St Trainians School for Dogs

02/01/2024

01/01/2024

19/12/2023

We are going to be running puppy training at Myddfai Community Hall starting in January. Details to follow. But locally, please do join Janet. You will learn lots and have great support.

15/12/2023

One lucky doggo will be winning this beautiful hand made biscuit hamper tomorrow at Cwmamman Community Centre's fun dog show between 1 and 4pm. Plenty of other prizes to be won too. All profits will be divided between the local Greyhound Rescue, West Wales Poundies and Protecting Preloved Border Collies

Thanks to our own Rachel Marshall for donating this beautiful biscuit hamper to the event.

10/12/2023

No rawhide this Christmas! Or EVER! It is a deadly, awful chew to give to your dog. Please don't.

24/11/2023

Big baby girl (9 months old, yes big girl, and a little more advanced than the 2 in the previous video's), practicing.

Rally Obedience training is fun, look at the focus it helps create! Myddfai on Sunday mornings 11.00am (except this Sunday, we were there today instead). Inbox for more details

24/11/2023

Little girl (8 months) learning some Rally obedience. 8 months old

Rally Obedience is fun. Myddfai on Sunday mornings 11.00am (except this Sunday, we were there today instead). Inbox for more details.

24/11/2023

Baby boy learning some Rally obedience. He's only 20 weeks old, look how much he enjoys it. Rally Obedience is fun. Myddfai on Sunday mornings 11.00am (except this Sunday, we were there today instead). Inbox for more details

16/11/2023

We are now running Rally Obedience training/practice sessions at Myddfai Community Centre on Sunday mornings from 11.00 until 12.00 noon, followed by tea/coffee or even a snack in the dog friendly Café.

Rally obedience is great fun for both dogs and humans, and offers mental stimulation, learning exercises which can build focus and clarity into real life situations. Is something dogs look forward to each week. A great social activity for humans who love doing things with their dogs, and even a growing number of competitions over the summer, for those who feel that way inclined.

If you want to join us and our super friendly members please pm for more info. I promise its all fun 😂😁

15/11/2023

RETRACTABLE LEADS ARE DANGEROUS.

Ten reasons listed here.

03/11/2023

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC44tPm6GTcAlfZbbtCJ-SNQ

Dela dina videor med vänner, familj och hela världen.

02/11/2023

https://youtu.be/TowQ1M-l4EE?si=GbIjfip6-eKgcbDk

Become a Channel member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrmxzSIf7J66qvlOAT9AlZQ/joinSupport the channel: https://buy.stripe.com/14kdUS6gb4f26eQ8wwor one-of...

04/10/2023

https://www.barkandwhiskers.com/2023-10-01-how-air-scenting-products-can-harm-your-pet/?fbclid=IwAR0O5AlIRjPPbABG16jn8drNtmIjgzSOXqQhlQgDEcFw8jaDOp25DYPx0P4

We're bombarded with the message that most homes smell embarrassingly bad. Yet, making your home smell like you just walked into a beautiful meadow or pine forest can raise your pet's risk for malignancy and heart and lung disease. Here are the five worst toxic offenders.

14/09/2023

https://offer.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=FRAN01&_kx=yrAnZSNFHQ3W0IA-pcYpKafwKo28Xy39Cu1VU2CxcOA%3D.hsVump

Invitation only access to a very special offer on the world’s #1 tug toys. Power up your play and grab an exclusive discount you won’t find anywhere else.

06/09/2023

Supported by science - dog harnesses 🐶
I was recently approached by a trainer Haigh Hounds asking which harnesses are best for dogs - especially those who pull the lead, so here is the science.

Harnesses are often used as a training aid. Due to dogs likeliness to be unruly at younger ages it is plausible that harness type could have an effect on development. This raises questions to the suitability to the types of harnesses used, especially with younger or more unruly dogs who are likely to apply increased pressure to the harness.

The most prevalent musculoskeletal disease in dogs is degenerative joint disease. Incorrect biomechanics will lead to a loss of joint confirmation and function throughout the body, resulting in abnormal wear, inflammation, and arthritic conditions. With this in mind if harnesses do impact a dog’s natural gait, they may be a contributing factor to degenerative conditions.

Several studies have found altered biomechanics in a variety of guide dog harnesses. These studies have found that the placement of the handle (how laterally the handle inserted on the harness) had the biggest effect on thoracic limb biomechanics. As this is not relatable to most pet owners, these findings lack external validity to harnesses purchased publicly.

Lafuente et al., (2018) investigated the effects of harnesses on shoulder extension in dogs at walk and trot with a lead attached to the centre of the harnesses; furthermore the effects of additional pressure applied to the harness were investigated – providing the highest external validity to pet owners.

At walk shoulder extension without a harness ranged from 128° - 150°, providing an average of 135°. The most restriction was found in a Y-harness with an average of 130° of shoulder extension with the Norwegian harness faring better at an average shoulder extension of 132°. At a trot shoulder extension increased to 144° without a harness, decreased to 139° with a Norwegian harness and a further decrease to 134° with a Y-harness. The most applicable information came when weight was added to the lead to mimic the dog pulling. The Norwegian harness shoulder extension was increased by 1° when weight was applied to the lead whereas the Y-harness decreased shoulder extension by 1° when weight was applied. This finding is interesting as Y-harnesses are often marketed as ‘non-restrictive’ and whilst both types of harness have been proved to decrease shoulder range of movement, the Y-harness proved to be the most restrictive – especially when pressure is added, reducing shoulder extension by 11°!

