dog is far more likely to bite than a relaxed one

💰 Vets charges can be significantly higher during for emergency holiday appointments. It may be worth checking if your vet has their own cover or if this is externally sourced, and if so, what the charges are as well as where they are based

Have an amazing (and safe) Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in the new year 🍾

11/12/2024

If anyone saw anything suspicious please get in touch with Kew Little Pigs Farm Ltd - these are my neighbours at the training centre. It is the second time it has happened. Wtaf is wrong with people 😡😢

Our hearts are shattered as we share the news that our beloved goats have been stolen once again. We can't believe this has happened to us for the second time. Last night, they were taken from our farm. We are reaching out to ask for your help in spreading the word throughout our local area. Any information or support would mean the world to us during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for your kindness.

https://kewlittlepigs.com/blogs/news/devastation-as-our-beloved-goats-are-stolen-overnight

07/12/2024

GOT A PUPPY UNDER 16 WEEKS?
If so please consider signing up to this research project by Dogs Trust

https://generationpup.ac.uk/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid-social&utm_campaign=generationpup-2024&utm_content=c1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAAAGFXVQ36EBHXPlGxowGeu3oLiFOnAeIdRWXOXKRVEdmSLJBo2TWbOY9nqT-cwVvx4AWw_aem_h7a0QnCjpjmXr4WStct0zg&utm_id=6616050509673&utm_term=6689231907473

Welcome to Generation Pup an exciting new adventure in canine science. Generation Pup is the first study to follow dogs of all breeds throughout their lives. We are asking owners of all UK and Republic of Ireland puppies under 16 weeks of age, of any breed or cross breed, to sign up and become part

23/11/2024

Message from one of lovely people helping with Pixie while I am in hospital and my reply 😂

PIXIE “Hello mummy. Hope you're ok. I'm missing you very much and can't wait to see you. I'm being very well entertained. Last night that lovely (but a bit crazy lady) came to see me. We did lots of tricks . She's quite good at commands. I did it wrong a couple of times but she gave me a treat anyway so I didn't let on. We went for a little walk too. She said she's coming back this evening so I'm looking forward to that. Can't wait to see you soon. 🥰Xx”

ME “Can you tell that crazy lady it was probably her fault for not getting the cues exactly right as you are always my perfect angel so I won’t be told you did anything wrong 😂😂
Can you also tell her they are cues not commands these days, as no one is going to command you to do anything my precious princess.
You had also better make sure you say thank you very nicely to her otherwise she is likely to bash me round the head for being such an ungrateful cow while she is trying so hard to entertain you as well as being a lovely friend to me 🙏🙏🤣”

21/11/2024

Apologies to anyone trying to get hold of me but I am currently resident in Wycombe Hospital having undergone surgery on Monday.
Some of the regular agility classes are being covered by other trainers but all further training is suspended at the moment.
If you are in need of assistance in the meantime, feel free to ask and I will point you in the direction of alternative local trainers.
I look forward to being back to normal asap!
Loving my dachshund slippers that one of my clients gave me 😍

13/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ERQReBfwH/?mibextid=WC7FNe

04/11/2024

These paw cleaners are currently in the pet section at Aldi UK for only £1.99
Not personally used this type but I hear great things…and for that price, it is definitely worth a try

29/09/2024

Who has ever had or even trained a dog called Rover and does anyone know how that ever became a thing?

14/09/2024

STOP PRESS - MORE BEGINNERS AGILITY CLASSES ADDED

Due to the ongoing popularity of these sessions. more courses have now been added to the website. They are very popular so do not delay in getting your booking in as there are only 4 spaces available per session.

We aim to provide fun, safe, training using full size equipment but focus primarily in people wanting agility at a recreational level, without the additional pressures of aiming to compete. Your qualified experienced trainer will guide you throughout the course to ensure that both you and your dog have the maximum enjoyment and can successfully negotiate your way around a set of agility equipment.

Feel free to get in touch with Vikki Cleaver to see if these classes are suitable for you on 07773 784402.

https://cleaverdogtraining.co.uk/agility or if you are struggling, please use the old booking system here https://cleaverdogtraining.upshotbookings.co.uk/agility-training/starter-agility-class/ (I promise you this website issue is causing me far more grief than you - aaaarrrrrggggghhhhh!)

09/09/2024

3 full days of dog nerding with the mighty Dr Ian Dunbar (as well as one of my nerd buddies Tamsin Martin of Dedicated to Dogs)
Thanks to Dog and Bone for arranging a great event