The reasons for Y-harnesses showing the most restriction has not been investigated, although the positioning of the Y-harness could affect the thoracic sling musculature and brachial plexus resulting in a restriction to muscle activation and therefore limb protraction. The effects of pressure applied to the thoracic sling has been documented in horses, and a reduction in limb protraction, and carple flexion was found by Murray et al. (2013) supporting this hypothesis.

⬇️⬇️Take a look at the studies here ⬇️⬇️
Knights, H. and Williams, J., 2021. The influence of three working harnesses on thoracic limb kinematics and stride length at walk in assistance dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 45, pp.16-24.
Lafuente, M.P., Provis, L. and Schmalz, E.A., 2019. Effects of restrictive and non‐restrictive harnesses on shoulder extension in dogs at walk and trot. Veterinary Record, 184(2), pp.64-64.
Murray, R., Guire, R., Fisher, M. and Fairfax, V., 2013. Girth pressure measurements reveal high peak pressures that can be avoided using an alternative girth design that also results in increased limb protraction and flexion in the swing phase. The Veterinary Journal, 198(1), pp.92-97.

04/09/2023

04/09/2023

⭐A-Z of pet poisoning - I⭐

Ibuprofen is a very widely available over-the-counter painkiller. Although well tolerated in people, dogs are very sensitive to ibuprofen and ingestion of even a relatively low dose can cause adverse effects on the gut and the kidneys. A large overdose can even cause very rapid onset features including convulsions. Unfortunately, ibuprofen ingestion in dogs is very common, reflecting its ready availability in the home.

Never give your pet ibuprofen and always keep this medicine out of their reach.

☎️ Pet owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000
🤳 Veterinary professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055

30/08/2023

https://www.barkandwhiskers.com/2023-08-30-does-your-dog-suffer-from-sleep-apnea/?ui=70da3fba57043411e1924b9ecdc6bf573e440e23215b0c8a06da7a81ef641bc1&sd=20150303&cid_source=petsnl&cid_medium=email&cid_content=art1HL&cid=20230830Z2&foDate=false

It's common in humans, so why not dogs, too? Researchers recently set out to discover how often it occurs with dogs, using the same neckband designed for human sleep apnea studies. Finding striking differences among breeds, here are the ones most affected, and the reason why.

06/08/2023

I wish to make it clear, that in the light of certain things with evidence which are coming out via social media, and then the additional shock of a personal testimony from a lady this morning who trains with us, I no longer wish to be associated with Absolute Dogs, or any other company associated with them 😭

26/07/2023

To Castrate or Not To Castrate!
For decades castration has been recommended routinely for young dogs as a cure for some behavior issues. BUT - This isn't necessarily the right decision!

Want to find out how we advise dog professionals on the issue of Castration and Dog behaviour?

Grab this free ebook - the exact same one we share with Vets and other professionals.

It's called The “10-Minute” Behaviour Consult on Dog Castration Book: https://www.beha.vet/owners-free-neutering-ebook

It covers the common reasons why castration may be considered or requested and how professionals can approach these conversations (and transform these struggles) in “a 10-Minute Behaviour Consult”…
… from inappropriate marking
… to failed recalls
… to barking like crazy
… right through to unpredictability with other dogs

Most importantly it shows what to be advising owners (like you) needing help!

Including 6x Done-For-You 10 Minute Behaviour Consults with Clear Actionable Advice:
“My dog’s recall has vanished! It’s time to get him neutered!"
“My dog has become aggressive to other dogs…”
“My dog Randy is hu***ng everything! It’s time to get him neutered!”
“My dog’s barking all the time… it’s time to get him castrated”
“My dog Tony has hit adolescence - he’s stopped listening, become unruly and generally is obnoxious! It’s time to get him neutered!”
“My dog George is marking everywhere and has begun marking in the house! It’s time to get him neutered!”

🚨STOP🚨 And read this! The “10-Minute” Behaviour Consult on Dog Castration Book: https://www.beha.vet/owners-free-neutering-ebook

22/07/2023

Special congratulations to Rachel and Merlin for passing your Good Citizens Gold Award. This is so special, due to Merlin's age, and health, and ticking off the bucket list for creating special memories. Very well done indeed, and also special thanks to our judge, Julie Thomas for helping create this special day.

22/07/2023

I can't say how pleased I am for these dogs and their oomans passing their Good Citizens Award and in such perfect style. All of them have had issues, from lack of confidence, to reactivity and hyperactivity. The efforts made by the latter 2 have gone above and beyond. Well done to you all. Now onto Silver, Rally obedience, competition obedience as well and see how long it takes you to start bringing in awards there too ❤️❤️❤️

19/07/2023

As I am now running very limited classes and concentrating more on dog sports, just a reminder to contact this lady for your more general doggy needs.

It's been a busy few weeks helping many of you with your dogs issues. I've been out and about visiting many dogs and their humans.
Some of these challenges include chasing sheep, poor recall, not listening, pulling on the lead, negative reactions to other dogs and people in high vis jackets, anxiety, excessive barking, therapy training and newly rescued dog settling in.
I cover Ammanford, Brynaman. Ystradgynlais, Pontardawe and everywhere in between.
If you're having challenges with your dog, please drop me a message or give me a call
07989 658867